I need a short term boost? Any suggestions?

We've had a dreadful few weeks.

- a family friend died by suicide aged 21

- my car broke down on the school run and it's needs a new clutch

-Money is still tight after Christmas and an endo appt and prescription costs... And now the car

- Husband has been interviewing for a much wanted job, with the 3rd and final interview next week

- husband's current job has been super stressful

- We're trying to sell our house but our buyer is flakey, causing us to miss out on the perfect house this week.

- My dogs are barely being walked because I'm so tired which is inevitably causing unwanted behaviours because they're bored. (They're both super anxious and can't go to a dog walker, unfortunately)

I'm now sleeping 10+ hours a day (would be more if my husband didn't wake me up in the morning).

I can't keep going like this. All of the stressors are out of my control (apart from the dogs!) So I can't do anything to practically change my situation.

What can I do in the short term to get through? My work is suffering now too.

Would changing to a split dose help? I tired GF once before but that was 2 years ago and I'm not convinced it helped. Things might be different now.

Dunno. Just want to feel proactive again, I think.

[Lalatoot]

I would recommend insight Timer app and meditations on it by Davidji. I am sure the positivity from them has given me a boost and made me kinder to myself and helped me recover

[Hidden in reply to Lalatoot]

I meditate every day. And use the bedtime stories to fall asleep, although I barely last 5 minutes!

[Hennerton]

Sorry I cannot help with ideas for a short term boost and I am not sure they really exist but reading your post made me think that a long country walk with the poor needy dogs would help you mentally, if only you could manage to switch off the panicky feelings for a while and appreciate nature. I expect that sounds useless to you but I absolutely swear by it for myself and crotchety husband, who would never leave his computer screen, unless forced. You may feel tired when you start but fresh air and looking at nature is so good for the brain and will definitely lift your spirits.

(Our daughter just died after a long battle with cancer, so I am talking from experience, not just making it all up)

[Hidden in reply to Hennerton]

I honestly would love nothing more than to take the dogs on a lovely 3 hour walk. They're both reactive to other dogs though so walking them, at the moment, is very stressful. I do take them to an enclosed field where they can run but it's expensive so we can't go as frequently as I'd like at the moment. I hear your point though and I probably ought to prioritise getting out more, even if just for a walk round the block.

I'm truly sorry to hear about your daughter, Hennerton. My own children are 7 and 5... I can only imagine the depth of your grief.

[Hennerton in reply to Hidden]

I do hope your husband’s potential new job works out and life begins to improve. Thank you for taking the time to write to me. I can remember those days with young children and money being tight, along with all the usual ups and downs of life but treasure it, because suddenly the children have gone off to university and you will be looking back and thinking how quiet the house is and what a lot of time you can fill with hours of relaxing dog walking.

[Delgor in reply to Hennerton]

I'm so very very sorry for your loss - it must be one of the hardest things a parent has to go through irrespective of what age your daughter was🙏

[Hennerton in reply to Delgor]

It always helps to read kind words and I have been amazed at the response from everyone around us. There are so many kind and generous people and it is a pity that newspapers are always full of the reverse. Thank you for taking the time to write to me.

[Imaaan in reply to Hennerton]

Loosing a loved one is never easy, my heart goes out to you and your family during this time of grief.

[Hennerton in reply to Imaaan]

Thank you for taking the time to write to me. I did not expect members to respond to me, as I was simply explaining that walking in nature is great therapy and hoping to help Witching hour with her question on her own stress.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Anxiety flares are the worst thyroid symptom for me Witchinghour and additional stress always exacerbates the situation, so I really feel for you.

Regarding GF, I did actually find that eliminating gluten long term was beneficial to my mental as well as physical health. I wouldn’t recommend changing more than one thing at once (as it can be so hard to work out what actually works!) so maybe trial splitting your dose for a few weeks as a start.

Magnesium is my daily ‘go to’ to calm my system; do you supplement? There are lots of types to choose from, although I prefer glycinate as it’s easy on the stomach.

In times of heightened stress I like to use Bach’s Rescue Remedy, plus focus on breathing exercises. I saw a psychotherapist for ages to help with ‘health anxiety’ (later re-defined as ‘undermedicated thyroid wise’ by lovely forum members). One positive of these sessions was her teaching me mindfulness techniques, which I still use. I like to listen to guided meditations & even have one on my phone if I’m in a stressful situation whilst out & about. Journalling was another thing that helped me… writing positives for every day (which I know is tricky when things seem to be spiralling).

Talking to others, even on line, is another way to process (and hopefully alleviate) stress; remember we are here for you! 🦋

[Hidden in reply to Buddy195]

I have known from the off that autoimmune thyroid disease is responsive to stress, at least for me anyway!, that was 3.5years ago and I still don't know how to help myself through it!

I have considered journalling but I think it might just be a bit 'The Shining' at the moment ... All work and no play makes Witchinghour VERY unhappy... 😂

Really interesting that GF helped your mental health too. I was planning on going GF again once we'd moved house and settled in but might bring it forward.

