Im just listing my moans and groans here - what do you think is wrong?

[andsmile]

I would like you to be honest as I have been rumbling along for a while and getting know where.

Out of the following what do you think is of genuine concern (perspective need as I worry) and what would you prioritise (feel overwhelmed like im slowly breaking)

I am overweight - I need to lose three stone. I admit havtn tried that hard, cant seem to get started, but see below;

I am very low on energy, I could easily fall asleep by 1030 but I drink coffee to keep going. By the time my toddler falls asleep I 'over it'. But I dont do as much after school as I used to like taking them swimming (have DS8)

So I feel lazy, its my fault the house is nowhere near as nicely kept. Though I do manage to cook decent meals most nights it can easily desecend to freezer surprise or takeaway because ive lost track of being organised.

I think I have social anxiety thing - Im constantly thinking about stuff. This has put me off making any new friends, or pushing myself forward. It goes against my nature as I am quite chatty.

My monthly pmt the last three consecutive months has been horrible - I feel like I have tonsillitis without the actual swollen throat, though the glands in my neck do swell. I have chilling aches and pains. My mood is very low and reckless.

This last week, to be fair, following driving I have woke up with swollen puffy hands and feet. Prior to this I have had stiff ankles in the am, and itchy hands and feet (more recent) I am terrible in the am.

I feel like im doing the minimum to keep the kids clean, cleanly dressed (though have lowered standards a bit ie wearing things more than once) and well fed.

Together with DH we have went out to park etc, but in the past I have done a lot more during the week i.e. swimming, library, playdates, walks. I dread craft stuff in the house as it is more jobs....

Im a SAHP, DH WOH 12+ per day but helps at weekends and doese bath times and bedtimes during the week sometimes or when he can. I have posted on other thread (just in case by miracle someone remembers me) about being bored and having 'groundhog' dayness. I do study.

I crave my routines, I want will power. I cant seem to claw myself out of this unhealthy hole I am in. I am quite educated in the ways of diet and exercise i.e. I happily eat a lot of veg and I'm a member of a nice gym and know how to go on so to speak.

I feel defunct and a let down to my family.
I have an appointment with GP this week.

Thanks for reading, I just wanted to get it all down. Any thoughts welcome.

[Matildathecat]

So, exhausted, weight gain, low mood, aches and pains.

Ask for bloods to include thyroid, inflammatory markers and anaemia. Consider depression, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia.

Don't start trying to self diagnose with Dr Google but list your concerns, how long it's lasted etc then ask for a plan.

Hope you feel better soon. Try to eat well and get some exercise daily as this will never hurt.

[andsmile]

Thanks matilda I'm scared there is isnt something there that will show up on the tests as then it will be be just me, lazy, pathetic and letting everyone down.

Since posting my hands have got a little better as I took some pain killers. Ive tidies up so feel like ive done something and tomorrow wont be so bad.

[lauren6283]

It sounds to me like you might have mild depression, and that that could be making a lot of your other symptoms more pronounced?

To be honest I would just show your GP this post (or write down the main points from it) so you don't get mixed up trying to explain everything and miss something important out.

I too am overweight and have depression and feel terribly guilty that I don't do more of what I feel should be done like cleaning and taking baby out etc. But to be honest I don't think any parent is ever satisfied or ever feels like they are doing enough/doing everything right/ doing everything well! So try not to be too hard on yourself. You're not the only one. And you could be doing a hell of a lot worse than you are!

[Ledkr]

Get your calcium and pth measured.
I had your symptoms and had a parathyroid tumour.
Not as scary as it sounds and very common and easily treated.
Get your bloods done today.
That said I'm two stone over weight and I know it's having an extremely negative effect on my general well being.

[ImAThrillseekerBunny]

I agree - blood tests are needed.
While waiting for the results (because it will do no harm whatever the result) try to get as much morning sunshine as possible and get a pedometer on your phone. Both may help with mood, weight and tiredness.

