[kallikat]

#1075540

Same thing happened with me. It’s not at all comforting to know that most people LOSE weight with GD.
I had RAI 13 months ago. I haven’t gained anymore weight – but I can’t seem to lose it, either. BUT – I no longer have palpitations, my blood pressure is better, my cholesterol is better, and I’m not panicky and anxious like I was. I’m depressed about my weight (VERY DEPRESSED) – but I feel having RAI helped me tremendously. Just remember that afterward you may become HYPO (like me), and it is difficult to lose weight. But you’re not going to lose it like you are, either.
I’m hoping that someone will come up with a pill or special diet for people like us. In the meantime, we need to hang in there and thank the Good Lord we didn’t die in a thyroid storm.

[Ski]

#1075541

Hi everybody,

There’s no question this takes its toll on us ~ now, in answer to beana, if you were diagnosed four years ago, have you been taking PTU and beta blockers all this time? Or did you attain remission at some point and stop the meds? You don’t mention your current thyroid hormone levels ~ have they been tested lately? If you are still taking PTU, it’s possible that your dose needs to be changed ~ I never took PTU, but my understanding is that your dose requirements change over time, so you need continuous monitoring to keep your thyroid hormone levels where they ought to be. [Well, no matter what, we should always have our thyroid hormone levels tested occasionally (annually would be best) even after we’ve had treatment and are on thyroid hormone replacement.]

If your thyroid is still functioning at any level, the antibodies will act on the tissue at varying rates and symptoms will fluctuate. The most important contributing factor to our feeling normal is to get to, and stay at, a good thyroid hormone level. I mean stay at for months, not days. When you’re hyperthyroid, your body, every cell, is under attack. Once your body gets back to normal levels, we compare it to the situation after a hurricane. The wind is no longer blowing, the rain has stopped, but the roof is in the tree. So, you need to find your normal thyroid hormone level (however you do that, through meds, RAI, or surgery), and then you can begin to heal from the onslaught. I know it’s frustrating, but that won’t change the facts. It doesn’t sound as if you’re at a good level right now, or perhaps you’ve fluctuated a lot and your body is tired (fluctuating is almost as stressful to the body as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism).

I can probably be of more help once you’ve given us a little more information about where you stand right now. We do understand, we’ve all gone through it, and it’s frustrating. I think we’ve all found that knowing more about what’s going on has helped us get through it. Above all, be kind to yourself right now. You might not think you’re very ill, but thyroid imbalance is very debilitating. Take it easy. Also, nothing happens quickly, so get to know your patient side.

I look forward to hearing more from you…

[beana]

#1019997

I was diagnosed with hyperthyrodism or Graves Disease about four years ago. I have been on PTU and beta blockers then I developed high blood pressure and swolen feet. I have all the symptoms horrible heart palpatations, sweats, stomach cramps, eye problems and the most confusing of all I am gaining weight like there is no tommorow. I am extremly exhaused all the time and have no strenght or consentration it is just not me and no one is listing to me. My Dr. says this is what happens but has no answer for my weight gain. She suggest I do RAI but I am afraid I will gain more weight as is I have a hard time cleaning the house, walking up and down the stairs and doing all the things I used to do. I have been reading about homeopathic medicine but I am so weary. Please give me some input.

[beana]

#1075542

ski asked a couple of questions that might help him give me a better answer. I am on PTU and Beta Blockers and high blood pressure medicen/ water pill. I was taking them 2pills four times a day and gradually the dr lowered me to only twice a day. my t3 and t4 is stable howerver my tsh level that i test every three months or so is still <0.01 she tells me i am fine but i do not feel fine and no one around me even slightly knows how exhaused and frustrated i feel. I am only 38 and I feel 70. I am thinking and researchin the holistic aproach because in the back of my mind i feel that RAI is a drastic measure and my weight will increase i am a size 20 now with out of control hyperthyrodism what will I turn into? Please I need as much input as possible.

[Ski]

#1075543

If you’ve been taking meds for four years, and your TSH is still unmeasurable (<0.01), then even with normal T4 levels, you are considered subclinical hyperthyroid. Your doctor should NOT be satisfied, after all this time, with this TSH level and your symptoms. If I were you, I would search up a different physician. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, a general practitioner who knows you and is willing to do some research on Graves’ can be your best possible resource. What you need is someone who understands just how complex this is for the patient to deal with and for the doctor to treat EFFECTIVELY.

Just for the record, holistic approaches may help with your symptoms, but nothing except ATDs, RAI, surgery, or thyroid failure can bring down your thyroid hormone levels. Nothing. In the days before there were any treatments for Graves’, it had a 50% fatality rate, because half the patients would die before their thyroid did.

The ONLY danger with hypothyroidism is if it goes on too long, and we have thyroid hormone replacement to counteract that. Thyroid hormone replacement is chemically identical to what our body already produces, so it’s not a strain on our liver and kidneys the same way that other medications can be. Weight gain is not an absolute given, and a good diet and reasonable stretching (within your personal limits) can minimize that.

Keep asking questions, we’re here to get you through this!!

[beana]

#1075544

Thank you very much Ski. I am taking your advice and looking for another endocrinologist who hopefully will take time out and listen to me instead of dismissing my concerns. When I was telling my dr that I am constantly exhaused and out of breath he blamed it on my overweight and the fact that I was a full time mom, wife and had a job. But, atleast I have the knowledge that RAI is not the worst thing.

[Ski]

#1075545

You’re welcome beana,

Unfortunately there are far too many doctors who are very comfortable in dismissing our symptoms, patting us on the head and telling us to go home and snap out of it. Graves’ has taught me not to tolerate that. You’ll be on a better path soon, I’m sure of it. Here’s to health! (Count it in baby steps, a little better each day.)

(And by the way, I’m a she. I often forget that you can’t tell by the name…) ” title=”Very Happy” />

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