[Bobbi]

#1074659

You should get a copy of your blood test results — there should be no problem with that because they are, after all, your tests. Then, check the thyroid panel readings. Not that you (or we) can interpret these results, but you can tell whether or not the numbers are within the normal zone or whether they are outside of normal. The lab which sent back the report will tell you that. If the numbers are normal, watching for six months may not make a difference. If the numbers are abnormal, then get a second opinion reasonably quickly — probably from an endocrinologist although sometimes there is a waiting period to get an appointment from an endo. You do not want to wait six months if your lab numbers for the thyroid panel are abnormal.

In addition, you might make an appointment with an opthamologist to determine whether or not your eyes are being impacted by thyroid eye disease. It is slightly possible that your pcp thinks you might be developing the eye disease (in which case, waiting and seeing is standard practice) and its on this basis that he has given you the Graves diagnosis. (It is possible to get the eye disease before the thyroid numbers go wonky.) But an opthamologist needs to treat the eye disease (or watch and wait –depending upon the findings) so it makes sense to get that input sooner, rather than later.

The grainy feeling in your eyes could well be because they are dry. Even if you are more aware of tears than you used to have, it could be a sign of dry eyes which very often accompanies thyroid disease. To protect the cornea when dry eyes are the condition, you need to use artificial tears frequently enough that you do not feel dryness. These types of drops are available in grocery stores and drug stores, in a variety of brands. The key is to look for "artificial tears" and not "get the red out" types of drops. My endocrinologist and opthamologist prefer that I use the single-use packets of these tears — the ones without preservatives in them. I never asked why. But many people use the types that come in multi-use bottles which say "preservative free in the eye" (whatever THAT means).

I hope these suggesitons help — and good luck.

[KAM]

#1074660

Hi,
Sorry to hear of your diagnoses. My wife was diagnosed with Graves a year ago. There is a book titled, Graves Disease, In Our Own Words. You can order it on this site or through Amazon. It is very factual and straight forward. I agree with the people that think this book should be manditory reading for every person and spouse diagnosed with this disease. I read it last month and wish I would have found it last year. If you are married or have a significant other please have them read this book.
Kam

[debhasgraves]

#1019867

Hello eveyone and thanks for being here. I was just diagnosed yesterday with grave’s by my pcp. He stated that I am in the early stages and he will re-test me in six months, meanwhile he is not treating me. I have been suffering with depression and anxiety for two years now. I’m 35yrs old and I feel like I’m having hotflashes also my resting pulse at the drs office was 116!! My eyes have been feeling blury and grainy for about two months now. Does this seem normal to anyone out there you know the no treatment thing? Thanks in advance

[debhasgraves]

#1074661

Thanks for your input. I work for a gastroenterologist and I had him take a look at my bloodwork results today and he agrees with you. He gave me the names of some endo docs and thinks I should see one asap. Once I have that set up I will look for an eye doc.

[Madame_X]

#1074662

Deb, see an endo.

An increased heart rate is dangerous — and so is no treatment at all for Graves.

[shebaj]

#1074663

Hi, everyone i’m new to this site but unfortunately not to the disease. I was diagnosed october 2007 when i was in the delivery room pushing out my daughter, my ob doctor was so non chalant about the whole thing i thought it wasn’t a big deal. she said like she just asked me if i wanted a drink or something. it went something like oh, yeah your tests came back today and you have Graves. i had never heard of this before that day so since she was calm so was i. i was alright for the first couple of months i was on 100 mg of ptu 3x’s a day and i was feeling fine so once the medicine ran out i didnt bother going back i just stopped taking it. WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS!! in october of 2008 i started getting really bad headaches and then i would feel really dizzy and out of breath it’s getting worse and worse. i went to see my pcp and i had all the questions i wanted to ask written on a piece of paper, but she rushed me out so quickly i didnt have time to ask or say anything i felt like she just wanted to get me out of her office because she didnt know much about the disease (she gave me nothing but a referrel to see an endo) well, i’m still waiting. i went through the er on last friday jan, 2, 2009 he put me on propranolol and gave me percocets for the headaches. the propranolol makes me very drowsy and tired and once it wears off the headaches, dizzyness and palpatations are right back. i went back today to see my pcp and again she was no help at all, she even had the nerve to prescribe to me an anxiety medicine that she wants me to take 3x’s a day and only when i’m home! what? i know that she has to know that anxiety medicine is not going to help unless it’s going to stop this thyroid from producing so much hormone and i doubt it does that. i am not taking the zombie medicine at all!! i did however call and was able to get an appt with the endo but its going to be hard living like this until july the ninth (that’s the first opening the endo has) seven months from now!! i dont know what to do or where to turn. i have medicaid and i stay in la. and there is only one clinic that accepts medicaid in the whole new orleans, baton rouge area. i really need help i think im going to go crazy if i have to live like this for seven more months with four kids!

[MonikaOH]

#1074664

Can you check other endos?
I would call around when they have first appointments and ask pcp to resend refferal.
The longer you wait, the worse it gets and is harder to get under control.
I waited 3 months and regrat it, I lost 67 lbs.
Good luck!

[MonikaOH]

#1074665

I forgot, they changed propranolol on me, I take atenolol and it works better.
In the meantime when you wait, try to rest more (I know it’s hard with 4 kids), avoid iodized salt, see food, and generally salted processed food.
I think if i were you, I would look for another pcp, too

[sarabear0508]

#1074666

I had a pcp that she wanted to wait the 6 months. I was SO sick and made her re-test me. I told her I wanted answers. She was terrible. I switched pcp and they take me very seriously and I don’t have to beg for good care. It’s despicable and disgusting that when someones blood work comes back showing there’s a problem THAT NOBODY DOES ANYTHING. Doctors like this should be ashamed of themselves. You definitely need to find a new pcp and have them give you a referral to an endocrinologist! It’s funny because my pcp never found the disease it was my gastrointestinal doc that found it! He was excellent and understood that my symptoms were classic of a thyroid issue! Keep your head up. I would also ask for a beta-blocker, it’s a god send when you have a recing heart. My resting heart rate was 110 and at night gets much higher. But with the meds….I’m great! Listen to your body and never give up. Keep us posted!

Best of luck!

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