Work - coping strategies

[Bradleyeb]

Has anyone's thyroid problems caused them to have problems at work? Problems like mind fog, forgetfulness, lack of concentration, lack of motivation to work??? How do people cope?

Any tips would be appreciated

Thanks x

[queridalady]

Hi Bradley. I totally understand your issue. I was struggling to remember things that I had spoken about earlier in the day, couldn't remember how to do tasks that I have been doing for years and then to cap it all I fell asleep at my desk one afternoon. Fortunately I have a very understanding boss! I am told that B12 supplementation can help with this I but I have to say that what changed it for me was the addition of T3 and the effect was pretty much immediate. I really hope you can get some help with this. I appreciate how upsetting it is.

[Bradleyeb in reply to queridalady]

Thanks for the reply

My bosses are not so understanding!!!

I'm on T3 although it's helped, not sure my dose is right! Had a blood test today for B12 so we'll see, back at Endo on Monday!

GP mentioned coping strategies for stress but not sure that'll help, have always been a stress junkie, used to make me more productive so this is very alien!!

[Hidden in reply to Bradleyeb]

Stress: I wonder if the strain on your body of dealing with the thyroidism AND a stressful lifestyle have exhausted your Adrenal glands? Worth supplementing. Amazon list various ones that are gland extract or vegetarian (according to your preference). It can't hurt and you may find it does much good.

That apart I can only suggest a forest of Post It notes ...

[Joyia in reply to Bradleyeb]

Mindfulness meditation is very helpful for stress relief, google Jon Kabat-Zinn or look on You Tube, many people are turning to this as a coping strategy.

[shaws Administrator]

Hi, if you haven't had a recent blood test, ask for a Full Thyroid Function Test which includes the T3 (some labs wont do it if TSH is in range) as it is T3 is the Active hormone and if it's low we need some T3 added to the T4. If you've not had B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate tested ask for these as well as we are usually low.

It may be that you are not on an optimum dose and that the GP is keeping your TSH within the 'normal' range which would keep you undermedicated.

[Bradleyeb in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaw, had blood tests for all you've mentioned so waiting for results!

I've even had private adrenal tests which are low but Prob not low enough for medication

I'm on T3 already but not sure my dose is right for me - suspect it's in within normal range though

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bradleyeb]

Within range isn't good. It's how you feel which is the criteria. We usually need our TSH around 1 or lower.

[lisabax in reply to Bradleyeb]

I can really empathise about the work problems. Before I was diagnosed I just wasn't coping with the simplest of tasks and my colleagues baled me out. Once diagnosed and on the right levels of thyroid replacement I was much better. Which makes me think that you are not on the right levels of thyroid hormone or that your low adrenals need to be addressed. There are various ways in which you can do this, but the method I am using is working quite well. Send me a pm if you would like to know. I agree with Shaws that 'within range' may not be good enough, you may be best with your T3 near the top of the range even if your TSH is suppressed. LB

[Rudegirl]

Yes .. I'm relatively new to hypo, but I've done the same job for 12yrs & since starting levothyroxine.. I've forgotten how to operate my scanner for work 3/4 times.. My production levels have fallen from being the best, to being the worst.. My GP wrote a letter explaining my illness & the effects of it.. That pretty much keeps managers off my back.. It's also a good indication of my medication when my productivity falls..

[Bradleyeb]

Thanks Rude boy - glad I'm not alone on this! Feel I've gone from performing well to making loads of mistakes and people lose confidence in you! I feel like I need to pack in work and get a less responsible job but then I've wasted all my hard work climbing the career ladder! It's so hard when others don't understand and I work in the NHS aswell x

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bradleyeb]

Bradley, I would look at adding some T3 or having a trial of NDT. The brain has the most T3 receptor cells and our body has trillions, each one needing sufficient. Some do o.k. on levo but they may convert to sufficient T3 for their needs. NDT for instance has all of the hormones our healthy thyroid gland would produce.

Many of us recognise your dilema. You know someone but their name just wont come to the fore. You go to get something - then cannot remember what.

[Nickinoo1 in reply to Bradleyeb]

Good to hear the NHS is still caring for its own -not! I am an ex-nurse and we cared for others but caring for each other seemed a harder task 20 years ago. Not changed much it would seem.

B12, iron & vit C have markedly improved my head. Having one coherent thought last month let alone stringing two together was a challenge but back to work part time and really noticing a difference.

Hope you get help soon otherwise take control yourself.

[Joyia in reply to Bradleyeb]

Interesting question, work hard, climb the ladder and end up stressed or give up for a quieter lifestyle, your body is telling you what it needs, less is more sometimes! We have to ask ourselves, are our basic needs being met? Are we in an addictive scenario where we need the next fix, which will be short lived and therefore will have to chase another fix. What are we trying to fix within ourselves, why do we need so many distractions? The brain gets wired and becomes hyper, it needs a rest, that is where Mindfulness meditation comes in and the rest will follow.....

Breathe and Smile x

[harleychick]

I feel the same way but I take vitamin B12 and it helps me out

[Glynisrose]

I do some voluntary work, not as much as I used to but I still do some. My boss is extremely good and one day when I couldn't remember how to switch on the computer he wrote me a list of instructions.

