Jotter pads are the best. They fit in your purse or your shirt pocket...they go everywhere you go and they rarely complain. Remember Columbo? He was always reaching for his Jotter pad, deep in the pockets of his wrinkled khaki raincoat. Pen in hand, but we rarely saw him writing anything down. He was an inquisitive soul, always asking those peculiar questions and pretending to be dumb. The quirky detective. Back then people remembered things, brain-fog wasn't the norm. Boy, have things changed. Today, most people can't remember what they had for lunch an hour earlier, never mind witnessing or participating in a murder.
Sometimes we find explanations for brain-fog. One of them is Adrenal Fatigue and another is Thyroid malfunction. If you have malfunctioning Adrenals, it's quite possible you'll have problems focusing. Even if adrenals are in good shape, a malfunctioning Thyroid can give bouts of unfocused, fuzzy thinking. These glands work hand in hand and depend on each other....it's a marriage of sorts.
It's a good idea to know the symptoms of Thyroid problems and this list can help you decide whether you're swimming in murky waters: HYPOTHYROIDISM SYMPTOMS CHECKLIST
With Adrenal dysfunction, some symptoms seem to overlap with thyroid and you can view those here: ADRENAL DYSFUNCTION
And while we're at it, let's throw in the symptoms of MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY
These symptoms were collected and listed by sufferers. These are basic, everyday symptoms which have effected most of the affected population, but each individual generally has more and different symptoms of their own...all of them are valid and none should be dismissed.
If you have a medical adviser who understands thyroid/adrenal issues, you've REALLY got something....the majority of people today don't have this luxury. Many people have been forced to self treat to regain their health. Learning how to read and understand your blood lab results for TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 is a great start and it's essential. Many Doctors read test results *in range* as healthy, and they'll tell you you're fine. If you continue to *feel bad* or experience no change, clearly they need to be re-examined. This is usually where Doctors will dismiss you or diagnose you with a problem you don't have, and then medicate you with synthetic drugs you don't need. And the vicious cycle begins. It's your legal right to get a copy of your test results. Always ask for one and keep it in your file.
So why the Jotter pad? Carry the Jotter pad with you so you'll never be without it. Jot down every symptom or issue which you discover during the course of the day. Anything different, write it down. Make a list and organize it into a longer list every week. If you haven't already divorced your Doctor, (there's a lot of that going on), print out the list and give them a copy. Discuss each and every symptom and ask for answers and for help.
Anytime you start a new drug or routine, use your Jotter pad to jot down any changes or issues as well. The more information you're armed with, the better results you'll get.
In the meantime, join a Thyroid/Adrenal Patient Advocacy group on-line. You'll learn from others experience, knowledge and mistakes. You can participate in the discussions or just listen in...it'll be your most valuable resource for continued health and happiness. These days everyone needs to be their own patient advocate. It's the way of the world.
Stay healthy, be happy.
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