Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Autoimmune diseases can be tricky to navigate, especially when it comes to managing the consistently fluctuating or unpredictable symptoms they bring. (Don’t even get us started on how hard they can be to diagnose, too!)

In addition, some symptoms (or all of them, honestly) can heavily impact your productivity, mental health, and life as a whole.

What autoimmune symptoms do you find most challenging to manage and regulate? (Butterfly rash? Temperature regulation? Joint pain? Inflammation?)

📖 What to read more of what other Mighty members have mentioned? Check out this Mighty article by @erin-migdol here: themighty.com/topic/chronic-illness/autoimmune-disease-worst...

#AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MentalHealth #CheckInWithMe #Disability #RareDisease #ChronicFatigue #Migraine #Insomnia #Fibromyalgia #HashimotosThyroiditis #GravesDisease #RheumatoidArthritis #Lupus #MultipleSclerosis #DiabetesType2
#Psoriasis #SjogrensSyndrome

“I’m Fine!”
#MitochondrialDisease #sjogrens #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain
#Disability #RheumatoidArthritis #HashimotosThyroiditis

How are you feeling today?
A question that I dread.
How’re you still alive?
You stay all day in bed?

You’ve been through so much my dear-
Are you still in pain?
You’re walking so steadily now,
are you sure you need a cane?

Or how about all the meds you take,
tell me, what are you prescribed?
How’s your diet? How’s your bloodwork?
Do you feel depressed?…
To me, you look just fine!

Have you seen the doctor?
Are you eating?- Are you sure?
My sister has the same disease,
drank water now she’s cured!

I really want to tell them;
I have no energy-
to go over all my symptoms
for curiosity.

So this is why I tell you,
why I feel inclined…
to answer them politely,
smile and say,”I’m Fine!”

I often think about the things doctors say to us, and how different their response would be if they could see our ailments. The caption to this self portrait of Van Gogh, is something a doctor said to me when I was so unwell from medication induced hyperthyroidism that it caused me to develop a near fatal cardiac condition. I was so nauseous, losing weight and struggling to keep any food down, that I begged him to help me even after he gave me this dressing down.

I can’t help but wonder what the doctor would have said if I’d walked into my appointment, with clear indicators of being physically unwell. And I don’t mean things like needing a walking stick or a wheelchair, because those were later used against me as “evidence” to prove that I was using my symptoms to get attention.

Van Gogh cutting parts of his ear off… might raise some mental illness questions to this day. But I think it’s unlikely that any doctor would ignore the state of his ear, tell he’d brought it upon himself, and that he needed to go away and “live with the consequences” of his decision in quite the same way.

#ChronicIllness #Hyperthyroidism #HashimotosThyroiditis #MyCondition #ChronicFatigue #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #Endometriosis #Arrhythmia #Dysautonomia #PeripheralNeuropathy #Migraine #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome

Smoldered and burnt down
was her body for so long;
after what she had been through,
only ashes remained.
Falling ashes a-blowing
all her life never knowing,
if all she had dreamed of,
for so long-
could’ve been.
But He built her through stages,
found resiliance, unlocked cages-
Jesus brought her the love
that she needed that day.
Although fragile and withered
God lighted her way…
and built beauty for ashes,
as she took center stage…
bringing beauty for ashes,
healed her heart through the pain.
(2nd verse)
Like beauty for ashes
charred embers astrued,
God cupped all the scattered
and made something new.
Just like He promised
He said that He could,
built something inside me
not made of metal or wood.
I was built from the ashes
no hammer to slam,
my foundation stands strong,
not sinking in sand.
Jesus my craftsman
knew just what to do,
when building my stages
Sweet Melody of truth-
HE built beauty for ashes…
my forever with you!

Although I’ve had the opportunity to sing on many stages, God set the stage for me to sing about this rare chronic illness experience and has been instrumental in every aspect.
I was built for this stage, in this stage of life!All of my inner creaky boards and rusty corner latches have been prepared, and the band has been tuned up for this most harmonic song!

I will sing aloud of your steadfast love.
Psalm 59:16.

Jesus,
The stage is set and was fastened by the nails in your hands, so that your voice is amplified and reaches the suffering through this humbled spotlight. Allow us all to sing your praises like the heavens glorify your name!
Amen!

Sing!!!You have the master builder creating your stage with spiritual power tools! This is a pivotal stage in your life! Keep praying to endure and make a joyful sound from your long-suffering!!
A song in suffering is the highest form of praise!
God bless and be with you all!

Song/poem/story by Melanie R.
(Copyrights)

True story… when I was fresh home from hospital, unwashed, unable to stand due to being chronically thyrotoxic, wearing PJs and a cancer cap to cover my hair loss, a visitor uttered these words to me like they think it’s some sort of compliment 🤦‍♀️

#MakeMeLaugh #DistractMe #Spoonie #ChronicIllness #ChronicFatigue #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #Fibromyalgia #HashimotosThyroiditis #Hyperthyroidism #GravesDisease

I don’t know about you, but I really want an illness that is understood,
I want a magic pill, a few months of treatment—then gone for good.
I’m tired of being judged by people who have recovered from cancer,
While I try to struggle on with my shattered life with no answer.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all the unsolicited advice,
A little sympathy and some compassion would be very nice.
I’m tired of the ‘me too’, ‘have you tried’, and ‘my friend had that’ banter,
It leaves me feeling cold, as if I have been feasted on by a vampire.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of living in in a world of produce,
Where my worth as a person is measured by my physical use.
For we all have our battles, and I yearn for a world that truly sees,
Not just the sickness, but the strength that lies beneath my knees.

I don’t know about you, but I seek solace in whispered winds,
In the soft murmur of trees and the songs that nature brings.
For amidst the incomprehension, the world still holds some beauty,
There’s peace in the silent understanding, these simple acts of duty.

Yet, my pain is valid, as is the hope that tomorrow might be bright,
That someday, the world will recognise my silent plight.
But until that day comes, in this mire I will continue to stand,
Drawing strength from within; comfort from holding my own hand.

#MightyPoets #MyCondition #ChronicIllness #ChronicFatigue #ChronicPain #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #HypothyroidismUnderactiveThyroidDisease #Hyperthyroidism #HashimotosThyroiditis #Fibromyalgia #DistractMe #MightyTogether