Journal entry by Mary Godwin —
At 2 am Saturday morning, I woke up and developed intense anxiety. It made my tremor worse, lowered my balance, made me feel burning heat on my head and neck, and made me totally unable to sleep or think calmly. I decided I needed help, and after a little bit I was afraid I needed medical help rather than just a psychiatrist because I though it might be another relapse. In December, anxiety was the main indication of my relapse. In any case, I knew I needed medical help for when just the anxiety, and I didn't feel it could wait for Monday. Really, I wanted not to have to wait.
So, I went to the ER for anxiety help at 8:30 am after no sleep and to see what doctors thought about needing an MRI.
However, my blood test from after my first MS specialist appointment Friday actually included a thyroid test, and indicated that I am hyperthyroid again like I was in September. SO. This was discovered while I was being given some anxiety help and my heart rate was remaining elevated while plugged in at the ER. Endocrine specialists came in and explained, and said they needed my records of earlier thyroid activity first, but I would be prescribed something to lower my thyroid hormones soon. I am picking up thyroid meds today, on more anxiety meds until my thyroid calms down, and on a heart rate dampenner until the same thing happens (it stayed around 140 all yesterday pre-medication and got down to 120 after 2 doses of a strong anti-anxiety).
Until my thyroid calms down, I am keeping conscious of my hyperactivity, I am treating high HR, high BP, and high anxiety with medication, and I may have diarrhea, may be irritable, and may be rash. This may mean I also have Graves Disease, but tests last year, which could have failed because of other things in my system at the time, said I did not have that. Thyroid issues are most often non-life-threatening and easy to treat.
I am adding a general practitioner to my team Monday, and I will soon add an endocrinologist as soon as their office opens and I can make an appointment.
Side note: I see a fertility specialist this week. Though I am not attempting pregnancy any time in the forseeable future, I don't want to become infertile after HSCT. Because of that risk with chemo and because I want that procedure, I may try to freeze some eggs soon.
Big first week! Almost all good things. And I can confirm that I am in great hands here, and on the right bus routes as well.
So, I went to the ER for anxiety help at 8:30 am after no sleep and to see what doctors thought about needing an MRI.
However, my blood test from after my first MS specialist appointment Friday actually included a thyroid test, and indicated that I am hyperthyroid again like I was in September. SO. This was discovered while I was being given some anxiety help and my heart rate was remaining elevated while plugged in at the ER. Endocrine specialists came in and explained, and said they needed my records of earlier thyroid activity first, but I would be prescribed something to lower my thyroid hormones soon. I am picking up thyroid meds today, on more anxiety meds until my thyroid calms down, and on a heart rate dampenner until the same thing happens (it stayed around 140 all yesterday pre-medication and got down to 120 after 2 doses of a strong anti-anxiety).
Until my thyroid calms down, I am keeping conscious of my hyperactivity, I am treating high HR, high BP, and high anxiety with medication, and I may have diarrhea, may be irritable, and may be rash. This may mean I also have Graves Disease, but tests last year, which could have failed because of other things in my system at the time, said I did not have that. Thyroid issues are most often non-life-threatening and easy to treat.
I am adding a general practitioner to my team Monday, and I will soon add an endocrinologist as soon as their office opens and I can make an appointment.
Side note: I see a fertility specialist this week. Though I am not attempting pregnancy any time in the forseeable future, I don't want to become infertile after HSCT. Because of that risk with chemo and because I want that procedure, I may try to freeze some eggs soon.
Big first week! Almost all good things. And I can confirm that I am in great hands here, and on the right bus routes as well.
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