I am seriously starting to think that self-diagnosis with the internet
and trial-and-error is just as good as a doctor these days.
For those who don't know, throughout the past few years, my wife has had a few incidences of passing out for apparently no reason, as well as getting shaky or feeling like she was choking. She also began developing skin rashes and getting very dry skin for most of the year. She's gained some weight despite exercising "a ton", and has been getting sores on her feet. She also had a stretch of hair loss that was never explained (not to the point of baldness, but it was noticeable in the drains).
After reading up on it online, she thought she might have a thyroid problem. She asked a doctor, and was basically told that it was in her head. As it continued, we have gone through at least 4 other doctors/ERs, and been given diagnoses varying from hypoglycemia to scabies to possible diabetes to "psychosomatic", but the tests never panned out for any of those other things. On all of these occassions we inquired about a thyroid condition.
Finally last week, she went to a doctor who listened to the symptoms, felt her neck with his hand, and said "your gland is really swollen, it seems like you probably have a thyroid problem". So he sent her for a blood test, and whatdya know? HYPOTHYROIDISM. He said the test results were very convincing/obvious.
While I am happy that we now have confirmation, it seems like such a waste of time, resources, etc, to keep ignoring somebody like that for so long. It almost makes you wonder if the insurance companies would be better off letting you call them and explain why you want a blood test and just givign you permission to go get it...or something along those lines....right? Arrgg.
Well, I'm off to get $25 for being a research subject in a University study. Have a nice day!
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4 comments:
Well, I'm glad she finally has the "official" diagnosis, even if it took a while! [I figured out that it was something to do with the thyroid just from your description, sheesh.] I'm sure she'll feel lots better once she can get the correct treatment.
It makes me remember my own last medical experience, where I flat-out refused the recommended treatment and told the doctor what I wanted. Turned out I was right.
WTF! Why is it that someone with an actual thyroid problem can't get diagnosed, where as I, someone without a thyroid problem (oh boy do I wish that was my only problem) can't escape a dr's visit without a thyroid test? As it turns out, in the 20-30 times I've been tested since childhood, I don't have a thyroid problem - go figure.
Hrmph. Doctors.
Your wife may want to look into the gluten/thyroid connection. Just Google it and there should be a bunch of information that comes up. There is growing evidence to suggest that cutting gluten out of the diet will significantly help your thyroid problems if not cure them all together.
This is something the doctors haven't got a clue about. I've been in and out of doctors my whole life for this that and the other thing. Turns out I'm Celiac...self diagnosed via the internet.
Thousands of dollars wasted on doctors over the years, and pills that did nothing, or made things worse. Not to mention me poisoning my body.
When I talked to a nurse about it today she had to ask me how to spell it. Yes we are better off diagnosing ourselves.
Of course! Why would they properly diagnose anyone? Every time you pay them a visit they make a bit more money. What's their motivation for ever jumping on an issue? They'll watch you die right in front of them.
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