[stacey56]

#1059135

Anyone choosing no treatment?

I have been diagnosed with graves 6 months ago but, my numbers are not that bad and I had an uptake. I am only having a few symptoms. I have seen the Endo 2 times in 6 months with no changes.

Is anyone choosing no treatment and is this safe?

[Bobbi]

#1172442

Whether or not it is safe depends upon what you mean by “Graves.” Some folks are diagnosed with Graves who have symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). It is quite typical for doctors to wait, with no treatment. On the other hand if your blood tests show that you are hyperthyroid — which is what I suspect you mean — then it is most definitely NOT safe to wait things out.

[Darcy43]

#1172443

As horrible as treatment can be I am so glad I went to the Endo immediately when my family physicial saw my goiter. I told him of my symptoms, excessive sweating, skin rashes, moodiness, evilness, tired, rapid heart beat, etc. I was diagnosed and placed on meds. Yes due to the hormonal flux with meds, etc. I lost a lot of hair, gained weight but I havent’ had a heart attack. It was so severe and I couldn’t sleep for months. I know sleep, I am not losing anymore hair and God Bless It I am on a very teeny tiny amount of meds now. My numbers regulated with treatment. I could only imagine what would have happened if I did not heed my doctor’s advice and seek treatement. I have a long way to go before I am in remission, but I am doing my very best with the healing process because I want to get and remain better. Please watch your labs, keep in touch with your doctor.

[catstuart7]

#1172444

Hi Stacey, I’d say definitely if you aren’t going to do treatment have a schedule set up with your doctor for regular labs (like every 3 months) and a list of baseline symptoms to watch so you know if you need to sound the alarm. Like right now get in the habit of taking your blood pressure and pulse at the same time of day – maybe once a week – and recording it. For me those two, particularly the pulse, have been a very reliable barometer of what my thyroid is up to. Looks at the mood too, how easy it is to get angry. And if you get insanely hungry and nothing you eat can possibly satisfy you, watch out!

[Darcy43]

#1172445

Hey Catstuart

I think you had posted a while ago a heart monitor that I could buy at a store. Do you have the name or if Target, Best Buy or Walmart would carry it? I really want to keep track of my pulse as well. Thanks.

[snelsen]

#1172446

try a sporting goods store, like Big 5. Probably Best Buy has them, too. They are pretty cheap.

[catstuart7]

#1172447

What I was thinking of was these automatic bp/pulse takers that have memory like this
http://www.amazon.com/Omron-Bp652-Series-Blood-Pressure/dp/B004D9P1A8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339796688&sr=8-1&keywords=omron+wrist+blood+pressure+monitor

[PolishTym]

#1172448

Anytime someone avoids treatment that person is running a risk. I know some non-Graves’ situations when people were worse off when avoiding treatments for their conditions. For Graves’, I don’t think the treatments are typically worse than the condition.

[Darcy43]

#1172449

Thanks for the information regarding the heart monitors.

[Carito71]

#1172450

Hello! I had no choice. My heart rate was tachy and therefore was given Propranolol. I don’t want to have heart problems so I went ahead and started taking what the Endocrinologist ordered to lower my thyroid. I figured having thyroid problems would be a lot easier without congestive heart failure.

Hope you feel better soon,
Caro

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