[Lily_Munster]

Same here. Don't really have any coping strategy other than just get on with it. Brain fog is terrible. I can't focus at work and keep forgetting things. Awful but hoping this will stop once I am optimal. All the best

[JoyceA]

My coping strategy is writing down everything and setting lots of reminders on my outlook. My memory improved when I started NDT but it's still not that good because I've got adrenal issues which are stopping me from being adequately medicated and are a nightmare trying to find the right medication for.

Aside from the reminders and writing down everything at work, I save any relevant web pages as favourites on my desk top so I can easily click on them for answers if I forget something. Because my brain isn't as sharp as before, I can't think up answers immediately on the phone as well and it gets worse when I feel under pressure so I always ask people to email me as I find it less pressure replying to emails. That way, I could check my notes and online sources for answers I was struggling with on the phone as well.

Above all I'm trying to go easy on myself. If I get all worked up and angry at myself I find it makes me even more unproductive and my symptoms worsen. I try not to push my body for what it can't give me at the moment but work with it to achieve the results I need.

[Klagh]

Dear, first, you have my deepest sympathy. YES - my Hashimoto's caused me severe lack of concentration and motivation to work at my highly stressful job for 14 years (I resigned April 2014.) I also battled severe fatigue (the wrong ways, with huge amounts of caffeine and energy drinks). I struggled to hang in there, hoping I could make it till 62, for reasons of saving for retirement. I finally realized that with my Hashimoto's, I couldn't take the stress and long hours any more and resigned from my job in April 2014. I have struggled since my resignation from my job (still struggling) to find the optimal treatment for my Hashimoto's that will provide me energy to live and relieve depression (very long story). My job did not cause MY Hashimoto's (it's clearly genetic), but it did not help it. Looking back, if I could have taken a year or six months off from work 13 years ago to do research and try to find the best solution for me, I think that would have been best. I recommend the book "Recovering with T3" by Paul Robinson. Even if you don't want to address your issues as he does, it is comforting to hear the life stories of other thyroid disease sufferers, because you don't feel as alone. (The book also is a treasure trove of helpful information.) I hope that you are able to resolve your thyroid issues in a way that will enable you to go on and have a happy and productive life.

[vandewalle0 in reply to Klagh]

Thank you for your post. I too have been on an up hill struggle since 2003 but was only medicated for Hashimotos August 2014. I now am at the point that if I don't resign I will be sacked. I cannot return to working as a teacher, my energy is still low and my memory and concentration very poor. I have been very depressed as im a shadow of the person and personality I used to have. Very little is known about this disease as ive come acress people who make you feel as though its all in your head. I was an active 10 k runner and loved being super busy.. what ive become through lack of energy motivation and achy body is a moaner. Now im trying to be positive and get on with it even thoughy im frustrated that the thyroxine hasn't sorted out all the symptoms. Don't get me wrong im happy ive finally been meduicated but they left me untreated for too long. Now my doctor says its your age (52) or its menopause. T

[vandewalle0 in reply to Klagh]

Thank you for your post. I too have been on an up hill struggle since 2003 but was only medicated for Hashimotos August 2014. I now am at the point that if I don't resign I will be sacked. I cannot return to working as a teacher, my energy is still low and my memory and concentration very poor. I have been very depressed as im a shadow of the person and personality I used to have. Very little is known about this disease as ive come acress people who make you feel as though its all in your head. I was an active 10 k runner and loved being super busy.. what ive become through lack of energy motivation and achy body is a moaner. Now im trying to be positive and get on with it even thoughy im frustrated that the thyroxine hasn't sorted out all the symptoms. Don't get me wrong im happy ive finally been meduicated but they left me untreated for too long. Now my doctor says its your age (52) or its menopause. T

[NancyG in reply to Klagh]

Hi , I share your feelings. I've had Hashimoto's for 12 years and am really struggling at work at the age of 52, and with a young daughter. Most people don't understand and think it's down to laziness or incompetence, which is soul destroying. But having recently done a lot of research and increased my own understanding I've referred myself to a private endocrinologist and will try to pursue better treatment. Like you I wish I'd researched this years ago , but there was not so much information sharing then. Most of all I'm going to give myself a break now and be kinder to myself. No-one wants to be like this, but lack of understanding makes it so difficult. I'll have a look at the book you recommended. Thanks. Wishing you well.

[Bradleyeb]

Thanks all for your comments, feel like I'm going mad feeling the way I do but good to know it's down to the thyroid!

[Jazz70]

Hi Bradleyeb,

I can totally understand where you are coming from and can totally sympathise .I am a senior community care/support worker so I manage a team and I do get really shattered.

With the nature of care work I often do 16 hr days and lots of days straight through ,with small children and a house . I do work with a fab team though and they do understand if I am really shattered by the end of the week .

I was diagnosed in 2007 after my second minion was born and at the moment I am undermedicated for definate to which my dr has finally agreed and I have to go up to get this sorted.

I often think I am way to hard on myself I push myself to hard but that's me.My husband doesn't really get the effect hypothyroidism has he see's it as you don't look ill so what's the problem ,sadly this is a lot of people's attitude so I tend put up with the crappy symtoms we suffer.

[NancyG]

Hi, I would say be kind to yourself and accept that at times you do need more rest than other people. Try not to let other people make negative criticisms if it takes you a bit longer to do things, and don't be too hard on yourself if you're not feeling so good. I'm still having to remind myself of that every day. I make a list of things to do, and make the mistake of pushing myself too much. Now doing more meditation and gentle exercise and walking. Best wishes NancyG