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I am new to all of this and most of it might as well be in Chinese.
I saw my primary doctor last month for a small goiter. After blood work, nuclear uptake and a biopsy [the nodule is benign] he put me on Methimazole 20mg and Propranolol 60mg. I found out that I have “Graves’ disease without storm” from a work order to have more blood drawn [which came in the mail] where it was listed under “Problems”. So I haven’t spoken to the doctor at all in the last month. My next appointment is the end of May.
I can’t sleep, I have Boomer’s BM problems, my blood pressure is 103 / 48 [why do I take a medicine for high blood pressure?], I unplugged my alarm clock since every time I looked at it at night the red numbers were melting together and doing a dance.
I called to talk to my doctor but he [through his nurse] won’t see me before the next appointment.
Sorry, I just wanted to vent a little. I’m sure he’ll explain it all and I’ll be fine, just don’t have much confidence.Hello and welcome! Quite frankly, that’s really awful that your doc sent you on your way with a couple of unfamiliar prescriptions – and never spoke to you at all about your diagnosis!
For those of us with Graves’, our relationship with our endocrinologist is a fairly long-term one, so you might consider a second opinion. The “Looking for a Doctor?” thread in the announcements section of the forum includes links to several different search engines.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Graves’ can also affect the eyes and the skin (usually on the front of the shin) in addition to the thyroid.
Anti-thyroid drugs are actually one of three treatment options available for Graves’. The other two are surgery to remove the thyroid and radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. ALL three treatment options have pros and cons, so you definitely want to do your research and make an informed decision.
On the positive side, some patients who use anti-thyroid drugs for a period of time will go into remission from Graves’. However, there are some rare, but serious side effects that you need to be aware of involving liver issues and white blood cell count. If your pharmacist gave you an information sheet with your prescription, definitely take a close look at that and contact your doctor ASAP if you experience any of the warning signs. (For example, sore throat with fever can be a sign of white blood cell issues and yellowing of the skin/eyes can be a sign of liver problems).
The “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of the forum includes links to a couple of nice resources that will hopefully be helpful.
Take care – and please check back to let us know how you are doing!
Hi Barbra. Welcome to the best place to get some answers, vent if you need to, and to learn from others experiences.
My first suggestion: GET A NEW DOCTOR….if you can. Endocrinologists are the most versed in this disease, however, not all endos are created equal (haha) and some PCPs are fabulous at treating this disease. Regardless, the more you become educated, the better you can help your doctor manage YOUR disease. Quite frankly, the options can be confusing, the labs can be confusing, and on top of that, while you are in an active stage, you are feeling miserable.
This forum and us on it have a lot in common and yet each one of us experiences this disease very or slightly different. So grab some paper, make a folder, start clicking thru this website, post your questions and I promise… you will be glad you found us!
Best wishes, karen
Howdy Barbra!
Welcome to the best place around to find answers to all of your questions. I’m really new to this stuff myself but I’m learning a lot. Stick around and you will too!
I’m really wiped out tonight so I’m not my usual long-winded self. See? Things are getting better already
Just wanted to pop in, say hello, and thank you profusely for forever associating me with frequent BMs.
Just teasing- I literally laughed out loud! Oops! Gotta go hose off… (not really- things are much better in that department).
Love and courage to you,
Sir Poopsalot
Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words [and for the spell check].
I’m not feeling too bad today, just taking an extra step here and there. I’m not dizzy, just leaning a bit. Makes me wonder why I’m taking high blood pressure medication. And why am I so darn hungry all the time? I’ve been eating everything that can’t get away fast enough.
I’ll give my doctor one last shot at this at the next appointment and see what and who his recommendation is.
And, Boomer, from what I can see you are not the only knight in this kingdom vying for time on the “throne”.Hugs.
Barbra.Aw shucks, Barba, you say the nicest things…
By all means talk to your doctor but in my limited knowledge the BP med (propranolol) in to lower heart rate AND BP. And the hunger hit me like a ton of bricks as well.
Think about it- while Hyper our bodies were, essentially, consuming themselves due to malabsorbtion of nutrients. The food passed right on through. So now that the Methimazole is slowing The Thyroid (metabolism) down and is no longer consuming muscle mass we have to give it more food to rebuild.
As I said- Talk to your doctor by all means. Your situation parallels mine in many ways – same symptoms same meds and now the same ravenous appetite. Now that the BMs have slowed down I’m happy to be eating so much and drawing strength from it.
