Unanswered prayer?

[JoyfulLife]

Hello,

I’ve been praying a lot for a long time to finally get a diagnosis and treatment for whatever is causing my fatigue, sluggishness, and other symptoms. I am pretty sure it is hypothyroidism and I’m working toward finding a doctor that will try a trial of medicine. My doctor tried sleep apnea treatment, but that hasn’t done anything. My current PCP is out of ideas.

Anyway, as I’m praying hard and frequently about finally getting treatment, I’m left wondering why it doesn’t seem to be getting answered. Why is that? Why can’t I finally get help for this? What is God saying? I’m not asking for healing anymore; I’m fine with having some disorder, but I would just finally like to get a diagnosis and treatment.

Any words of wisdom?

God bless you.

 

[RosaryFan]

Hello,

I’ve been praying a lot for a long time to finally get a diagnosis and treatment for whatever is causing my fatigue, sluggishness, and other symptoms. I am pretty sure it is hypothyroidism and I’m working toward finding a doctor that will try a trial of medicine. My doctor tried sleep apnea treatment, but that hasn’t done anything. My current PCP is out of ideas.

Anyway, as I’m praying hard and frequently about finally getting treatment, I’m left wondering why it doesn’t seem to be getting answered. Why is that? Why can’t I finally get help for this? What is God saying? I’m not asking for healing anymore; I’m fine with having some disorder, but I would just finally like to get a diagnosis and treatment.

Any words of wisdom?

God bless you.

Hi, JoyfulLife. I’m sorry for your situation. I know it can be frustrating. God does answer our prayers - always. Maybe they’re not answered exactly as we like, or in the time we expect, but God’s time and ways are very different from ours.

Maybe God is allowing this specific cross for your because it is increasing your prayer time with Him and making you closer to Him. God has a way of allowing evil for the greater good. Specifically, for the good of our souls and for our own salvation.

Be patient. And don’t stop praying.

 

[JoyfulLife]

I feel like it makes my spiritual life less because I can’t concentrate as well on scripture reading, and I’m so tired in prayer time to pray well. Sometimes I’m too tired to go to chapel for prayer that I get more rest in bed. I always go to Sunday Mass though. And I read the Bible 10 minutes every night.

I have even been trying to up my iron and vitamin D with supplementation, but no change.

It’s just hard to understand with all this prayer why it seems to be unanswered prayer.

I understand that if it is hypothyroidism, it can be very hard to get a good doctor that can diagnose it, especially with my numbers which aren’t totally out of range, but they aren’t great according to many good doctors. I’ve just been hoping that with all this prayer, God would work something out for me. I have many other conditions for which God worked out diagnosis and treatment, but this issue is left in the air… I really need to get diagnosis and treatment because how on earth would I ever manage to live the life of a Sister, getting up like 5:30AM. I sleep 10PM to about 10AM now with this fatigue! Or if I ended up trying to go to college and get work, how on earth would I manage it with this fatigue; I know I couldn’t handle full days like normal people. Or if I were a married woman with children, that would be impossible, with the little sleep they get! This is a pressing matter, and it’s just frustrating not getting treatment and diagnosis. :banghead:

 

[karebear92]

Hello,

I’ve been praying a lot for a long time to finally get a diagnosis and treatment for whatever is causing my fatigue, sluggishness, and other symptoms. I am pretty sure it is hypothyroidism and I’m working toward finding a doctor that will try a trial of medicine. My doctor tried sleep apnea treatment, but that hasn’t done anything. My current PCP is out of ideas.

Anyway, as I’m praying hard and frequently about finally getting treatment, I’m left wondering why it doesn’t seem to be getting answered. Why is that? Why can’t I finally get help for this? What is God saying? I’m not asking for healing anymore; I’m fine with having some disorder, but I would just finally like to get a diagnosis and treatment.

Any words of wisdom?

God bless you.Hello.

God always answers your prayers. He will never leave one unanswered. The question is not if He has answered it, but when and if He chooses to act upon it. Although we always hope for the answer to be yes and soon, sometimes the answer is no or not yet. Remember, though, that God loves you and will do what is best for you. God does not will illness on anyone, but allows it because of the fall of man. Even Jesus had to bear a cross. As difficult as it is, try and accept your cross as a gift. Offer the sluggishness up to God. You will not have to bear this cross forever. Illnesses that go untreated or undiagnosed are frustrating; trust me, I know far too well. Continue to pray and remember “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”

I will pray for your diagnoses and treatment.

