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If this is normal, I’m not impressed

May 16, 2008 | 6 Comments »

I have a 40-something relative who I’ve been getting to know better lately. When she found out I had written the STTM book, she got a copy and read it. Her eyes were apparently wide as to what she was reading, especially the Thyroid Stimulating Hooey chapter. Turns out she has had fatigue problems for at least 14 years, right after her daughter was born. And it shows in her eyes and demeanor. But that’s not all. She’s continually gained weight all these years, even though she eats like a bird, and enough depression to warrant an anti-depressant. She was also getting worried about her cholesterol. Typical hypothyroid symptoms.

And worse (anybody identify with this?), she’s been told she is NORMAL for 14 years!!! Why? Because the TSH lab result said so. Talking about it brings her to tears.

I sent her to a MUCH better and hopeful doctor.

In 2006, the World Health Organization defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. So…if you stuck “normal” in front of that definition of health, as ignorant doctors so routinely tell us we are, it means that we have the symptoms expected of one who is in complete physical, mental and social well-being. THEN WHY DON’T WE FEEL THAT WAY?????

Yessirree, somewhere along the medical perspective timeline, the ability to pay attention to CLINICAL PRESENTATION ran right down the sewer. And with that loss has come HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of patients worldwide with the schizophrenic diagnosis of “normal” with raging symptoms thanks to ink spots on a piece of paper called the erroneous TSH range. Exactly why this website is necessary, as is the book and YOUR demands for better treatment.

I was schizophrenically normal for over 17 years. My relative has been for 14. How about YOU?

  • Want to keep track of these ‘fringe web­site’ blog posts? ;-) Curious what’s on radi­cal Janie’s mind? Use the notification on the lower left of the links, called a Newsletter, or an RSS Feed.
  • Keep informed of each live Thyroid Patient Community Call on Talkshoe by signing up as a follower.
  • The extre­mely hip and sophis­ti­ca­ted STTM t-shirts are half price! Great BUMPER STICKERS, too. Spread the word--YOU may make a difference in someone’s life.
  • Check out the patient-to-patient book with even more detail (and which doctors seem to respect more than websites).
  • Need options for thy­roid treat­ment during the current shor­ta­ges due to demand being grea­ter than supply? Go here.

Patient experience in the doctor’s office makes you weep

March 24, 2007 | 16 Comments »

I’m sick. I’m tired. I feel awful. I’ll go the my doc’s office for help.

We have all done it, filled with hope and promise. I have done it!! Why not, since our doctor has had at least four years of medical school training that we couldn’t fathom doing ourselves, including working with patients under the supervision of licensed doctors, and 1-3 years of residency following school. Oh and let’s not forget the continuing education, besides experience with thousands of patients before me.

I’m in good hands.

THUD. For thyroid patients, it couldn’t be FARTHER from the truth. The experience in the beloved doctor’s office has been nothing less than dismal, disgusting, and depressing….and nothing more than pure malpractice.

Why? Because there’s not a thyroid patient anywhere who hasn’t gone in with raging hypothyroid symptoms…and 1) was dismissed, 2) told they needed an anti-depressant/pain med/statin rather than better thyroid treatment and/or 3) were told they were “normal” simply because those ink spots called labs ’said so.’ So we have left…sick, and for years.

Whatever happened to “clinical presentation”????

And if you think that I am barking up the wrong tree, take heed. The following true story, which was related to me two days ago, is exactly like THOUSANDS we hear on this site every week:

I walked into the Endo’s office, feeling awful. I had been told he was the best in the state and I knew he held a high position in the University. First, when I told him about my unrelenting brain fog, he dismissed it. When I told him my cholesterol keeps rising, he said I wasn’t eating correctly (I love veggies and eat fowl more than beef). When I told him my throat felt tight, he said it was a temporary inflammation, take tylenol and it would pass. When I told him that I wanted a treatment with T3 in it like Armour to help my depression, he laughed, saying there was no connection between T3 and mental health. I left with my normal script for 125 mcg Synthroid, a pronouncement that I’m “normal”, feeling crazy and stupid, moving to a sense of COMPLETE rage, and mostly, I felt like a complete fool for ever taking the time. What will happen to me? I can only get worse with my symptoms, which thanks to you site, I can now see are ALL hypo symptoms. Will ANY doctor LISTEN TO ME???

I WEEP.

  • Want to keep track of these ‘fringe web­site’ blog posts? ;-) Curious what’s on radi­cal Janie’s mind? Use the notification on the lower left of the links, called a Newsletter, or an RSS Feed.
  • Keep informed of each live Thyroid Patient Community Call on Talkshoe by signing up as a follower.
  • The extre­mely hip and sophis­ti­ca­ted STTM t-shirts are half price! Great BUMPER STICKERS, too. Spread the word--YOU may make a difference in someone’s life.
  • Check out the patient-to-patient book with even more detail (and which doctors seem to respect more than websites).
  • Need options for thy­roid treat­ment during the current shor­ta­ges due to demand being grea­ter than supply? Go here.
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