[Ski]

#1064107

As of now there is absolutely no reliable proof that we can "force" Graves’ into remission. No supplements we can take, diet we can adhere to, or behaviors we can adopt, have the ability to directly affect our thyroid hormone or antibody levels.

We CAN *support* and *assist* treatment by taking good care of our body and training ourselves to be more "Zen." Since antibodies are stimulated when we are stressed, having a better reaction to stress CAN keep the antibodies from being so active. You may well benefit in these ways from a visit to a naturalist. If you do achieve remission through the use of ATDs, these kinds of support MAY result in a longer period of remission, though again, there is no scientific proof of this, it just seems to make rational sense that a healthier body will react in a more healthy way overall.

Just please do not think that you can treat Graves’ without using one of the three proven treatments. Unchecked hyperthyroidism has about a 50/50 chance of being fatal, so it is not something to play with.

And do remember that we didn’t get ill overnight, and we definitely don’t get well overnight. The fact that you don’t feel particularly well right away doesn’t mean your treatment isn’t working. EVERYTHING thyroid takes a long time. Take this time to learn everything you can about thyroid disease in general, Graves’ Disease in particular, and also about Thyroid Eye Disease and Pretibial Myxedema, since you *may* experience one or both of those as well.

[Ski]

#1064108

One more quick comment ~ whatever therapies your naturalist may recommend, make sure you discuss these with your other physicians, and even with your pharmacist. It is possible that the therapies may counteract each other (or affect your absorption of medications), so it’s always a good idea to make sure that EVERYONE involved with your care knows EVERYTHING you are doing.

[snelsen]

#1064109

Ski’s reply to you is exactly how this is for all of us. Her points are very important, and it is likely that the naturopath will say the same thing. I can’t think of anything to add, except that I am glad you found this site. It is very valuable to all of us, and reassuring that we are not alone. If you read some of the prior posts, you will see that there is no quick fix, that it is most preferable for you to have an endocrinologist while you are experiencing Graves’.
Shirley

[somero]

#1018337

I am going to see a Natural Medical Doctor today to try and help my GD into remission…Has any one on here ever taken this route?

[Harpy]

#1064110

Agree with all above.
My partner has been on ATD’s(PTU) for 3.5yrs and has been working with both her Endo & a Naturopath, to heal her body, she has adjusted her diet, lifestyle and is taking a range of supplements along with the PTU, there is a lot of people who have gone down this route. GD is a complex condition and and that’s about the only thing everyone agrees on, it’s cause lies deep within the body and the thyroid effects are merely a symptom of the disease.
If you intend to go down this path then the first thing you must do is educate yourself, this goes for anyone with GD regardless of what treatment path you ultimately choose, anyway you have to be in a good position to be able to decide if a doctor of any type knows their stuff regarding thyroid issues. Look far and wide for information, it’s unlikely you will get all the info from one source.
From what I have seen it takes an average of about 4 years to achieve remission using ATD’s, but it may be 2 years or it may be 10, but that doesn’t mean you will be Hyper for that long, most people stabilise their thyroid hormone levels in 1 to 3 months, and from that time it’s pretty much normal behaviour, just with care as you still have GD even though you may feel ok. Then it is a case of monitoring hormone levels for dose adjustment, Antibody levels to track the healing process, liver function and blood tests to keep an eye on potential side effects of medication, although indications are those that have side effects do so within the first 3 months. I would also keep a symptoms diary, record your resting heart rate and body temp daily(morning is best) and also keep track of your menstrual cycle as these are all good indicatoors of your body’s health.
The ATD’s, MMi or PTU will get your thyroid hormones under control, allow your body to relax and give you time to think.
Supporting your body with a healthy diet and taking stress reduction actions like meditation, yoga and walking regularly are the first things you should do, don’t rush into supplements or alternative therapies, GD is a long trek not a 100 yard dash.
Think of it like climbing a mountain, currently you are on the road heading toward the mountain, you can see it a long way in the distance, this is when you prepare yourself mentally, you study the shape of it and plan your ascent, theres a long way before you actually start the climb, by the time you get there you will have considered all the options available to you and their respective pro’s & con’s so when you get to there you will have your final treatment plan in place and can begin with confidance knowing that it is right for you.

[somero]

#1064111

Well went to by expensive appt with the ND and he was very nice and wants to start me on a personalized diet, he told me to stay on my meds and gave me some supplements to support liver health, he also gave me Iodum, and from everything I read it is just to scary to take that…I did call my Dr. and told her what I am doing and will wait to hear back from her to advise me.

I am just so frustrated…all my muscles hurt and I can’t do anything!!!

I am so glad this site is here!!!!!!!

[snelsen]

#1064112

Glad you are checking it all out with your endo. Can’t find anything at all about lodum. Are you having separate liver issues?
there is a simple group of lab tests which your doctor can order if needed. THey are commonly referred to as "LFT’s" ie liver function tests. The endo will probably do them if you are on an ATD.

[somero]

#1064113

No liver issues, as far as I know…The doctor mentioned cleaning out the toxins? I just want to make sure whatever I take is okay.
Again. Thank you everyone for your experience!