For now, I think I'll wallow in my pit a bit longer and try again tomorrow.

[greygoose in reply to Buddy195]

I second Bach’s Rescue Remedy. I've just been through a really stressful two years, and Bach's has helped enormously. Wouldn't have been able to cope without it. x

[Triciatextiles]

what are your latest thyroid results? What meds are you on? My husband takes T3 and if he is particularly tired and stressed he takes extra for a few days and this works for him but you do need to know your levels.

[Hidden in reply to Triciatextiles]

2 weeks ago I had these results: on 50mcg T4, 60mg NDT, and 10mcg T3.

TSH: 1.1 (0.27 - 4.2)

FT4: 12.3 (12 - 22)

FT3: 5.8 (3.1 - 6.8)

6 weeks ago I had the following results:

TSH: 0.39 (0.27 - 4.2)

FT4: 11.3 (12 - 22)

FT3: 5.6 (3.1 - 6.8)

I had considered increasing my dose temporarily but it's been such hard work to get to where I am I'm nervous of messing it all up!

[Fruitandnutcase]

As you say, you’ve got a lot of major stresses in your life at the moment and several things over which you have no control - house sale and husbands job to name but two.

You are probably sleeping for too long, it might be worth trying to get back into a routine of eight hours a night. I know when I was at college and found studying and exams very stressful I used to tell myself I really really needed the sleep - more than time spent studying - I didn’t - but sleeping was my ‘escape from life’ technique. So maybe you could try getting back to no more than eight hours.

If you decide to journal then you’re in control of that as you - it doesn’t matter if it reads like the shining at the moment - you just want to offload. On the other hand you could do a gratitudes journal every night before you go to sleep - just write down three things you’re grateful for - they don’t need to be exciting at all., could be as basic as I’m glad it didn’t rain today’.

If decide to go gluten feee again that puts you in control too ( I’ve been totally gluten free since I had Graves’ disease in 2012)

My first thought when I read your post was what Hennerton says - start with the dogs, the exercise would help you and them. Living with a couple of bored dogs must be a massive cause of stress?

Could you perhaps take the dogs out one at a time and work on making them less reactive. If you watch Dogs Behaving Very Badly (on Chanel 4 or possibly 5) you’ll see that Graeme deals with a lot of very reactive dogs whose owners are having similar problems to you and are at their wits end, you would get lots of tips from there, those dogs all end up ok.

If you can’t face that then a brisk walk round the block by yourself will do you good.

Are you drinking enough water - try for six to eight glasses a day. Are your vitamins and minerals all well up in their limits?

Do you have a ‘season ticket’ for your prescriptions? When I started on carbimazole and levo my pharmacist gave me a leaflet to fill in to get my drugs at a better price - still not cheap but maybe less than before. nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescri...

[arTistapple]

I remember being 36 and in dire straits similar to many things you are mentioning. Not the dogs though. I think having thyroid issues makes us ultra sensitive to what is going on around us (paralyses us) and if (as at 36) we are allegedly at the peak of our abilities, with lots of matching responsibilities, life is extremely stressful! I would not want to go back to that for anything. You say yourself “All the stressors are out of my control”. You might truly acknowledge your very perceptive view. I think you are absolutely spot on! Sometimes we just have to “go through the motions”. This is not disrespectful. If we just can’t do it, we just can’t do it. Do what you can about anything that is directly under your area of control. Which of these factors are directly your area of concern? Old fashioned? But supporting husband in some way at this moment? What he is doing could have a particularly powerful effect on the dynamics of the whole family right now! When I am in a tizz it’s the very time I should not be touching my meds. I have to be thinking clearly (as if). Hah! No idea what GF is.

[Imaaan]

Sorry to read about the loss of your family friend. Its such a tragedy to lose someone through suicide. I dont have any advice but try to remember there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hope things get sorted out for you soon

[Bertwills]

For anxiety I have found Theanine helpful. From Amazon, It’s extracted from tea & is helpful.

I’m in the final stages of moving house. The sale completion has just been delayed by another week. It’s taken a year to get to this stage. 3 sales fell through because purchasers didn’t really have the money. Final sale (hopefully) is to a celebrity which brings its own pressure, though it’s also quite fun.

Worst thing is I don’t want to sell at all but I’ve become allergic to something in my house & now I have to sell everything. Auctioneers collecting on Monday & we’ll have to camp out here for 10 days with hardly any furniture! Because a conveyancer has made a mess of things. And the Theanine is helping!

I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, this must be such a difficult time for you.

I have 2 dogs too, though I can’t walk one as he’s torn a ligament and has to be carried everywhere.

You’re not alone. Remember to use a phone help service like Samaritans if you need to talk. My friend volunteers and she’s the best listener I’ve ever met. Don’t underestimate the value of troubles shared.

Good luck

[radd]

Witchinghour,

Oh, poor you 🤗. My suggestions are :

More Vit B12, as our stresses use it up. I was always told to increase during times of high emotions.

And re-adopt gluten free asap. If you are gluten intolerant it can induce brain fog and feelings of unable to cope.