I myself have lived with Hypothyroidism, or Hashimotos Thyroiditis to be exact, for the past 8 years.
I was first diagnosed at the age of 21.
I was going through a fairly traumatic time in my life and I found myself utterly exhausted, depressed and miserable.
I didn't know what was wrong with me. My life seemed to be a mess (looking back now everything of course was so much more dramatic at 21 mind you) and I didn't know how to deal with what was going on.
I had recently gone through a very messy break-up and I had lost quite a bit of weight going on a very strict diet.
My body seemed to collapse and so did my world.
It wasn't until I was diagnosed with this disease that it all started to make sense to me.
I had been going home and straight to bed at 4.30pm - I was utterly exhausted. I was crying constantly (yes, the break-up didn't help here), I had put back on most of the weight I had just lost, and I felt totally unlike myself.
You see I consider myself to be a pretty damn happy person. I have always loved life and had a passion for each new day.
But during this time I felt like a huge dark cloud was constantly following me around.
So the moment I was told that there was indeed a reason for feeling the way I did I felt like the cloud had been lifted.
Sure, it meant that I would have to go on medication, of which I would be on for the rest of my life, but I wasn't going insane for no reason!
Since then I have learnt to live with my AI disease but it's only really in the past 12 months or so that I've decided to actually do something about my life and health.
I guess that's what this blog's all about really. My journey to get well. And that's the hard thing with AI diseases, thyroid diseases in particular. You see doctor's will tell you your levels (TSH, T3, T4 etc. - more on that later) are perfectly normal now and the medication is working fine, but the reality is that's not necessarily the truth.
Sure, I feel 100 times better than when I was first diagnosed, but still I know I still don't feel 100%. I know there's a better, healthier, fuller life out there for me.
The important thing I guess I'm trying to say is to trust your body and your intuition. Doctors can tell you you're fine but you are the only one who knows how you are.
Whether you're living with Hashi's, Coeliac Disease, Arthritis, Lupus... and the list goes on... learn to trust in your body and how you are feeling. It's ok to admit to not being ok.
And take control of your body. Do your research, seek second opinions. Everyone will have their own answers to your questions but you need to be the filter on what you take on board and what you don't.
Whether it's alternative therapies, nutrition, exercise, western medicine... there is a world of help and options out there.
What's your experience with AI disease?
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