You guys are the best. Thanks for worrying about me. As I mentioned before, I was experiencing a few side effects while taking an anti-thyroid medication and things just got worse as time went on.
About 15 days after taking the medication, I developed vasculitis, which is bleeding capillaries under the skin. I developed red marks all over my face, neck, arms, and legs. Then the fevers, chills, and nightly nightsweats began followed by a sore throat and pain in my lower left jaw, which was intensifying daily. My white blood count and platelet count dropped, leaving me open for infection and it took a strong hold in my mouth. My gums turned a strange purple color and I developed open sores all over my mouth. My left jaw began to swell and the entire left side of my face became painful and swollen. It was difficult to talk and impossible to eat. At this point, I've lost about 20 pounds since I haven't been able to eat solid food in two weeks.
I saw my endochronologist on Monday. She told me to stop the medication immediately. I saw the dentist on Tuesday and he put me on antibiotics and pain meds. The swelling and pain in my mouth are finally starting to ease and I'm beginning to feel human again.
Once the infection abates, I will start a 5-day course of prednizone to prepare for and protect me during radioactive iodine treatment. Approximately 15 days after the radiation, my thyroid levels should begin to fall and hopefully my heart will eventually return to it's normal pace and rhythm and I should be good as new.
I can't wait to feel good again. I didn't know a hyperactive thyroid could make a person so sick.
On a side note, Richard is doing remarkably well. After his slip, he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and got right back on the wagon. And he's been sober ever since. I'm very proud of him. And I think he's proud of himself, too. Once again, he's proven to be much stronger than I thought.