Meant to write this for ages. This forum really helped 3-4 years ago when I got VERY ill & low, lost my job & livelihood, fell out with my family & became very unstable.
I'm still on a low dose of carbimazole & still not back to pre-illness energy levels but thankfully I am SOOO much better!
Bizarre though it may sound, GOOD THINGS came out from the thyroid illness:
- I now respect and am humbly grateful for good health up to now & my recovery
- I'm now in touch with my true values & focus on enacting them mindfully
- I have a load more empathy with people who are ill, vulnerable, disabled
- I'm more mature, quiet, dignified
- I'm more assertive in relationships (especially unhealthy family ones)
- My friends are now those who really care
- I found out about another underlying conditions and had the confidence to pursue diagnosis
I could say loads more. But here's what helped me get back on track:
- a healthy varied, colourful diet with loads of fruit & veg. Avoid fads
- relax! yoga, prayer/meditation, camomile tea, massage, swimming, laughter
- good sleep routine & hygiene (make your bedroom a haven)
- hang out with kind, positive people who are good for you
- keep a gratitude diary (there are loads of apps - I used "Presently"
- set small goals to get you well again & enlisting friends to help
- celebrate successes
- find exercise that works for you
- try to get outdoors into nature, with animals & children
- try nutritional supplements (get tested if you're not sure). I take iron, cod liver oil
- be kind to yourself. Self talk is key
- help other people to stop you obsessing about you and your illness
- counselling, CBT & psychotherapy if called for. Antidepressants work well sometimes. I resisted for 3 years and wish I hadn't
- do what you love if your energy is low
- have patience & Time The Old Healer will do its thing
Big hugs. Don't lose heart.