Paleo Challenge and Crossfit - a quest to not be the thyroidectomy statistic

Since my thyroid was taken out, I have gained weight.  I haven't gained a ton of weight and I am not "overweight", but I am on the border and currently in an upward trend.  I feel like I need to do something.

I tried training for a half marathon (and completed it), but this did not give the results I would have liked.  I didn't lose any weight, so it was frustrating (considering the time I put into it).

I need to do something more drastic.  I need to change my diet and I need to find an exercise program that I like and gives results.  After some research, it seems the Crossfit/Paleo Diet combination is a good contender.  Let's hope it works!

I have already started the Crossfit ramp-up (a 3 week program that introduces the skills for the normal class and ends this Thursday).  I have also started the 4 week Paleo Challenge on Saturday. 

The Challenge is hard and simple at the same time, for 30 days (in priority order):
1) Try to sleep 8 hours
2) Eat food that is both Nutrient Dense & Gives Energy and not processed in any way (basically only Meat, Veg, Nuts and Fruit)
3) Exercise
Note: No weighing/Measuring for 30 days

I am on Day 4 of the diet and, so far so good... I have heard the first 2 weeks are really hard - I have a feeling that is coming soon!   I can only update on how I am feeling...but we will see the results on November 19th!

There is a secondary reason for me doing this - the Paleo diet is supposedly good for autoimmune diseases.  Graves disease is an auto-immune disease, and gives me a greater chance of having another auto-immune disease.  Hopefully eating this way will reduce those chances...

Gluten-free no more! Thyroid levels stable! Woo hoo!

I have passed the one year mark since surgery..and I feel like life is back to normal - my levels are good!  In fact, to celebrate the one year (I got discharged on my birthday) - I ran the 5k color run with one of my best friends who had her own battles.  We had to prove to ourselves that our bodies aren't broken and can still do some kick a** things!

As far as my gluten elimination diet (almost 5 months long) - it has confirmed what the celiac tests have said as well - gluten is not an issue for my body and I can continue to eat it..

It feels weird being able to eat whatever I want again..but I am trying to stay away from the treats I have been craving for the past 5 months (mmmm....cake!)

I don't have to go back to the endocrinologist until January because my levels have been stable for a while.

So - all good news re: my thyroid :)

All blood tests results in the green, but going gluten-free...

Woo hoo!   I went to the endocrinologist today and all of my blood test results look good!  I will still need check-ups every 6 weeks until it is stable.  I am going to make some adjustments though.. My levels *are* good, but the doc seems to think I shouldn't need to be on the doses I am on, considering my height,weight, etc.

There has been this nagging feeling in my head that I may be gluten intolerant.  Remember the whole 2 month period before my surgery when I didn't eat gluten? Well, I noticed my skin got better (no bumps) and I felt better.  I have been paying close attention to how I feel when eating gluten (since surgery I went back to eating gluten).  The bumps are back and my tummy is always making very loud rumbly noises.

My endo is pretty amazing and is very much a believer in trusting your gut (even if there is no test that has proven my gut feeling).   I have told him since the beginning that I think I may be gluten intolerant - he never said "you are crazy" - he has been supportive.  He approved a blood test for celiac last month (that came back negative), but agrees that blood tests don't always prove celiac/gluten intolerance.  We agreed that (after the 1/2 marathon) I will go gluten-free (March 18th) and see how my blood tests change/stay the same.  If I miraculously start absorbing more synthroid, iron, vitamin d - then it will be clear that I have a gluten intolerance.  If everything remains the same, maybe it was all in my head.

Either way - I FEEL good and am curious to see how the gluten-free elimination "test" goes...

My Mom always said, you have to trust your gut...

Pendulum Swing

Update:

It has been 7 months since my surgery.  Still feeling good (which is important), but my thryoid levels have had a pendulum swing.  I am currently hypothyroid trying to sort out the right synthroid levels.

I am off the calcium supplements and my levels are good.  I have to take iron supplements and D3 (I think because this is winter time and I always get low iron in the winter)

From month 3-6 after surgery, I lost ALOT of hair.  The endo was 99% sure this is from a combination of stress and hypothyroidism.  It stopped exactly 6 months after surgery (which is exactly what my hair did post-pregnancy) - this tends to be common with stress, so doc was not concerned and my hair is back to normal (just growing in a little funny).

I am going to the Dr. monthly until my thyroid levels are back to normal.  I am currently on 137mcg (started at 100, went up to 125, now at 137).  There is a slight concern I have a gluten intolerance which is stopping me from absorbing the right amount of synthroid...but no panic yet :)

I still feel 100% better than being hyperthyroid...If it weren't for the bloodwork, I would think I was back to normal.

