Debra Manskey

A very quick post today.

As some of you know, I’ve had a wild time the last few months and not in a good way! I haven’t really talked about it that much but I went back to my fabulous GP today for assessment and I feel it’s time to talk about it.

I’ve been feeling increasingly “off” for the last few months, always  sluggish, tired and lacking energy. I put it down to lack of sleep, work and study pressures and all the deeply personal grief that’s made up this year. But a month ago it all came home to roost when I played a gig and nearly collapsed.

I was scheduled to play a laid back Sunday afternoon set for my friend Amy from Meraki Management and I wasn’t feeling great when I arrived. My brain felt foggy and everything about me felt slow – even my heartbeat was sluggish. I tried to shrug it off and just get on with it. But about halfway through my set, I felt like all my energy suddenly drained away and I could barely stand up. I managed to make it through but I knew I wasn’t well. I felt nauseous, faint and couldn’t stop shaking.

I was understandably scared. And I was really, really angry. How dare my body do this to me at all – but while I was working, doing what I love? Intolerable!

Thankfully, I managed to get in to see my GP the next day – and he is a friend to be treasured. For the last few years, through regular blood testing, it was clear my thyroid function was decreasing and there’s a genetic history of various thyroid disorders in my family. But now it seems my wayward gland has all but stopped working and I’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I started medication the following day and each day I’ve noticed an improvement.

Today I went back for clinical assessment and I have to do another round of blood tests to determine if this is the correct dosage, but it looks and feels like it was the right diagnosis. I think that alone made me feel better!

I haven’t been out much in the last month and the gig I played last week (also for Amy) was my first since “the incident” but I’ve been gradually finding more energy and suffering less exhaustion for no apparent reason.

And tonight I’m heading out to celebrate the first birthday of Meraki Management. This Hobart music management business has done some very impressive things in one short year and I’m really pleased I’m well enough to join in.

I’m still not feeling 100% but I’m on my way – I have a lot to celebrate too 😀

http://www.facebook.com/meraki.management