[In Exile]

2 years postpartum I am trying to figure out what's going- I am at the point that I don't even know who to go to and see. In the past both my PCP and OB/Gyn were both acting as if things are not "their field."

Does this sound like thyroid to you?

-low energy (just brushing my teeth will be a mind bending fight to bring up the energy, working out is not making me feel better, on the contrary- I feel worse)

-not loosing ANY pregnancy weight, except for some water in my legs and actually GAINING while eating less when pregnant?

-extreme mood swings after giving birth that seem to get worse, maybe feeling "good" once a month

-extremely short cycles (always had short 21 day cycles) to the point of bleeding like a slaughtered pig every 2 weeks, cycle all over the place

-always cold and freezing (always was that way)

-can barely remember my own birthday..

I am just worried of going yet again to my PCP, doing some blood work that will say "everything's fine" and be turned away. I am just sick of feeling drained, lousy and "out of it"

Should I try to seen an Internist and/or Endocrinologist right away? I just feel that both my PCP and OB/Gyn are completely useless and will just waste my time and money by shrugging their shoulders and do one more useless blood test without looking for the "right thing."

 

[Rosehip]

An internist is a primary care provider - they're trained in internal medicine. I'm guessing you see a family practice physician as your current primary? If she is coming up empty, you could certainly try a different internist. An endocrinologist might be a good idea.

I would certainly get copies of all your records (doctor's notes and lab results) since your trouble began to bring to any other doctor you see. Though many docs will still want to do start from scratch with blood tests, etc., it might be helpful for them to see what has been documented and/or done to date.

I know you're understandably frustrated with your current docs, but what suggestions or ideas have been discussed thus far? Have they ruled anything out?

 

[In Exile]

I have been checked for Iron levels which have been not the highest but normal. So the fatigue is propably not related to low Iron levels. I also have a lot of muscle pain (had horrific muscles cramps in my back that were basically ignored by my OB/Gyn- I was prescribed muscled relaxant without her touching me once)

I usually go to an HMO- and never know who I am actually going to see. Whether they are "family physicians" or whatever else they are. It's beyond frustrating.

I guess I just have to go one more time and beg them to do one more blood work check and hopefully refer me to someone who has an idea where to start looking. That place is so frustrating. I usually get bounced between my OB/Gyn and HMO- by OB practice felt I showed go see the Docs at the HMO and the HMO thinks that's something for an OB/GYn becase my HMO does not want to deal with "periods every 2 weeks" and my OB send me to my HMO after the 20ieth Mastitis. I get the runaround because symptoms are all over the place and to me it feels like everybody just passes the buck.

 

[Skim]

Just wanted to suggest getting vitamin levels checked too - esp. D and B12. Calcium deficiency is also common with D deficiency, so you may want to explore that as well.

Hope you find the right medical detective to help you!

Good luck.

 

[imagine21]

Sounds like you need a naturopath. Good luck.

 

[dogmom327]

I'd see a naturopath.

 

[Liquesce]

Oddly enough, I'd been having similar, albeit for a shorter time PP, right up until I went on hormonal birth control. For me it seems that my hormones were just way out of whack after my pregnancies. Of course now I just need to figure out how to get them back in line without the artificial management ...

Good luck tracking down your own culprit. I'm sure it could be a lot of things; just wanted to toss one more into the mix.

 

[mtn.mama]

Your post is screaming low iodine/low thyroid to me. Here's a link:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/long-and-pathetic/

 

[Rosehip]

I would see an endocrinologist. Gather your medical records, and go see one. Hormone issues can be very tricky and subtle, and hard to diagnosis. Have you had thyroid hormone levels drawn lately?

It must be incredibly frustrating. I would suggest however, that a physician referring you to another physician (the primary sending you to the GYN for frequent periods) is not necessarily a sign that the doctor is uncaring or incompetent. It seems that you've got something potentially complicated going on, and if a doctor feels she has reached the limits of her expertise on an issue, referring you to someone else isn't necessarily inappropriate. Frustrating as heck, yes.

 

[flightgoddess]

Thyroid is one good way to go, but there may be more factors. I would suggest getting tested for Celiac disease too. Neither my sister nor I had the 'classic' intestinal issues, chronic fatigue was a major factor for us. When my mom was working through her issues (hypothyroid and fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue) she got a sleep study done and found out she was deficient in a certain stage of sleep, thus robbing her of feeling rested. You could try that too.

 

[Rosehip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by flightgoddess Thyroid is one good way to go, but there may be more factors. I would suggest getting tested for Celiac disease too. Neither my sister nor I had the 'classic' intestinal issues, chronic fatigue was a major factor for us. When my mom was working through her issues (hypothyroid and fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue) she got a sleep study done and found out she was deficient in a certain stage of sleep, thus robbing her of feeling rested. You could try that too.

Yes, a Celiac workup would be good too. It can very vague, diffuse symptoms. It can also go hand in hand with thyroid problems (particularly Hashimoto's I believe).

 

[MacroMama]

I'd recommend making some adjustments to your diet.

A few weeks ago I went through a period where just lifting my arm took enormous amounts of energy. I realized I need to eliminate sugar, sugar alternatives, desserts, fruit, fruit juices, any drinks other than water (inc. alcohol) and flour products (bread, cookies, muffins, etc) because these were sucking the energy right out of me. Now I feel great.

Also, you may want to significantly reduce your consumption of salt, eggs, hard baked goods (ie- bread), seafood (shrimp, etc), hard cheeses, chicken. These foods can make you angry and ill-tempered.

Chocolate always makes me depressed so I try to avoid it.

A meal of grain (ie-rice, oats), veggies and beans would be the most beneficial. Some seaweed such as the nori in veggie sushi would be helpful.

Good luck!

 

[ecoteat]

I've been feeling similarly. My MW ruled out an iron deficiency and thyroid problems. She mentioned a place here in Maine called Women to Women. I checked out their website, and based on what they suggested, I bought some pretty comprehensive and high quality vitamins and fish oil capsules. I've been taking them for a month and it seems to be helping so far. The real test will be if I can hold it together through my next period.