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Having a difficult day :(
Hey everyone!
I just needed to vent some and I think my hubby is getting tired of hearing it...lol. I was misdiagnosed in March 2008 as having hypothyroidism. My TSH at the time was 3.94. Normal ranges are 0.3 to 5.5 with optimal being a TSH of 1 (tsh= thyroid stimulating hormone). The doctor I went to at the time told me that the range has been decreased to 0.3 to 3.0 being normal. He started me on a medication called levoxyl which is a thyroid hormone. Alot of you know that a side effect of the drug is hair loss and thyroid conditions also cause hair loss. When started on this drug, I had absolutely no symptoms of thyroid trouble. Two to three months into taking the drug I noticed I was aching alot...mostly in my arms and legs....little did I know it was a MAJOR sign of trouble ahead. During this time I had become very active and had lost 30 lbs in a 3 month period by walking and some running 10 miles a day. So as you could imagine...I thought the aching I was experiencing was due to the exercise. I will never forget the day of December 26, 2008. I woke up this day in severe pain...aching all over...what I thought might have been the flu...boy was I wrong! I got into the shower and was in shock at the site of clumps of hair all over me. I called the doctor...went in to have some labs done and of course my TSH came back normal. After numerous visits to many different doctors...i was finally told...I should have NEVER been started on thyroid hormone. The doc also said that he believed that starting me on something I didnt need truly made my thyroid sluggish and my body was exhibiting severe signs of thyroid deficiency. After battling this horrific aching, lack of energy, depression and hair loss for 9 months and getting no where with traditional medication...I turned to alternative medicine. I started acupuncture 5 weeks ago. To my amazement, I was off thyroid medication after 4 treatments and feeling human again, the hair loss slowing WAY down, even noticed some new hair growth on my eyebrows, head and legs. Today is day 19 off of thyroid medication. Last night I started noticing the aching again. This morning I got in the shower and had a repeat of that horrific day in december...hair everywhere! WHAT the HECK????? My hubby told me tonight that was color looks horrible....I am sooooo tired of this! I am ready to shave my head and say to h*** with this mess. I am so sick of the ups and downs! I would seriously rather someone put a bullet in my head than go back on thyroid medication! I felt like a zombie on it! Sorry guys I do not mean to be venting this bad! I am just flat out ANGRY with that doctor that started me on something I DIDNT NEED! I truly believe that is what has messed me up so badly! I know everyone here is going through this...and I truly appreciate each and every one of you! You guys have been the support that I lack at home! My husband...just thinks hair is just hair. He has male pattern baldness....really doesnt effect him in the least. He usually shaves his head....says it is cooler that way. He is hot natured so it works for him. Thanks again everyone!!!!!!!!!
I just needed to vent some and I think my hubby is getting tired of hearing it...lol. I was misdiagnosed in March 2008 as having hypothyroidism. My TSH at the time was 3.94. Normal ranges are 0.3 to 5.5 with optimal being a TSH of 1 (tsh= thyroid stimulating hormone). The doctor I went to at the time told me that the range has been decreased to 0.3 to 3.0 being normal. He started me on a medication called levoxyl which is a thyroid hormone. Alot of you know that a side effect of the drug is hair loss and thyroid conditions also cause hair loss. When started on this drug, I had absolutely no symptoms of thyroid trouble. Two to three months into taking the drug I noticed I was aching alot...mostly in my arms and legs....little did I know it was a MAJOR sign of trouble ahead. During this time I had become very active and had lost 30 lbs in a 3 month period by walking and some running 10 miles a day. So as you could imagine...I thought the aching I was experiencing was due to the exercise. I will never forget the day of December 26, 2008. I woke up this day in severe pain...aching all over...what I thought might have been the flu...boy was I wrong! I got into the shower and was in shock at the site of clumps of hair all over me. I called the doctor...went in to have some labs done and of course my TSH came back normal. After numerous visits to many different doctors...i was finally told...I should have NEVER been started on thyroid hormone. The doc also said that he believed that starting me on something I didnt need truly made my thyroid sluggish and my body was exhibiting severe signs of thyroid deficiency. After battling this horrific aching, lack of energy, depression and hair loss for 9 months and getting no where with traditional medication...I turned to alternative medicine. I started acupuncture 5 weeks ago. To my amazement, I was off thyroid medication after 4 treatments and feeling human again, the hair loss slowing WAY down, even noticed some new hair growth on my eyebrows, head and legs. Today is day 19 off of thyroid medication. Last night I started noticing the aching again. This morning I got in the shower and had a repeat of that horrific day in december...hair everywhere! WHAT the HECK????? My hubby told me tonight that was color looks horrible....I am sooooo tired of this! I am ready to shave my head and say to h*** with this mess. I am so sick of the ups and downs! I would seriously rather someone put a bullet in my head than go back on thyroid medication! I felt like a zombie on it! Sorry guys I do not mean to be venting this bad! I am just flat out ANGRY with that doctor that started me on something I DIDNT NEED! I truly believe that is what has messed me up so badly! I know everyone here is going through this...and I truly appreciate each and every one of you! You guys have been the support that I lack at home! My husband...just thinks hair is just hair. He has male pattern baldness....really doesnt effect him in the least. He usually shaves his head....says it is cooler that way. He is hot natured so it works for him. Thanks again everyone!!!!!!!!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Melissa Harris on
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Donna,
Hang in there girl! I KNOW how you feel! It has been hell for me too! Sometimes I want to give up!! I think you should maybe try to see a specialist in thyroids. There are some out there. Even if you have to fly or drive to where they are at. I'm not sure where you live but it might be worth getting a specialist in that area to look at your blood work, ect. I know there is a list specialists on a web because I found it before and was going to go see one myself at one point. I can send you the link if you are interested. I know that feeling of being tired. Please try to hang in there! I know I need to be told that sometimes too because I want to just give up!! Fell free to write back if you want to! Take care!
