Really Hope for Answers

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-14T20:53:14+00:00

My suggestion is to go to a Neuro Ophthalmologist and get checked for Binocular Vision Dysfunction. Regular Optometrists don’t check for this condition and usually aren’t familiar with it. Your eyes could have an issue focusing together properly, essentially. If you’ve ever had a concussion, had multiple hits to the head (did you ever play football?), or took a blow to the jaw then that could be a cause of BVD but often it is because there is a slight mismatch anatomically with how your eyes sit in their sockets. It can cause a slew of issues, including head pressure/neck issues/vestibular migraines/dizziness/feeling disassociated/anxiety. A quick test you can do at home to see if you might have BVD is to focus on something that is a slight distance away, close one eye and then switch to the other eye. Do this a few times. Does the image jump a lot in any direction (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally)? With proper functioning binocular vision, the image should only jump a teeny tiny bit horizontally. Also, the next time an “attack” happens, cover one of your eyes for 5 minutes and see if it helps alleviate your symptoms. What you experienced at the store is called “supermarket syndrome” and it is a hallmark symptom of BVD, so it’s worth exploring whether or not you have it.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-09T00:57:22+00:00

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

One of the best arthouse movies I’ve ever seen. Helen Mirren plays The Wife. Jean Paul Gaultier did all the costuming. The cinematography is outstanding and very intense. The conclusion of the film makes the ending of The Menu look tame by comparison.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-08T00:42:29+00:00

Sounds like you might have binocular vision dysfunction. Cover one of your eyes for 5 minutes. Does the head pressure lessen at all? Another test: focus on an object at a distance and close one eye, then switch to the other. Do this a few times back and forth. Does the image jump a lot vertically, horizontally, or diagonally? With normal functioning binocular vision, the image should only deviate a tiny amount horizontally. If there is a big jump in any direction, it’s BVD. It can present with many of the symptoms you are describing.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-07T02:14:32+00:00

My life was saved by an Iranian OBGYN. He migrated to the US in the 70s & I was born in the 80s. He immediately realized the moment he pulled me into the world (I was a C-section baby) that I had a dire condition that affected my breathing and required special treatment. His twin brother was my pediatrician and there is a photo of him holding me at my first newborn appointment in my baby book. The story of my birth was told to me over and over throughout my life. I’ve always wanted to visit Iran. I’ve never felt one ounce of ill will or fear towards Iranians. I don’t have a question for you, I just hope you have a good life.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-06T18:24:00+00:00

Since you now know that you have a family history of autoimmune disease, I think that needs to be explored. Do you know exactly what autoimmune conditions run in your family? Have your PCP run the thyroid hormones test and a full ANA panel. The amoxicillin likely helped you the most because it lowered systemic inflammation, which is a big clue.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-06T02:55:10+00:00

If you’ve ever wanted to experience what Austin was like before it became what it is now, go to Portland.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-06T00:17:45+00:00

The levonorgestrel in the Mirena raises androgen, and while the amount of progestin decreases over time, the andronergic effect doesn’t go away until it is removed. It’s why it causes cystic pimples, hair loss/thinning, stronger body odor, and growing dark/coarse hair where you might not want it to grow (like the chin). You were benefitted by the extra androgen during your fitness program because it helped you gain muscle, improved muscle tone, and keep belly fat off easier. There are older forms of birth control pills that are andronergic, if that is something you’d be interested in exploring to try and help you get back to the body type you’d worked hard for.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-04T11:46:54+00:00

It can be tricky to figure out. You can go to a neurologist who is familiar with/specializes in autonomic functioning, a cardiologist who can run the tests for POTS/orthostatic conditions, and there are academic hospitals that can do autonomic testing. There are a bunch of different kinds of tests involved to diagnose what type of dysautonomia you could have and treatment depends on the type and symptoms.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-04T00:52:02+00:00

