[butterfly007]

#1060041

Hi All,
I have been doing a lot of reading lately. Would be around 10 months at least since I was diagnosed. I am supposedly ‘normal’, am maintained on 20mg daily methimazole/carbimazole, and yet still I struggle with cognitive functions. My work requires complex thinking -problem solving, processing etc and I am really really struggling to continue to perform at work. I am amazed I still have a job at all! I am sick of my doctor shrugging his shoulders every time I bring up my memory issues and inability to think!
Why is this not recognized…arrrgghhh! Long story short, I came across this interesting and very long article that has bits and pieces from various recognized thyroid specialists…..the article is from Tim Bennie who has graves and everything quoted has a reference to it so I hope it’s ok to post this..while this article is now quite old there is some great stuff on careers towards the end…if you want more info on anything the statements are all referenced so you can look it up for the article http://gravesdiseasetimbennie.com/ghdsection3of4part2.pdf
I found it really interesting that it seems to be as we have progressed through the years, the mental effects of graves seems to be downplayed more and more..???
Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Kimberly]

#1179857

Hello – I left this link up, although the preference is to post information directly from well-established, peer-reviewed journals.

The GDATF is in contact with a researcher about possibly updating the survey data that produced the original “What’s Wrong With Me” article, so we will keep everyone posted!

[Raspberry]

#1179858

Oh am I with you Butterfly! Thanks for posting this link – I’ve come across it before and it is one of the best compilation of quotes of studies about the psychological impact of GD that I’ve ever seen. It is quite sobering. I am experiencing the same problems you are and I’ve been “euthyroid” for a year now. My endo told me it can take even a year for the body/mind to catch up even after you achieve remission and get off the medication but that full recovery does happen.

Also 20mg of methimazole a day is pretty high for a maintenance dose. Is it possible to check with your endo to make sure you are not hypothyroid now according to your FT4/FT3? Cognitive slowing/memory issues are symptoms of that. Still I’m mid-range now and on a tiny dose and having issues.

[butterfly007]

#1179859

Thank you Kimberley! I wasn’t sure about whether it was ok or not…
Thanks for your reply Raspberry. You are having memory issues too huh, sorry to hear that, I know how hard that can be! Sounds like you have an Endo who does at least have a clue, that’s good!It just seems that there is so much varying opinions and thoughts out there…one study and/or Endo says one thing, another says differently…in the meantime, here we are trying to live with these symptoms that are or aren’t recognized, depending on who you ask!
As for the maintenance dosage of 20mg..well er ummm, I learnt the hard way there. I recommend to anyone planning on adjusting their medication dose, without talking to doctor or endo first – Don’t do it!!!! I am now at the lower end of normal and staying that way now, and yes Raspberry I think you are right about being too low…but will anyone listen to me..no! A while back I got sick of living like this, tried to get my doc to reduce my meds, he said no…I then stupidly decided all by myself, to reduce by 5mg every second day, just a tiny change I thought…well…I ended up hyper! Lesson learnt. It seems the slightest change really does make a difference, and sends me hyper, so will stick to the 20mg.
Off to work now, yay it’s Friday here! Am in Australia so it’s morning for me.
Take care, be back later!
Rae

[Raspberry]

#1179860

Oh yeah 5mg is a big reduction – if it were me it would take at least six weeks to adjust to that reduction and see where things were at. It’s really amazing how powerful methimazole actually is. Just for me I can only tolerate very small dosage changes spaced far apart.

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