Learning not to blame all my symptoms on hypoparathyroidism

Since my diagnosis with hypoparathyroidism, also known as hypopara, it’s been easy to blame a lot of things on my disease.

That pain in my arm? Probably a muscle spasm.

That headache? Might have something to do with my calcium level.

Fatigue? Well, that’s just something I fight every day.

Brain fog? When don’t I have brain fog?

And to be fair, hypopara symptoms can include all of those issues. But I need to remember that my symptoms aren’t always my disease’s fault. It’s important to talk to a doctor about any new issues or changes in their severity.

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I was reminded of this lesson when I visited my endocrinologist for my quarterly checkup. He asked how I’ve been feeling, and I mentioned that I’ve been dealing with a lot of pain, especially in my left arm, and was now experiencing vertigo.

He looked at me, bewildered, and asked why I hadn’t done any imaging tests yet. “It sounds like a pinched nerve, and could be as serious as a bulging disk,” he added.

As soon as he said that, I felt incredibly silly. I knew that my symptoms weren’t typical, but I’d been downplaying their effects when talking to my other care providers because I was so used to the pain. I also think, if I’m honest with myself, that I didn’t want to deal with something else being wrong. That would mean more testing, more appointments, more fights with insurance, and another thing on the list to deal with.

But just because I don’t want something to be true doesn’t change reality.

An important reminder

At my endocrinologist’s insistence, I had an imaging test done. I started with X-rays because they were the most affordable and quickly available. While an X-ray can’t see a pinched nerve or a bulging disk, my doctor was able to see whether there were any structural changes to my vertebrae, which would indicate a more serious problem.

After reviewing my symptoms and comparing multiple years of X-rays, my provider determined I likely had a pinched nerve around my scapula because of inflammation, likely worsened by hypopara.

With a more precise diagnosis than “my arm hurts,” I was able to get more direct treatment. Two days after my imaging, and after a massage, physical therapy appointment, and a visit to my chiropractor, my vertigo went away. I’m still dealing with lingering effects of nerve pain and weakness, but I’m definitely improving. I’m thankful that I’ve been practicing dictation over the past few weeks, allowing me to write again even while healing.

I feel a little silly that I didn’t think to have any tests done sooner, and I’m glad the situation was nothing more serious than a pinched nerve. But it’s a solid reminder that I need to be more open and upfront with my care providers when something changes in frequency or severity. With age-related changes like perimenopause right around the corner, whose symptoms also can mirror those of hypopara, I know this lesson is important to learn, so I don’t miss something dire or preventable.

Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.