The Impossible Task

[mschrisgo2]

When I have had weeks of great thyroid insufficiency, I have something that looks kind of like Depression, and actually it is the body conserving energy for essential functions. During this time, I simply cannot move my body to do what is important- because every task is assumed equal importance, and the one (whatever) I'm doing is perceived to be the easiest to continue. This can lead to overeating, oversleeping, over-reading, over-surfing the web, etc. some more benign than the others, but anything really important falls away.

[JaneV2.0]

When I have had weeks of great thyroid insufficiency, I have something that looks kind of like Depression, and actually it is the body conserving energy for essential functions. During this time, I simply cannot move my body to do what is important- because every task is assumed equal importance, and the one (whatever) I'm doing is perceived to be the easiest to continue. This can lead to overeating, oversleeping, over-reading, over-surfing the web, etc. some more benign than the others, but anything really important falls away.

I'm convinced my "depression" is thyroid-related, as well (probably true for lots of people). I don't feel sad; I'm generally pretty sanguine. I tried medication for awhile, didn't find it particularly useful, wasn't willing to take on the years of adjustments, etc., and my relatives who do take medication aren't in any better shape than I am.

[happystuff]

I have no thyroid. It's hard for some people to understand how far-reaching thyroid issues are - depression, weight gain, mood swings, lethargy - actually downright exhaustion, etc... and trying to get a handle on medication is a life-long rollercoaster ride. For example, I finally managed to loose some weight, only to go to my annual check-up and find out that because I lost the weight, my meds need to change. So now I have another 6-8 weeks before testing to see if the change will be effective and trying to NOT put the weight back on, etc. If you are depressed and tired - get your thyroid checked. It's just a blood test.

[JaneV2.0]

I've heard/read anecdotal reports of people achieving improved thyroid function with diet changes, e.g. intermittent fasting, keto, wheat avoidance, etc.

My experience with Synthroid (which is a poor substitute for natural thyroid, IMO) suggested that wasn't the answer for me. I'm not interested in being obliged to visit a doctor on a regular basis, anyway.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I have had my thryroid checked but mostly just for menstrual irregularities plus family history of people who actually do have thyroid problems. But my thyroid was fine, the symptoms were determined to most likely be one of the known effects of an IUD.

[nswef]

I've been on thyroid medication since I was a teen...took me off it in my 30s and within 6 months it was very clear I still needed it. I haven't had any trouble since- blood test once a year and dr. visit. I look at all the other options and wonder if they would give me more energy....but not willing yet to see. I know someone here is using a nutritionist and I saw one in the paper that I thought might be worth visiting.

[JaneV2.0]

The Iodine Crisis by Farrow and Brownstein might be worth reading.

[nswef]

When I was 16 I drank iodine daily...but then not again, so not sure why.

[debbie]

Back to the impossible task, I remember reading 2 things that helped me. First do the ickiest thing first, and second if it takes less than 1 minute, do it immediately. I don't like phone calls so I force myself to do first. Especially the ones to cable/phone co. I don't dislike doing dishes but used to stack them till there were a bunch. (No dishwasher) Now it's a habit and I never have to face them in the morning. But my hands are always wet haha!

[Chicken lady]

I have three impossible tasks right now:

cleaning the guest room - will take 20 minutes, maybe half an hour. Don’t want to do it. No mystery, dh parents are coming next weekend. I would prefer they didn’t.

cleaning out stalls - actual huge overwhelming task that will remind me once again that I am getting old and out of shape. Also, I have been having to do extra cleaning because I have one stall with a goat seperated out because she is sick and simply will not get better. Three vet contacts, four rounds of medication, multiple temporary improvements - if this were a “real” farm I would have culled her and been done already.

making pottery - if I don’t get some stuff done soon I am going to miss/waste an opportunity, but I am stressed about it because it feels like a selfish use of my time.