My family just don't understand: Having explained... - Thyroid UK

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My family just don't understand

SJaggs profile image
16 Replies

Having explained many times to my family and even giving my mum the information pack from the Thyroid UK website, my mum clearly still has no idea as I had this conversation today;

Her: Well where did you get this virus from?

Me: What virus?

Her: The one that's attacking your immune system

Me: Its my immune system that's attacking my body

Her: Well that doesn't make any sense

I give up.

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SJaggs profile image
SJaggs
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16 Replies
Mauds profile image
Mauds

Oh poor you no one understands us only those who are going through thyroid issues. Keep the chin up.

Marz profile image
Marz

Type - Hashimotos Letter - into the Search Box at the top of the page on the green bar and a letter will appear that you can give to your Mum....

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply toMarz

I love those thyroid sufferers letters - they just say it all don't they.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toFruitandnutcase

:-)

SJaggs profile image
SJaggs in reply toMarz

Thanks. I'll give it a try. I suspect she'll take it as an insult that I used a letter to get through to her though!

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

This is more or less the same question asked of Dr Lowe. Go to the date October 4, 2005.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

SJaggs profile image
SJaggs in reply toshaws

Identical situation pretty much. But my mum is a drama queen and likes to announce my illness at dinner parties!

Caroline22 profile image
Caroline22

I know how you feel, it can be annoying. If I as much as yawn my mother or sister will say "is that your thyroid playing up again?" I have to laugh, you'd think it inconvenienced them and not me lol!!

SJaggs profile image
SJaggs in reply toCaroline22

If we've been out for the day I get asked if I need to go and have a nap before we do anything in the evening! Sometimes I do, but I refuse on principal!

Ellie-Louise profile image
Ellie-Louise

Now I'm puzzled!

If it's the immune system that's attacking our body (I hadn't thought of it in that way before) and zinc supports the immune system, am I doing the wrong thing by taking a zinc and magnesium tablet every morning?

HarryE profile image
HarryE in reply toEllie-Louise

No, that's doing you good. It supports the immune system and helps it work better, instead of attacking your own tissues

Ellie-Louise profile image
Ellie-Louise in reply toHarryE

I see, thanks Harry :) I had a horrible feeling that I was doing the opposite.

wombatty profile image
wombatty

I used to have arguments with my husband on a regular basis about my continuing to need to take levothroid - and he has a PhD in chemistry! Our conversations went like this:

He: Why are you still taking this stuff? Your problem ought to be cured by now.

I: It doesn't get cured. My immune system's destroyed part of my thyroid gland so it doesn't make enough thyroxine. I have to take it for the rest of my life.

He: That's ridiculous. There's no reason to take a medicine for the rest of your life. If it doesn't fix the problem, then it's not doing you any good.

I: Diabetics take insulin all their lives because they don't make enough insulin. I need thyroxine because I don't make enough of it.

At this point he usually changed the subject or left the room. Eventually (after I'd run out of pills a few times) he realized I'm much more pleasant when I'm medicated. Now anytime I become crabby he asks whether I've been taking my thyroxine.

HarryE profile image
HarryE in reply towombatty

That's funny! I bet it taught him a lesson :-D

SJaggs profile image
SJaggs in reply towombatty

Haha that's hilarious! Well not for you! That's a good comparison with diabetes, I think I'll start using that!

SJaggs profile image
SJaggs

Yes as soon as I start to explain anything she makes a face and says its all to scientific for her.its not, she just can't be bothered to listen to someone else speak. She does like the sound of her own voice!

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