Taking Control of My Health: My Recovery Journey Led Me To A Hashimoto’s Disease Diagnosis

Life can get pretty hectic, and we often forget to take care of ourselves. But self-care is essential for a healthy and fulfilling life. Recently, I made a big move and finally went to the doctor to address some nagging health issues. Little did I know that this visit would lead to a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease and high cholesterol. In this blog post, I’ll share my personal journey, emphasizing the importance of self-care, seeking medical help, and embracing a proactive approach to managing chronic conditions.

Recognizing the Need for Change:
So, for the longest time, I’ve been feeling exhausted, sluggish, and packing on some extra pounds from having 2 children and continuing to stay clean from drugs. Plus, I noticed my skin getting drier, and my moods going haywire (extra anxiety and depression). It was becoming impossible to ignore these issues. That’s when I realized it was time to do something about it and seek professional advice.

The Doctor’s Visit:
Walking into the doctor’s office, I had a mix of excitement and nerves. But I was determined to tackle my health concerns head-on. I spilled all the beans to my doctor, describing my symptoms in detail. He listened carefully and ordered a bunch of tests to figure out what was going on. We had decided postpartum anxiety and depression played a role in my emotions.

After months of safe-for-breastfeeding medications, I noticed the depression getting better but the anxiety wouldn’t budge. Then, of course, I gained new anxiety from having so much anxiety. After making it to 6 months on my breast pumping journey, I quit. I was happy I met my goal of 6 months, but I was over everything that came with breast pumping. We finally started Wellbutrin, but again, the depression subsided, anxiety stayed. My mom told me I needed to get blood work done, paying attention to my thyroid. So, it was time to do more tests. I got my blood work completed and the results were in.

The Diagnosis: Hashimoto’s Disease and High Cholesterol:
Guess what? The test results showed that I had Hashimoto’s disease, which is an autoimmune condition that messes with your thyroid gland, and high cholesterol. It was a shocker, for sure. But at the same time, it felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders because finally, I had some answers. It was a turning point—a step towards getting my life back on track.

Embracing Self-Care and Treatment:
With my diagnoses in hand, I dove into researching about Hashimoto’s disease and high cholesterol. I learned that Hashimoto’s disease messes with your thyroid, causing all sorts of symptoms (including haywire emotions, who would’ve thought?). High cholesterol can be a risk factor for heart disease. Armed with this knowledge, I teamed up with my doctor to come up with a comprehensive treatment plan.

Managing Hashimoto’s Disease:
The main treatment for Hashimoto’s disease is taking thyroid hormone medication to regulate hormone levels and ease symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and mood swings. On top of that, I made some lifestyle changes, like trying to eat a balanced diet (hey, I said try…) and getting regular exercise (I’ve been more active and am working towards having energy and time for true exercise). It’s all about finding what works best for you and I am working towards that!

Addressing High Cholesterol:
To tackle my high cholesterol, my doctor advised me to make some dietary changes. So I cut back on salt (which I used to cover all foods in), and started incorporating heart-healthy foods into my meals. Regular exercise also plays a big role in managing cholesterol levels which like I said before, I am working towards it. In some cases, medication might be prescribed too, my doctor decided we should definitely try medication.

The Importance of Self-Advocacy:
My journey with Hashimoto’s disease and high cholesterol taught me a valuable lesson about being my own advocate in healthcare. By recognizing my symptoms and taking action, I regained control of my health. Collaborating openly with my doctor allowed us to create a personalized treatment plan. Being an advocate for yourself is crucial in getting the care you need.

Conclusion:
We continue to monitor my progress, especially since hashimotos disease can usually signal more autoimmune disorders to come, so we keep a close eye on everything.

So there you have it, my story of taking charge of my health by getting diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease and high cholesterol. It wasn’t an easy journey to start, but once I did I felt excited to finally have some answers.