If the blood tests show a blank there are a wide range of things you can try for PMT, (there's a few good MN threads on subject) and one of them will probably work for you.

Good luck, I hope that you're feeling better one way or another in 6 months time.

[SunnyL]

How much sunshine do you get?

How many fruit and veg do you eat?

How much exercise do you get?

All these things have strong links to personal wellbeing. Serotonin, vitamin D etc re important for happiness.

[Alwayscheerful]

I had similar symptoms, I Insisted on a vitamin d test, Tests revealed I am severely deficient.

[andsmile]

Thanks for all your posts. Im late back to thread as have been away again and then it feel right down my actives.

Well silly old me - I went to the GP a week early. My appointment is next week.

Do you ask for these tests or just wait and hope they do them, I mean I feel funny about comming across as telling them how to do their job ala Dr Google style?

Well I'll post how I get on. Im going to list akey word from each thing ive said in OP and mention each one.

Thanks again.

[andsmile]

Update I have been to see the GP (which I had to wait 2 weeks for as she was on leave). I have had blood tests for everything:

Diabetes
Thyroid function
Liver
B12
Vit D
Folate
FSH

I'm awaiting results and will see GP next week. Im scared that 'this is just me' and not some biological thing.

I feel like I am screaming inside sometimes. I am not crying, I am talking and socialising aving nice days..I have a comfortable life so why can't I just relax and enjoy it a bit more?

I'm dont have sucicidal thoughts but I feel like screaming Im broken, Im not right and I dont know what to do. I really dont like myself. I can see I have all this negative stuff going round in my head and I want it to stop. If I posted everything on here or other boards I would be told I need to get a grip and I sound like a nasty person for having all these negative thoughts about others.

I have lovely kids who I enjoy very much. I think my DH is the only person who understands me the most.

[Matildathecat]

Well done for making the appointment and getting started.

No real value in worrying about what if nothing shows up? But, all your GP is doing is excluding the most common things. Have you done an online test for anxiety or depression? Might be worth doing. And it's quite possible that there is more than one problem. Try not to worry too much and good luck.

[notapizzaeater]

Glad the doctor took it seriously and ordered the tests.

[andsmile]

Thank you Matilda yes i have. I am mildly anxious about social stuff. Mainly I worry about what people think, including my appearance. This is not me, its not who I want to be.

The doctor said there maybe an underlying mood disorder.

[littleowl14]

andsmile do not underestimate how much physical stuff can affect the mind. esp thyroid and I've recently discovered it d. thyroid is esp horrid - sluggish negative brain which dwells and ruminates. the fluid retention sounds thyroidy too.

I'm being treated for thyroid and have been struggling seriously all winter despite being very adequately treated. I've just had the full shebang of blood tests done too so am similarly nervous of being silly and daft. but I've been in pain all winter, caught every bug going and then some and generally struggling! I asked for vit d test which I hope it is (I'm still bf ing) but she tested for arthritis too. I'll be devastated about that if so

hand holding!

[littleowl14]

just read your last post again and that's me to a tea when I'm thyroidy. paranoia and in my experience esp social paranoia is common.

[andsmile]

Oh littleowl just had a few tears. Thank you for sharing. I have wondered if it is SAD as I feel Ive slowly ground to a halt, but then felt better over the Easter hols as been away and out a lot more.

I feel a tremendous sense of guilt as I really do not have any big worries, two healthy kids, affordable nice life etc.

There are a number of people on the maternal side of family have under active thyroids and all on medication. Both parents have diabetes.

I had PND after first DC this doesnt feel like that. I feel I still function I can socialise ok and enjoy going out, I look forward to stuff. I dont ever quite feel on top of things though.

Its very interesting littleowl about the negative moods. I'll try to keep perspective. I might ring up to see if results are in tomorrow they maybe. I dont tend to catch as many ENT bugs or get colds as much now I am not working.

Im embarrassed to post more but here goes...