God bless!

 

[CEM5]

Hello,

I’ve been praying a lot for a long time to finally get a diagnosis and treatment for whatever is causing my fatigue, sluggishness, and other symptoms. I am pretty sure it is hypothyroidism and I’m working toward finding a doctor that will try a trial of medicine. My doctor tried sleep apnea treatment, but that hasn’t done anything. My current PCP is out of ideas.

Anyway, as I’m praying hard and frequently about finally getting treatment, I’m left wondering why it doesn’t seem to be getting answered. Why is that? Why can’t I finally get help for this? What is God saying? I’m not asking for healing anymore; I’m fine with having some disorder, but I would just finally like to get a diagnosis and treatment.

Any words of wisdom?

God bless you.

Hi JoyfulLife,

What a great answer from RosaryFan. I too am sorry for what you are going through, and I have been where you are.

Sometimes there may never be a diagnosis, and one must learn to rely on God to get through each day. I know from experience.

Doctors aren’t God and can only rely on a gamut of tests. A CBC (complete blood test) especially concentrating on the various thyroid tests, will reveal if you do have a problem with your thyroid. There are more specific tests that can be done as well in regard to your thyroid.

You should see if your TSH, TRH and T3 and T4 levels were tested.

Tiredness can be caused also by depression, anxiety, dieting, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, recent illness, stress…

Again, you should have a CBC done and see also if you are low on B12, or other vitamins/minerals.

I wish you all the best, and pray that you will be alright. Sometimes it may be none of these (have they done the tests for “chronic fatigue syndrome”?)

Blessings and praying for healing for you - God’s will be done,
CEM

P.S. – I would strongly caution against taking iron without the diagnosis of a doctor. Too much iron (or even Vit A or Vit B’s) can cause organ and/or nerve damage.

 

[halleone]

I feel like it makes my spiritual life less because I can’t concentrate as well on scripture reading, and I’m so tired in prayer time to pray well. Sometimes I’m too tired to go to chapel for prayer that I get more rest in bed. I always go to Sunday Mass though. And I read the Bible 10 minutes every night.

I have even been trying to up my iron and vitamin D with supplementation, but no change.

It’s just hard to understand with all this prayer why it seems to be unanswered prayer.

I understand that if it is hypothyroidism, it can be very hard to get a good doctor that can diagnose it, especially with my numbers which aren’t totally out of range, but they aren’t great according to many good doctors. I’ve just been hoping that with all this prayer, God would work something out for me. I have many other conditions for which God worked out diagnosis and treatment, but this issue is left in the air… I really need to get diagnosis and treatment because how on earth would I ever manage to live the life of a Sister, getting up like 5:30AM. I sleep 10PM to about 10AM now with this fatigue! Or if I ended up trying to go to college and get work, how on earth would I manage it with this fatigue; I know I couldn’t handle full days like normal people. Or if I were a married woman with children, that would be impossible, with the little sleep they get! This is a pressing matter, and it’s just frustrating not getting treatment and diagnosis. :banghead:

Try and find an endocrinologist, believe me, it is worth it, and I speak as a health care professional. I went through the same thing, with a thyroid nodule. My lab values were within normal range also, but I was so tired and worn out I could barely move; don’t ask about being freezing cold all the time, with the heat turned up to blast furnace. My PCP sent me to a surgeon, who said he didn’t think anything needed to be done. So I referred myself to an endocrinologist, who had a biopsy done (negative), several other studies, including an ultrasound of my thyroid. I have a very small thyroid apparently and it doesn’t provide enough hormone for me; she started me on a small dose of Levoxyl and it has made all the difference in the world. My PCP still doesn’t think it at all necessary, but the specialist does, and I agree, as I can now get back to my life, and not be so exhausted all the time. PM me if you wish, this is too important! I understand!!

 

[JoyfulLife]

Hi JoyfulLife,

What a great answer from RosaryFan. I too am sorry for what you are going through, and I have been where you are.

Sometimes there may never be a diagnosis, and one must learn to rely on God to get through each day. I know from experience.

Doctors aren’t God and can only rely on a gamut of tests. A CBC (complete blood test) especially concentrating on the various thyroid tests, will reveal if you do have a problem with your thyroid. There are more specific tests that can be done as well in regard to your thyroid.

You should see if your TSH, TRH and T3 and T4 levels were tested.

Tiredness can be caused also by depression, anxiety, dieting, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, recent illness, stress…

Again, you should have a CBC done and see also if you are low on B12, or other vitamins/minerals.