Love and comfort to you,
Boomer
Edited to corect typos (and avoid incompetence charges)
Hi Barbra – You should start to see some relief from the extreme hunger as your levels stabilize.
Not all Graves’ patients are prescribed a beta blocker. It’s primarily used in patients who need immediate relief from symptoms such as rapid heart rate (as Boomer noted) and also tremors. Should you start to feel symptoms of excessively low blood pressure, I would definitely call the doc’s office for some further guidance:
(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-blood-pressure/DS00590/DSECTION=symptoms
Take care!
I have actually always been healthy, no flu or even colds for me. I swung within a few pounds of my ideal weight and my only vice was smoking. For the last 7 years I nursed my husband, with the aid of Hospice for the last year, through his cancer. He passed away last November. Since then I have developed migraines, a prolapsed bladder, had a fall and hurt my arm [which still aches like a sore tooth most every day], found a small goiter [benign] and was told I have Graves’.
I seem to be coming apart at the seams. It’s good that all this didn’t happen earlier because I needed my energy for my husband. But what do I do now?
I’m just a bit discouraged and overwhelmed today.I think I’ll sit down and eat until I explode.
Hi Barbra,
I too was diagnosed after taking care of my mother for 10 years with lupus, then my father was in a car accident and ended up taking care of him for 3 years due to a traumatic brain injury. This is just MHO, but it seems when the stress died down in my life is when I got sick.
I think my body was so used to the stress induced state, that it freaked out when it was gone.
Just my 2 cents…
I wish you the best of luck here Barbra.
Big hugs.
Diane
Thanks, Diane.
What you’re saying makes sense. Too busy to get sick. The body and the mind work in strange ways. And now it’s my turn, I guess. Well, at least the nodule is benign and it’s not the big C, yet.
Hugs to you as well.
Barbra.Barbra, when I was hyper, I was eating at least 6000 calories a day, just stating a big number, I have no idea. My appetite was constant when i was hyper. I just ate. And lost weight. Later, when the meds kick in this will change.
Your question about your BP is valid. I suggest if you continue to have BP’s with the diastolic (bottom number) that low, you call and report a few of them, especially if you feel weak and dizzy. It certainly is possible that you have too much beta blocker. Also depends a lot on your normal BP and pulse.
IF you can remember what normal is! You have gotten good advice so far on this forum. One of the best things is, that people understand, and really do give a sh.. about YOU! We really care about each other.I had the same issue with bowel looseness and URGENCY with one big accident in my car (leather seats) Being hyper is a terrible feeling. I was awake all night!
I was also heat intolerant.Yes, probably best to go back to your doc you have now. This doc should be teaching you about what to call him about. For instance, you are taking an ATD (anti thyroid drug) but it is possible that it will work “too well” and you can become hyPO. He (and you) will definitely need to know these signs, sluggishness, constipation, can’t get OUT of bed, want to sleep all the time, and you feel like a total zombie. That is a different kind of hell. Ask him or check yourself, if he ordering some liver labs. Try to find out if he knows much about Graves’.. Hard for you to do that, when it is all so new to you, I understand that.
REad some of the references on THIS site, they are good and accurate. Keep writing with questions, and how you are feeling. It is possible that you may need to call him again if your BP and pulse get super low. Bodies do not like heart rates in the 40s, and systolic BP’s in the 30-50 range, but that is a big subject, with some exceptions. Do you know what your BP was before you were hyper and when you were hyper? And your pulse? This is a good disease to learn as much as you can, and you will from US! And a good doc.
Shirley
And welcome, welcome, and welcome again. Have a bite to eat! I really could NOT sleep!
ShirleyMy blood pressure has been normal or below all my life, breathing rather shallow.
2 weeks ago BP was 117/52, pulse 51
1 week ago BP was 107/56, pulse 50
yesterday BP was 103/48, pulse 52
today BP was 113/53, pulse 53The reason I know these readings is my neighbor, a nurse, who likes to keep track of me. Since I am, you know, older than dirt and living alone.
Hi Barbara. I am recently diagnosed as well. I can say that you will find a lot of support and answers to your questions here! I know I did! As far as your doctor, I agree with the others. I too had an initial diagnosis over the phone, very cold and certainly not personal. I fired that one and got another endo, although she has limited hours she always answers my emails and calms my fears and has appropriately run the course of tests and lab work that is crucial during this journey. Welcome here! We are all in this TOGETHER!
Won’t let Graves get in the way…
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