I suffer from IBS.
Stiff ankles in the mornings takes me ages to wake up.
Back ache.
Itchy skin - can be arms, back.
During the summer I had that thing where it feels as if something is crawling on you but when you look there isn't - mainly on feet quite constantly but this has gone now
PMS worse rolling cramps
Hair completly grey ( I think this is related to low b12)

[littleowl14]

oh big hugs.

I've just found there's a big link re thyroid and vit d. and vit d deficiency can mimic thyroid symptoms.

are you constipated? (sorry!)

have to rush off to work am afraid...

[littleowl14]

look up thyromind website xx

[littleowl14]

just to add - I've found a low dose of sertraline very helpful indeed too.

[littleowl14]

ps ask for results printed out or over phone - the actual numbers and lab ranges. v important to help u keep track plus some gps / labs not great

[Carriemac]

Ask them to check for coeliac disease too

[littleowl14]

yes that would be a good idea as there can be links if family are prone to auto immune diseases.

basically tell the drs everything you've listed here and let them decide - depression/ mood stuff etc CAN be like this but similarly many conditions and deficiencies can impact on the body and mind. don't be afraid to seek a second opinion or go back. for example, vit d might be a mild issue for you which gets worse with lack of sun so mimicking SAD. but you may have adequate levels during the summer, and not in winter.

[Quangle]

I get itchy skin for no reason and I don't know if it's related to either or both of the two conditions I have (low iron and hypothyroid).

Don't let your dr tell you your thyroid is ok. You need to get the exact numbers (they should have done a range) and come and put them on here. Most GPs are a bit behind where most endocrinologists like to see your thyroid levels. So for example, GPs will say a TSH of under 4 is fine whereas the specialist likes it to be under 2.

[littleowl14]

yup - the 'range' is something like 0.5-2.5 (cant remember) BUT that's not to say 0.5 is ok! and you could feel best at that. I'm best below 1. some people are best a little higher. treating people not numbers is the point!

a friend was tested and her tsh was naturally 0. something ie her thyroid was producing enough thyroxine for her body. if your thyroid is struggling to make it's own the tsh will naturally be higher.

[Youdontneedacriminallawyer]

Sounds to me like a lot of those issues are linked to your weight. And you mentioned that first, even though you might not meant to prioritise the issues, you may have subconsciously.

I think you'd be a lot happier in your skin, with more energy etc if you lost the weight you need to.

I've lost 3 stone, and life is so much better.

[andsmile]

littleowl thanks. No i never get constipated, more the other way..

Anyhows..all this is very useful information. I think I have to make a much better effort to manage my health better. Afterall good health is not something that just happens, given todays lifestyles.

Quangle I will make a note of the numbers to keep track thanks. Im going to start a health diary for my pmt etc. Im just going to write down how I feel, what ive done. Im going to ask my DM and a DF about their levels.

Youdontneed Well I think youve hit the nail on the head. In my heart I know this. I went through a very stressful period a fw years back. I lost my appetite and barely ate for 4 weeks and the weight disappeared. I probably lost 2 stone quite quickly then a further stone-ish. I went to the gym a lot to dea with the stress. It was the last time I felt 'at one' with my body, I had a 'can do' attitude because I had the energy you need to get on. I felt stronger and more capable.

I feel very guilty for not doing all the things I know how to do and can do if I wanted. I am a good cook. I can afford variety in my diet. I have a very nice gym to go to. I have money to buy clothes to train in. No excuses but my own lack of motivation or level of laziness.

On a brighter note though. I got myself out and did some garden jobs yesterday, met DH and cooked a really nice meal last night. Complete contrast to Thursday. DH has already suggested I go to gym later and just do a littel bit to get started and have a sauna afterwards. I can get ready for my night out in peace afterewards too. So I shall be doing just that. We are going out to the park this afternoon too.

I am going to concetrate on going out each day as this seems to help my mood. As for diet I am undecided, WW works when I do it properly. Im at the stage where I want to make those long term changes and not be 'in' something - more simple rules to live by if you like.