What to do...panic spells, hair loss, symptom flares

[lesmom]

Hello all
I know that you all have a good insight on things so I thought I'd ask for your opinions and I will certainly appreciate any advice or insight.

My first question: I have been noticing a lot more hair loss. I have hair to my shoulder blades. I'm loosing it in the shower, when I style my hair in the mornings I get several strands, I find it on my pillow. I'm not sure if its from the SJS, or if I do have a thyroid issue, or if it's from my meds. I don't know if I should cut my hair to take some of the weight off of it, or if that would even matter?

2nd question: I've been having a few panic spells at work or maybe I should call them anxiety attacks. Thank goodness I have a office to myself most of the time. I get to feel paranoid about really silly things which is not like me at all. I have a super boss that in the past I felt that I could talk to about anything, now with my forgetfulness (which word goes where, names of people or places or things) sometimes I slur, I'm not as comfortable. I've been here at my job for 1 1/2 years and have not gotten a raise. My boss says I am doing a good job. Do I ask for the raise or just let it go? I'm in charge of payroll and HR in our company so I see the raises for the other employees. It's a small agricultural company and my "title" is office mananger. I get freaked out about things at home with my boys too. Not cool. I know that there are a lot of people around me that don't get what I have and that I have days I feel really rough even though I keep a smile on my face.

3rd question: How long have you had flares last? Our weather has been wet, damp, rainy and cooler than normal. Lately I hurt almost as bad as when I first started seeking out medical help. The fatigue, well that has yet to get better. Do I go to have meds re adjusted or just ride it out until I have my 1st rheumy appt. the end of July?

Thank you all for being there and caring.
Leslie

[Chickpea]

Hi Leslie

I'm so glad you came to us with your worries.  As you know, we're really open about our concerns large and small, and we're also great at keeping confidences!  I'm not sure I can help with all your queries but I'm sure others will be along soon who have more experience than me in some of these areas.  However ....

1.  I notice you're not on Plaquenil which does cause hair loss for some of us, or Prednisolone which does the same.  Is it a side effect of any of your meds?  You should definitely have your thyroid checked anyway because it's often an issue for Sjoggies.  I don't think the weight of your hair would make much difference so only cut it if you want to.  It sounds to me as though you'd rather not, as it would be just another SjS loss.   I reckon I've lost about a third of my hair but I'm not cutting it short just yet.

2.  Our stress levels are bound to be higher dealing with an AI day by day, hour by hour.  I try to forgive myself when I get things out of proportion, or get anxious about little things.  Because often they're not that little!  Be gentle with yourself and give yourself a little extra time for everything.  Imagine how kind you'd be if it was someone else struggling to keep going as you do?

As far as work goes I think I'd be cautious.  However great your boss is he/she is still your boss and will put the company's interests first.  You're entitled to mention the issue of a raise after working in such a responsible position for that length of time, and you might want to put it in writing so that it's a formal request.  I'd be very careful to separate this issue from health problems so that one can't be used to excuse the other.  If you're in charge of HR then you're probably in charge of disability and health issues - what is your company's policy for people like you?!

3.  Can you bring your rheumy appointment forward, maybe by offering to take a cancellation?  Your GP will probably hesitate to adjust your meds when you're seeing the specialist so soon. 

Thinking of you - Chickpea

[Bucky]

(((Leslie))),

I don't really have any solid answers to any of your questions . . . just wanted to send you a hug and let you know we care.

Have you had your thyroid checked lately?  I have an underactive thyroid and it can cause hair loss.  I have baby fine hair and it's thinned out quite a bit on top the last several years (before I was DX'd w/Sjogren's).  I'm not sure if it has thinned out any more since on Plaquenil.  I think it has, but my hairdresser doesn't think so.    I too, have long hair and have considered cutting it shorter  . . . . but I like to put it up in the summer, so I haven't done arything about it.

I know what you mean about working in payroll and seeing other people getting raises.  I too, use to work in payroll . . . all the "exceptions" to the rules.    You're office manager . . give yourself a raise!!  

Good luck at your rheumy app't. in July . . I hope he/she will give you some answers.

