The System

[PharmDstudent]

I sat in a dentist's office for two hours before being seen.
I waited over an hour for my scripts.
I'm calling all over for specialists, because I have "long roots" that like to die. I'm scared that someone else would batch the job, which could possibly lead to an implant in the future.
There are no network-provider specialists in my area, so I would have to pay for the entire procedure upfront and then get reimbursed later.
I have to work tonight even though I'm in pain.

How do people live with chronic conditions?
I couldn't imagine having to deal with extensive health problems on a daily basis.

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[bwsalvas]

I sat in a dentist's office for two hours before being seen.
I waited over an hour for my scripts.
I'm calling all over for specialists, because I have "long roots" that like to die. I'm scared that someone else would batch the job, which could possibly lead to an implant in the future.
There are no network-provider specialists in my area, so I would have to pay for the entire procedure upfront and then get reimbursed later.
I have to work tonight even though I'm in pain.

How do people live with chronic conditions?
I couldn't imagine having to deal with extensive health problems on a daily basis.

Last Friday we had an MD who has at least 3 chronic illnesses..brittle bones, diabetes, hypertension...and he gave a whole lecture on the depression and stress associated with being so afflicted from a medical practitioners point of view...Incredible lecture...I mean he's in such arthritic pain daily that he hasn't practiced in over a year and he's only 50 something.

I agree...I can't imagine living with such a burden.

 

[chibipinkbunny]

I know hypothyroidism doesn't sound like a horrible disease, but its much worse than the literature makes out. They have forums for people with thyroid disease because at times it can be a debilitating disease. For many people, its a search for a diagnosis. Some doctors won't treat unless your TSH levels are exceedingly high. Then there are those that are being treated, but their doctors air on the side of slight hypothyroidism because they don't want the patient to become hyperthyroid. Before hypothyroidism diagnosis many patients live in a nightmare of depression, constant fatigue, constipation, weight gain, feeling cold all the time, insomnia, etc. I guess the worst part is that before diagnosis you have no idea what's going on, which is very depressing. I know because I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few months ago. Prior to this I never went out with friends because I was too tired. I ate 1200 calories a day, and didn't lose weight. I was always cold and starving; I had a heating pad on my stomach constantly until it started causing burns. I had a bunch of other symptoms too, like like I looked like I was pregnant all the time because I was so constipated. I cried when I got the diagnosis from the doctor. At last, there was a reason for the reason I felt like hell every single day of my life. I guess another thing that was hard was that my husband didn't understand. He kind of thought that I was making up my symptoms, which is very frustrating! Anyway, yeah I go onto this thyroid forum because people that have the same disease really understand what you're going through. Many of us have to go to several doctors to get appropriate treatment. I'm lucky I found a good doctor, but I have to take the time to bill insurance myself, which is a hassle ^_^' I have it easier than most hypothyroid patients though, because many of them have other autoimmune disorder which they have to deal with like Sjorgen's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and polycystic ovary disease. Actually I had psoriasis as a kid, but that's another story. . . Sorry if this sounds like a complaint, but I wish to spread awareness about hypothyroidism.

 

[slimcutt]

I know hypothyroidism doesn't sound like a horrible disease, but its much worse than the literature makes out. They have forums for people with thyroid disease because at times it can be a debilitating disease. For many people, its a search for a diagnosis. Some doctors won't treat unless your TSH levels are exceedingly high. Then there are those that are being treated, but their doctors air on the side of slight hypothyroidism because they don't want the patient to become hyperthyroid. Before hypothyroidism diagnosis many patients live in a nightmare of depression, constant fatigue, constipation, weight gain, feeling cold all the time, insomnia, etc. I guess the worst part is that before diagnosis you have no idea what's going on, which is very depressing. I know because I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few months ago. Prior to this I never went out with friends because I was too tired. I ate 1200 calories a day, and didn't lose weight. I was always cold and starving; I had a heating pad on my stomach constantly until it started causing burns. I had a bunch of other symptoms too, like like I looked like I was pregnant all the time because I was so constipated. I cried when I got the diagnosis from the doctor. At last, there was a reason for the reason I felt like hell every single day of my life. I guess another thing that was hard was that my husband didn't understand. He kind of thought that I was making up my symptoms, which is very frustrating! Anyway, yeah I go onto this thyroid forum because people that have the same disease really understand what you're going through. Many of us have to go to several doctors to get appropriate treatment. I'm lucky I found a good doctor, but I have to take the time to bill insurance myself, which is a hassle ^_^' I have it easier than most hypothyroid patients though, because many of them have other autoimmune disorder which they have to deal with like Sjorgen's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and polycystic ovary disease. Actually I had psoriasis as a kid, but that's another story. . . Sorry if this sounds like a complaint, but I wish to spread awareness about hypothyroidism.

I was blessed with the hypothyroid/Addison's combo. Last month my PA tried to increase my levo because my TSH was too low. Haha!

 

[chibipinkbunny]

I was blessed with the hypothyroid/Addison's combo. Last month my PA tried to increase my levo because my TSH was too low. Haha!

Hey that's too bad. . . I know that my grandma had Grave's disease (hyperthyroid) and Addison's disease. Addison's is autoimmune in nature, no? I guess I'm lucky that I'm only hypo. Hope you're feeling okay! Your PA tried to increase your levo cause your TSH was too low? Ha, ha, I guess it should be the other way around. Its hard to come by health care providers that will give you an adequate dose though.