Myxedema Coma/Crisis : From my own recent... - Thyroid UK

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Myxedema Coma/Crisis

39 Replies

From my own recent terrible and very frightening experiences of falling unconscious due to Myxedema Coma/Crisis and non immediate treatment resulting in harm to me I wanted to share an article which describes the symptoms, crisis and treatments in the hope that others will not suffer the same. It is vital that Hypothyroidism is considered, and preferably treated, regardless of blood results when symptoms scream it.

aafp.org/afp/2000/1201/p248...

39 Replies
Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman

Given the extreme scepticism and clinical neglect you've had to deal with, I would print off several copies. It pains me more than I can say to give you the following advice, but if a male relative could be the one to hand over a copy to the relevant doctor, you may find that it's taken seriously, rather than filed in the dustbin.

in reply to Hillwoman

Thank you and I agree, as a 60 year old woman I am invisible and dispensable

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again in reply to

I am the same age as you and I actually think that 60 is the new 40

in reply to Lora7again

Yes it should be, I mean the NHS sees me as old and past it at 60 not me personally

Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman in reply to

I'm not far behind you in years, and I'm appalled by social attitudes to women our age and older - which are of course reflected by the medical profession.

in reply to Hillwoman

Indeed

Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman in reply to Hillwoman

I've decided to pass on your link to my in-laws, because I recognise my father-in-law in the description under 'altered mentation'. He is hypothyroid, but has never been treated.

in reply to Hillwoman

I hope it will help x

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again in reply to Hillwoman

I know what you mean my GP actually said I know you look young for your age but your organs are ageing inside. I nearly said I hope you don't mean my brain because I actually feel more alert now than I have for years and it is no thanks to you because you would not even consider prescribing me Levothyroxine when I desperately needed it. I did not say that btw but I wished I had.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to Hillwoman

I find being 5'11" useful at 73 - not forgetting the red lipstick - very scary !!

Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman in reply to Marz

It's the rack for me then - I'm only 5'7"! If only I had good enough balance to wear heels... My own tactic is to wear my half-moon reading specs (even though the lenses are the wrong prescription now) and peer sternly over the top. It inspires a certain amount of fear...

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to Hillwoman

Haven't worn heels for years ! Think I will get some half-moon glasses though ! Will have to practice the right look in the mirror 😎😎

Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman in reply to Marz

It comes naturally to me. I suffer from the condition known as Resting Bitch Face. :-D

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to Hillwoman

Oh ! - very useful !

in reply to Marz

I thought I was scary at 5' 10" lol!

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to

Years ago I once mentioned that you do not see many tall old ladies around - saying I would either shrink or die young. So far so good ! - or reasonably good 😥 Hanging in there the best I can ... !

I don’t know anything about the awful things you are suffering from, but what do the doctors think is happening when you fall unconscious? That you are somehow manufacturing it?

in reply to

Yes, seriously after third crisis which lasted 70 minutes I was told by the Endocrinologist that it was a psychiatric issue. Get out clause for not treating me. I took great pleasure in advising him my Doctorate is in Clinical Psychology, he soon stopped that argument. Every symptom listed I have including bladder prolapse, moving and cracked teeth, skin turning yellow, horrendous fluid retention and complete loss of consciousness etc ignored. Money is what matters

in reply to

And several doctors have says this now? Is it because they don’t know what is wrong? That they are stumped maybe?

(That does not make it right of course.)

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to

Click onto Rosedaisy's username and you can read her previous posts 😥

in reply to Marz

Sorry. I am behind. But I just wondered if they were going down the psychological diagnosis because they did not ha v e a physiological one - rather than because they were trying to save money.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to

No worries ! 😥

in reply to

The Endocrinologist told us categorically it was due to cost of T3 that I wasn't treated, Shrewsbury Hospital no longer even stock routine T3 let alone IV T3

in reply to

How horrific. I am so sorry.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to

So shocking. I thought they used T3 for heart patients in ICU.

Mamapea1 profile image
Mamapea1 in reply to

That's absolutely terrifying😱 x

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56

Thanks for posting this information. It explains things very clearly. I hope you are now over your ordeal and those involved will listen more closely in future.

in reply to nightingale-56

Thank you, still a lot of denial by NHS however my GP has made an urgent rivate referral to a Professor of Endocrinology, so fingers crossed

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply to

My fingers are crossed for you also Hidden . Don't forget to let us know how you get on with the Professor of Endocrinology?

in reply to nightingale-56

Thank you and will do

Marz profile image
Marz

Thank you for posting. Written by a woman - of course !

JGBH profile image
JGBH

So sorry for what you’re going through. It’s simply shocking that your serious symptoms are being ignored all the time. One wonders what does it take for so-called doctors to do their job in making correct diagnoses and giving appropriate treatments.

Are you taking any thyroid hormone replacement?

Thanks for the link.

Do hope you will be able to get some help, somehow.

in reply to JGBH

Thank you, feeling distraught as had bloods this morning and my kidney function has dropped significantly. My husband donated a kidney to me nearly four years ago and it's always been fantastic and I've treasured it. For it to be damaged due to gross NHS negligence makes me so furious

Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman in reply to

Such a blow on top of everything else. xx

Mamapea1 profile image
Mamapea1 in reply to

What an absolute disgrace after all you've both been through. I wish you the best of luck🍀. I would be in a very poor state (if I was here at all) without my high dose of T3, and I live in constant fear of online supplies running dry...it really shouldn't be like this, it's complete madness! x

in reply to Mamapea1

Thank you and it is horrifying and incredibly scary. I am now more angry as I have suffered horrendous nerve damage, kidney transplant damage & further medical PTSD

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to

Are you on replacement thyroid meds ?

JGBH profile image
JGBH

So sorry again.... it’s unbelievable in 2020 in the UK. Can you get some support so that you can get much needed help?

I feel totally useless, unable to suggest anything g useful.

Keep fighting until someone does the right thing in giving you the appropriate treatment. We have to fight all the time, we should not have to do so, especially when we feel so unwell and vulnerable.

in reply to JGBH

Thank you, and I shall keep fighting for all of us x

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