Oh - and my scar has faded so much - I don't think people notice it at all.  I had an awesome surgeon!!

Overall - even though there is some sh*t to deal with, I really feel I made the right decision.  A thyroidectomy might not be for everyone, but it was the best choice for me...

On a side note - I decided to train for a half marathon - I am on month 2 and feeling great (even ran 10miles yesterday!).  This just goes to show how quickly the body can bounce back!

Getting better, but mother nature isn't cooperating

I am feeling a lot better over the past few days - I would almost venture to say back to myself (maybe with a tinge of anxiety hanging around), but I cannot complain..

I went to the surgeon for my 1 week check-up and I am doing really well.  The best news is that they found no parathyroid in the pathology report - meaning all four parathyroids are still in there!!!   My left vocal cord is a little weak (which can happen), but she expects it will be fine by six weeks.  In the meantime it is a good exercise of how to keep the kids in-line without using a stern or raised voice.  I also have been told my voice is "sexy" because it sounds raspy and rock-star-ish :)  The incision point is really not that bad..It is about an inch long and I really think it will heal well with minimal scarring...

In case you are curious - I will put pics up of the incision point at the bottom - day after surgery and 1.5 weeks after surgery.  The small bandage is still on there - so it looks bigger than it actually is...but I just wanted to share in case anyone is going through something similar and wants to see the whole sha-bang..

Tomorrow I have a check-up with my new endocrinologist (I met him in the ER and he is basically the best Dr. I have met for follow-up and getting me back on my feet quickly - he even calls on weekends to check on me).  I am hoping my calcium levels are good, but I assume they are because I feel good..

So health-wise I am getting better...

BUT

Mother nature on the other hand decided to throw a spanner in the works and took down a very large part of a tree in our front yards, which partially pulled out the power lines to our house (leaving electricity surging into our house, but not able to get back out), and preceded to land on our car.   Then two surge protectors started melting and burning (and it looked like a fire was starting in my daughter's room)... and the power lines were dangling across our street in the pouring rain.

I first grabbed the brightest red chair and threw it in the middle of the street so no one would drive through the power lines (still live), I hit the fire button on our alarm and called 911.

The first things I grabbed when running out of the house?  My dog, engagement and wedding ring, ring from my babies, My calcium pills and water.   My mom remembered her car keys and we sat and waited what felt like an eternity for the fire department (it was only at most 5 minutes).   They were great - looked through the house and we eventually found two surge protectors - one burnt to a crisp the other started.

I remember sitting thinking "Really, God, REALLY?!?"..but with some time and hindsight we were really lucky:

1) No one was hurt
2) We were home - probably stopped my house from catching on fire
3) The kids weren't home and caught up in a pretty stressful situation
4) Our car, house, etc received minimal damage
5) Fire Department, Electrician, Power company and cable company all came in a VERY timely matter.  We had power within 6 hours - and cable the next morning.  Note: I will have to write thank-you letters
6) We actually got to use our generator (our very practical gift to each other for last year's anniversary)
7) Less raking - I know seems petty, but, hey - you have to look on the bright side.
8) We know better now about surge protectors, etc - to keep our house safe in the future.

Ending on a good note: today (besides hearing a chainsaw to cut-up our tree out front) it feels like a normal day...I feel good, the weather has cooled down..and I feel like I am one step closer to getting back to myself... It is almost like it never happened...

Here are the images of post-op and 1.5 weeks later... I really don't feel like it is too bad... curious to see how it looks when the bandage falls off:

Day After Surgery

1.5 weeks after surgery

Surgery and Complications

As if I should have expected anything different (considering I was the 1% of people allergic to the meds for Graves), I also had complications from surgery...

The surgery itself went well.  I remember the surgical staff in good spirits, the anesthesia being amazing and waking up feeling groggy, but OK.  My incision is actually pretty small..maybe an inch and the healing of the incision has been great..and has very little pain

My throat hurt (from the breathing tube), and my voice is still raspy (think Stevie Nicks).. I have trouble saying EE and AY...and I can't use a stern or loud deep voice "Kaya, Come" sounds very timid...but I am hoping that is OK longterm (the Surgeon is checking my vocal cords on Monday, but says they stayed in-tact during the surgery).

My PTH (Parathyroid hormone) levels dropped (they were either stunned or damaged during the surgery) and they control the calcium to your body, so they put me on calcium supplements and Vitamin D3 (simulates the parathyroid hormone), watched my levels, and I was discharged on Tuesday afternoon.