[Harpy]

#1064114

I think you meant "Iodium"
Iodium is a Homeopathic remedy, Homeopathy as I understand, works on the less is more theory, dilution potency, and is disregarded in scientific theory because the levels of active ingredients can hardly be measured on any scale. Homeopathy is quite significant in Europe and growing rapidly in India, Iodium I believe is iodine based, but it’s concentration is so small it would be better described as the essence of iodine.
We did look at Homeopathic remedies but did not take it up, mainly because of a personality clash with the practitioner. I haven’t heard of any side effects or drug reactions as the principles of homeopathy are that it works outside the actions of conventional medicine or nutrition theory and were advised that other medication my partner was taking would not be an issue.
Sorry to hear you have the muscle fatigue so bad, depending on the nature of the symptoms, do you get cramping, restless leg or just general tiredness, maybe try do some research on Carnitine (my partner uses Acetyl L Carnitine) and it may also be a Calcium:Magnesium balance issue, have a look at these as well and you can discuss them with your Endo also.
Do you have bad pre period cramps?
Generally no supplements will give instant relief, it will usually take a week or two to see any effects.
Do you have any dietary restrictions? or conversly is your diet heavily loaded with any particular foodstuff eg are you vegitarian and eat a lot of Soy, this can also aggravate some conditions.
If you don’t have any restrictions then load your diet with a big variety, fresh fruit & veg, healthy meats, nuts and seeds, wholegrain cereals only, reduce carbs and processed foods, think fresh and raw as much as possible, eliminate take away, food colourings, flavourings, artificial sweeteners, trans fats and Soy intake should be controlled, eat only the fermented forms and even those should be limited.
Keep up light exercise like walking it is good for circulation and also stress relief.
Do you have any Anxiety or Nausea issues? or other symptoms?
Sorry if you’ve answered these questions in your other post, will have a read after I post this.

[somero]

#1064115

Harpy I am a mess and I am so scared and frustrated. I think I have read one post where GD affected them so bad they had to quit work…luckily I can get FMLA because at this time I feel like I can’t do anything at all. My Muscle hurt to touch sometimes and at night I can not sleep I am so fidgety. My diet is okay, I do not eat red meat or pork, however I do have a wicked sweet tooth. I just want this FIXED! I am thinking of seeing another endo for a second opinion because I have been on my medication for over a week and feel no change other than itchy.

[ewmb]

#1064116

A week isn’t enough time. I am guessing you are on methimazole or ptu. It can take weeks to start to feel better. I was on atds when I was first diagnosed and I actually felt worse for several months before I started to feel better. Not trying to disappoint you but it’s not a quick fix by any means. You have been sick a long time. All of us who have Graves get very impatient during our recovery. Lots of bad language and crying in my case……My husband was sure my hormones had all cracked

I was diagnosed in Fall 2007- sure I was sick for a while before that as well. Atds didn’t work for me and I finally had RAI in May 2009. Other’s stories are very different than mine but one thread runs through all of them… it takes time to get well. I’m glad that you can take some leave. You need to take care of yourself. You muscles and sleep will get better as the atds start to work.

Hope you have a good sleep tonight.

ewmb

[Bobbi]

#1064117

Perhaps, somero, it would help you to understand a bit about the medication you are taking. The thyroid not only makes thyroid hormone, but it also stores it for future use. The medication you are on acts as a chemical block to the production of NEW thyroid hormone, but it does nothing to those stored supplies. So, until those supplies are used up (and it can take some time), you will not feel any difference. In addition, you and your doctor have to find what I call the "Goldilocks" dose of the medication. You have to be taking just enough to make you "Euthroid" (normal levels of thyroid hormone). If you are taking too little of it, you will remain hyper; if you are taking too much of it, you will go hypo. Finding out what is the proper dose can take weeks.

There are absolutely no quick fixes to Graves disease. There is no magic pill that works instantly to make us feel normal again. Getting back to normal levels of thyroid hormone allows you body to START to heal, and that healing process takes time as well.

The thing you should keep in mind, though, is that our standard treatment options DO work to bring us back to health. They’ve been scientifically demonstrated to control thyroid hormone levels, so that our bodies can heal, and we can return to our normal activities. Be very careful of what you read on the web that may indicate otherwise. Some folks get their jollies by scaring people half to death. And, unfortunately, some people get treatment too late to help them avoid longer term complications. But the vast majority of us do regain our health, and go back to our normal lives.

That said, if you are itching from the medication — if you started itching after you started taking the meds, your doctor does need to know about that sooner, rather than later. There is an alternative antithyroid med (ATD), and there are other options for you to regain your health if you are allergic to the one you were put on.

I hope you are feeling much better, and soon.

[Harpy]

#1064118

As ewmb said above
There is nothing quick with GD, and everyone who gets it gets the anxiety, fear, frustration etc. and other symptoms and no one gets it exactly the same.
You have to have faith, you will get better!
The only thing I think you need to attend to is to get that "itchy" thing checked out, it may be just your version of GD, but it may also be a side effect of the meds, talk to your doctor as soon as possible to clear this up.
Otherwise hold on tight, it’s a rollercoaster for a little while as your condition stabilises,
but you are not crazy and you will come through the other side, once you are stable you can then think more clearly about which direction you want to take. The first stage is the hardest and for most people the worst is over in about a month and then by three months you should feel nearly back to normal and will most likely be on a reduced maintenance dose of medication.

[somero]

#1064119

I know I am impatient and the more I read on here the more I see that I am just going to have to cope with it until it gets better.
Thank you and I will rely on prayer to get me through this instead of finding a quick magic fix ” title=”Wink” />

[cynthia]

#1064120

good morning I can totally understand your feelings I had a horrid time at first so weak couldn’t stand or walk a few feet was very difficult to deal with am type a personality and don’t take bed rest well went on both antithroid drugs had problems with both muscle cramps with meth…. and itching with ptu pushed hard for surgery and when I finally had the surgery felt better the day after which might have a lot to do with being off the anti throid meds… anyway try hard and be patient because it will be a while before you feel much better take one day a at a time… anyway had my surgery on 8/9 and am getting better slowily still weak and have a hard time with any tpye of activity my daughters are always telling me to take it easy but am sooo sick of this weakness and limitations it is difficult but it isn’t like we really have a choice so might as well try and rest and take care of ourselfs I wish you all the luck with what ever treatment you decied to have

[Author]

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