Bucky

[Redetha1]

Leslie, Others have given you great advice.  Keep posting and reading in here.  I am sending you a great big HUG and will be thinking of you.  Hang in there.  Redetha

[eyeamdry]

My hair (already thin) seems as though it is thinning more.  My hair is short and I get more volume like that.  A soft perm can help fill out thin spots.  Ys, I know it can damage your hair further.  I do not and have not noticed my hair falling out so maybe my scalp is stretching or something. lol   Lucy

[irish]

Lesley, I think the first one I would see is the doc who prescribed the Cymbalta. I have just recently read that Cymbalta is not the best for treating anxiety. It may well be that you would do much better on another antidepressant. This may also help your paranoid feelings and also may help improve your memory. Anxiety has been known to affect memory.

If it was me the Cymbalta would be the first thing I would address and make a med change. I would then wait and see how much I improve and in what areas of my life. May even help you sleep better/fatigue with a different med. You will then be able to make more intelligent decisions about your raise and other issues at work. Also, if you are having a lot of neuropathy you may find that a different antidepressant may help also.

Hope things cool down for you. If you can get more relaxed,etc it may be a lot easier to approach your boss. The other thing I thought of is that your boss may feel that because you are having health issues you should feel downright "thankful" that they are still employing you. I would wait until new antidepressant pill kicks in and see if you notice a difference in your attitude or hers. 

Also, I have worked places where the people in the higher up positions often did not get a raise when times were tough. The manual laborers would get one though. Life is interesting. Keep us updated. Irish

[robino5454]

Hi Leslie, I'm new here but you hit on something I have had some experience with. Before I was diagnosed with SJS and Fybromyalga, I had what I thought was a nervous breakdown. They had me on a variety of anti depressants. Mean while, I was having anxiety attacks, gaining weight, losing hair and had brittle nails. Two years in to therapy and finally my GP decided to check my Thyroid and Vitamin D. I was way off the scale. The closer they get to adjusting my thyroid, the better my mental state has been. Hashimoto's can cause brain fog and depression. All of those symptoms. So please do get your thyroid checked. The anxiety and brain fog with hair loss is at least a red flag.

[mom2kaipo]

I've got to ditto on the thyroid check!  I have the antibodies for Graves' (active) and Hashimoto's (not active now) both, along with SS and FM.  My hubby had thyroid cancer a few years ago.  THYCA slogan:  CHECK YOUR NECK!    i would not have imagined to have any of these diseases, but here we all are, eh?

i hope you get/find good answers, very soon!

[lesmom]

Thank you all so much for responding and the cyber hugs- I needed that more than anything. I get to feeling pretty alone, so thank you all for being "here!"

I'm hoping that the rheumy will change my meds so that I'm not taking so many. I was originally put on the Cymbalta for my Fibromyalgia. I couldn't handle Lyrica AT all- it really made me loopy and more tired.

I've been wondering if it is thyroid. I've had the regular T3 and T4 done by my OB/Gyn because I have a goiter. Those levels were within normal ranges so no further testing was done- that was 2 years ago. My friend that has Hoshimoto's said all her's were in range too, it was the antibody test that showed that her thyroid wasn't working. I mentioned that to my new intern dr and he said that he was sure the rheumy would be putting me through a battery of tests.

The company I work for is small and I don't think my boss has ever had an office manager stick around as long as me, let alone have the health issues I have. He can't fault me for not showing up. I'm here with a smile on my face and I do the best I can. Somedays I think man, this is such an effort to be here, I could just close my eyes and sleep. I'm the only one on the office besides my boss. The rest work in the barns. So it's a different circumstance for me compared to everyone else. I'd love to give myself a raise, Bucky!

I am on the cancellation list for the rheumy- do I call to check to see if anyone has or just wait?

thanks again and bless you all,
Leslie             

[Dolly Dimples]

  Leslie, sorry your having such a rough time of it, can't add to what has already been said,

  It would do no harm to ring your Rhumie to see if there are any cancellations, it might show just how desperate you are ,
           Good luck, and big hug, Dolly.x