Worried and scared

[rach!]

hi there
over the last 4 years i have been ill quite a lot, i have put on 4 stone more than i have ever weighed and so am overweight, anyway around 2 yrs ago i found my dad's, dad's family (he had never known them but had known of them) and was talking to my aunt the other day she said i need to be tested for thyroid problems and diabetes as both are really strong in the family.
i also suffer from depression and anxiety attacks.
anyway went to the docs on monday and before i had mentioned the diabetes and thyroid tests he was saying it himself when i told him all symptoms.
have since found out that my dad's mum suffered thyroid probs and my mum's dad also suffered diabetes.
anyway i have my blood test on wednesday at 8.40am and will hopefully get results through by friday.
but im really worried and scared about the possibility of having diabetes/thyroid probs and having to maybe be on meds for the rest of my life.
the blood test is for diabetes/thyroid/hormones(not had a period for 2 yrs either)/kidney/liver/anemia and another 2 things which i cant remember.
dont know if you will need to know but i am 27 and a mum of 3.
so what id like to know is does anyone else live with these things? and what is it liuke to live with and try and control them?
thanks in advance
rach x

[BarmyCow]

Please try not to worry - wait and see what the tests reveal first (easier said than done).
I have thyroid problems and after 2 years of treatment for an underactive thyroid, the condition now seems to be stabilising iteself. It is not always the case that you need meds for life - treatment has improved a lot even in the last 10 years and there are various medical options you can try.

Remember that stress can bring out many physical symptoms and once you start addressing the problem, these physical symptoms can improve significantly.

Believe me, to me a thyroid condition is more of an inconvenience than anything else. Fingers crossed for you and let us know once you have your test results back.
x

[rach!]

thanks for your reply :)


dad said if it is a thyroid problem i should be able to shift the weight that ive found it hard to, is this correct?

[belfastgirl23]

Thyroid problems definitely affect your weight. I had a relative with an overactive thyroid who found it impossible to keep weight on. The same relative went on to develop diabetes too - I wonder if there is a link??

I think you should really look forward to getting the results in one way. You've known for a few years that something is wrong and if you find out what it is then both of these conditions are treatable/manageable as far as I know. You should be looking forward to good health, not dreading the results. Knowing about the condition won't change how you feel but having it treated will. I can tell you too as someone who suffered from a stomach ulcer for many years before it was properly treated, feeling in good health is amazing. have faith that you will get there!!

BTW I also suffered a lot from anxiety and panic attacks and I can only say that my experience was that these were connected to my general ill-health. Once I got the ulcer sorted everything else gradually faded away and whilst I might feel some anxiety now it's nothing compared to what it was. So although it might feel really scary now, look on it as the start of your recovery!

[rach!]

thank you belfastgirl, i know i hsould be thinking like that and at first i was i kept saying to my sister that i cant wait to get the results etc, but it was being sat at home on my own at night whilst OH is at work and kids are all in bed asleep that things started to worry me, this is also when i suffer most of my anxiety attcks also
so when i am off "straight mind" i kind of do look forward to it, but when i feel like this it all feels like its really bad.
thanks
rach xx

[svmitche]

I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid 6 years ago and basically the only way my life has changed is that I have to have one yearly blood test and have to take a tablet every day. Other than this the BENEFITS in my being diagnosed, and now being properly managed, have been in my feeling much, much better - less tired all the time, lighter periods - I could go on and on!

Although waiting for test results is a scary thing and the conditions that you are being tested for should not be taken lightly you may be able to look forward to improved health and this should keep you going when you're feeling the most scared about it all.

I know you've already had children, but I'm currently pregnant and the pregnancy has not really been affected in any way by the thyroid - they are just watching more closely because of it, but I do find this more reassuring in some ways!

Please try and stay positive about your potential improved health, rather than worrying before you know. As belfastgirl said, you know you're not yourself and these tests could be the key to your getting back on track.

[rach!]

funny you should mention that svmitche as one of the things that kind of "kicked me up the bum" to go to the docs in the first place is we had been discussing trying for another baby, and i knew i couldnt carry on feeling like i was AND try for another baby as i felt it would just completely take it out of me and as i have 3 others to look after i cant have a pregnancy like that.
and so this is another thing i wondered about but forgot to ask, wether or not these things could stop or hinder me having another pregnancy/baby.
so thanks for your input on that :)
rach xx