I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at age 25 after 3 years and countless doctor’s visits to find out what was wrong with me. For years, my worries and pleas went unanswered.
That is, until a Doctors Without Borders physician was substituting at my local doctors office.
It took him only two questions and one look at my neck to figure out exactly what was wrong. After YEARS of doctors rolling their eyes and ignoring my symptoms, finally… someone was listening to me and believing me. After 3 long years, I finally had an answer.
It’s sad, but I thought for a long time that I must be dying. I went from being a healthy, athletic 22 year old, to feeling drained, depressed, and hopeless in a matter of weeks. Within only two or three months, I had gained 40 pounds. I thought for sure it was cancer or a brain tumor.
It was Hashimoto’s.
For three years, I’d suffered with muscle weakness, barely able to lift my limbs. I had horrible migraines that went on for days and my metabolic function had plummeted. I couldn’t cycle anymore (I had loved riding my bike for miles) or do any of my normal activities.
I had to drop out of college in my final semester because I had a huge loss in cognitive function. I read a page in my textbook 8 times and couldn’t remember or comprehend what I’d just read. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t think clearly. I was absolutely devastated.
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