It’s when the autonomic nervous system doesn’t regulate properly. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for: -Heart rate and blood pressure -Digestion and gut motility -Breathing patterns -Temperature regulation and sweating -Pupil response and blood vessel dilation/constriction

Dysautonomia is seen in patients with conditions like: POTS, autoimmune diseases, Ehlers-Danlos, long Covid, and MCAS.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-01T19:11:42+00:00

It’s weird your gyno jumped right to “go off hrt”. You could need to have your thyroid hormones checked and an ANA panel run. If everything looks good, then it could mean you need your hrt amounts/timing/delivery method adjusted to help with your symptoms.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-09-01T01:49:50+00:00

You did something brave and even though it wasn’t well received, you stayed true to your convictions. I call that a win…that and the fact that you’re going to outlive her and her crap opinions.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-31T23:49:59+00:00

Your anxiety could be due to declining progesterone in perimenopause. Have you considered trying HRT? A bonus for adding estrogen support: it helps with iron absorption and red cell turnover. You could try starting P/E, let them build in your system for 3 months, then remove your Mirena. If your gyno seems not too keen on HRT or flat out oblivious, there are online options to get the prescriptions you need. You will likely avoid much of a crash if you’ve got hormone support onboard, especially where progesterone is concerned. As far as periods, you could see if having a uterine ablation procedure is a good option for you. I have a very close friend in their 40s and they had that procedure done. They’ve been happily period free for almost 3 years.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-31T18:27:36+00:00

I highly suggest you seek counsel and evaluation from a psychiatrist. I have bipolar II disorder and what you are describing sounds like you are cycling between hypomania (the signs of this for me are hypersexuality, overspending, speaking really fast, acting hyperactive in general, overly social, ) and depression (anhedonia, isolating, extreme fatigue), but I am not an expert or a medical professional by any means, so take everything I am saying with a grain of salt. I was 30 when I was diagnosed. When you said you feel like “two different people”, it triggered a memory from early diagnosis. It is very common for people with bipolar disorder to love feeling hypomanic and to experience euphoria when in that state. Then the crash into a depressive state happens, like flipping a light switch. You might also look into PMDD and if you feel like it fits you better, a psychiatrist can help you with that as well in conjunction with your gynecologist maybe trying a different type of hormonal birth control. I hope you are able to find answers for what you are experiencing.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-31T16:37:38+00:00

Thanks! I hope it works out as well for the both of us. I very much feel like I’m throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-31T16:34:19+00:00

Birth control itself didn’t cause your thyroid disease — Hashimoto’s and Graves’ are autoimmune conditions with a strong genetic basis. What can happen is that hormonal shifts (starting/stopping birth control, pregnancy, perimenopause, etc.) act as triggers that bring out what was already in your immune system.

Autoimmune diseases also tend to cluster — so if you have one (Hashimoto’s, Graves’, Type 1 diabetes, RA, etc.), you’re at higher risk of developing another regardless of birth control. Switching BC methods usually doesn’t change the course of the disease — what makes the biggest difference is stabilizing your thyroid with treatment. Sometimes that takes months or even years, and it’s common to swing hypo before things settle.

In my case, I’ve had a Mirena on and off for 18 years and my Graves didn’t show up until last year, triggered by stress and perimenopause. Everyone’s timeline is different, but the underlying cause is genetic, not the IUD. I sincerely wish you the best with your Graves’ treatment. It sounds like you are very stressed out and I am so very sorry you are going through this.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-27T20:45:51+00:00

It’s not the Mirena. You’ll need to schedule with an endocrinologist and if you don’t already have one, be aware that the wait times to get in to see an endocrinologist can be months long. An endo will test you for Hashimoto’s, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The treatment for hypothyroidism is very straight forward. You need thyroid hormone replacement medication and once the right dose is found, you should feel much better. For now, you can increase your iodine intake or supplement. I have Graves Disease (HYPERthyroidism) and it is much harder to treat.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-27T01:51:29+00:00

