Today was my routine ND visit. I have been doing well, but over the last several weeks I felt like I was losing ground.
I realized on my way to my appointment that I have getting really tired again. It has been an increasing problem lately. One day last week I actually could not stay awake at the library waiting for T to get out of class. I was embarrassed, but really had to choice, I slept in the library. I cannot explain why I was tired. I also noticed I have been feeling more fluish lately. I just put it down as part of the process. When I saw my ND today she said I did not look so good.
I finally informed her of my mental handicap. When I feel good I don’t remember feeling bad. Usually when I visit her I feel good so she hears the “everything is wonderful” report. When I feel bad, then I remember what it feels like, only then do I remember how often I am feeling bad. I am becoming cold (more like freezing) more often, tired, and achy, but I still didn’t think it was bad enough to bring it to her attention. After all I pretty much have my life back. I am not expecting perfection!
I had also forgotten I had sent her an e-mail a couple weeks earlier outlining my symptoms on one of my bad days. I know that sometimes forget to tell her things when I see her, so I try to keep her up-to-date between visits. Well luckily she is really great and read my note and gave it some thought. When we started talking she explained that Thyroid was still not functioning properly. I was surprised because I take a thyroid support and we had even lessened the dosage a couple months ago. She took my temperature and it was below normal. It confirmed her suspicions that I am also dealing with Wilson syndrome (on top of the Lyme). She taught me that your thyroid helps regulate body temperature. If my body is not up to normal temperature my thyroid cannot function properly and my body cannot heal itself. That would explain why I cannot shake the months of unexplained congestion and sinus pain.
So off to another treatment plan, on top of my already mind boggling daily regiment (Okay it is not that bad, but trying to remember to take a pill 3 times a day without eating 2 hours before and 30 minutes after takes a little planning). This treatment is a little more complicated and has the potential for a lot more side effects (Something I always try to avoid!) So in a nut shell here is what I have to do. I have to take a dose of T3 twice a day. Exactly 12 hours apart. (15 min can mess up the treatment) I have to take my temperature 3 times a day. 3 hours after I wake up, 3 hours after that and 3 hours after that. I have to adjust the amount of T3 I take until I get my body temperature to 98.6. Or get this, until I have too many side effects to increase the dosage! At least death was not listed as one of the side effects ;-)). There is another whole long process for coming down off of the T3. I will not bore you with the details. I also have to carry a pill with me at all times in case my side effects overwhelm me. Personally, it sounds a little scary, but I read the literature and this is a real protocol and has been used by MD’s for over 25 years now. I am just doing it under the supervision of a ND. It could take two cycles to heal my thyroid, but by using T3 it helps reset my thyroid and heal it. I think the scariest part for me is that 20% of patients feel worse before they feel better. I am really praying that I do not fall in that 20%!
Even with all the uncertainty I am so grateful for this path. As unorthodox as this path is to me and most of my readers, I keep thinking about the Dr. that in the beginning was trying to convince me that I was Bi-polar. What would have happen if I would have chosen that road? Where would I be today? I shudder at the idea. I am not saying this is the only path I could have taken. I believe that there are many paths to healing. This is just the one that I have been led to and I am very grateful for it.
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