Hey, it's one of those good news/bad news things. The good news is: I know why I've been having a hard time losing weight. The bad news is: it's an underactive thyroid. Maybe even a thyroid shutting down.
This isn't exactly an out-of-the-blue kinda thing; one of the possible side effects of my Bexxar treatment is hypothyroidism, so we were watching for this specifically. In the grand scheme of things, it's just a daily pill, and easy to treat--far easier to treat than, say, lymphoma. So I've been on Syntheroid for the past week.
Doesn't Syntheroid sound like a superhero from the DC Universe?
But I digress, as I am often wont to do.
The thyroid thing isn't any big whoop for me. I'm on a low dose of the hormone, and I've been told it may take several weeks of fine tuning the dose to get everything right, but you know what? I felt a difference the very first day I popped the Syntheroid pill. Call it the placebo effect if you want, but I seriously think it made a difference in how I felt--in my mood and genral well-being, in my core body temperature (which seemed to be running low)--within a matter of a few hours.
And hey, a week later, it looks as if I may have lost a few pounds...another indicator the Syntheroid is working. (Along with all the jogging, I suppose.)
So now, I just look forward to scans at the end of the year. And by "look forward," I really mean: dread. Each minute that goes by brings me closer to my PET/CT scan...and those particular scans haven't always been so good to me. Am I truly worried I've had a recurrence? Well, I feel good, I'm doing well, I don't have any symptoms...but yeah, it's hard not to worry. After all, I didn't have any real symptoms (other than being tired) when I was first diagnosed. Who's to say I haven't relapsed in the first year, beating the odds? (I've already beat the odds with this treatment by getting hypothyroidism, after all.)
But I don't let those thoughts overtake my mind for long. Each time I worry, I take a deep breath. And then, I take a long jog.
And believe me, when I'm jogging laps at the Y, I have absolutely nothing but "please let me finish" on my mind.
received bexxar on the 5th of November
I am back to work now on the 17th and am getting anxious to find out if it worked or not. When was your first scan after the hot dose? I am still a little queasy, but other than that the fatigue is psychological I am sure. I keep thinking about green ooze running through my body and get a little freaked out, so I will not think of it. Good medicine, not radioactive timebomb.
Oddly enough, I never had
Oddly enough, I never had any negative feelings about the Bexxar itself--which is strange, when you consider I'm a bit obsessive/compulsive. I only ever pictured it doing wonderful things. :)
Lessee, I had the Bexxar treatment end of September/beginning of October 2007, then my first post-treatment scans January 2nd of 2008--and those scans were clear. So...about three months. I should say, however, that in general, the treatment takes anywhere from six months to two years to reach its full effect in most people. So if it does its work right away, great. If not, just keep in mind it may take up to two years to do its best work. Just keep looking on the bright side.
A little radioactive joke for you there: look on the bright side.
Hypothyroidism
Been there, done that. Years ago two of my children called me within weeks of each other and told me they have underactive thyroids and I should get mine checked because it runs in families. Sure enough! That was the easiest weight I ever lost besides getting an improved attitude and more energy.
Congrats on the jogging, it's good for the body and the soul. I'm helping my husband get out firewood for my exercise right now.
Have you done any thinking about writing another book?
Hi, Barb - You bet I'm
Hi, Barb - You bet I'm thinking about another book. There's a new one out on the shelves just in the last month ("The Unseen"), and I've already handed in my second draft on a book that will release August of 2009 ("Faces in the Fire").
thyroid
Hi Tony, It's always good to find out what's causing probs, and nice to know it's "just a thyroid" There's a great MD, but more of a naturalpathic.( naturo ?) who lives and practices in Whitefish, yah, he's the only reason I go to that town. He's really into THyroids and has written at least 2 books. Dr. Bill Ferril.Might want to check him out, Good luck with your jogging. Susan
Thanks for sharing your
Thanks for sharing your feelings when you have a scan comming up. My six month scan is on the 9th and it is really stressing me out. It has me imagining all sorts of crazy things, and I'm sick of it! At least I know it is not just me, thanks.
The scans on the 9th were
The scans on the 9th were clear. An unexpected bone marrow biopsy as part of the clinical trial, but all clear at 6 months.
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