Being Diagnosed With An Autoimmune Disease.

Hey guys, I know it's been a while since I spoke to you all last, its actually been a while since I've done anything on my online platforms but I'm hoping this will give everyone a bit more of a better understanding as to why that is. 

Before I begin I just want to put a disclaimer that I know there are far worse things in the world that could happen to me or others around me but at this moment in time, this is my worst. This also isn't a pity party post it's just a little insight into my life at the moment and today has been one of the really bad days mentally so I thought id vent a bit and get it all out in the open. 

People who know me well know I like my sleep, I can honesty sleep anywhere. Fratton Park, on the floor, sat upright in a chair, you name it I will sleep there. For a little over a year now I have been becoming more and more exhausted, not just tired from a day's work I mean waking up on my days off at 7:30 and hardly being able to keep my eyes open by 10/11 ish and having to have a nap nothing like my old self. Some days if I finish early from work at 2 I could come home and sleep for 6 hours. This kept getting worse and worse and other things started popping up with it so I called my doctor and got a blood test for anemia (that's what they thought it probably was as my sister also has this). When the results came back there was no trace of anemia but my thyroid levels were low and I was asked if I have heard of hypothyroidism (which I had not) so had to wait for further blood tests. I then did some research and to my surprise reading the symptoms was like reading my life for the past year. 

(This is from the NHS website) 

Even though when reading this I felt relieved, I also got scared because I knew this meant there was a long road ahead of me. Out of these symptoms, there are only 2 I do not have, but one I did gain from this was extreme brain fog. I felt comforted at the thought I was on the right track to getting the help I needed and it was also a piece of mind for all those times people who had described me as "a sickly person", " fragile", " drama queen" or "sensitive" I now feel like I'm not going crazy. It's not because I'm a "lazy person" or any of the other things people have called me in the past I have an autoimmune disease. 

After going back and forth with the doctors and blood tests I had to bring my blood trial forward as the symptoms were getting too much to handle on a day-to-day basis, because of this had to go on a trail of the medication levothyroxine. Within four days of taking my first dose, I got a call from the doctor to say we need to double it after looking further into my results which was fine by me. 

It's an odd one, even though my family and friends have been amazing in some ways I've never felt more alone. Hypothyroidism isn't commonly talked about. It's something that affects every inch of your body every day but because people can't see how you feel most of the time they forget you have it and you just have to continue to fight everything your body is doing. For example, my boyfriend and I went away to Brighton and I had to go back to the hotel to have naps so I could recharge and I set up my own business a little while back but have had to put it to one side while I concentrate on my health. 

At this moment in time, the things I am struggling with the most is how it is physically making me look as well as the horrendous brain fog. My ankle stored so much water tension in it I couldn’t walk properly for 4 days and had to wear a supportive sock on it to keep the swelling down.  My hair has fallen out the most it ever has, I look like I haven't slept in days and I feel constantly puffy. My memory at the moment is terrible (I usually remember every small insignificant detail) I can't remember full conversations I've had with my boyfriend which can get a bit scary at times but he has been amazing and even though it's hard for him to see he's been my rock and helps me by turning it a new little catchphrase we have to take the piss out of it. 

I suppose at the moment I can't really do an in-conclusion to this because I'm very much still on a trial and error with my medication dosage, diet, and mental health because this is something I will have for the rest of my life and will change constantly. Even though things in the future scare me, like my ability to have children could be effective, at this moment In time this whole thing is a "could be" or "possibly". Some days are better than others and as I said this isn't a pity party and I know it could be worse but I suppose I felt I should explain to you all why I've been hiding away for some time now. 

I will try and be as active as I can and keep everyone updated and I really want to do a video soon going into details on everything a little bit more but until then thank you for reading and keeping up with my new posts.