Okay, I just read through ALL 42 pages of posts looking for answers. I'm going to a new doctor (naturopath) in 2 days and I'm trying to make sure I have all my ducks in a row. Here are my symptoms since 03/01 (when DS weaned at 8 months):
progressively worsening back pain - mostly upper middle of back. Can no longer wear a bra or underwear or anything even slightly constrictive or sends back into spasms/pain
chronic UTIs - started out every 4 months, then every 3 months, until every 3 days. I go on antibiotics for 6 months, go off and 3-4 days later I get another UTI. 4 different bacterias. They culture them every time.
These are from the stopthethyroidmadness.com list of thyroid symptoms:
*Less stamina than others - I used to be able to walk 3 miles several times a week. Now if I try to do a mile, I come back and my back goes into spasm.
*Long recovery period after any activity - if I start cleaning the house. I fizzle out after about an hour, and can't do anything else
*Inability to hold children for very long - If I do this for more than 5 minutes, I'm done for the day.
*Arms feeling like dead weights after activity - when I held my daughter sleeping at a store the other day - 15 minutes - I put her back in the car, and sat there for 10 minutes because I couldn't move my arms to hold the steering wheel.
*Often feeling cold - unless it's 75 degrees
* Cold hands and feet
* High cholesterol - hovers around 230 no matter what I do for diet. We went on the Omega Diet and my husband's went down 50 points, and mine didn't move.
* Bizarre and Debilitating reaction to exercise - I didn't see this the first time on the list. If I throw the ball for my dog for 5 minutes (like I did yesterday) my back goes into spasm. All exercise (including physical therapy) sends me into more pain
* Hard stools
* Constipation
* Dry Hair
* Dry cracking skin - esp. my heels. My DH tells me to keep my feet away from him.
*Forgetfulness - I have lists all over the house. If only I could find them!
Inability to lose weight -- this one is opposite - I can't gain weight. I'm eating fattier foods than ever - bacon, sausage, coconut oil, and I seem to be losing weight
*NO sex drive - NONE!
* Moody periods -- very snappish
* Excruciating pain during period - No, but it's getting heavier and heavier, and my cycle went from 40-55 days to 27 days, and it goes off and on -- I call it an ellipses (...) instead of a period (.). Literary humor.
*Swelling/edema/puffiness - under eyes and ankles. I've been wearing my husband's socks and they still make indents!
*Aching bones/muscles - this is the worst - constant pain - I'm on lyrica now and it's not doing anything except helping me sleep a little better
* Osteoporosis - the rheumatologist said my bone density test "wasn't good" and put me on 1200mg of calcium
* Breakout on chest and arms -- chest and back and I've never broken out anywhere before
* Inability to stand on feet for long periods
* Complete lack of motivation
* Extremely crabby, irritable, intolerant of others - low tolerance to my children, which I hate
* Handwriting nearly illegible - yes, DH can't even read it anymore.
* Broken/peeling fingernails - I can't grow them at all
* Dry skin or snake skin
*Major anxiety/worry
* Inability to eat in the mornings - I don't usually eat until mid-afternoon and only because I'm "supposed to" not because I'm hungry
* No hair growth, breaks faster than it grows -- esp. notice when shaving legs.
* Joint pain - my knees and hips have been killing me
* Carpal tunnel symptoms - no, but I've had two bouts of tendonitis in the last year with no overuse or injury
* No Appetite
* Blood Pressure problems - very low (like 95/45 - top never goes above 100 unless I'm pregnant)
* Low body temperature - usually 96.8-97.3
* Swollen lymph glands
* now how do I put this one politely….a cold bum, butt, derriere, fanny, gluteus maximus, haunches, hindquarters, posterior, rear, and/or cheeks. Yup, really exists. -- DH noticed this. Weird.
I have multinodular goiter (bunches of them on both sides) and when my thyroid was tested 06/07 at my physical last year TSH was 1.43 and FT4 was 1.1.
I've already been to an acupuncturist (didn't work), 3 physiatrists (3 MRIs - one bulging disk in neck; cortisone shots, muscle stimulation, physical therapy), a rheumatologist (tested me for a lot of autoimmune stuff -- $2000 worth of blood tests), 2 chiropractors, massage therapy (sends my muscles into spasm), 3 urologists (cystoscopy, cystogram, etc.). My allopathic doc thinks the UTIs and back pain are related but can't find a connection. He's tested me for MS and heavy metals. Because my health issues are strange, he'll test me for anything I ask for because nobody has been able to figure out anything.
Does anyone have a clue? Hypothyroid? Something else? It sounds like I might have some of the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue and maybe they overlap.
When I see this new doctor on Friday (which I'm VERY ANXIOUS about) do I just lay it all out on the line, or do I ask for specific tests?
Thank you everyone!
Kathy