My Five-Year Setback

On December 4, 2019, my day begins with some normal medical appointments. I still have another week until bloodwork is scheduled for my thyroid. I am not feeling well, so a decision is made to kill two birds with one stone. A visit to the lab, in between my appointments, is the new plan. Well, by the time I get home, the results are in for my thyroid. Everything is red-flagged, and my five-year setback becomes a miserable reality.

My Endocrinologist

I wait a day to call my endocrinologist. My journey with Graves’ Disease is a bumpy road but the goal always is remission. I take Methimazole, and over the years I am decreased to only one half of a 5mg tablet. My doctor tells me if the anti-body level continues to decrease, he will take me off the medication. I am approaching five years. Now, my five-year setback leads to an increase in the medicine.

Coming Up With Another Plan

My feelings are pessimistic because my endocrinologist does not seem to want to go outside the box. I need to call their office three times before getting a response on my levels crashing. He just wants to increase the dosage, test me again in six weeks and will talk to me in March at my next appointment. Time to come up with another plan.

Ordering Tests

December 6, 2019, I call my primary physician. I see the nurse practitioner, and she is a major part of my journey with fighting an autoimmune disease. I feel the front desk is agitated with me, but an appointment is scheduled. After speaking with the nurse practitioner, she orders multiple tests. A decision is in the process now to seek another opinion.

Explaining Symptoms

My body is experiencing body tremors again. I shake all day and feel extremely exhausted. Heart palpitations are a part of my day if I push myself. I am worrying because everything is taking way too long. The bloodwork results are finally in. Red cell count is high and the white cell count is low. Do I have cancer?

Feeling Gloomy

I will not see the new Endocrinologist until January, so the holidays will be somewhat gloomy. Before Christmas, I see the nurse practitioner due to a follow up from anxiety medication. I keep telling her the tremors are not anxiety! I just blurt it out, “Do you think I have cancer”? She replies, “Maybe not. We will have to wait and see”. My five-year setback is such a disappointment! I want to bring in the new year with a clean bill of health!

Internet Information

The internet provides a great deal of information on Graves’ Disease. Most doctors will tell you not to search for information on the internet because much is not true. I enjoy reading information from others in the same predicament. Leaving appointments in despair only creates more anxiety. So, I am open to the opinions people provide for satisfying health goals!

Communication

I remember the Endocrinologist telling me if my white cell count becomes low the Methimazole will not work on treating the thyroid. If I suggest that a test needs to be addressed at a visit, the response is usually, “We will check that at your next appointment”. Is this because of insurance? I also feel that doctors do not communicate with one another.

Speaking Up

Do not be afraid to speak up with your doctors. If you are not in agreement with your treatments or feel your doctor is not doing enough let the frustration out. I feel bad for making an appointment with another Endocrinologist, but it pushes my PCP into digging deeper into my complaints. My symptoms are real and not pleasant to deal with.

Disappointment

My five-year setback is so disappointing. As I mentioned in my post, Life Beyond The Grave, life is worth living so I will continue my journey with Graves’ Disease and fight. I will return with information after my appointment in January. In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all!