- Hashimotos Disease
- Interviews
Sara's interview
How did all start?
It started with exhaustion. It was always very difficult to get out of bed in the morning, but yet I couldn't sleep at night. With no change to my diet or exercise, I suddenly and dramatically began to put on weight at age 18 & my hair started falling out.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes I do. From the time I first complained about some of my symptoms until I got diagnosed, it was probably a matter of months.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
I'm not really sure what this question is asking. I've been treated for Hashimoto's, PCOS, and Insulin Resistance. I was given daily medication and put on a couple of supplements. It's all been useful, but to different extents.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
The most useful thing that I've done to improve my health has been changing my diet, participating in gentle exercise, and stress-reducing techniques. Also, finding communities of others like me. I learn so much more from other patients than from doctors alone.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Brain fog, lack of energy, hair loss, difficulty losing weight, tendon pain, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, & the toll that all of that takes on my family.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
My family has been very, very supportive. I'm fortunate to have people in my life who have my best interests at heart and want to see me functioning at my highest. My friendships suffer, but what can you do?
What things have you stopped doing?
Staying up late. Cooking breakfast and dinner (husband takes care of that). CrossFit. Eating gluten. Eating grains. Not taking my medication religiously, at set times every day. Not eating a lot of veggies.
What do you think about the future?
It scares me, so I try not to.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
So far, honestly, my 30's! I've grown a lot as a person. I've packed thousands of meals for the hungry, taught art, been on my local art council, had a solo art exhibition, advocated at PCOS Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., had my second child, got a dog, ran and walked in three 5Ks, did CrossFit, went back to work after being a stay-at-home mom . . . a TON of things that I'm just very proud of and happy that I did and I know that more adventure awaits and I'm excited to see what's around the bend!
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I'd like to do CrossFit again. Travel the world (if I weren't sick, I might have the money AND the energy! Ha!). Enjoy the freedom of not taking any medication or having standing blood draw and specialist appointments. Participate SO much more in family life - do more chores! Clean the house from top to bottom on a weekend day and get up the next morning, refreshed! Run and play with my kids every day! Not take naps on the weekends - enjoy the WHOLE days and evenings without rest! So, so many things.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
I am grateful.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
I don't know that I could give any one-size-fits-all advice, but just try to keep your head above water and remember that it's a constant boxing match. Sometimes, it's winning, sometimes you are, and it will always change. That can be depressing when you're up, but a saving grace when you're down.
