[vinnyfish]

#1058976

Hello everyone! My name is Vinny and I’m 45 years old and a father of a 9 year old who lives, eats and sleeps football.

Today was a depressing day for me to hear this news! My TSH has tested <0.01L and my t4 free 2.2 high twice my antibodies are 304 high with normal reading to be <35IU/ml.

My doctor has put me also on 5mg daily of Methimazole. She also said higher doeses would be bad for your liver. I live in Florida and for Doctor to tell me no sun activity for 6 weeks was enough to make my mind spin.

She told me about the Disease and handed me my Hormone Foundation sheet and here was this site. I’m now seeking all the possible infomation on this. My ultrasound was also negative.

Regards….

[Bobbi]

#1171302

Hi, vinnyfish, and welcome to our board.

I’m curious about the “no sun” comment from your doctor. I hadn’t heard of that type of restriction before. I guess when I sign off here, I’ll go out onto the Web and see what I can find.

And, how great that your doctor gave your information about our site! What we try to do here is answer questions that people have about what everything means (TSH, T4,that sort of thing) and provide some moral support while you are getting stabilized.

While I know that it is unpleasant to get a diagnosis like this, please know that we have three treatment options that work to give us back our health. We CAN get healthy again.

[gatorgirly]

#1171303

Hi Vinny,

I’m also curious about the “no sun activity” comment. I was living in Florida when I was diagnosed, and my endocrinologist never one mentioned the sun. I certainly didn’t want to spend any time outside in Florida because of my heat intolerance, but it was never even brought up in any appointment. Then again, I took PTU not methimazole so maybe that’s the difference? I would ask him why you can’t be out it in the sun for the next six weeks. I’m a firm believer that the sun, fresh air and vitamin D work wonders for our bodies and minds…with sunscreen, of course.

[adenure]

#1171304

Hi Vinny!

Welcome; I too, am fairly new at this. I’ve been on 5 mg. daily of Methimazole for 5 weeks now. I noticed an improvement in 2 weeks with symptoms. I’d say that, just now, I’m starting to feel somewhat like my old self again. I live in San Diego, so we have sun year round too! My doctor didn’t say anything about staying out of the sun. If your doctor is insistent about staying out of the sun, you could always sport one of those huge umbrellas for shade! I have 4 boys- not football though- they’re competitive gymnasts (the older 2 are- 8 y.o. and 7 y.o.). My 4 year old takes classes & my 5 month old just watches! I know it’s hard to hear the news about Graves Disease, but stay positive and I hope you react well to your meds.!

Alexis

[Kaeljia]

#1171305

Hi Vinny, I hope you are feeling better.. as a person with Graves Disease, and on medication to help level it off you are sensitive to the sun. You may burn easier it is the medicine that makes you sun sensitive. Just wear proper clothing and a higher sunscreen, don’t forget your eyes are sensitive to light as well and wear good sunglasses.
Kellie

[vinnyfish]

#1171306

Thanks Everyone!! yes my doctor said that are bodies overheat and sweat. she said for the next 6 weeks to do it until I do another blood test and see her in June! I’m really hoping this medication 1st works! I’m not sleeping, I’m exhausted, tired, snappy also I get headaches and pains in the back of my eyes and I have shakes in the hands and legs as well as sore bones. I din’t know what was wrong with me until my Physical this year!

[adenure]

#1171307

I hear you there with all those symptoms (minus the eye pain)- plus I would get weird numb sensations in my face, arms & legs that would come & go. When the insomnia was really bad and I could barely function, I would take a 25 mg. of benadryl- just the anisthamine- to get groggy & sleep. My doctor suggested it for a temporary fix; I’ve used it 6 times in the last 2 months. Now (5 weeks into the methimazole) I’m sleeping better– not great, but enough to feel pretty good during the day. I didn’t have to take any Benadryl at all this week- hoping I don’t need it anymore.

Alexis

[elisiaann]

#1171308

I am in shock! Your doctor only has you on 5mg a day? I am on 20mg a day and he is thinking of increasing in June if he isn’t happy with my numbers. I have been on 20mg a day in December, and I don’t feel any different. Still miserable, so I wish you the best!!!!

[vinnyfish]

#1171309

She only gave me 5mg cause it can mess with your liver. I’m going back in July to see the specialist and she ordered some more blood work and I’m sure some other Blood test the MD didn’t order on this Thyroid. I will see what happens in June. Betta Blockers? is something I should be taking??

[Kimberly]

#1171310

Hello – A couple of quick notes…

1. Dosing is very individual, so what is appropriate for one patient won’t necessarily be right for another person. Liver issues *are* a factor to be aware of when taking anti-thyroid drugs, but serious complications are quite rare.

2. Not all patients will be prescribed beta blockers. They do not control the hyperthyroidism itself, but can provide temporary relief from symptoms such as rapid heart rate and tremors. If these symptoms become worrisome, it’s worth asking your doc about.

[adenure]

#1171311

My endo. said that as long as my heart rate (resting) was below 100 and I wasn’t having anxiety issues, I didn’t need to take a beta blocker (although my primary did prescribe one if I decided to take it). In the end, I didn’t take the beta blocker as my heart rate hovered in the 80’s & 90’s while I was waiting for the methimazole to start working. Yeah, I did have anxiety… but, I just dealt with it. I didn’t have panic attacks, but I was anxious. The methimazole has worked for me in those areas though as my resting heart rate is back to around 62 (my normal) and the anxiety is gone.

Alexis

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