Melissa
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Permalink Reply by Donna DeHoog on
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Hey Melissa! I have been to several different endocrinologist (thyroid specialist). They are the ones that told me I should have never been started on this mess! UGH! Gosh, what I would change if I could turn back time. Anyway enough about me. I see you are new diagnosed with alopecia. I wish i could say it gets easier but it hasnt for me yet. It is really rough condition to deal with. Do you have thyroid problems too?
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Hi Brandon. I really didnt mean to come across that I was mad at my husband. He has helped me through this and you are right....he is probably not reacting to it to try and make me feel better. To be honest, I am very upset with the doctor and myself. I am a Rn and should have questioned it or at least got a second option. You are so right about the anger thing....it is difficult to let go of though. How are you handling this alopecia mess?
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Permalink Reply by Nick Barlulis on
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Brandon you are telling my story. I had AU when I was six and it all came back by age 7 or so. I had a little bout with aa at ten but that to cleared up. At age 40 i had aa in my beard and at 44 it returned to normal...now the wammy! At age 46 i now have AU. Wow am I having a tough time. I feel I look like a freak and am very uncomfortable in public. I pray that if my hair does not return that I allow myself to have the freedom of just being me. I went AU in June 2009 so I'm tring to accept. I can tell you that it is a much easier disease to deal with at 46 opposed to being 6. It's hard but I know i/we can do it!
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Hey Nick! I am so sorry you are going through this. I can only imagine how difficult it must be with AU. I still have hair but it is very very thin but hair nonetheless. If you ever need a friend...I am here :)
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Well put! I would say more, but you said it perfectly. Thanks for sharing the inner thoughts that many of us keep to ourselves. Once again I am reminded by the people on this site that I am not walking this road alone!
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Permalink Reply by John M. on
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Donna - I'm REALLY sorry to hear that you're having such a bad day. I tried pinging you in chat, but looks like I've just missed you. I have a few meetings starting in a bit, but will try to look for you again later. Please keep venting if it helps you (I know it does for me at times). We're all here for you, you are NOT alone in this. We each feel the ups and downs as acutely as you do, so there may be some small consolation in knowing that. Lean on your friends when you need to, I'm happy to be here for you...you know that. :-)
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Hey John! Thanks again for our chat! It really helps to know I have so many great friends on this site! It is incredible how a condition has brought us all together and created friendships that will last a lifetime! I hope you are having a wonderful afternoon! I am sure we will talk again soon! :)
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Permalink Reply by Mary on
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Hi Donna,
I hope you're doing better today. I think we all have bad days, and some REALLY bad days. But, they pass and things do get better. It's fine to "vent" here. Just know that you're not alone!
Take care,
Mary
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Thank you Mary!! It is such a relief to not that I am not alone... I hope that doesnt sound bad. I hate that others have to suffer with this condition too. It definitely is a life changing disease. Again, thank you for your kind words. I have been amazed at the strength and courage everyone on this site displays. I still do not have the courage to put up a picture of myself with the hair loss.
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Hi Donna
I just want to send you a hug. ((((hugs)))). What a rotten time you are having of it at the moment. Hang in there - you will get through this.
Rosy.
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Thank you, Rosy!!! Definitely trying to hang tough through this mess. Oh my, it has definitely been a challenging time with some days being fine and other being bad and still those others where you have to force yourself to get out of the bed. Thank you for the hugs! Definitely needing it right now. Oh also, I got your email about the wigs....thanks so much for the information!
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