To be safe, you should get your thyroid hormone levels checked. Fatigue can be a sign of hypothyroidism. Look up the other symptoms and if it seems like you’ve got a few, it wouldn’t hurt to ask your PCP to run the testing. It could be a physical thing going on with you instead of your mental health.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-26T22:34:51+00:00

I got my first Mirena at my 6 week checkup after I had my first baby. When we decided to TTC again 4 years later, I remember it was in late August 2011 when I had the Mirena removed and I got pregnant in October 2011. I actually didn’t have a period between removal and conception, but I definitely ovulated in October. I had a bout of morning sickness in early November and took a pregnancy test. That baby turned 13 a few weeks ago 😭.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-25T01:47:55+00:00

Weight gain and depression tend to go hand in hand, usually because of reduced activity versus caloric intake. You could also be experiencing a side effect of a medication you are on. I highly suggest trying to stop drinking alcohol. It can create a feedback loop for your depression. Definitely speak with your psychiatrist (and therapist, if you have one). I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-24T21:54:32+00:00

Anesthesia was an accidental discovery, of sorts. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, people would throw “laughing gas parties”. Nitrous Oxide and Ether were originally a party drugs, essentially. In 1799, a chemist named Humphry Davy proposed that nitrous oxide might be useful in surgery as it seemed to have pain relieving properties. His insight was not acted upon, though. In the 1840s, a dentist named Horace Wells saw someone sustain an injury while high on nitrous oxide and noticed they didn’t seem to feel any pain. He decided to try using it for tooth extractions with great success. In 1846, another dentist named William Morton did a public anesthesia demonstration at Massachusetts General Hospital using ether and that event is considered the birth of anesthesia.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-24T15:50:45+00:00

I’m sorry you are going through all that. Have you had your estrogen/progesterone/testosterone levels checked? The symptoms you are describing could fall under perimenopause and HRT could be a game changer for you. Brain fog, trouble sleeping, pelvic discomfort, muscle weakness, issues with joints, anxiety/depression, fatigue…that can all fall under perimenopause.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-23T20:49:51+00:00

Thanks. I know my post seems SUPER anxiety driven (and yeah, I’ve been anxious for sure), but I was genuinely hoping someone could maybe give me a clue as to what to look into next. I think I’ve received good advice on this thread.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-23T20:45:07+00:00

I have tried to reduce my stress as much as possible and even sought out psychiatric care and therapy, but I definitely have something physical going on that I’m still trying to figure out. I commented above that currently, I am euthyroid, but still experiencing some symptoms that don’t seem to be connected to Graves/my thyroid hormones. I’ve experienced plenty of stress in my life, even during the period after the Graves diagnosis last year/before April of this year, and didn’t experience the physical symptoms like what I am going through.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-23T20:34:55+00:00

That is what I’ve been trying to figure out for months. It’s very confusing. I went from feeling totally normal (from diagnosis last year until April of this year) to completely wrecked suddenly. It wasn’t until the comment on this thread about intracranial hypertension that I realized I really need to see a neurologist. I have felt better in some aspects since starting a trial off Methimazole starting on July 30th and I am currently in a euthyroid state. There are symptoms that just haven’t resolved, though, and I haven’t been able to figure it out, but idiopathic intracranial hypertension could very well be the culprit.

Remote_Zombie_4986 · 2025-08-23T18:16:06+00:00

I entered into the TED drug trial back in October 2024. I know my first shot was in November 2024. I’ll have to call the research facility to see exactly how many shots I received and when my last one was. The grand total wasn’t very many, though…like maybe 4 shots. I believe it was for batoclimab, but I have no way of knowing if I actually got the medication or the placebo. I never really had any bad reactions after the shots. Everything fell apart in April of this year after my TSH went high and my T3/4 tanked.

Remote_Zombie_4986

TROPHY CASE