[Anonymous]

#1076260

Welcome, Sarah, to our Board.

Basically, it sounds like you took in the things the doctors said remarkably well, given what you have been through lately. Your doctors seem to have taken the time to explain things to you, which was good.

As for your question on gaining weight after RAI, I can give a bit of explanation. Actually, weight gain occurs regardless of the treatment option you choose because the most important part of the weight you may have lost through your ordeal has been through the loss of muscle mass. Being hyperthyroid causes us to lose muscle in the large muscles particularly: the legs, arms, chest. This is the main reason that you feel so weak right now. You ARE weak — there is not as much muscle as you used to have to provide you with strength and stamina. Muscle weighs more than other tissues. But it also burns more calories than other tissues, even at rest, so losing muscle lowers the metabolism. I know that seems strange, with your current sense that your metabolism must be set on “puree”. When you regain control of thyroid hormone levels, and control them in the “normal” zone, the muscle begins to slowly come back, and this will appear to you as weight gain. The muscle is not strong muscle when it comes back, and you will need to do some thoughtful exercising to strengthen it. But it’s presence once again will allow you to eat more without gaining excessive amounts of weight.

The absolute most important thing you can do for yourself with all of this going on is to eat wisely and well. If you can eliminate “empty calories” for the most part, fine. Desserts and snacks with no nutrional values should be avoided if you want to avoid unnecessary weight gain. But if you eliminate necessary foods and food groups, you could be further undermining your already fragile health. You need a nutritionally dense and balanced diet right now.

Another word of advice — try to look at the coming months as a process towards regaining health, rather than any type of more instant “fix.” We DO regain our health, but it can take a bit more time than we expect. We use the image of a hurricane to explain the process. Consider hyperthyroidism to be a metabolic “hurricane” in your body. Just as after a hurricane roars through town there is destruction left in its wake, hyperthyroidism leaves damaged tissue systems in its wake. The body needs time to HEAL afterwards–rebuild if you will — before we feel 100% again. If you watch progress, rather than expecting rather immediate “normal” afterwards, it will help you to be more patient with the process.

I do hope you are feeling much better, soon.
Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1020183

Hi Sara-

Welcome to the board. I just wanted to let you know that what you are describing is quite similar to my story. Mine was def brought on by stress and went undiagnosed for years I believe, even the last dr in MI I saw for my heart checked my thyroid and found my TSH at < .01 (which is how my labs read they only read to .01 so if its under it says less than)and still was checking my heart and doing nothing about the thyroid. It was by my constant nagging and being my own advocate that I found a dr here in PA who treated my thyroid condition. I too am taking the propanol for my heart and it has def helped the other symptoms as I am off my PTU waiting for my RAI and am feeling quite good even though the last labs showed me hyper still. The propanol has stopped my hair falling out and my heart does not palpatate or race as often. Do a search and read some of the replys from the moderators they are wonderful and they too have struggled with Graves but are now on the other side and doing well. It is very encouraging to know that there is a light at the end. Hang in there and I am glad to hear you are finally getting the treatment you need. Renee

[Anonymous]

#1076261

Newbie:

Welcome! You have found the right place to help you get through this ordeal. I couldn’t have made it without this site. I also was told that it had been coming on for years. It’s been almost 1 1/2 years since I was diagnosed and 3 months since RAI. My thyroid died officially about 3 weeks ago and I am on Levoxyl. I have gained a few pounds, but I can finally feel the muscle starting to rebuild. Prior to all this I push mowed my 1 acre lot and did all my yard work, etc. but haven’tt’ been able to for over a year. Well, I’m back out mowing my yard and helping with cleaning it up. The muscles hurt, but I can tell it’s a good hurt – I know the muscles are coming back. I haven’t felt this good in over 5 years. My GP is reducing my Toprol, but I do want to get a stress test when all is said and done just to rule out any permanent heart damage. I still have some episodes with my heart, but nothing I can’t live with.

It may realistically take you longer than you think to get well, it could take a year or so to get back to normal. This was hard for me to accept, but it is easier to accept that and work my way back carefully then to overdue and slow down the healing process. Pace yourself – you are on the right track now.

Trish

[Anonymous]

#1076262

Renee,

I see you live in PA. So do I. Do you know of a local support group. I live in eastern PA, about an hour from Phila.

Trish

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