Heterogeneous Hardships
A little over a year ago, I had symptoms of sweating, racing heart, heart palipatations, anxiety and problems sleeping. I brought this up to my rheumatologist and he tested my thyroid levels. A day or two later he called me back and said I was experiencing a serious condition called'thyroid storm'. I was put on anti-thyroid medication and beta blockers immediately. It was a frightening experience. I also had a thyroid scan and ultrasound done at this time where they found some nodules. One nodule in particular is 1.3 cm and it's unknown if it's a lymph node, parathyroid adenoma (benign) or exophytic nodule which potentially could be cancerous.
Today (a year later) my thyroid levels are back to normal, but my endocrinologist would like to have another ultrasound to see if the nodule has grown. I felt a lump on the side of my neck the size of a pea and I have yet to find out what it is.
My doctor was saying my hyperthyroidsm happens as autoimmune, but is not related to my Rheumatoid Arthritis. She doesn't know what caused my thyroid levels to rise, but she doesn't rule out the possibility that my biologic medications could play a part. I've been on DMARDS for 10 plus years and it's scary to think that they could be causing damage or affecting my immune system in this way.
I'm frustrated that health care professionals don't seem to know what causes most diseases anymore, and only know how to treat them and therefor don't have a cure.
Does this all boil down to money?
I sense that my trust in health care professionals these days is rapidly decreasing as no one seems to care to find out answers especially when dealing with RA. It's either too complex or it just is what it is. I sometimes feel like a hopeless case and I don't have any team players to back me up and try and figure it all out.
I've been fighting RA for twenty years mostly on my own and I'm getting tired. It's always easier fighting a war with another ally. I have yet to acquire fellow comrades in my life to help win the battle. I'm in need of guidance and support to remain resilient, fearless and hopeful.
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