I wish you all the best, and pray that you will be alright. Sometimes it may be none of these (have they done the tests for “chronic fatigue syndrome”?)

Blessings and praying for healing for you - God’s will be done,
CEM

P.S. – I would strongly caution against taking iron without the diagnosis of a doctor. Too much iron (or even Vit A or Vit B’s) can cause organ and/or nerve damage.

The problem with the thyroid is “interpreting” my results. I have a history of TSH, Free T3 and Free T4. There are some solid doctors out there that would agree I am hypothyroid, but I’m still searching for a good local doc that can dx it.

I think TRH is for hyperthyroid, which is opposite for me.

My B12 level is awesome. I’m considering trying B-complex supplement to see if that will help at all.

I had a CBC and it came out fine.

I got approval from my doc to try the iron supplement. It’s a low dose so no worries.

Other things you mentioned don’t quite fit my issue.

What tests are there for CFS? I wasn’t aware of any definitive tests.

I’m so sure it is hypothyroid especially because it runs in my family, and the symptoms are the same for me as for those with the diagnosed conditions.

God bless all of you for your support and prayers!

 

[JoyfulLife]

Try and find an endocrinologist, believe me, it is worth it, and I speak as a health care professional. I went through the same thing, with a thyroid nodule. My lab values were within normal range also, but I was so tired and worn out I could barely move; don’t ask about being freezing cold all the time, with the heat turned up to blast furnace. My PCP sent me to a surgeon, who said he didn’t think anything needed to be done. So I referred myself to an endocrinologist, who had a biopsy done (negative), several other studies, including an ultrasound of my thyroid. I have a very small thyroid apparently and it doesn’t provide enough hormone for me; she started me on a small dose of Levoxyl and it has made all the difference in the world. My PCP still doesn’t think it at all necessary, but the specialist does, and I agree, as I can now get back to my life, and not be so exhausted all the time. PM me if you wish, this is too important! I understand!!

Thank you for your understanding!

I’ve been chatting with some thyroid patients on another board and they said they got the least help from endocrinologists. They found interns were better. Especially for getting a doctor that is thyroid-savvy enough to agree my in-range numbers aren’t good enough with my symptoms.

I once went to an endocrinologist a few years ago, and she didn’t say anything about my thyroid. She was concerned about my adrenals, but they turned out okay.

Last year I had all my thyroid antibodies checked, and thankfully they are all alright.

 

[Trishie]

I’ll pray for you. I have Hashimotos which was diagnosed easily. That is to say, I have autoimmune hypothyroidism, (easily managed with 100mgs tablet per day) in my case caused by undiagnosed Celiac disease, ie, autoimmune gluten intolerance, a hidden disease with varied and confusing symptoms that can be overlooked…I too was extremely weary, but I will pray for your correct diagnosis as it’s not helpful to longterm health to remain undiagnosed if you have hypothyroidism. My Celiac disease was only diagnosed because I broke my wrist and my doctor wondered why the bone density was weakening at an excelerated rate…due to the undiagnosed celiac thing. I think maybe I should be even more thankful to my doctor than I was. I assumed most doctors wouldn’t find diagnosis of hypothyroidism a problem.

I ask our dear Lord to ensure that the origin of your fatigue is discovered soon.

But the short focus in prayer…the fact that you keep trying though it’s difficult is a testament to the grace of perseverance, and a particular honor to God.
St Therese battled distraction in prayer and thanksgiving, you know…

I’ll be praying for you. God bless.

 

[JoyfulLife]

Why do y’all think there is that waiting time before getting a diagnosis and treatment? If God eventually allows diagnosis, why the long wait? Why so many ignorant doctors?

 

[CEM5]

The problem with the thyroid is “interpreting” my results. I have a history of TSH, Free T3 and Free T4. There are some solid doctors out there that would agree I am hypothyroid, but I’m still searching for a good local doc that can dx it.

I think TRH is for hyperthyroid, which is opposite for me.

My B12 level is awesome. I’m considering trying B-complex supplement to see if that will help at all.

I got approval from my doc to try the iron supplement. It’s a low dose so no worries.

Other things you mentioned don’t quite fit my issue.

What tests are there for CFS? I wasn’t aware of any definitive tests.

I’m so sure it is hypothyroid especially because it runs in my family, and the symptoms are the same for me as for those with the diagnosed conditions.

God bless all of you for your support and prayers!

