After seeing three different doctors about what I thought were swollen lymph nodes (with BGs consistently 60-80 points above normal), I saw an ENT yesterday and learned that I have thyroiditis. (Makes me want to call up the other doctors and yell, “How could you miss something so obvious”. One even said that it was unusual that only lymph nodes near my collar bone were swollen.)
I’ve had a sinus infection that just won’t clear up, too, as well as a weird feeling in my left ear. Turns out that I have very narrow openings into all my sinuses plus a deviated septum with a bone spur that extends into my maxillary sinus. The sinus infection caused my eardrum to be “sucked in” and that weird feeling is my eardrum just barely touching that bone spur. The ENT gave me samples of Flonase and said that it would reduce swelling and get the gunk out of my sinuses, allowing my ear to return to normal.
I had a TSH blood test and the results were .002. Hyperthyroid. I’m being referred to an endocrinologist today. (Side note: I’ve tried to find an endo in my area for years. None could see me for at least three months so I gave up. The ENT is in a city about 30 miles away and said he was certain that his office could get me in to see an endo there quickly.)
It’s possible that my thyroid will return to normal when the infection clears. It’s also possible that it won’t and I’ll need meds for the rest of my life.
I’m not sure of exactly what’s bothering me, but I’m pretty bummed. I’m grateful to FINALLY have a correct diagnosis but I also feel like it’s just one more illness/condition that I get to add to my list. Before I got diabetes (eight years ago at age 41), I was incredibly healthy except for an occasional sinus infection. Now I have a long list of chronic conditions. And I’m sick of it. Sick of having chronic sickness.
While I could view taking thyroid meds as “what’s another hormone when I already need insulin every day” or “so my thyroid is a slacker just like my pancreas,” it just doesn’t feel that way. It feels like my health is decreasing steadily despite my best efforts to stay healthy. The day to day grind of self care should have a bigger payback, y’know?
I’m pretty sure that some of the bad feelings are about the fact that I just turned 49 and all of the health issues are a big reminder that I’m not getting younger. At the same time, I’ve never really had any issues about my age so why would that be the case now?
It’s just so unfair. Isn’t one chronic health condition enough? sigh
Can any of you relate? It’s not quite the straw that broke the camel’s back, but it’s along those lines.
Janet