Hi everyone!
I had some peace and silence around here to get on the forums and update everyone. I have had a house full of family, my son has returned home from his tour in Africa with the National Guard last friday, and a NP appointment..I have been busy.
I have dwelved into all the websites and research for Hypo and learned new things while waiting out that pre exist waiting period that ended last day of March. I wanted to go to my appointments armed and ready. I made an appointment with my regular nurse practioner and had her draw the lab that I wanted for my thyroid on April 1st. During this appointment I told her that I wanted to be converted from T4 to Armour. The rT3 and FT3 had to be sent off for processing. During that time, I began having moderate chest pain that would radiate down my left arm and up into my jaw. I know it was not cardiac related because it was the same chest pain that sent me to the ER 6 years ago when I was first diagnosed with Hypo. After waiting a week and no word of my labs that had to be sent out. I called my NP and let her know about the chest pain. And as you can guess, she has had my labs for 2 days and wants to see me to rule out cardiac issues immediately. My husband drove me to the NP office, I was given a cardiac workup that included a EGK, cardiac enzymes lab. All was normal like I knew it would be. I was also worked up for RA..which was negative too. I was informed by the NP that she spoke to the Dr. about my situation and wanting to convert to Armour. The Dr. disagreed and said I needed anti-depressant, that I was depressed. I STERNLY told the NP that I was not depressed and so did my husband . She did refer me to an Endo appointment for May 6th. Who wants to wait that long??
Discouraged, frustrated, just all around pissed...I came home and went to the Thyroid-info.com doctors recommendation list and started calling and making appointments. There was a NP that is 30 min away that was recommended so I made an appointment with her also, for the 19th.
My mother went to the NP appointment with me. I was skeptical, having dealt with the last one. This NP turned out to be my SAVIOR! She is very knowlegeable, LISTENED, explained everything and looked at my labs last and drew more labs. She treats symptoms first, lab second. I came in to this appointment with ALL my s/s typed out with the ones that were the most severe in bold. This NP looked at my list and told me that I was having hormonal issues too, and proceeded to explain how everything is tied together. This NP was in my room for 40 minutes. I came out of this appointment with compounded T3/T4 and compounded Progesterone scripts. She felt she will need to increase the T3 at the next appointment that she scheduled for 3 weeks later for lab and follow up. I could of kissed and hugged her when I left her office! I can't describe to you how relieved I was when I left her office.
Am I feeling better? Since that doctors appointment and starting my medication that day, the progesterone has helped with my sleeping and gradually with some of my s/s. Same for the thyroid meds..gradually. I have a little more energy that is easily spent but, not the exhausted as I was. I'm slowly improving. The chest pain is not fully relieved..it is worse on days that I am more tired. With last week being so hectic and busy, I crashed on Sunday and Monday. It will take some time and med adjustment.
Here are my lab results from April 1..reference ranges in ()
Free T3 - 2.3 (2.3-4.2)
Free T4 - 0.8 (0.6-1.2)
TSH - 4.06 (0.47-5.01)
rT3 64H
Thanks everyone for the support and words of encouragement and the forums to help! I always had some mild s/s of hypo in the last 6 years, I was told I would have to live with it or I was depressed and needed medication for it. Had I not started LC'ing and found this website and began reading the Hypothyroid thread, I would have not known that there is new alternatives, new research, and new websites by thyroid patient advocates for all of us who suffers from this. AGAIN, A BIG THANK YOU!!
Michelle
I also wanted to tell everyone that when I was asked what type of diet that I follow by the new NP and I informed her Atkins OWL.. she was very pleased and I got the thumbs up from her