[elf]

#1073335

Fatique, achy muscles, weight gain, no energy – may be indicators that you are a bit more hypo than you need to be. People may feel different (more hyper or more hypo) even within normal thyroid level ranges, so keeping track of your tests levels and connecting the numbers with how you feel will help you figure out where in the ranges you feel the best.

[janetvj]

#1073336

Thanks elf. I wondered about that, but my endocrinologist seems to be relying more on the numbers than on how I’m feeling. Truth be told, since I developed Graves Disease right at the same time I became post-menopausal, I sometimes wonder myself which of these is causing my symptoms. Are the hot flashes due to menopause, or due to the Graves? Are the muscle aches just me getting old, or is it Graves? Is the lack of exercise causing the lack of energy, or is the lack of energy (Graves) causing the lack of exercise.

All I know is that I don’t like feeling this way. I will take your advice on watching the numbers. Meanwhile, I’ve already asked the doc about trying to go off the meds and see what happens. He said he’d like to see me on the meds a full 2 years before trying that. That’s not too far off, so I guess I’ll hang in there.

[elf]

#1073337

That’s a tough one. I personally would think that the low energy and sore muscles would rather stem from Graves (from being hypo). Weight gain may be somewhat from both. Maybe someone here going through the same, could help :” title=”Question” />

[Kimberly]

#1073338

A few thoughts…

1. Are you getting copies of each set of labs with Free T3 and Free T4 tests? Or is your doctor just telling that you are "normal"? I agree with the comment that it’s important to personally keep tabs on all your levels. Some people feel their best when the Free T3 and Free T4 are in mid-range, but some feel better when these levels are towards the upper end of "normal".

2. Is there any reason you are skipping days with the meds? You might talk to your doctor about maintaining a lower dose, but taking the pills consistently at the same times every day. With the schedule you are on, the medicine is completely out of your system for a couple of days a week. If needed, you can get a pill splitter for just a few dollars and cut the 5 mg tablets in two.

3. I have found that the 6-7 hours of sleep that I used to do fine on is no longer OK. I now need at least 8 hours during the week…plus I sneak a little extra in on the weekend. It really wreaked havoc on my schedule, but that’s what I need to feel good. Side note: at my last endo visit, the tech was taking my blood pressure, etc. and asked about my sleeping patterns. I told her I wasn’t having any issues sleeping, and that I got about 8 hours a night and 9-10 hours on the weekend. She kind of rolled her eyes and said, "THAT must be nice." I’m thinking, "deep breath…deeeeeep cleansing breath…DON’T strangle her…"

Good luck – I know this is frustrating!

[janetvj]

#1073339

haha – Thanks Kimberly – I wonder if with having to deal with those kinds of comments whether there is any correlation between homicidal rages and Graves disease?

As for the meds, my doctor told me to skip days (the same 2 days every week) rather than splitting the pills. He said that the levels would stay pretty consistent in my system this way. I figure he knows what he’s doing. Have you gotten different advice? And I do get the actual numbers when I get the tests done. The last results were: T4 – 1.00, T3 – 2.79, TSH – 3.69.

I do try to get enough sleep. I fall asleep easily, but I sometimes have problems staying asleep. But, again, I have had issues with insomnia long before I developed Graves Disease. And I can pretty much pinpoint when the Graves began, as I had normal thyroid results from a routine exam in June 2007, and was diagnosed after developing symptoms and having another blood test (along with some other tests), in September – October 2007.

I truly believe that stress plays a big factor in this disease. My job has greatly contributed to my stress level, and with this in mind (as well as considering many, many other factors) I’ve decided to retire May 1st. I’m hoping I can then focus more on getting my health back, so I can enjoy my retirement life.

[janetvj]

#1019674

Hello all:

I stumbled onto this board and was glad to find this resource for dealing with Graves. I was diagnosed a year and a half ago – I had the classic symptoms described by most of you. I went on the beta-blocker (I also have hypertension, so I was able to eliminate the medication I had been using to regulate the blood pressure and substitute the beta-blocker – killing 2 birds with 1 stone?). I also went on methimazole starting with 20 mg every day, and am now down to 10 mg 5 days a week. My levels are now within normal range. I was lucky enough to not have any serious issues with my eyes (a little dryness now and then), I didn’t lose any hair, and most of the other symptoms – palpitations, tremors, sweating, shortness of breath, nervousness, etc. – have abated. However, I have gained 40 pounds over the last year and a half. I feel miserable; fatigued, no stamina, achy muscles – just an overwhelming feeling of blah. I used to exersize regularly, and loved to go on long hikes and bike rides, but now I can barely work up enough energy to drag myself out of bed. I hate feeling this way. Is it the medication? Does anyone have any suggestions for jump-starting my energy level? Or is this the way I’m going to feel for the rest of my life?

[Ski]

#1073340

I was on methimazole for a short time, and I did have kind of an extra lethargy, beyond what my levels would suggest, but I have never seen it on a list of possible side effects. It may have more to do with the way our body reacts to the changes it causes. You say that you had a normal thyroid hormone level just months before you were diagnosed with Graves’ ~ have you attained THAT specific level on methimazole, or are you just falling within the (enormous) normal range? If you are not at that specific point, see if your doctor will adjust your meds a little to get you exactly there, wait six weeks or so, and see how you feel then. It can take up to six weeks for your body to fully "register" the new dose, that’s why I would suggest waiting to get labs done or make a final decision on how it makes you feel.

[Author]

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