[Anonymous September 24, 1998 at 12:37 pm Post count: 93172]

#1147919

Do you live near a medical school? Perhaps they could take you on as a teaching case of some sort? (I don’t know if med schools ever do this, but it might be worth a shot.)

[Anonymous September 24, 1998 at 4:14 pm Post count: 93172]

#1049839

Some of you may remember me.. some of you may not.
I posted on this board close to a year ago.. long time
I had surgery and they removed 95% of my thyroid.. and the surgery didn’t work. I’m still hyper and there are now more side affects than ever before. I have panic attacks now. I can’t drive because I’m too frightened. I’m afraid of thunderstorms.. to the point I cry and shake and can’t get out of the closet til the storm is over.
I lost my medical insurance.. so now I’m not treated for my Graves anymore. It’s starting to take its toll on me now.
My question is.. what do you think I should do to help out with these fears (that just recently started for no reason), what should I do about panic attacks? and does anyone know of a good way to get treated without major hospital bills? I’m trying to get jobs around here.. but as soon as they ask if I have a pre-existing condition I tell them the truth. and then I don’t get hired. My knees are shot again and sometimes I can’t even walk or if I do.. I fall flat on my face.
My boyfriend doesn’t understand Graves at all.. (I’ve tried but he doesnt see the light)
Any suggestions? Any and all would be helpful. Thanks.

[Anonymous September 25, 1998 at 12:29 am Post count: 93172]

#1147920

To begin with, if you are otherwise qualified to do a job, and there is no reason such as being a safety hazard to yourself or others, you cannot be denied a job because of Grave’s disease. It is against the law. Grave’s is covered by the American’s with Disabilities Act.

If you are not working, then apply for medicare or medicaid. Do not be too proud to go on welfare if need be. There are certainly people out there with nothing wrong with them that use it!

As for the panic attacks and fears, there is a reason. Nothing ever happens to those of us with Grave’s for no reason. It is just unreasonable people who think that is the case. Does your community have a free clinic? Ours does and it is a very small town. And, plenty of specialists volunteer their services to the clinic.

Call an endo in your town. Tell them your problem. Ask THEM what you should do. They took an oath to treat the sick. If they can’t see you without insurance, ask them what you are to do. You have an incurable but controllable disease. It take time and treatment and I can’t believe that they would let you suffer.

As for your anxieties and fears, check once again at a free clinic. Many communities have free mental health services. Avail yourself of them. There is nothing wrong with getting help when you need it.

And lean on us. That is what we are here for — SUPPORT. Know that you are loved and wanted here and that we will understand.

Please don’t give up. Keep in touch. We’re in this with you all the way.

Mitakuye Oyasin
Val

[Anonymous September 25, 1998 at 1:15 am Post count: 93172]

#1147921

Dear Sue,
I’m sorry to hear your thryoid removal did not help. And you are still hyper with panic attacks. I had few panicky episodes in past. I started obsessing on and off and feeling panicky right after my surgery too, though it was orbital decompression. Maybe your panicks and fears had something too do with the stress of your surgery, finding out it did not work, and you are still hyper. How about going to a support group online too along with seeing someone outside? I think there is an anxiety support chat and maybe there is a board too on this support-group site. I think it could help sharing with others your fears, getting out your anxieties. And how about sharing with your boyfriend some of the posts here to help him understand more? And you can post here as much as you need. Patience

[Anonymous September 25, 1998 at 8:32 am Post count: 93172]

#1147922

Sorry to be a downer but like the old adage goes “you can lead a horse to water but can’t make em drink” applies to printing posts “you can print all the posts you want but you can’t make them read.” I know, been there done that. I sure hope it works for you.

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