Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Doctor Visit Update

I went to see my Endocrinologist today. I like her a lot, she is very informative and spent a lot of time with me. I was very overwhelmed with all the information she gave me. Basically she explained to me that she wasn't sure what the graying area is on my pituitary gland. She said it could either be a cyst or an adnoma (sp?) and that I will continue with some medication (and she switched me from the one I am currently on that makes me SO sick to one that might still make me sick, but shouldn't be as bad) that should regulate my hormones and hopefully shrink whatever it is that is growing in there. I will do a repeat MRI to make sure it is not growing larger and that is in fact shrinking. If it isn't, they will most likely have to perform surgery to remove it.

She went over my health record and also asked me about a million questions. She was curious about my ankylosing spondolitis because apparently (I didn't know this) once you have an autoimmune disease, your body is susceptible to creating more within you. Great news, right? She checked my neck (where my thyroid is) and found a small goiter. I'm a little freaked out about that because it just seems so nasty to me (I thought only old people got goiters...?? Seriously, I am grossed out by myself), but she did an ultrasound on it and found that it is very small and with medication it will shrink also. She thinks I may have hyperthyroidism (which is another autoimmune disorder), for which I will also have to take medication.

She sent me to the lab for them to take tons of blood to test for every other possible thing I may have and just so she can know for certain everything we're dealing with. They also gave me a 24hour urine kit to do at home and also a saliva kit to do at home as well. I will have to go back to the lab about every other month for about a year to make sure my prolactin levels are going down as well.

Whew! You got all that? So, pretty much for now, we really know nothing yet. She told me they would call me with all of the results and to have a follow-up appointment to see where we go from there. I am overwhelmed. I am sick and tired of taking medication, but I know I need to get used to it, because I'll have to take it the rest of my life. I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me with my kids, brought me dinner, called to see how I'm doing, and just been my friend or a listening ear. I have such a wonderful support system for which I would go into despair without- my mom has been the best. I'm so grateful for my wonderful husband, who the other night told me that we would do whatever it took to find out everything we can so I can feel better. He's amazing. The doctor was even surprised that he came with me today. He always does, and I don't even have to ask him to. I love him.

So, until next time when I find out more. Prayers are greatly appreciated. They work. Thanks everyone!

10 comments:

amberkei said...

Wow - that's a lot with not a lot of answer! I'm sure you're feeling that way! Good luck - and I hope you get some answers soon. Certainly praying for you and thinking about you.

Rachel said...

Sarah-
I am so sorry you are having to deal with so much, you are amazing to do it all and on top of your health issues to be such a great mom to all of your kiddos.
We will pray for you, I will call the temple and put your name on the prayer roll as well. I am glad you have such a great family! If I can help at all please don't hesitate to ask!
We would love to come over some night and babysit the kids so you can have a night out - since Joel used to be your hometeacher...it's the least we can do!

Rachel said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Tara and David said...

Hang in there girl! Love you tons!

SamandJasonfamily said...

Through adversity we find our inner strength. Heavenly Father knows how strong you are. You will make it through all this! We love you and are praying for you. Thanks for being a good friend to me and my family.

Brooke and Jason said...

Hey! Well, at least you are sort of figuring out what it is. Guess what, I found out I have hyperthyroidism this year too....weird. My autoimmune disease is apparently called some thing toxicosis.....I don't know. All I know is that now I am feeling better and it makes a difference to get it all under control. It is all kind of freaky huh? I remember crying because they said I had to wait to have babies for a long time....but you know what....it worked out. I think it is a blessing that you are realizing something isn't right because things like that go unnoticed a lot. What endo are you going to? Anyway, Ii would really like to get together...let me know if you are up to it!

Sharon and John said...

so glad that your appointment went...well. goiters are totally normal, don't feel funny about that. so glad that you are being taken care of. i'll keep prayin for ya!

amberkei said...

Hey, Sarah! I hope you are having a good day today. Thank you SO much for talking with me yesterday. I really wish I could make you feel as calm as you helped me feel. But you said that's already how you feel much of the time...you're amazing!
Anyhow, it was so great to be able to pick the doctor's brain more and ask so many questions because of what you told me. Thank you!!! We should go to a park soon before it snows!

Tara said...

You really are such a strong women. A great example to me of the kind of mom, wife a woman that I should try to be. Lots of trials have come your way and you keep your head up. I am also amazed that with feeling so tired and icky you still take such great care of yourself. I hope that you can get everything figured out and start feeling good again. I love ya and I need to see you soon. Let's play soon. You can come over and we could let the kids play. My kids would love it. I will keep you in my prayers.

Tara said...

Oh yah HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your blog. I am soooo happy that you have one.