NationStates Jolt Archive

For the few of you who may know my health issues of late, my most recent doctor's visit was not that great. My blood work showed strange spikes in hormones which could mean I've either got Hashimoto's disease or Grave's disease, both of which affect the thyroid. I've also got some wicked bad anaemia, so most days I've got a double dose of fatigue with some heart arrhythmias and fainting thrown in. I'm tough, so I'll be okay - it may just be a while until I'm 'normal' again.

Has anyone here had to deal with chronic illness? What were your coping mechanisms? Were you able to get support from friends and family? Did you ever have to play caretaker for anyone?

For those who don't know:

Hashimoto thyroiditis (or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in areas of the world where iodine levels are sufficient. It is characterized by gradual thyroid failure because of autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland. The name Hashimoto thyroiditis is derived from the 1912 report by Hashimoto describing patients with goitre and intense lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid (struma lymphomatosa). This disorder is most prevalent between 45 and 65 years of age and is more common in women than in men, with a female predominance of 10:1 to 20:1. Although it is primarily a disease of older women, it can occur in children and is a major cause of nonendemic goitre in children.

Graves disease is the most common cause of endogenous hyperthyroidism. It is characterized by a triad of clinical findings:

1. Hyperthyroidism owing to hyperfunctional, diffuse enlargement of the thyroid
2. Infiltrative ophthalmopathy with resultant exophthalmos (protruding eyes)
3. Localized, infiltrative dermopathy, sometimes called pretibial myxedema, which is present in a minority of patients

It is an autoimmune disorder in which a variety of antibodies may be present in the serum, including antibodies to the TSH receptor, thyroid peroxisomes, and thyroglobulin. Of these, autoantibodies to the TSH receptor are central to disease pathogenesis. The key role of anti-TSH receptor antibodies in the pathogenesis of hyperthyroidism is underscored by animal models that recapitulate human Graves disease. Immunization of mice with the TSH receptor results in generation of antibodies that cause thyroid stimulation, thyroid enlargement with lymphocytic infiltration, elevated thyroxine levels, and, in a subset of mice, ocular signs reminiscent of Graves ophthalmopathy.

(Adapted from Robbins and Cotran "Pathologic Basis of Disease")

Thank you, Fass.

For those who don't know:
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Sorry I didn't include info on those two things so thanks! :)

On the other hand I didn't include it because I wasn't asking people for advice on the particular diseases, just if they had coping mechanisms for long term illnesses.

Yeah, I know chronic illnesses can be a bitch. I have Crohns Disease, which affects my entire gastrointesinal tract. Essentially I need to make sure I don't strain myself in any way and watch what I eat (no nuts or spicy food), otherwise I develop blockages or bleeding ulcers (not fun...trust me).

As for dealing with it? I just take heart in the fact that I'm surrounded by people who have been nothing but understanding of my situation. I have the ability to stand up for myself and say that "I can't do that", without anyone needing to question me. I'm also happy that I'm on a new treatment that will end my dependency on steroids (a VERY good thing :D)

I hope you get better soon, or at least, start feeling better. That's the problem with chronic illnesses; you gotta live with them. But it's up to YOU one how you live with it. Don't let it get you down, and good luck.

Have you asked to get a check for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

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My mum has Grave's disease...

My baby sister has Hashimoto's she also has polyoverian cysts she is 27 on the first... she is coping fine with it though... she does not have a noticible goiter or anything which is cool but she has to be careful with herself and get frequent checkups which annoys her to no end.

Have you asked to get a check for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

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Not yet, my doctor wants to see what's happening with my thyroid first. He might come to that later though if the fatigue keeps up. That's the problem with thyroid issues. Fatigue is a symptom of both hyper and hypothyroidism. The anaemia doesn't help either.

My baby sister has Hashimoto's she also has polyoverian cysts she is 27 on the first... she is coping fine with it though... she does not have a noticible goiter or anything which is cool but she has to be careful with herself and get frequent checkups which annoys her to no end.

Yeah, I think every check up I have over the next six months is going to involve blood draws. Ugh. I've had enough with needles to last me the rest of my natural life. It's a good thing I'm not scared of them and at least I've got a good phlebotomist.

Yeah, I know chronic illnesses can be a bitch.

I hope you get better soon, or at least, start feeling better. That's the problem with chronic illnesses; you gotta live with them. But it's up to YOU one how you live with it. Don't let it get you down, and good luck.

Thanks! :)