Readers: I use the computer through NaturallySpeaking, voice recognition software.  It's a wonderful tool.  But occasionally it "Miss understands" me. I catch most of the errors, but you may find a few things that are off a bit, some will make you chuckle.

November 2000

November 16, 2000

In November my life began to change.  In October, as you will recall, I was having significant problems with fatigue.  Dr. Paul Brown, in Seattle, suspected a problem with my thyroid.  He referred me to a specialist, Dr. Robert Murray, at the Polyclinic.  I saw Dr. Murray on November 6.  He reviewed my blood tests (which were in the normal range) and my symptoms, which strongly suggested hypothyroidism -- low thyroid.  He ran a more sensitive test and on Thursday, Nov. 9 I received the diagnosis: I definitely have hypothyroidism!  And it is treatable!  For more information on thyroid and hypothyroidism check out thyroid.

So, I started on the thyroid medicine Friday morning, Nov. 10.  The first thing that I noticed is that I was sleeping through the night.  I no longer required a sleeping pill nearly every night to fall back asleep once I awoke.  It can take between six weeks in three months to fully respond to the medication so I am waiting and wondering.  Will my sinus infections go away altogether or come less frequently?  Will I need only eight hours of sleep?  Will my muscles get stronger at a normal rate instead of taking three times as long?  What I really want to know is how much of the fibromyalgia symptoms will be reversed by having the hypothyroidism treated.  I'm sure I have had this for at least 12 years, since the time I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  Maybe longer.  My parents told me that even in high school I went to bed without any argument.  I always needed more sleep than my sisters.

Dr. Brown told me that treating hypothyroidism can improve many fibromyalgia symptoms, except pain.  My fibromyalgia has been unusual in that my pain is as a result of injuries, which happened very easily.  Way to easily is far as I am concerned. But usually my pain is not a large issue.  That is, with the exception of my neck that hurts also time and continual headaches.  I have really bad headaches want to place the year.

So, what will the future bring...?

Marie

December 2000

December 10, 2000

It is exactly one month today sent I began taking the medication for hypothyroidism (synthetic thyroid). Yesterday, Saturday, I got up at 9 AM and my friend and I went shopping from about 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.  That is not something I would have done a month ago.  I would have needed to rest in the morning and then could go shopping from about 1 PM to 4 PM or 4:30 PM.  I have more energy.  I'm still sleeping 12 hours.  And I don't need sleeping pills.

Today I got up at 9 AM and went on errands.  I got my oil changed, purchased food, and purchased batteries and a Christmas present.  I was held before noon.  This is also amazing and not my usual behavior.  Usually all I want to do is play around on the couch and watch TV.  It has been a busy weekend and I am feeling a bit tired today.  So I have rested and watched some TV.  But also spent part of the afternoon working on this web site.

Life is much better than October.  When I went back and read that journal entry I was amazed.  I didn't remember exactly what it was like then.

Marie

Contact Marie at: [email protected]