Firstly apologies for the length of the post. I’m just feeling quite confused and exhausted with this whole situation and wondered if anyone out there has any experience in this area.
I’ve been feeling unwell since Nov 2019 and been back at the GP numerous times. Symptoms started as bloating, fatigue and poor circulation. Progressed to tingling and pins and needles mainly feet and sometimes hands. Bloods always classed as normal. Paid privately for pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound which ruled out gynae issues. Stool sample clear. Advised likely stress/anxiety. Attempted to manage symptoms via dietary changes and supplements with no real improvement. GP still wasn’t interested and said likely nothing sinister. Symptoms continued to progress and in May this year I had night time visual disturbances resulting in blurred vision in one eye. Pressure type headaches and neck pain. Saw nurse who called ambulance during my appointment as I had tachycardia (HR 180 resting). ECGs clear and they weren’t concerned about vision issues. Referred back to GP who put HR issue down to anxiety and referred me to neurology. Still awaiting an appointment but advised 5 month minimum wait. I assumed the GP was thinking of things like MS.
Then in June I noticed a lump on left side of neck. Ultrasound last week identified two ‘lumps’ on thyroid which aren’t suspicious and I was assured ‘no sign of any cancer’. I’ve been referred to an endocrinologist but not being seen until mid Sept.
I’m now starting to wonder if some of not all of my symptoms could be thyroid related. More recently I have sores in mouth, nasty taste, reflux/indigestion and pruney fingers and dry skin. My tingling continues though not as bad as it has been. Still fatigued and feeling the cold. General muscle aches and pains and sore joints. What’s confusing me is that these symptoms seem to relate to an under active thyroid but I haven’t gained any weight. Also the higher HR would seem to indicate overactive thyroid. My TSH level has been tested twice and showed normal at 0.76.
I’m feeling pretty hopeless after feeling unwell so long. My fear is that the issues I’m having will be dismissed as not thyroid related. Everything I read online from people with thyroid problems seems to suggest the blood ranges the NHS use mean those who should be medicated aren’t always and even those who are often find they don’t feel any better.
I know I should be very grateful my ‘lumps’ are showing benign and I am so thankful for this. I just wish I could feel more hopeful of a light at the end of the tunnel to ever feeling well again.
If you made it this far, thank you for reading!!