Hi Sam, so basically I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a year and a half ago and I’ve never been the same since. Basically my body doesn’t produce enough hormones so I have to eat medicine every morning. I always have this burning sensation in my throat and my thyroid\ throat area are quite sensitive. I always go to the GP with my mum and they are so unhelpful. My mum told me that i have to eat medicine for the rest of my life. It’s pain everyday and I was wondering if you have any tips to get through this pain. Thank you:•)
Sam
Hi there,
Having a long term illness like hypothyroidism can sometimes mean that you’re in pain or that you need to take regular medication. It can be difficult to live with but your GP is the best person to talk to, and if they haven't been helpful so far you can ask to see another doctor about ways to manage your symptoms and medication. By making small changes you may be able to reduce the impact it has on your day to day life.
Being in pain most days for a long period of time is called chronic pain and it can affect what you do during the day and make it difficult to sleep. You might feel anxious, frustrated or angry and wish that things are different - that’s a natural reaction to have. But if you talk about how you feel and what’s a problem for you, there may be practical things you can do to help you to feel more in control and able to cope.
It can help to start by looking at how you can cope with the symptoms you're finding most difficult. For example you may be in a lot of pain. Pain can sometimes make your whole body tense and uncomfortable so learning ways to relax and using breathing exercises can help you feel calmer and less stressed. It would be good to talk about this with an adult you trust as they can help you come up with ideas that might help.
Try to be realistic about the right amount of activity for you and schedule time during the week to do things that you enjoy. It's important to make sure that your health isn’t stopping you from doing things that are good for you or that make you happy. Having a routine can help so you could try organising your day so that you don’t do too much and feel overwhelmed.
Your thoughts can also affect your mood. It can help to write positive statements in your journal. Write about all the good things that've happened during the day, no matter how small. Focusing on what’s good can really help you get through the day.
It’s always important to follow the advice of your doctor or health care worker and to take ay medicine that’s prescribed for you. Understanding more about your condition might help you to feel less anxious and you can get information about your illness and other health problems on the NHS website ,or you can talk to your doctor about anything that’s worrying you. If you're finding your current GP unhelpful or unsupportive you could always ask to see another GP at your practice.
Thank you for your letter and remember you can talk to a Childline counsellor more about this or about anything else that’s worrying you.
Take care,
Sam
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