Dear Dr ,
I am writing as a former patient and in the context of a recent visit to (another hospital) and a confirmed diagnosis of thyroiditis. I felt it may be useful to share my experiences following two consultations with you on 14.06.19 and 23.08.19.
I found the initial consultation extremely reassuring and kind and I was very pleased to attend your clinic. I have found the scan you ordered to be extremely useful and so I want to acknowledge and say thank you for that.
My experience of the follow up consultation however was not as satisfactory.
Firstly, in attending clinic I was presumed to be late – this had been an administrative error that led to a hurried introduction. Having some knowledge of my journey I hope you can understand why this made me feel rather uneasy and especially in the context of recent blood results not confirming your previously suspected diagnosis.
It is my experience that this introduction set the tone for the consultation and therefore inhibited me from providing a genuine picture of my overall health.
I feel that because of this the consultation focused entirely on mental health-related symptoms and ‘my presentation’ on the day (due to the surprise of a late start and mounting pressure for support) used as ‘evidence,’ to compound this felt extremely damning.
Following the consultation I was referred by yourself for psychiatric assessment, however given time to reflect, I did not action this. I felt that involving another person at that stage would have been counter- productive to my care. I did however, request that my counsellor write a letter as per how she experienced me in therapy – I am happy to share this if it is of use. This relationship had been a consistent one and her understanding of me and my experiences more in-depth.
In February 2020 I had another ‘explosion’ of what I recognised as overactive symptoms and with no diagnosis continued to share my story and look for help. In doing so I connected with a patient, via a charity, who had shared a similar experience (10 years prior.) She put me in touch with her consultant and I was able to see him a few weeks ago where he ‘diagnosed’ or confirmed the existence of thyroiditis (it was in fact documented on the scan for months.)
There is a little clinical detail but he essentially returned me to thyroxine ‘to give my thyroid time to heal’ (there was a feeling that I should have remained on it) and if this does not help there are further options – again I would be happy to share this information. (From the letter: ‘thyroiditis can cause in a small case of patients, a combination of hyper and hypothyroidism as described in literature.’) He explained that his findings and diagnosis were objective, based on the evidence that I had provided since the onset of symptoms in October 2017.
I will always remember my mum asking at the consultation ‘have you experienced other women with thyroid problems who have emotional disturbances as Jenny describes.’ She was understandably looking for reassurance. I can say with absolute confidence (I have always been rather confident) that in my experience, of my body, that my thyroid related symptoms in part, present as emotional disturbances. Again – I would be happy to explain the detail of this.
I want to share my experiences since it has taken me such a long time to obtain support and I feel this is primarily because I have not been heard and this has had a significant impact on my life and has in fact changed the future course of my life significantly – i.e. further pregnancies etc.
Granted my condition is not common but if the answer is unknown then there may be other outcomes beyond psychiatric assessment.
Thankyou for taking the time to read, I genuinely hope it is helpful and in sharing my experiences my only intention to affect change. I would not wish anyone to have to experience the struggle I have.
Yours Sincerely
Jenny Allen
No acknowledgment of receipt or reply received
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