[ewmb]

#1069334

Linda,
I have had Graves for over two years, probably longer. I had the same kinds of symptoms that were confusing with menopause, they still are. I had RAI about 3 months ago and am hoping it worked and I am slowly getting better. Sometimes its one step forward and two back with this disease. I haven’t had the eye involvement. You should probably see an eye person if you haven’t been regularly. They can tell you about how the thyroid affects the eyes.

The hand tremors should get better as your levels settle with the medication but I will tell you that they were one of the last symptoms to disappear for me even now after RAI and being off meds for more than a year. I have just started back on methimazole, very low dose, to help me as my thyroid dies.

Everyone here will be able to tell you about themselves and some of it will fit, some things will feel familiar and some will not be you at all. Graves is so different for each individual.

Welcome to the board and I hope you can find the time to read some of the earlier posts. Some of the information will help you out. It made me feel like this was not just me being crazy.

ewmb

[ely2009]

#1069335

Linda,

Oh – my hand tremors were terrible and they took months to go away after being on meds. I still get them if I’m overtired, stressed etc. I saw an opthamologist right away and am going again. My eyes just don’t seem right.

You will begin to feel better. It just seems like it takes FOREVER.

Hang in there,
Emily

[Linda]

#1019117

Just newly diagnosed with GD. It has been going on for some time over a year or more. I was thinking that the hot and sweating was just the change of life but when the pulse was out of control my family Doctor got rolling. So many tests and new meds. Will the sweating ever go away? Will my energy and strength return? Now have an endoctronoligist and have been on meds for three weeks. The hand tremors do they go away? Have so many questions today can you help! My eyes are out of focus do I need to see a specialist or is it to early?
Please respond
Linda

[Hopeful23]

#1069336

hello and welcome to the family. lol…well im 24 been dealing with graves for four years due to mis diagnosed. I had the tachycadia to the point it was a chore to walk up steps or a straight shot to the kitchen. my resting heart rate was 125 and ran about 170 through the day.. My tremors were out of Freaking control. I could hardly write in class. I couldnt color in bubbles for tests my teacher did it for me. I couldnt put makeup on without really trying to steady my hands. My legs had tremors lol. My legs would shake when i stood in one place or walk too long. I was always hyper and would be on the go ALL THE TIME. I just had Rai done and am now hypo thyroid. i didnt respond well to ptu or tapazole. i am on synthroid 75 mcg. My tremors were the first thing that went away. my Hr then came the weight then hypo.

[Sue_Conard]

#1069337

Welcome Linda…you will find lots and lots of support on this site. I too was dx with GD last Oct. and also have the thyroid eye disease. I’m struggling now with hyperthyroidism, visited Endo dr. a few wks. back and had my meds increased. Went to see my opthalmologist today and he’s working with my Endo dr. on treating my symptoms so he’s now sending me in for my THIRD round of IV Steroid (1000 mg. solumedrol 3x, every other day). With the GD I too experience the hot flushes and recently they have been coming on EVERY 1/2 – 1 hr. if you can believe that!! Along with that, my right eye is now at a 20 prism, hypertrophia (experience double vision) and the inflammation is such, that the eye dr. feels this treatment will help. With the last 2 treatments, I gained 20 extra lbs. that I haven’t been able to lose. I do know that I’ll be drinking lots and lots of water with this treatment as this amount gave me the shingles and kidney stones last treatment. I would definitely recommend seeing an eye dr. b/c if you have the eye disease, RAI can make it worse. Report that your eyes are out of focus to your dr. immediately so you can get the proper treatment. Yes, I too have the tremors. My Endo dr. currently has me on Tapazole as well. You will find people from all around the world and of all ages (I’m in my early 50’s) with this MONSTROUS DISEASE on this site and value everything and relate to what each individual has to say. You’ll find posts and say "that’s me, I’m NOT CRAZY" and so much support, along with lots and lots of hugs. It’s okay to be scared…I told my eye dr. today that I was looking for an organ donor so I could have a new and improved thyroid…he just laughed. Be proactive with your drs. and remember, the squeeky wheel gets the grease!! Believe me, both my Endo dr. & my eye dr. have seen the emotional side of GD with me, many days the tears just flow and THEY understand. Good luck and let us know how your treatment progresses.

[hyperm]

#1069338

Hey,

Just a quick hello and welcome! Deep breaths! We have all been there at some point and I hope that as you ask more questions and get peoples replies you will be able to settle more! It is very scary being diagnosed with this condition as there are so many warnings etc…

If you read back to one of my posts my tremor got so bad I was like an alcoholic with withdrawals – and I mean that not in a sarcastic way as I work with patients like that. They did settle, however, like Emily pointed out on the days I would over do it I would be shaking like a leaf and my heart was like the Edinburgh tattoo – off in its own rhythm – scary isn’t it? But try to remain calm and hopefully the meds will kick in soon and you will feel the benefit.

In the meantime we are all here and want to help and reassure you.

Love and prayers

M xx

[runlacie]

#1069339

Hi Linda! Sorry for your diagnosis, but this is a really nice family you have found here for support. I was just officially diagnosed in late June, but have had symptoms since as early as March. I had RAI on 7/20 and already am starting to improve. My heart rate is dropping and my tremors are pretty much gone. At one time I shook so bad I could hardly write. Anyways, there is hope and this disease is very treatable. I don’t have the eye part, but my Grandma does and she sees a different specialist that her endo sends her to for that. Take care and hoping you are feeling better very soon!

[Linda]

#1069340

Thanks everyone who responded to by cry for help. I feel relieved to know there are so many others that feel like I do. My husband is having a hard time understanding, so I am going to have him read some of your replies this should help.

Linda

[paloma]

#1069341

” title=”Very Happy” /> Welcome, Linda. This IS the best support group you could ask for, besides family!
I had all of the symptoms you listed, and then some! I think the disease did disguise itself as menopause, because I’ve had symptoms for years, I just didn’t realize that they were related to Graves’. Those hot flushes are SOMETHING, huh?
It wasn’t until the tremors and tachycardia got really bad that I saw a doctor. They have subsided with beta blocker (atenolol), but I still can’t apply nail polish or make-up. Oh, well, I didn’t use those anyway! ” title=”Smile” />
It’s great that you have a supportive husband. From what I’ve read here, you’re going to need each other in the months/years ahead. I have a great sister who is my main support, I thank God for her! ” title=”Very Happy” />
Feel free to ask ANY question you think of, you now have friends and a sounding board here!
Anita

[Kimberly]

#1069342

Linda wrote: Will my energy and strength return?

Hi Linda – Everyone’s journey is different, but for me, the worst period was about the first 10 weeks on Anti-Thyroid Drugs. Then things got slowly better after that. Two years later, I ‘m probably not at 100%…maybe 85%. I’ll take that, though, as it sure beats the days I barely made it through the workday, left work at 5:00, went straight home, and put my pajamas on. ” title=”Smile” />

While you are healing, pare your commitments down as much as you can, and practice using the word "NO". ” title=”Very Happy” />

By the way, you do have three treatment options for Graves (Anti-Thyroid Drugs, Radioactive Iodine, and Thyroidectomy). All three have their pros and cons, so definitely do your research and make a choice that YOU are comfortable with. While we should certainly listen to the opinion of our doctors, they are NOT the ones that have to live with the consequences.

Best of luck!

[Author]

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