Thought id write an update. Ive been on a phased return to work as a midwife over the last 6 weeks. Since starting the t3/t4 combo i had started to feel slightly better, much brighter mentally ( though memory is still poor) and my clinical signs became much more stable. I did still have a 'background fatigue' but thought i could probably work through that whilst continuing to up my dose to an optimal level.
I have absolutely dreaded going back...afraid of everything and everyone! Dreading stressful situations (which are common in my profession) and wondering how on earth my exhausted adrenals will hold out! This has also reflected how much this God awful disease, has had an impact upon my psychological/mental well-being...my confidence has taken a complete battering and my self belief has got its coat and left the building! Before i first went off sick , although i felt unwell...i also felt top of my tree as a midwife....feeling part of the team. Now i just feel vulnerable and worried and my supernummery status ends this week which means im on my own again...eeek!
The safety of my women and babies is paramount to me, so i seek much support from the teams i work with....who have no concerns about me by the way....but im not sure i can continue and have some important decisions to make for my future.
Physically...i noticed that my fatigue levels increased much earlier into my shifts as the weeks passed. I have upped t3 and NAX as suggested by Dr P but am finding i cannot tolerate anything over 55mcg. To make things worse, the new cytomel i have started.. is an awful lot stronger than the last...causing a tachycardia of over 100, (even at 125 when stressed) and whilst im working and around 95 when resting and im so tired!! I have now decreased the dose to just 6.25mcg 3 times a day just to maintain a healthier heartrate (80bpm) and i plan to reintroduce more, gradually . My basal temp is 36.3 at best and i look dreadful.
So its back to the beginning which i find distressing and made worse by the fact i am now back at work. We need my wage so i have to stay....my mind and body feel broken...but i am driven on by the needs of my family...and i am so proud of my profession...its something i donnot want to leave...so you could say i am torn.
I am taking 6 NAX a day now and am wondering whether hydrocortisone may be a better/cheaper option? I am wondering why Dr P hasnt suggested this yet? I will try anything!
On a brighter note...i do have my left eyebrow back! I also have a brand new, blank page of a GP to work on whom i shall see weds morning. The receptionist said he specialised in diabetes so is likely to be more help to me...she smiled, pleased she was able to help...whilst i groaned!! :/
You never know...he may be my saviour??????? I will let you know. I shall also write to Dr P this week....and he can groan too!
Wishing you all well .......
K xxxxxxx
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babycatcher7572
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I sympathise with you. It is amazing when ill that your confidence goes out the window and little things become stressful.
Just remember how confident you were before and you will certainly be helpful to mothers who are also hypo and delivering their babies. At least you will be very sympathetic and helpful to them. I hope your colleagues will rally round.
Oh Babycatcher I am in exactly the same situation as you, except I am slightly behind you in the recovery journey. I am a children's physiotherapist and have been off for over 6 mts now and before that had a lot of time off including reduced hrs because I wasn't coping.
I didn't and wouldn't realise that I was so ill. I recognise everything you say about the safety worries, memory, fatigue and crashing, extreme sensitivity to stress situations and confidence in the boots.
I had a phased work programme set up to get back to work but deteriorated and have now accepted that I have to get better before I attempt to get back. Money is a huge worry. I too have some decisions to make although I am 56 this year and can retire at 60. I had in mind that I had to work until I was at least 65 as I have relatively young children.
You seem to be younger than me, please don't give up. I used the parental leave policy to reduce my hrs although your salary is reduced, its a way to reduce you hrs without it being permanent. Maybe you can speak to your union rep and see if there is anything that can be done to your work situation?
So sorry that you have not made the progress that you expected. Please read up carefullly about Hydrocortisone as it can cause diabetes, especially if you have a tendency to auto-immune diseases, as has been the case with my special needs son. I was not told this at the hospital (about 15 years ago) but by my Orthoptist. The hospital Consultant just glossed over this when I mentioned it. Feel this might be the case why they don't want to prescribe it now.
These awful hormonal conditions are quite a minefield and doctorsdo not appear to have learn't anything useful for us in the last 40 years or so. There are just a few who are very helpful and they get castigated for their care of us.
Do hope you do manage to find an answer and that you are ableto carry on with a job that is so useful to mankind (or womankind).
hi i dont know if this is relevant to you or you have considered it already but ;
have you thought of trying just t3 .
i was on t3/t4 combo and did not feel right so i am trialling just t3 incase my t4 interferes with absorption . i dont knwo that much about it but am awaiting paul robinsons book on changing to t3 only so i can ensure i optomise my journey into this unknown . also i have taken advic efrom the very wise and knowledgable people on here .
i am hashimotos . i dont know if you are or just hypothyroid and/or not had yr antibodies tested .
sorry if this was a waste of time for you to read . just want to help . i am in a similar health professional and share most of yr worries , i am main bread winner , looove my job , need to be 100% all the time etc like u xxx
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