[Anonymous]

#1022016

Hey L–

Nice to hear back from you, too! How are you doing these days? I wanted to ask you, since I assume you love tennis (!), or other people who exercise, what it has been like trying to get back into exercise afer Graves’ treatment.
It’s been problematic for me. I used to run 3-5 miles 5-6 days a week and lift weights. I had to quit in December ’03 when I was really hyperthyroid, had RAI in Jan ’04 and have been fatigued ever since as my metabolism has gone through the ups and downs of trying to stabilize on Synthroid. I am at the point now where I can walk for about a half hour 3 times a week, but if I walk any more than that or try to jog at all, I feel terrible the next day–and I can’t sustain it at the time anyway because my heart rate shoots up quickly.
It’s been tough not being able to run for over a year, though it was a great blessing to finally be able to walk regularly starting about 6 weeks ago–before that I was in bed a LOT, and then up and about but in a pretty limited way. I used to hike and enjoy swimming and all kinds of physical things and then suddenly I was basically crippled. It’s been so long now I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll have to live like an elderly lady for the rest of my life–I’m only 37! I’m very grateful for what I can do, and at the same time worried about never regaining full physical health. Any stories out there about exercise, either inspirational or as a reality-check? I’d appreciate it.
MarieM

[Anonymous]

#1081686

Dear Marie,

I had a total thyroidectomy two years ago, and like yourself still stuggle (at times) with a regular exercise schedule. At 33, I am a former professional dancer, and still perform full-time at Disney, but in a role that requires mostly singing without major physical choreography.

I intially was gone from work for 6 months, during which time I was diagnosed w/Graves’ and severely hyperthyroid; ptu/methimazole didn’t work for me so I ended up having surgery since it was the quickest way for me to return to work. But there was no way I could ever return to a heavy dance show, so I lucked out when I got the singing contract. However, coming from someone who used to exercise or dance at least six days a week, I am still constantly challenged by even my “limited” schedule that I now keep. I will go for weeks at a time exercising at the gym in the morning running three miles on the treadmill or doing pilates for an hour, and then I will also go for weeks at a time where I can barely get out of bed to go do a show at work. My brain shuts down as well sometimes, and occasionally I’ll have troubling remembering my lines.

But having said all this, I think you should be optimistic because in though you may be limited now, it will get better!!! I keep telling myself that over and over again, because even though it’s been two years since my surgery and I still have crappy days (or weeks), I am still light years ahead of where I was two years ago. It is slow progress, and very much two steps forward, three steps back at times. But you will recover. I started out extremely slow during my first year of recovery, stretching for 15 minutes a day was how I began. I had lost so much muscle, I was kept crying over the loss of my ‘dancer legs.’ But I got ’em back! With alot of determination and pushing myself physically, but also knowing when to give your body the rest it needs to rebuild. It takes time. I still get super-frustrated.

But, today I ran three miles and did sit-ups. Last week I was completely fatigued and wiped out, no exercise. I choose to remember the good days like today, and remember how far I’ve come in two years. A year from now I’ll hopefully be doing double what I can handle now, and I bet you will be too.

Ellen

[Anonymous]

#1081687

Hi, MarieM. I used to be very active as well (I worked out 45 minutes, 5 times per week). My body cannot tolerate anywhere near that amount now. (I’m 32 years old). I began physical therapy last week for that very reason. My therapist is trying to help me to regain some of my strength and stamina. I’m finding that having a professional help me to do this systematically is very beneficial. After one week (two appointments) I’m already seeing a difference. Maybe you endo or your family doctor can refer you to one. Getting your insurance to pay for it may be a little difficult (I’m still working on that) AND it’s a huge time commitment, but for me, I think that it will be worth it.

[Anonymous]

#1081688

Hi MarieM,
Yes, I do love tennis! I was not as active as you were…I was only playing once a week when I was diagnosed and not doing much else, but I did stop for awhile when I was hyper. However, I think my Graves was caught fairly quickly and I didn’t go a long time with severe symptoms. I think we really have to listen to our bodies and realize, as it seems you are doing, when we have exercised too much. Always check with the doctor before going back to exercise.
Tennis has been very helpful in getting me through this. After I retired, I began to play more and now play from 3 to 6 times a week. I think it really helps with my mental attitude. I have had a lot of lingering aches, pains and stiffness, but found that staying active helps to reduce that. Right now, I am having less problems in that area. It is strange that when I am playing nothing hurts! I forget all about it. Now, you can’t do that when you are in the middle of hyperness, but only after you get the doctor’s ok. I also try to walk and that is just as important as tennis. I think that exercise in any form is good. I will say that there were many days I had to drag myself to the court, but I found I would have a better day if I exercised.
Take care!

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