Latest Endocrinologist Visit

It was good. I felt good. She says that I have two different types of antibodies affecting my thyroid; one that stimulates and one that inhibits. The stimulating one is in control right now keeping my TSH less than 0.01. Once I can get my TSH in a normal range, I need to maintain that for 6 months and then come off of my meds. If it never gets in the normal range, it is safe to take my meds forever. I was worried that she was going to say that I would need radiation or something. PHEW! Only side effect of the meds is that it could lower my white blood cells which is dangerous if I get sick/fever etc. So far, so good! The only random lingering weird symptom is the intermittent chest pain. Usually it only lasts maybe a minute a day but if it goes for 10 minutes, I'm supposed to go to the doctor. I have to say that I am feeling better than I've felt the last 10 months. Awesome. I'm only on 50mg PTU/day (I started at 3X50mg PTU day).

Louise

Weight

I have a good 10lbs to lose. I noticed this again when Gary caught a picture of me and I was wearing something not too flattering. I went out that night and bought new pants. I don't know if I want to work hard at this or make subtle changes. I'm thinking subtle changes. More exercise, less baking. It's really hard for me to try to lose weight because my metabolism fluctuates so much each month (based on my hormones). I will go up and down about 6 lbs each month. I shouldn't complain, I just am way too soft in the middle for my liking! I've never been so...um...soft. You know, with the big love handles.

And talking about exercise, I ran without beta blockers for 10 minutes before hitting 200bpm. Not bad eh?!

Sleep

So....the one area that has not improved is my sleep. No matter what, I cannot fall asleep before 1am. It's frustrating. I lie in bed listening to Gary snore and kick him (gently) every 20 minutes or so. I love the moment where I fall half asleep, you know, where you think, `Woohoo, I'll probably be asleep in 5 minutes!'. It's seriously a switch with me. Maybe more exercise would help but I think I would have to run about 5km a day and I feel like I just don't have time. Oh well. Fortunately Koen sleeps until 9:00am every other day, it's awesome! I get to sleep in until 8am and work for an hour before he gets up. Kai just gets himself his own breakfast and does a puzzle or two. Love this stage!!

I do have sleeping pills I could take but to be honest, I'm not tired. I feel like I have had an abundance of energy for a few months now. It's kind of nice:)

Okay, time to try to sleep!

Food

The one bad thing about having your Free T4 in the normal range is that your metabolism slows down:) When it was going full speed ahead, I ate a lot of baking. It is now time to stop baking...poor Gary. I used to go to bed with a growling stomach but now it feels like it's full of food, it's a very strange feeling. I just hope I stay within the normal range and don't go hypo. Goodbye cupcakes. Goodbye peanut butter cookies.

I Wish I Knew

Two things I wish Louise of now could've told Louise of 5 months ago

1. That I would run 4km two times in one week, no problemo!! I just have to find a route that isn't so hilly to get my 5km run in (my goal).

2. That when I felt chest pains for days one end etc, that I should go to the doctor or ER to get documentation. I was denied disability but they recommended that I appeal (how strange is that?) so that I can be paid for Jan-May which was the time that I felt unable to teach. We will see! They said that based on my symptoms and blood test numbers I should've been fine to teach. Hilarious to me. If teaching meant sitting in a comfy chair or going for a walk and chatting with 3 students who wanted to be there (but not too eager with difficult questions) and came to class completely prepared and the lights were dim and I didn't ever have to run to the office to do any photocopying or do any extracurricular activities, then yes, I could've taught from Jan-May.

25 Minutes

For the first time in 9.5 months I ran 25 minutes straight! Thank you to my beta blockers and my heart monitor.

Woohoo!!!

For the first time in 10 months, my free T4 was in the normal range!!! 19!!! I'm so excited, I knew going into the blood test that it should prob. be normal. I also was able to play an entire football game which I haven't done since last spring I think. I wasn't awesome but I wasn't terrible:) Still falling asleep between 12-1am but I'll take it! Please note that my TSH is still non existent meaning that my thyroid is still super nutty but being controlled by the meds.