Background:  Calcium is the most important mineral to your body - it controls your muscles - your heart is a muscle and if calcium is low, your heart stops working properly...

I was excited to be home and see the kids, but by Wednesday morning, I was feeling pretty bad, tingling, disoriented...kind of in a cloud (all signs of low calcium).  I called my doc and they said to go to the ER to get my blood checked for calcium levels.  After a longtime in the ER (and a few IVs of Calcium) I got admitted.  They had to draw my blood every 4 hours, I had a few EKGs, I had patches all over me to monitor my heart rate and blood flow.  Basically I was scared to death.  I cried alot (anxiety is brought on by low calcium levels, too - Woo hoo [insert sarcastic tone]).

I had some more calcium IVs in the hospital along with Magnesium, a lot of back and forth with Dr's and nurses and eventually went on a liquid form of calcium for optimal absorption.  The hospital stay was not fun, I had a bad roommate, a good roommate, and then a room to myself (ahhh).  I had med students checking me out because I was a good sample case (that isn't common to see) and they were all interested to see how things were going with me.  (I had a good party trick where you tap the side of my face and my lip twitched, fun).

I was in the hospital from Wednesday - Friday (and almost had to stay another night because they didn't give me a dose of calcium correctly for 12 hours because the computer said they couldn't -ughh).  Basically, there were a lot of ups and downs and finally they released me on Friday.

Friday night I had anxiety from 11:30 - 6 at home ..I think this was really just my mind scared about my heart without the "security" of the hospital.  I called my endo and she said "you have been through a lot - you had graves, surgery, your hormones are all over the place - you may just be anxious because of what you are going through..'' I agree with her..

Once I took a nap (and a xanax) I felt much better.  I had dinner (my birthday dinner), played with the kids and have a glimpse at feeling better.  Let's hope this path continues :)

What has been great, though is the support of my family and friends. My Mom is still here with me and  my Dad and Sis came to visit, plus all the Facebook posts really made me feel good.  My husband has been amazing, too.  Needless to say I am feeling the love and that definitely helps.

There is still a journey for me to getting to 100%, but I have to remember to have patience....

Tomorrow's the big day...

I feel like I am in denial that surgery is tomorrow.  I have no idea how I will feel after the surgery..but I do know I am nervous about going through with it tomorrow.  I just keep trying to forget that it is happening, so that I calm my nerves.  I still think it is the best decision for me....

I keep hearing about stories of people that have gone through this and the recovery was easier than expected.  I hope I am in the boat too..

Wish me luck and keep me in your thoughts...

Surgery it is...

I have had an increase in symptoms lately and have come to the conclusion that I am playing with fire.

The Endocrinologist said she is not OK with me waiting until September (risk of congestive heart failure and worsening symptoms of hyperthyroid making surgery and RAI more complicated)

I really went back and forth between RAI (radioactive iodine) and Surgery..but it seems that longer-term surgery is the best bet (even though my doc thinks I am a good candidate for RAI)

The surgery is scheduled for July 9th... I will enjoy 4th of July weekend and then off I go to Mount Sinai....It is a 2-3 hour surgery and 24 hours in the hospital afterwards (to absorb calcium levels from parathyroids which can be affected during surgery)

Wish me luck...

As for what happens after - I will immediately go on Synthroid and stay on that for the rest of my life.  If I don't take it, I will be hypothyroid which has another set of issues that goes along with it.

I want to explore the homeopathic route as well - this disease is an auto-immune disease and my thyroid just happens to be the target (not the real issue), so I want to work at healing my body so it doesn't do these crazy things again... I am still staying gluten-free (because it actually makes me feel better) and seeing what homeopathic Dr's suggest to make me feel better..

I will keep you all posted...

Back to square 1

My "good news" was short lived..

The reason I had a "good" blood test was because I was taking iodine (to prepare for surgery)...  Apparently it lowers the levels temporarily, but doesn't work long-term.

I took a blood test this past Friday (two weeks after my "good" blood test) and my levels are even worse than they were in April and my liver enzymes are back up...My Endo is uncomfortable with me waiting until September..

To be honest, I do feel a little different.  More jumpy...More anxious...More "out of it"..

I am also reconsidering surgery vs. radioactive iodine.  The endo is really positive about radioactive iodine.  She said they do a study to see how your thyroid metabolizes and then they base the dose on that...  She said it is very little - not the same as totally removing your thyroid.

The plus side is there is a small chance (20%) I don't go hypothyroid and it is less intrusive...

Right now I am actually leaning towards RAI.

I feel like I am really flip-flopping on this decision..but it is a pretty serious one...