Hi JoyfulLife,

you can check out some websites, like this one:

medicinenet.com/chronic_fatigue_syndrome/article.htm

My mother was diagnosed years ago with fibromyalgia, and she is a tough lady! She still gets around and does things, however she is limited in what she can do now as she also has other health issues (age related).

With fibromyalgia there are also some very specific key muscles that when pressure is applied will be tender/sore - I believe there are 10 or more areas, which a doctor specilizing in this field will test (along with other “tests”).

Have you been tested for this?

The link above will also describe this as well as other possibilities of fatigue.

Blessings to you,
CEM

 

[JoyfulLife]

I don’t have the symptoms of fibro. More like CFS, but as far as I’ve learned, there isn’t a blood test or something.

Clearly the thyroid is acting up in my family. My own Mom even had a benign growth on her gland and had to have part of all of her thyroid removed as I recall.

 

[CEM5]

I don’t have the symptoms of fibro. More like CFS, but as far as I’ve learned, there isn’t a blood test or something.

Clearly the thyroid is acting up in my family. My own Mom even had a benign growth on her gland and had to have part of all of her thyroid removed as I recall.

Hi JoyfulLife,

No, there is no definitive test (i.e.: blood test), however there are several “markers” that are used diagnostically:

In addition to fatigue, CFS includes eight characteristic symptoms:

• postexertional malaise (relapse of symptoms after physical or mental exertion);
• unrefreshing sleep;
• substantial impairment in memory/concentration;
• muscle pain;
• pain in multiple joints;
• headaches of a new type, pattern or severity;
• sore throat;
• and tender neck or armpit lymph nodes.

I would persue the thyroid avenue for sure though! My prayers and thoughts are with you.

God bless,
CEM

 

[JoyfulLife]

Some of those symptoms match, some don’t. It’s similar to hypothyroid.

Please pray for the right doctor to come along and for God to work through the doctor to give me the right diagnosis and treatment.

 

[CEM5]

Some of those symptoms match, some don’t. It’s similar to hypothyroid.

Please pray for the right doctor to come along and for God to work through the doctor to give me the right diagnosis and treatment.

My prayers are with you that yours will be answered. It took years for my mother to get properly diagnosed. But in the end, it magnified her faith in God, and even though she is still in pain every day, I admire her strength and love of life, and kind-heartedness, and giving spirit. She is an example to others. I love her with all my heart, and thank her for the foundation of my faith.

bless you JoyfulLife! You’ll be OK either way! I have confidence that your prayers will be answered.
CEM

 

[starsmurf]

Why do y’all think there is that waiting time before getting a diagnosis and treatment? If God eventually allows diagnosis, why the long wait? Why so many ignorant doctors?

My dad is a retired doctor, for years I’ve been suspicious, as has he, that my thyroid is underactive but my blood test results do not yet show a low enough level for my doctor to give me thyroxine. The doctor has to be very careful about prescribing it, as if there is another cause for the exhaustion etc, it could be masked by giving the patient thyroxine and making them effectively hyperthyroid.

Why does God allow this suffering? I believe that it is because if He interfered, and got you treated now, somehow that would be worse. I’ll try and explain what I mean: I have a disease that causes me unbearable pain, like having your feet put in boiling oil and stabbed hundreds of times a second. I started these symptoms at the age of seven. I would scream and cry in agony, beg to die, beg to have my legs amputated. All my poor father could do was give me a bucket of iced water to put my feet in to cool them. About once a month, my legs would become infected, making the pain even worse. When that happened, my father would call one of his fellow doctors in the practice, who would come out and give me an injection of a drug like morphine ( to give an idea of pain levels, I was given the same drug as women in childbirth, but at 2x the dose and I was a small 7 year old). This injection made the pain go away, and I could sleep. So if this drug worked like this when the pain was so bad, why wasn’t I given it all the time? Why wouldn’t my dad, who had the drug in his case, along with needles and syringes, give me this drug that took away my pain every night? How could a loving father watch his child suffer like that and not give it?

My dad didn’t give me the drug because it was addictive, it made me very woozy so I could go to school or play, it would gradually need higher and higher doses to control the pain and soon there wouldn’t be able to give me any more, as it would kill me. I see this as similar to what God does in cases like these, we think that it would be the best thing if something happened but we don’t realise what the consequences would be. I believe that it hurts God not to perform miracles, just as it hurt my father not to be able to relieve my pain.

 

[JoyfulLife]

I don’t see how that would be worse, if I really turn out to be hypothyroid, and have had to wait so long for dx.