I have struggled with this disease for over 2 years now and have been regulated on replacement thyroid since Dec. 2007. According to my doctor my thyroid was destroyed by the RAI. My physical health took such a hit after being hyper (thyroid storm) and then extremely hypo before getting on replacement, that it has taken a long time for me to regain my physical strength. I still have trouble walking too far, I tire easily and still have some trouble climbing the stairs (I am still slow). I am about 90% back to pre-graves stamina and am beginning to be able to do more. I travelled last month for the first time in 2 1/2 years by air. The walking thu the airport took it’s toll and I had lots of leg cramps after each end of the trip, but I felt so good getting out and away. As I do more and go further, and can make it through a 16+ hour day (instead of 8-10 hour) without having to rest, will my body demand more replacement hormone?? In addition, up until now I have been undergoing a series of multiple eye surgeries (6 of them since Mar. 2008 until now). So each time I would recover, it was time for another surgery and they have been taking a toll on my strength (and my body since they take me off vit. for a long time with each). I may be done with them now and am ready to resume a more active life — I hope. What do I and others living with Graves in this phase need to know? I am just entering the senior cit. years (over 60) but am not retired yet — my lifelong career is as a technical professional 24/7 — so working through the ups and downs of this disease has been a challenge — and my career has been my counter-balance — no matter how hard it got to see and how tiring and stressful it got.
