[loppysmum]

#1060277

Hello

I’ve just stumbled accross this forum and, although I have an avalanche of questions, there is one which plays on my mind the most.

How long does it take to get Graves’ under control? How long is normal?

I suffered with severe symptoms for 3 years before being diagnosed – fatigue, shaking, fainting (even breaking two ribs on one ill fated trip to the supermarket), breathlessness, weight loss, rapid heart rate – you all know the list I guess. Initially my doctors decided I was depressed and anxious and all these new symptoms were all in my head but thankfully I moved to France and found a fantastic doctor who had me tested, scanned, poked, prodded and diagnosed in a matter of weeks.

I have now been taking anti-thyroid medication for approx 18 months and there was an initial improvement followed by a sudden spike in my levels and a stay in hospital and now things seem to have settled into somewhere between terrible and awful with no change at all for the last few months.

Is this normal?

I’m scared that all those years of health problems are going to make it a harder and longer recovery.

[Kimberly]

#1181734

Hello and welcome – Going undiagnosed for a long period of time can certainly make the healing process take longer. However, most patients do see significant improvement after a few weeks or months on anti-thyroid drugs. If your levels are normal and stable, perhaps a complete physical to rule out any other possible issues would be a good idea.

It can also be helpful to document in writing *all* of your symptoms and present this to your doctor. The more specific you can be, the better. For example, “I can’t walk up a flight of stairs without stopping to rest” or “I sleep for 10 hours a day and I still wake up exhausted” is more useful to your doctor than “I’m Fatigued”.

A second opinion (or third or fourth) can also be helpful if your current physician isn’t taking your quality of life issues seriously.

Hoping that you can find some answers – and some relief!

[adenure]

#1181735

Hi,

I’m sorry to hear that you have been through so much. Have you considered a more definitive solution like surgery or RAI so as to not have to be on the hyperthyroid rollercoaster anymore? Has your doctor suggested it? Is it something you would consider at this point? I had surgery and am happy that I did. I did not suffer for as long as you have, but I know that any amount of time hyperthyroid is a miserable existence. It has been nice (since surgery) not having to deal with that anymore. My meds. Synthroid were a little high for a bit, so I had some very minor hyperthyroid symptoms after surgery, but it was an easy fix just lowering my Synthroid dose a little bit.

I hope you find the right treatment for you. Good luck to you! France! That’s pretty neat. Why did you move to France? (From the USA?). I used to live in Madrid, Spain. Europe is beautiful.

[loppysmum]

#1181736

Hi Alexis

Thanks for your message, I’ve been wondering about discussing surgery with my doctor, my endo has talked a little about it but seems very reluctant because she thinks it could cause more problems down the line – but a bit of instant gratification would suit me fine right now

How long were you in hospital? was it painful? how long was the recovery?

Sorry to bombard you with questions but I’ve never had the opportunity to discuss this with anyone who’s been through it.

BTW, very jealous that you lived in Madrid- beautiful city- we came to France from the UK about a year ago. Bit of a change from a tiny flat in london to a little village but it is stunning countryside (although a little more beautiful when it’s not freezing) and my fat, lazy city cat has a new lease of life and is the slowly taking over the village

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