One Word: Tired

If I had to use only one word to describe Hashimoto’s it would be tired. If Hashimoto’s has taught me anything, it’s taught me a whole new meaning of the word tired.

Do you ever feel so tired that you sit down on your couch and feel like you’ve been hit by a train? That’s how every day feels when you live with Hashimoto’s.

It’s honestly hard to put into words how tired I feel living with Hashimoto’s. The exhaustion isn’t just something that happens every now and then. The exhaustion is a daily battle. Here are some personal examples of what I’m going to call “Hashimoto’s exhaustion”:

Examples of Hashimoto’s Exhaustion:

  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion feels like sleep deprivation 24/7. I need a minimum of 8 hours of sleep each night. If I was given no limit on the amount of sleep I could get in a night, I could sleep 12-14 hours every night and still be tired. If I don’t get the minimum 8 hours, I’m not just grumpy like a normal person would be. I truthfully have a hard time making it through the day. I experience severe brain fog, an overall lack of motivation, and feel like I weigh 2000 lbs as I go through my day. Honestly, some days feel impossible.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion makes household tasks (i.e. vacuuming, dusting, laundry, dishes, cooking, etc.) feel like I am about to run a marathon.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is not wanting to go hiking, even though it’s your favorite thing to do.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is explaining to your endocrinologist that in the afternoons you often feel light-headed and nauseous, only for them to diagnose you with what’s loosely called the “Hashimoto’s afternoon crash.”
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is getting sick with a small cold but feeling like you’ve been run over by a truck.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is almost skipping a concert for one of your favorite artists because you felt like you needed to go to bed before the concert even started.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is not wanting to go on vacation because packing sounds too exhausting. Even though a vacation is just what you need.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is wanting to stay in on a Friday night, even though you’ve been looking forward to your plans all week, because getting ready sounds too tiring.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is dreading social interactions because they drain the little bit of energy you have.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is telling family or friends “I’m so tired” and no one understanding why.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is waking up in the morning and your first thought is about how many hours until you get to go back to bed.
  • Hashimoto’s exhaustion is being tired from fighting exhaustion all day.

A Little Disclaimer

On behalf of my fellow Hashimoto’s warriors, here’s a little disclaimer for those without Hashimoto’s. We know you’re probably thinking, “Everyone is tired, get over it. It’s called life and being an adult.” Most people with Hashimoto’s were diagnosed after college years which means we have experienced life, adulting, and stress before we were ever diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. However, nothing compares to the exhaustion we feel now as we live with Hashimoto’s. You also probably think that we’re just lazy people. When we say that we’re too exhausted for household chores or too tired to pack for a vacation, we still do those tasks. We fight our Hashimoto’s exhaustion every day and very rarely let it prevent us from doing something.

Lastly, most people with Hashimoto’s won’t show their exhaustion very often and are good at hiding it. If you know someone with Hashimoto’s, don’t tell them they look tired because they already know. We’re exhausted.

If you want to learn more about Hashimoto’s, click here to read my blog Life with Hashimoto’s: What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

To anyone who reads this that also has Hashimoto’s, when you say you’re tired, I know what you mean. Let yourself rest. Take a break. You need it.

Thanks for reading my thoughts!

Sincerely,

Rachel Beiler, MHS, RD, LDN

You have to nourish to flourish!