I too have Hashimoto's, and have had it for 23 years. I was on the synthetic hormone replacement for 17 years until I switched to Natural Dessicated Thyroid hormones. For me it made a hugh difference. Also, we no longer judge my therapy by the TSH, as my FREE T4 and FREE T3 tell the doctors more about what is going on with me.
As for you friends thinking it is in your head, I am right there with you! Even with a diagnoses from the medical community, my friends (and sometimes even the doctors!) think I it is in my head, but I know my body and I know when it is not right. I wish I had advice for you on your friends, but I gave up on anyone understanding just how much of your quality of life is robbed from this disease. Unless they have it too, they will likely never understand. Just keep in mind that there are a lot of us out there that know EXACTLY what you are going through, and finding an online support group to share stories of good times and the very bad times with can give you a little bit of sanity back when surrounded by people who just have no idea what it is like to have a "silent" disease that only you feel, but noone else can "see". We have started such a group here, try to find us an join up! We want to have a collective voice so maybe more people can understand just how devastating this can be to your life.
Look for A New Dawn Coalition for Thyroid Awareness in the groups.
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Dear Anonymous,
Just which tests have you had done for this?
I too have Hashimoto's, and have had it for 23 years. I was on the synthetic hormone replacement for 17 years until I switched to Natural Dessicated Thyroid hormones. For me it made a hugh difference. Also, we no longer judge my therapy by the TSH, as my FREE T4 and FREE T3 tell the doctors more about what is going on with me.
As for you friends thinking it is in your head, I am right there with you! Even with a diagnoses from the medical community, my friends (and sometimes even the doctors!) think I it is in my head, but I know my body and I know when it is not right. I wish I had advice for you on your friends, but I gave up on anyone understanding just how much of your quality of life is robbed from this disease. Unless they have it too, they will likely never understand. Just keep in mind that there are a lot of us out there that know EXACTLY what you are going through, and finding an online support group to share stories of good times and the very bad times with can give you a little bit of sanity back when surrounded by people who just have no idea what it is like to have a "silent" disease that only you feel, but noone else can "see". We have started such a group here, try to find us an join up! We want to have a collective voice so maybe more people can understand just how devastating this can be to your life.
Look for A New Dawn Coalition for Thyroid Awareness in the groups.
Best Wishes,
Heather
April 30, 2011 - 8:37amThis Comment
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