Some of you are aware of my health condition, but for those that don’t know…
12 years ago I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. This is an autoimmune disease that causes my thyroid to malfunction and, consequently, tricks my immune system into attacking itself.
Since my diagnosis, I’ve struggled with a growing list of health issues and slow/ premature deterioration. Four years ago I underwent surgery to have my thyroid removed and was put on a daily regiment of hormone replacements.
Unfortunately, my body is not happy and continues to be under attack by my immune system.
Three years ago, I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which is another inflammatory autoimmune disease that tricks your muscular and nervous system to believe it’s under attack. This, I’m told (by my diagnosing physician) is a stress induced illness.
I’m sick.
I’m not dying, not yet. *Even though some days can feel that way.
But, I have been feeling guilt and shame for living with, and for the most part, hiding my failing health for this long.
Because of my shame, I didn’t know if I was really going to go public with this, but after speaking with a nurse yesterday and telling my story, she encouraged me to share my story. She hopes my “strength” and “courage” will inspire others, whether they’re suffering the same illness as I am, or struggling through something all the same.
So, here I am. Exposing myself and my failing health, but still here and still pushing through everyday, still hoping and searching for answers.
Over the past two year, I’ve been working closely, and regularly, with my primary care physician to try and get on top of creating some relief from my symptoms (as these conditions are not, yet, curable) I do everything I can to help myself, which includes conscious diet, physical activity, and mindful practice of control [controlling the things I can] and positivity, and yet my health continues to fail.
This past year, I have been struggling with hair loss.
Which, has been an ongoing issue since my original diagnosis, but has become worse in recent months. My first step was to stop straightening, coloring, bleaching, blow drying, braiding, etc… and for a short while I saw, what appeared to be, promise. Until, the last six months, which have had me covering my head in every dry shampoo, tinted hair spray, root lifter, thickening agent, and headscarf I could find, in attempt to conceal the rapid thinning.
Until… I washed my hair one day and realized, I don’t have enough hair left to hide it anymore.
That day, I started wrapping my hair more regularly and now, wrap it everytime I leave the house in order to cover the thin, patchy, balding.
°Truth be told, my eyebrows are also fake. I started getting them microbladed last year, due to hair loss and signs of failing health in that area also.°
This illness is Hell. It’s far more painful than just tumors and hair loss, it’s physically painful, frustrating, confusing, stressful, and isolating.
(I’ll include a list of my personal symptoms below, in order of most to least immediately troubling)
•They say “all bad things come in threes”. Indeed.
This is just part 1 and 2 of a three part health crisis.
Though this is all I’m willing to share, for now. . .
•~Thoughts and Prayers welcomed~•
*I wouldn’t turn down a wig either 😝
《Symptom List》
Chronic fatigue/exhaustion
Chronic back pain
Curled pained posture (inability to wear heels)
Muscle fatigue
General muscle stiffness
Hair loss! – lashes, brows, etc
*brittle, dry, thin, straight hair
Dry, brittle, breaking nails
Brain fog
Memory issues
Joint pain/inflammation
Arthritis (hands)
Depression
Sleep issues
Bladder issues (frequent urination)
Tension headaches
Temperature sensitivity
Circulatory issues – tingling/cold extr.
Caffeine/Alcohol sensitivity
Appetite inconsistency – low
Low/No libido
Vision issues (contact dry-pain)
Body dysmorphia
Muscular convulsive ep. (cold/stress)
*Hashimoto’s diagnosis*
Fibromyalgia diagnosis
*Anemic symptoms*
Callus feet
Tired heavy face – Dull complexion
Melasma
Frostbite winter face rash
Flushing histamine rash *torso
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