Ouch, my aching joints... Hashimoto's too? Really? (Originally Written 9/4/10)

(I've been writing this series of notes not as a way of saying "Poor Me" or as a way to worry anyone but, to raise awareness of what this whole Hashimoto's thing is about. If you have questions, PLEASE ASK.)
I had noticed recently that my ankles were hurting. Not just the hurt of being on my feet too much but, a deep hurting. I in turn also noticed that this hurt was traveling up my right shin. Then I noticed the give away, my fingers just hurt and refused to work with me when I needed to type something, grip something, or fasten anything like necklace. So I rub them vigorously as if that will bring them back to life... And I mumble... Hashimoto's. I say this because as it turns out, dull achy painful joints are a part of the diagnosis for some. I'm a pretty active person and I'm not usually affected by a little ache. This time, it's different. This time, it's a tougher ach to make disappear.
I use to think this was such a "cute" disease. It's just a simple thyroid issue. It's hypothyroidism and I'll be fine. It's such a common thing so, why am I complaining and carrying on so much? I should just let it go and move on. Nope, not that simple. My doctor will not put me on the standard medication Synthroid until my levels get higher than normal. Does that mean that my symptoms have to keep increasing until I can't stand it anymore? Not big on pain here and the heart palpitations alone are frightening and painful sometimes. Not such a "cute" disease anymore. Not just a simple hypothyroid case either. This disease is rather complex and I don't think very many really understand it.
I understand what is going on within me though. I should not have to know things like Leaky Gut Syndrome, Adrenal Fatigue, or the fact that I am now suddenly Gluten free. I should not have to know that I have an increased chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or MS in my still young life. Not to mention any of the other complications that can develop the longer this goes untreated. And did I mention the doc's don't really know how long I ahve had it???  I also understand that the things I do now, can decrease my chances of developing those things. Still not much I can do about the leaky gut, adrenal fatigue, or the gluten thing... Those are here to stay.
I get annoyed with myself because I've become that patron at a restaurant. I'm the one that has to send her meal back because the waitress said rice when she meant rice pilaf and now the pilaf is touching a scallop so I can't eat any of it. I've become that girl who could unknowingly eat something bad and fall ill almost immediately (fun right?). I've become that girl that no one really understands why she is so picky about her food (You're curious but afraid to ask.). I've become the high maintenance date that has very few options when she goes out. I can’t even drink beer anymore unless it's gluten free. The upside is that I was a good cook before, I'm a great gluten free cook now!
To me, autoimmune diseases are like peeling an onion. There are more layers than just a simple set of numbers from blood work. I need to treat the whole disease and if that means, changing my diet and adding a crap load (yes, I typed crap load) of supplements to get me through the day, I'll do it. I am currently taking Calcium, Magnesium, Glucosamine, Vit B Complex, Vit C, and a Mulit for active women. To wait until this Hashimoto's Disease turns into Hypothyroidism is absurd to me. Mostly because in the mean time, I get to feel the affects of things like adrenal fatigue because those glands have been working overtime for way too long. And the leaky gut syndrome since now my digestion is all out of whack because I'm a lover of bread for 37 years. That and the fact that my whole system has been working overtime for just way way to long. There are bound to be a few issues. And yet a doctor won't touch me until my levels are pushed into hypothyroidism... It is my hope that they figure out what is going on. Some kind of root cause to this disease and they treat it instead of making us wait it out. Because waiting it out hurts and is uncomfortable some days and makes a person endure more than she nees to sometimes.
In the mean time, my hair is still falling out, my hands still shake a little, I can look at a word and not even know what it is because my brain is too slow to connect to my eyes (wait for it, it will catch up). Not to mention that I sometimes search for a word that I know for a minute or two and the fact that I more often than not trip over simple words now when speaking. I use to be such a good speaker but whatever right, it's just Hashimoto's Disease. I get cranky easily these days ( But I feel who wouldn't with this?!?) too. Basic motor function is a problem some days and I can now trip on flat surfaces or my foot drags ever so slightly. So, I either look like frakenstein dragging his foot or as if I've been drinking. And yet, I want to be clear that I am still very independent and very much a functioning member of society. I still hold a job and maintain my own home (by my self). I just have some really bad days sometimes and I'm prone to going to bed before 10 pm now. I don't sleep like a rock since the palpitations wake me up again and again. But I'll be fine until it turns into Hypothyroidism... Then it will be time to treat me. Seriously?  I would love to know.