setback

Last night I got the chills. I figured it was because the house was cold after I got all sweaty while skiing yesterday. Then the toilet seat made me yelp when I sat on it. That is always my personal fever indicator.

I am supposed to be watching out for sore throat and fever. One of the rare nasty side effects of methimazole, my thyroid med, is reduced white blood cell count, whose symptoms include fever and sore throat. It can be a life threatening complication.

Last time I went off methimazole for a sore throat, I ended up in the er with a seized shoulder. So I took my meds this morning and called the doc afterwards. I was going in for my three week blood work and figured it would be easier to get the CBC (complete blood count)at the same time this afternoon.

There was a bit of confusion, since the nurse wanted me to go off the meds, but I wasn't going to the lab until this afternoon, and she wanted to know how long the results would take and said she'd call me back.

I got to the lab about noon and they had no CBC order. I told them my situation and they kindly drew the tube and set it aside for the order, and I called the office and left a message that was what was happening.

As I was leaving, the nurse from endo called me back and said she wished I had waited for her call, but that they would get back to me with the results, tonight if necessary so I could continue with the meds if everything was ok. She seemed a little put out, but the blood was ready to go so I was happy. :)

Then she called me this afternoon. My white blood count is low and I have to go off the meds. They will look at the results of the thyroid blood work and then we'll talk some more tomorrow morning.

It's a very serious condition and I can't go to the girls final game tonight because of risk of infection while my White blood count is low. I am under doctor's orders to take it easy and put my feet up! Of course I am still driving him to the game, and driving back to get him, and going to a friend's tonight to watch a movie (I already called to make sure none of them are sick) You can't tell an obsessive compulsive claustrophobic they have to stay home!!

There is another med, but people that react to this one often react to that one as well. That leaves radioactive iodine to kill the thyroid. I knew that was coming I just wish I could have a little more time. My last thyroid levels were still high. I have been feeling pretty good so hopefully it's better.

Wish me luck!

Friday

Well, Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

I finally got to see the endocrinologist yesterday. Last week I had gone to my PA, who took three days to return my call regarding a resting pulse of 134. She told me there was no medication for my condition and apparently did not follow up on my request to coordinate treatment with my specialist. I was told to go to my PA with the request by the endo receptionist after I frantically tried to get in to the specialist.

Well, the endo put me on two meds! Propananol for the racing heart and screwy BP, and a drug to calm the thyroid. That is not a permanent fix. Most likely I will end up having radioactive iodine to knock the thyroid down and then take a thyroid supplement, thyroxine.

If they did the iodine now it could spike my levels with a flush of thyroxine from the dying thyroid.

At any rate, I already, just since last night, feel loads better! A bit lightheaded and some stomach cramping before lunch, but so far so good.

It was a 2 hour drive each way to the specialist, and he was really nice and said we will do labs locally so I don't have to go that far every time.

I cannot believe how frustrating it was to get treatment! I complained to the nurse and Doc and said, "well, at least I didn't drop dead before the appointment, or then I would have been really mad" LOL, I don't know if they got the joke.

The doc said my thyroid levels (two months ago) were "through the roof" oh, that's nice. I had some more blood drawn yesterday for a benchmark. The thyroid med can cause white blood cells to go nuts, so if I get sick they can draw blood and compare the WBC. Hopefully that doesn't happen, because I really want this to work!

Nice to go into the New Year feeling good! Hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2011!

Wednesday the 10th

I took my radioactive pills this afternoon. I was repeatedly assured that it was harmless, that I wouldn't be shedding radiation or have to take any precautions. But the pill was in a pill bottle in a lead box in a lead lined alcove and I was directed not to touch the pills. She look a little alarmed as I held the pill cup and drank water, but I got them both down without incident.

Those folks at imaging really rock and make my doctor look sooo bad! Both times I went directly to sign in (they had three intake open), and before I signed the paper and got my band there was someone waiting to take me to nuclear or sonogram. There I had a chance to sit and pick up the paper before I was called. yeah, I like that kind of efficiency!

The worse news is that when I go back in 24 hours I have to sit still for ten minutes -three times(!) for images. I can't even beat the birthday cake frosting ten minutes-I go five and say, "good enough". How am I going to sit still for 10 minutes even once?

I am so speedy I pace and bounce my leg a lot. I was relieved when the woman who gave me the pills told me that after her daughter was born her thyroid went hyper. She lost 40 pounds in a week and couldn't make a complete sentence. So I guess I can't bemoan 15 pounds and not being able to comprehend a sentence. LOL.

Wednesday

Don't I have original titles? LOL

We went to the sports awards ceremony tonight. Cross country and Girl's soccer went first. Both coaches said a little bit about each team member before awarding their certificates. Then each coach selected three players on their team for trophies. The girl's soccer coach awarded the principal the championship trophy.

It was a nice opportunity to hear about the other athletes.

Then it was our turn. Our coach is such a softie he welled up, crumpled up his speech, and, behind his box of tissues, quickly called each of the team for their certificate. He then turned to the trophies, and called Phoenix first! We were very happy!

I did get some of my test results back. Definitely serious thyroid issues. My TSH was <.01. The good news is that my sugar, electrolytes, kidney and liver were all normal. I am worried about my heart though, my resting pulse is 100 and blood pressure 128/48.

I am being referred to an endocrinologist. I can't wait to feel better!

November

The sun is really coming up late! I am actually looking forward to the time change so 7am is not the crack of dawn! None of us are wanting to give up our warm beds at that cold, dark hour!

I had my thyroid ultrasound Friday. Although I have had sonograms in the past, I felt fairly uncomfortable during this one. There is not really anyway to describe having your large, tender thyroid thoroughly manipulated by the sonogram mic (?). I swear at one point I could feel those sonos going right through my head to my brain when she had it angled up at the base of my thyroid.

I had to admit it was not quite as bad as an abdominal sonogram on a full bladder.

Lots of clicking-I knew from previous experience she was measuring. The monitor was over my right shoulder behind my head. I had my eyes rolled up sideways trying to see. I could see the screen but had no idea what the images meant. I could see light and dark places but having trouble telling what she was measuring. "Are nodules light or dark spaces?" I asked.

"They can be either," she answered.

Oh that's great, I'm thinking. I asked her if I should go out and buy my favorite food for supper. She laughed and said, "Don't write yourself off yet."

I bought my favorite food anyhow.

When your immortality gets shaken you start to wonder how many more times you will be able to enjoy things.

So, we had a great time trick or treating! Willow and my hands froze, so we quit earlier than we might have otherwise. At noon yesterday it was 36 with a stiff breeze. It was the coldest trick or treat we could remember!

Happy November!