Was diagnosed as having hyperthyroidism several weeks ago. To say I was surprised was an understatement. I had asked to have bloods taken as I am on long term medication for atrial fibrillation and also mitral valve regurgitation. Both conditions had been well managed for a long time but I have been not feeling my best for quite sometime but just put it down to pressure of my job and life in general. It was as if "my get up and go" had deserted me. Since this new diagnosis there are a lot of things starting to make sense, loss of "my get up and go" , poor concentration, lack of energy and difficult motivating myself to do things. I also have had increased heart palpitations. I feel quite aggrieved by this as losing the edge at work may have cost me promotion. Was it the yet to receive new diagnosis that was a factor? My GP has been fantastic. I was started on carbimazole 5mg and referred to see an endocrinologist. He insisted I needed time out from work and so I was signed off sick, to give the chance for the medication to work and to focus on my overall health and wellbeing. Work didn't take this too well. When I explained to them what my GP had advised and that reducing stress would help it was implied that "life is full of stress" and perhaps the GP was over reacting. I have now been off from work for six weeks.
To start with the new medication made me quite unwell and affected my appetite and being unable to sleep. I have developed tinnitus which drives me crazy. I have had regular blood tests and it appears my thyroid levels are more satisfactory but my folic acid is is a bit low so now on medication for that to. I asked about the tinnitus and was told it can be a side affect of the carbimazole but hopefully should pass.
I saw the GP last week. Regards to work I have been told to put work right out of my mind for the time being. I was then reminded how serious hyperthyroidism can be and that is why I am off sick. Sometimes I feel like a fraud when I am having a good day but then realise it is for the best when having a bad day. I am still waiting to see the endocrinologist.
I am due to have an absence support meeting with work next week and I am dreading it. I feel that work don't listen to me and trying to explain what is happening to me and why I am off will be difficult. When I was having issues with my atrial fibrillation I had to explain to my manager what the condition is as they didn't know. So this is what I have to contend with.
I am trying not to read too much into things. I know there are a lot of problems that can be caused by an overactive thyroid and believe me I have most probably thought I have had most of them whilst trying to justify what is happening and making sense of it all. However I do realise this is not the case and perhaps I am not doing too bad but I don't realise this at times.
Any advice and support would be appreciated.
