Please Help Jen Lambert Get Back On Her Feet

Having to ask for financial help is probably the most humiliating predicament one can find themselves in, certainly at my age. I have started, stopped and restarted writing this several times... but frankly, I have more to lose if I don't bury my pride and just put this out there.

Sixteen years ago, I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease, which, to put it simply, is a fluctuation between hyper and hypothyroidism. It's commonly misdiagnosed, undertreated and could even be dismissed by your primary care physician because your "bloodwork looks normal." However, it is a very complex and severe condition with many symptoms, one more debilitating than the next.

Long story short, my doctor at the time, unfortunately, recommended that I have a total thyroidectomy, and I have been living with the horrendous and dire consequences ever since.

A little anatomy lesson: Your thyroid gland is a vital organ. It controls your metabolism, growth and development of the human body. It helps regulate many body functions by constantly releasing a steady stream of hormones that travel through your bloodstream, affecting nearly every part of your body, from your heart and brain to your muscles and skin.

Hypothyroidism slows your heart rate and weakens your heartbeat, making your heart less efficient at pumping blood. By narrowing your arteries, this condition can also raise blood pressure, making you feel constantly short of breath. Hypothyroidism can lead to high cholesterol. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

Untreated, under-treated or mistreated hypothyroidism can change how the nerves carry information to and from your brain, spinal cord, and body which could cause a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Its symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, or burning in the affected parts of your body. Too little thyroid hormone weakens the muscles you use to breathe and makes your lungs work less efficiently. It also affects your memory and your ability to think clearly. Hypothyroidism is also the culprit for many mental health issues like anxiety and depression, which I have struggled with for years. It can lead to thinning hair or even hair loss... thankfully, I was able to regain control over my hair falling out a few years ago.

Since my entire thyroid gland was surgically removed, I have chronic hypothyroidism. I must take a thyroid hormone replacement medication daily for the rest of my life. However, none of the synthetic man-made drugs work for me; my body can't tolerate them. My doctor put me on a naturally desiccated hormone which worked for a while....until it didn't..and all my symptoms returned. Then my current doctor, who I HIGHLY recommend if you're in the Chattanooga area, Charity Moses, put me on Nature-Throid...another natural hormone, and this time it worked!!! For four years, my hormones were balanced; my weight returned to normal, I felt rested and clear-headed. Everything in my body felt normal again; I was happy...yay!!

Then, right before Covid struck, RLC Labs recalled all batches of Nature-Throid, and I've been spiraling ever since. I feel out of whack every day. I get up and have no energy; I have constant brain fog and anxiety so severe that sometimes I feel like I can't leave my house... and on top of the myriad of other thyroid symptoms, I am now fully entering peri-menopause. I literally feel like I'm dying every day.

Until recently, I have managed my health and its complications without health insurance and have paid so much out of pocket for doctor appointments, labs and medications - it's truly mind-boggling. I don't know what will happen if my current treatment plan doesn't work, and I'm scared. I go back for more labs in a few weeks to see where things stand and will find out what's next. I'm exhausted, and I'm alone.

I have run out of resources, both medically and financially. I have frantically been looking for a job in my field, have had several interviews and have applied for several other positions, not in my field. I have used every bit of savings I had put away as a cushion, and honestly don't know how I will pay my bills going forward. Staying on top of my finances (rent, utilities, car, insurance etc.) has always been my priority, but I have fallen behind and need help.

Maintaining a household on one income in the current economy is virtually impossible. I would be deeply humbled and grateful for any help you can offer. All I want is to get my health in order, find a job I love, and not worry anymore.

If you have read this far and can't offer any help, thank you anyway for taking the time to read my story. Maybe my health journey will help someone... If you have thyroid issues and would like to talk, please reach out to me; I am a wealth of knowledge through my own trials and will do my best to help you navigate yours... or be a shoulder to lean on.

With much gratitude,

Jen