[Bobbi]

#1061849

The drug that your husband was put on (methimazole) starts working immediately to interfere with the production of thyroid hormone. But the thyroid not only makes hormone, it stores it for future needs. So until the stored supplies are used up, your husband will not feel much different, even though the drug is working. A week is not typically sufficient time to expect the drug to make any great difference unfortunately.

[Kimberly]

#1061850

Hello – here are a couple of referral sites for endocrinologists:

http://www.aace.com/ and http://www.thyroid.org/.

On the AACE site, click on “Find an Endocrinologist” link on the right-hand side of the screen. Be sure and select the specialty “thyroid dysfunction” when doing a search on this site.

On the thyroid.org site, move your cursor over where it says “Public & Patients” (towards the top center of the screen) and then click on “Find a Specialist.” All of the doctors on this site have expertise in thyroid issues.

Those of us with Graves’ can plan on establishing a long-term relationship with an endocrinologist — so your husband definitely wants to be comfortable with his doctor.

The itching can be a side effect of the anti-thyroid drugs. There are two different anti-thyroid drugs (Methimazole and PTU). Methimazole is generally the preferred drug. If the itching really causing discomfort, some docs will decrease the dose of the meds or try the other anti-thyroid drug.

The rapid heart rate is part of your husband’s hyperthyroidism – and this won’t get better until he is able to stay the course with one of the three treatment options: anti-thyroid drugs, surgery, or RAI.

Thyroid storm *is* an emergency room situation. Symptoms can include pounding heart, sweating, change in alertness/consciousness, confusion, diarrhea, and fever. If you really feel this is what your husband is dealing with, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and visit the ER.

[Kimberly]

#1061851

Also, there is a class of drugs called beta-blockers that don’t *fix* the hyperthyroidism, but can provide some temporary relief from symptoms such as rapid heart rate. That might be worth discussing with a physician.

[Calvin1]

#1017960

My husband was just diagnosed with Graves (last week) and seems he’s currently in the midst of thyroid storm. We saw an endo last week that put him on beta blockers and Methimazole, 10 mg 3x per day. He took 1 per day the last 2 days and feels really bad on it. We called the Dr. to explain the side effects he is experiencing (itching skin, pounding heart and nausea, dizziness) and he told us that he just needs to keep taking it that it’s not the medicine, it’s his thyroid and that if he feels that bad to go check into the hospital. I know there are some side effects but it seems he should feel better a little. The beta blockers were helping but now this medicine is making him feel worse.

This doctor has no bedside manner at all but more importantly doesn’t seem to listen. Does anyone know a Graves specialist in the North Dallas area or anywhere nearby? I am open to any suggestions!

Thanks for any advice…

[jansm]

#1061852

I have read messages on this board for some time, but this is my first post. I am so very sorry for the symptoms your husband is experiencing, and the lack of confidence in his current physician.
I live in one of the northern Dallas/Ft Worth suburbs. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease two years ago. Your husband’s doctor sounds like one of my first physicians. I was also placed on beta blockers and methimazole. Shortly after beginning the medications, I experienced uncontrollable itching. The endo prescribed OTC antihistimines to lessen the itching. They basically knocked me out, and I could barely function. My heart continued to race, and my husband did take me to the hospital ER one night. I was in the hospital for 4 days while they tried to control my heart rate. The endo visited me in the hospital, but really offered no help except to run up the bill with unnecessary tests. Even the nurses and other attendings were complaining.
As soon as physically able, I began a long and exhausting search for a competent endo in the N Dallas area. I now am in the care of a physician that I truly respect and have complete confidence. She practices at Baylor Hospital in Irving. My husband was recently diagnosed with Diabetes 2 by a local family physician. He now is also under the care of the same endo, and she has been a lifesaver for him.
I ended up having my thyroid surgically removed by an excellent ENT in Irving. Just as we thought the worst was behind us, I began to experience thyroid eye disease. I underwent orbital decompression last summer in order to save my vision. There were complications with my left eye, and I developed severe strabismus. We exhuasted all possible leads and treatment in the DFW area. Last December, I became a patient of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, and underwent strabismus surgery. I will continue to travel to Mayo for all of my vision and TED related treatment. However, I can say that I completely trust the Irving endocrinologist with my life.
Since I am new to posting on this board, I am not sure if there is a way for you to privately contact me. I would prefer not to post physicians’ names and contact information on a public board, but am happy to share them through private email.
I wish both you and your husband the very best.

