More Sickness, More Pills

Under the orders of my new family physician, I had some bloodwork done last week. Today, I called the office to schedule another appointment and was told that I have a thyroid problem and higher than normal cholesterol. Yes, the 25-year-old vegetarian who works out almost daily has a cholesterol problem.

Even though these problems can be easily solved with medication and diet, it's totally bumming me out that I'll need to add to the 2,000 miligrams of meds I already swallow daily. I feel like a pharmacist's wet dream, open my mouth and start pouring the capsules in.

During his lunchtime phone call, Husband tried to make me see some light in the situation. The thyroid problem actually has a bunch of side effects that I suffer from, including brittle fingernails, fatigue and sleepiness, shaky hands, memory loss, change in my period, irritability and eyes that are sensitive to light in adition to the fact that I can't lose the weight that's been collecting around my abdomen. So I guess, in theory, I'll be skinnier and happier after taking some synthroid or some other such pill, and that should lower the cholesterol as well. I have heard horror stories though. The graphic designer here at work said synthroid pushed her aunt from pre-osteoporosis into full-fledged brittle bones and Husband's dad had to start taking Paxil after he was prescribed synthroid. I've also heard that once you start taking it, it's not something one stops easily, meaning it's another lifer pill for me.

I just feel so broke down and screwed up. A mere five years ago the only time I took a pill was when I had a headache. Now they're so much a part of my life I wouldn't know what to do without them.