[erica]

#1017980

I was in remission for a long time, but I have been ignoring emerging symptoms for months, because I just don’t want to deal with having Graves again. As if ignoring it somehow makes it go away, which I know just makes it worse. Going for a blood test this coming wed. and hopefully because of my past the doc will just give me a script and not wait for the labs. I know she will offer an anti-anxiety med, but I don’t want to take that. I don’t want it to mess with my already crazy (literally) emotions and give me any side effects that could make things confusing for the doctor or myself. So I am wondering, does wine help anyone relax when they are feeling yucky due to Graves? My Husband doesn’t drink, so I never have alcohol here to try it, but if anyone has had good luck with it perhaps I would buy some. What about using marijuana? I know the pressure in my eyes is up, and people use it for glaucoma, so I am curious if it would be good. I used it in college and never had a bad experience, though that was some time ago ” title=”Smile” /> Here in AZ they have clinics where they sell it, however I realize that is not an options for everyone. I certainly don’t want to convey dependency of alcohol or drugs is good, but I believe both can be used just as any medication can. One thing is for certain medications can be just as dangerous or even more.

I don’t remember how long it took me to feel "normal" last time I stated the PTU, but I just want to feel better now. I get so depressed and it is really hurting my marriage. I know there are not quick fixes, but what works for you while you are waiting for the medicine to work? Is exercise good or bad while I am waiting to the get medicine? I don’t feel well, so I assume exercise would not be good, butI will do it though if it would help.

Thanks for any advice!

[mamabear]

#1062007

Erica, the immediate thing I’d like to say that is your husband should know exactly what is giong on with you so that he can support you. If he doesn’t understand Graves’ disease ask him to google it or print some stuff for him and ask him to read it. He must understand that if you are out of remission that he sees in front of him now, isn’t the same person and he needs to know the signs of you declining fast so he can get you help if that does happen before your appt on wednesday.

Any alcohol in my opinion will hurt you right now, you are not thinking clearly even if you feel that you are so taking anything that can hinder your health or mental state will only hurt you.
I’d stay away from any substances like pot, again if this is your thyroid you don’t want that stuff in your body. Your blood pressure, pulse rate all of that changes when on any substance so please stay away from it.

Just the fact that you are thinking about it and might have even said it to your husband would make him think that you are not thinking clearly.

I think that you have to have your lab work done before your dr. can say yes or no to PTU or any Thyroid drug. If he starts to give you PTU and its not your thyroid it can mask something else, so let him run the blood work and find out what exactly it is before diagnosing you.

I went on PTU without any other meds, I too didn’t want to take anxiety pills or anything else but the PTU and I did fine, some people can’t do that so just watch your symptoms and tell your dh about your symptoms so he too can say yes you are acting like this or you didn’t do this before. Remember you might not want to hear what he has to say but he might have a lot of info about your changes.

[Kimberly]

#1062008

Hello – I haven’t seen any specific research studies on this, but the one theoretical concern I’ve heard about wine is that if you are on Anti-Thyroid Drugs, which can potentially cause liver issues, your liver is getting a "double whammy" when you add alcohol to the mix.

As for marijuana, I would proceed with extreme, EXTREME caution before going this route. There is a definitive link between cigarette smoke and Thyroid Eye Disease, but scientists have not identified the specific compounds that are responsible for this link. These same compounds could very well be present in marijuana. Personally, I would err on the side of caution and avoid marijuana as well.

[erica]

#1062009

Thanks for the advice from you both. … in the past my doctor has written me a script before getting blood work back, I know maybe this wasn’t the best practice, but …. I can’t express how excited I am about getting medicine. And angry at myself for waiting so long…

I think that “unclear” thinking is one of the hardest things about Graves’ disease. It is invisible and dangerous. When I am struggling with graves, I make very poor choices and they seem logical at the time, then of course I am judged by those choices. People can think it is an ‘excuse’. Then sometimes when you are seriously upset about something people can say, oh that is just you overreacting from the graves- grrrr…. I know I have said some hurtful things to my husband that I am ashamed over, things I can’t even comprehend that I even thought, let alone said!!! He has forgiven me, but he won’t forget. I fear it has ruined the image he has of me, possibly forever.

Didn’t know about the link from smoke, good to know. My Husband does smoke in the house. I do feel the effects of it, but I don’t want to make him feel bad, as he struggles with the addition and it is a major stress reliever for him from his job. However, to know I am at higher risk for thyroid eye diseases is kinda scary. Luckily for me, even when I had graves bad I never had bulging eyes, that would really freak me out. Perhaps I will show him photos of that online.
Yay, wed and medicine is almost here!

[Kimberly]

#1062010

Hi Erica – From what we’ve heard at recent conferences, second-hand smoke can be damaging as well. Can you ask your husband to smoke outside — or at least to confine it to a particular room?

I’ve met non-smokers who have had serious cases of TED, so exposure to smoke obviously isn’t the only variable involved — but certainly anything that you can do to reduce your risk is beneficial.

Take care!

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