[Kimberly]

#1061853

Hello – Thank you for sharing your story and for your offer of assistance! You are correct that we prefer to not post individuals’ full names and contact info (even doctors) directly on this board.

However, you can send a private message to another poster by viewing one of their posts and clicking on their screen name, which appears to the right of the post. Then click “send private message”, which will appear towards the right-hand side of the screen. The system will “ping” whatever e-mail address they used to sign up to let them know that they have a private message waiting. (You have to be logged in to the system in order to view your private messages).

Thanks again!

[sspann]

#1061854

I am new here but I was diagnosed with Graves’ in 2003. Until about a year ago, the fact that I had an even higher amount of Hashimoto’s antibodies was overlooked. I live in E TX and see a DO that has done more for me that any other doctor but I am in need of more. He, and my eye doctor, say I need an endo to help me get scheduled for removal. The last endo in Tyler would only test TSH and declared me "normal" as far as thyroid issues go and blamed everything on anxiety. My DO has been working to get me an appointment with an endo in Ft Worth since May 3, but I still don’t have an appointment due to lost paperwork.

I have been considering trying to go to the Mayo clinic but would love to talk to jansm about the endo in Irving. When I click on her name, I don’t get the option to send a private message. If you see this, please try to contact me. I would love more info. I have been dumping steroids in my eyes for a year now and it is time to do something else!

Thanks!

[Kimberly]

#1061855

sspann wrote:I have been considering trying to go to the Mayo clinic but would love to talk to jansm about the endo in Irving. When I click on her name, I don’t get the option to send a private message.
Thanks!

That’s odd – were you logged in at the time? You should be able to click on the person’s name where it appears on either the left-hand or right-hand side of the screen. I just sent a PM to jansm to see if they could take another look at this thread. Hopefully, you will be able to connect.

Take care!

[sspann]

#1061856

Kimberly – I just tried again and was able to send a private message. The heading was there before but the link was missing. Maybe it was because I had just registered. Anyway, it worked and thanks! (Maybe I was so excited to find the board that I was happy clicking!)

[jansm]

#1061857

I just happened to log onto the forum and saw these replies. I checked my inbox and did find the messages. However, I did not receive any type of "ping" or notification through my private email associated with this forum. I do not check the forum on a regular basis, but am glad I thought to do so today.
I have responded to sspann, and hope the message is received.
Thanks!

[momof4intx]

#1061858

I went through five Dallas area endo groups before finding one independent practice endo that worked best for me.
We are in up between Frisco and Denton.
I can refer to nuclear med testing and oncology as well if you want to do RAI and or my endo
also my son’s ped endo & dietician if you need a referral for teenager or child.

[mbcb91]

#1061859

My wife has what we believe to be a thyroid condition, but can’t find a good Endo or Internist to see. We are in the Plano area but are willing to travel throughout the Metroplex to see a good doctor who can help with this. Please feel free to private message us with any recommendations.

Thanks for your help!

[janmacusa]

#1061860

mbcb91 wrote:My wife has what we believe to be a thyroid condition, but can’t find a good Endo or Internist to see. We are in the Plano area but are willing to travel throughout the Metroplex to see a good doctor who can help with this. Please feel free to private message us with any recommendations.

Thanks for your help!

Cannot say that I know a decent one in Plano, as I don’t live there anymore, but I can tell you who destroyed my life so you can stay away from that practice. I cannot figure out how to send a private message,so let me know how to contact you if you want to know. I wish you the best.

[Author]

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