Inflamed thyroid caused by my tight rollneck

This is a super-quick post because I'm batch-cooking today and the kitchen looks like a bomb's hit it!

I'm pleased to say continued use of high doses of Potassium has made me feel so much better.

I've also noticed that I've shed a lot of water retention in the process.  This is really great news, as I usually feel quite bloated at this time of the month...

I'm now taking 3 Potassium pills a day and 3 Rhodiola Rosea.

A few days ago I felt my mood start to drop, due to my cycle, so I now take the maximum dose of Rhodiola.

(I have a bottle of 5-HTP in the house now too, and I understand you can take both.  But as I'm really watching what effect Potassium is having on me, I shall wait a while before I try the 5-HTP.)

As I said last time, I feel strangely 'refreshed' and 'calmer'.  So much so that DH has noticed it too.  

3 days ago however, the weather turned really cold and I was having a lot of late nights.  Turns out that I kept the same rollneck on for 3 days and nights!  This sounds awful, but showers of course were taken and the new rollneck just made me feel so nice and cosy - oh, and its magenta coloured!

When I bought that rollneck, I noticed that the neck section was really tight, but I like that feeling, usually.

Well it turns out that I became more and more aware that my neck was constricted.  That's not to say that my carotid flared up, as that feels totally fine again.

Then I noticed that my thyroid gland was becoming inflamed?  First I thought I was coming down with something but then I started to get really sore inner eyelids, that meant my eyes were inflamed too.

Now little did I know that the problem with my eyes was actually connected to my thyroid and that my thyroid was complaining that my rollneck was too tight! 

Before I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, my neck was virtually always swollen, especially after any kind of exertion (hold that thought!).

Then as the glands became more and more huge, I started to get this incredible pain on each side of my neck that was so awful and nagging, that I knew immediately, it was akin to my migraines and then my mind started to race as to the possible involvement of my thyroid condition in the presentation of my migraines??

Then I did something REALLY REALLY stupid!

I stood there in suspended animation - the dog was barking, I now realise that as afflicted as he is with his own (senility) problems, he could still sense I was getting into trouble.  And remember, this is a dog that always knew when I was about to get a migraine, by suddenly appearing, rubbing his head on my leg and showing signs of panic, as if someone or something was knocking at the door??)

So I stood there and thought about my thyroid and remembered that I'd forgotten to take my levothyroxine that morning, as I'd had such an early start. 

So I reach up and take the pills.... My neck is killing me, I start to think the pain is going to turn into a migraine, surely, because it has all the same characteristics and intensity, the similarities in the type of pain I was experiencing were astonishing...

Then after about half an hour, I get this awful taste in my mouth.  The dog is barking like a madman.  I feel I'm going to pass out.  My neck is going blue, in desperation, I pull off the rollneck, drink some water, get on the internet and read that rollnecks/turtle necks are notorious for causing constriction of the lymphatics of the neck, which especially affect people with thyroid problems!

Then I stand there and realise with total horror that the accumulation of thyroxine in my neck, was only made MUCH WORSE by my taking Levothyroxine just half hour before!!

Then I started to calm down, because I know that Levo only kicks in after half an hour, and soon it would subside.

While I was waiting for my awful symptoms to ease, I searched on the internet for links between Potassium and Thyroid activity.  And there it was, (will post link next time as I really must start those pies) low Potassium causes Hyperthyroidism!

Now the thing to remember is the 'narrow therapeutic index' of Levothyroxine, and so even though I'm usually Hypo - e.g. underactive, the (damn) rollneck had caused a blockage (or poor drainage) which sent me into a Hyper episode.

I really have to go now.

Thanks for all emails, nice to hear from people, the dog is fine now, love you!