After her life was shaken up by a Hashimoto’s diagnosis, KarlaMary was left to deal with debilitating symptoms. But for her, the journey to healing wasn’t just about physical symptoms- it was also about finding herself again. Read KarlaMary’s story of searching for a new sense of purpose after an autoimmune diagnosis.
KarlaMary's Story
In May of 2021, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism- and I learned that I would be taking medication for the rest of my life.
Prior to being diagnosed, I suffered a great amount of anxiety and depression. I experienced every symptom: fatigue, sensitivity to cold, constipation, and sluggishness. My face and thyroid were enlarged. I struggled with dry skin, which was challenging because I am already prone to having eczema. I also dealt with weight gain, which was up and down. For four months, I had an eating problem that caused me to starve myself on some days because I could not bring myself to eat.
For a year, I became pretty much isolated from everybody. I was especially inactive on social media during that time because I was just hoping to find myself again. I felt like a lost soul: physically here but mentally gone.
Today, I am working on finding myself and my purpose. I know that in time, I will!
I say all of this as a reminder to everyone who may be going through a similar journey with Hashimoto’s or any autoimmune disease:
You are not alone. Do not give up on yourself. Living with an autoimmune disease is hard, but it is worth the fight.
– KarlaMary
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Global Autoimmune Institute. The experiences and health outcomes described in this article are unique to the author and do not serve as medical advice.
Interested in sharing your story of autoimmune disease or chronic illness? Head over to How to Tell Your Chronic Illness Story for prompts and tips!
