On Friday, I published and then withdrew a blog post in which I worried myself into a knot about the "What if" scenarios around my recent blood tests. After a brisk walk and a fruit salad, I took the post down because I know that some of my readers have genuine, diagnosed, proper full-on life-threatening conditions, and may not wish to hear about my pointless fear-of-the-unknown attention-seeking nonsense.
OK - so here we go - I am NOT ILL. The GP found nothing of concern in the 6 tests he requested, other than that I have low iron stores. Which is only to be expected since my "monthly" cycle has gone into overdrive.
No thyroid trouble.
Which leaves me with my rash and my Raynaud's, my disappearing eyebrows and my super-skinny waistline.
I was honest with the Doctor about my Googling efforts. And he admitted that he had written the same thing in my notes... but didn't mention it at my last appointment.
So... not wishing to cry wolf*, I have been scouring the web with my symptoms and keep coming up with the same possibility: what if I have lupus*?
Malar rash TICK
Carpal tunnel TICK
Joint pain TICK
Weight loss TICK
Hair loss TICK
Raynaud's TICK
Recurrent miscarriage (not recently, obviously, but last few times we tried) TICK
Migraines / headaches TICK
Fatigue TICK
Dry eyes TICK
Depression... um, not sure, maybe, but don't want to admit it.
But none of this is making me feel unwell. And the Doctor concurred with my view that if I DID have lupus I would surely be feeling rough, having to take time off work, suffering. We looked at my blood tests again, and there is no evidence of rheumatic trouble, or inflammation, and my "sediment rate" is in the normal range at 2. So it is unlikely... but can't be ruled out.
He did not order any further tests. I would need an Anti Nuclear Antibodies blood test to check for lupus, and it has not been done yet. We are going to wait and see what happens with my rash. If the topical antibiotics do not clear it up within a couple of months, he will have another think... because an ordinary rosacea rash will respond to this treatment, but a lupus rash will not.
Maybe I just have delusions that I am Lady Gaga. Not my scene at all.
Instead I will listen to a more age-appropriate CD. It makes me cry every time, and sometimes you just need a good cry, don't you think? To let out all the toxins and feel much much better.
*Latin for wolf is "lupus"
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7 comments:
If it is Lupus, then at least you'll know what you are dealing with and it can be treated accordingly. The Lupus website you linked to states - "the real prognosis is good, indeed in the majority of patients, the disease can be brought under control and many patients are able to come off all their medication" - so it is not all doom and gloom just yet. Sending hugs... try not to worry xxx
I have to jump in here and say that thyroid problems are VERY common,you have a lot of the classic symptoms and they are also VERY difficult to diagnose correctly. I have read up on this and there are many times that the blood tests will show the thyroid hormone levels are fine but the body is not converting the hormones correctly and you still have the problem despite the bloodwork appearing normal. This is often called "sub-clinical" hypo or hyperthyroid. Doctors who know about this will generally put someone on the medicine and voila,
the symptoms improve dramatically
and you have your answer. I know women who have had this happen and it sure sounds like you could be dealing with the same scenerio. In the case of hypothyroid, this is as easy as just using a small amount of supplemental thyroid hormone and the symptoms vanish. I know there is an auto-immune thyroid condition called Hashimoto's syndrome that results in over-active thyroid. Have they checked you for that? Hope you get to the bottom of this soon.
From reading your blog over the last few months I'd say you have every right to be a little concerned about your health, after all you are the lynch pin that keeps everyone's wheels on their wagons. So often those of us who care (what seems endlessly) for others around us, forget that we need looking after too.
Hopefully you will have answers soon. x
I know of another MM caregiver who developed thyroid issues after many months of stress, so it would not surprise me if this is what is going on for you. There are some homeopathic solutions you might try for relief - just keep good notes on what you take and what the results are. Homeopathic remedies generally do not have toxic overtones.
One cannot forget that caring for the beloved with MM is a HUGE emotional, physical and mental challenge - and taking care of self sometimes gets pushed to the background. Do not feel guilty if you take time for you - easier said than done, I know.
I am no medical anything, but did the GP check your Vit D and your B 12 levels? When low it works into all sorts of unexplainable symptoms....from someone whose been there, done that. Just a thought...
Hi I agree with Tim's wife, thyroid imbalances are notoriously difficult to diagnose and often you can have classic symptoms but blood tests don't show what is going on. I have read that a low temperature on waking is a better indicator of thyroid imbalance, apparently you have to take your temp as soon as you wake before getting up. If it is consistently low then dodgy thyroid is indicated!! I do feel for you, its rough feeling under the weather all the time but somehow not really ill enough to take to your bed and be cossetted. This is energy sapping in itself if it goes on for a while, plus the stress you have had must affect your energy levels. Sorry I was meant to be trying to commiserate and cheer you up but I make it sounds horribly depressing.
Continue to enjoy the sunshine as in your next post and walking the dog and stitching your beautiful dress and I look forward to seeing the results of your weekend at the machine!!
God Bless
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