Surgery Cancelled...now what?

I went to the endocrinologist today and we talked thru all the options.  She said she is OK with giving a low dose of the methimazole (which I may or may not be allergic to - or it may have been too high a dose).  I will be taking 10mg a day, whereas before I was taking 40mg a day.    She also wants me to take a zyrtec with it..

I cancelled my surgery for Tuesday, I will start taking the medicine today, and in two weeks I go back to the doc to see how my liver is doing.  If it is bad or has gotten worse in anyway, then I go off the meds and schedule a surgery (she said I could wait until September as long as I stay on propanalol.

The next two weeks are full on health mode, hopefully some acupuncture (some say it works), and the new meds.

I feel really good about this decision.  Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well in the next two weeks..

Getting Cold Feet

I am supposed to have surgery next Tuesday, and today I got a serious case of cold feet.

Normally, I am a decisive person, but I just feel that there are too many unanswered questions.  I just worry that I am playing with fire by getting those answers.

The main questions buzzing around in my head are

• What if I can get better?  I feel fine now - no more symptoms
• What if this is all pregnancy related? and the further I get from that, the better I will be"
• Maybe I wasn't allergic to the meds, maybe it was just too high a dose (has been that way in the past)

But then, as if to torture my contemplating mind I get the flip side:

• Do I really want to be on that potent medication for a long time?
• Do I really want to have surgery for this? Radioactive iodine is just a pill...
• What if I do nothing and just stay on the beta-blocker?
• Surgery seems so easy, except for the actual surgery part :)

Anyway - all of this came rushing into my mind today.  I have been trying to ignore it for weeks and now I am at a loss for what to do.

Luckily, my endocrinologist is awesome.  She called me back immediately today and talked to me for a while, and squeezed me in for an appt tomorrow.  She will go with any one of my plans (lower dose, radioactive iodine, surgery), but she is candid with how she feels.

1. Lower Dose Methimazole:  Worried about permanent liver damage (even just taking it for 2 weeks) - 30% that I can get into remission and not take it long-term.  Long-term it can also affect my white blood cells.
2. Radioactive Iodine:  This is what she suggests, thinks it is best for my situation
3. Surgery:   More than I really need to do because (2) will solve that.

I don't know what to think of my gut now - any time I make a decision, I keep arguing with myself.  I really hope I can come to a zen place with whatever decision I make....

Decisions, Decisions..

Well, I have a decision that I have to make in the next few weeks regarding my thyroid.

I went to a doctor two weeks ago that I really liked (Dr. Elise Brett).  My dad went with me too, which was a big relief - anxiety has been getting the best of me. The doctor came from recommendation from a friend and I am glad that she gave me her name.  She is extremely knowledgable and very definitive.  Basically, she said medication is no longer an option for me - my liver was affected by the first one, and PTU (my second choice) is even harder on the liver (and many doctors are not using that medication any longer).  So, my decision is (relatively) simple, either:

1. Take radioactive iodine, be away from the kids for 3 days, and let that do the work of killing off my thyroid for the next 2-6 months.  Once all that is done, I will go on a synthetic thryoid hormone for the rest of my life...
• Pros: No surgery
• Cons: I am putting radioactivity into my body, it will take time to kill off the thyroid (another 2-6 months of symptoms), the antibodies can still attack my eyes, being away from the kids for 3 days
2. Get a thyroidectomy, with low risk to my parathyroids (4 of them - they help you absorb calcium) and vocal cords. All of which (if there is damage) are temporary.
• Pros:  graves antibodies are GONE - they won't attack my eyes, give me joint pain, etc, it is final and I will immediately go on synthetic thyroid medication, removes chance of thyroid cancer
• Cons: Surgery, risk to really important things (like my voice)

I thought a lot about this and I am really leaning towards surgery.  I don't like the idea of having anything radioactive in my body - and being away from my kids for 3 days.  I will probably sit an think about how it is slowly killing off my thyroid and just be miserable.  I like finality - and, for me, I think the best decision is a thyroidectomy.   

I went to one of the best hospitals for thyroidectomy (Mount Sinai) and saw a great surgeon.  I really think she solidified my decision - thyroidectomy it is...

Once I get the surgery I will surely be on synthetic thyroid hormones for the rest of my life.  I am worried about weight gain, but I am getting a kickstart on eating healthy now (I am trying to go gluten free and eat lean meats, poultry and veggies)

So - all in all I am feeling pretty good. I like that I have made a decision.  I look forward to all the symptoms going away (add joint pain to the long list of strange symptoms)..

Wish me luck with the surgery - and all that follows..