[Bobbi December 1, 2008 at 6:08 pm Post count: 1324]

#1075144

Hi, Malia, and welcome to our board.

It might just be that you need to climb into bed for two months! Hyperthyroidism is a bit like being hit by a metabolic Mack truck. Every cell system in the body is adversely impacted by wonky thyroid levels. You have been really, really sick. So, I would suggest that you ask yourself this question: "If I had been run over by a Mack truck, would I expect to be running on a full schedule right now?" If the answer is "Of course not, Fool!" then you need to slow down and prioritize, and give your body some slack.

I had my RAI right before Thanksgiving, twelve years ago. I felt dreadful throughout the holidays. But it was the holidays, right? And I felt I "should" do all kinds of "normal" stuff. Well, I had been fortunate enough to talk with a counselor at one point, and realized that I could not continue to do everything. It was temporary, but I needed to pull back. That year I prioritized like mad. I bought ready-made foods, I did not do a bunch of holiday baking, I ruthlessly eliminated anything that was going to tax my meager strength; my husband had to pull up some of the slack; I also had the blessing of a cleaning lady who was a Godsend. And, I enjoyed the holiday with my family. Afterwards, my oldest child told me that I had really made Christmas special that year. Focussing on what was truly important was noticed by my family.

So, right now, you are in a "recovery" mode. Your body will not even begin to recover until you are at sustained normal thyroid hormone levels. As for advice: make lists to help your foggy memory; prioritize activities and eliminate any that are not absolutely crucial; ruthlessly eliminate "empty" calories. Yes, it is the holidays. But you can enjoy them, without adding to weight gain, by portion control and eliminating foods that do not provide good nutrition. And, yes, climb into bed when you are feeling tired. You have earned it.

Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[malia December 1, 2008 at 8:25 pm Post count: 8]

#1019940

Hi there,
This is my first visit to the board. I was diagnosed with Graves in August (Graves eye) – did RAI, dropped to hypo and have now been on the medication for about a month. I’ve been through a lot of health stuff and thought I could pound my way thorough this too – but its kicking my butt! So, I am in search of people who have been through it – I’m so glad to have found you guys!

I’m a mom (3 year old), my husband is in night school for his Masters – so we single parent on either side of the day. I work full time in a fairly stressful PR job and I’m in the process of starting my own nonprofit. I NEVER slow down and I am having a really hard time right now. I feel like my friends can’t take any more of my whining.

I’ve been reading through some of the other threads and the advice is great. I think the things that are getting to me are: the weird mood stuff, I have no patience or filter lately; the charlie-horse like pain that completely stops me in my tracks; the mental fogginess and the weight gain. How have you all dealt with this stuff, without climbing into bed for 2 months?

Thanks so much!
Malia

[cathycnm December 1, 2008 at 8:26 pm Post count: 284]

#1075145

Ski and Malia – I think it really helps me to think of every cell. I can imagine my immune and stress system are not normal – hence colds, etc. I know my GI track is now acting more hyper than when I was hyper – and I suddenly don’t have to worry about ever needing stool softners – but sure have an imodium stash. Then I think about how I lost more bone in my hip during my hyper year! Wow – bone cells, too. And my tired eyes. The list goes on. We need to take care of ourselves so we can heal, for sure.

Glad you found us, Malia! Cathy

[malia December 2, 2008 at 10:51 am Post count: 8]

#1075146

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the advice – really. Its amazing how someone else saying it gives you permission to breath a little easier. Silly, but true.

I have been trying to stick to a work out schedule (4 days a week – light running &/or weight training) but am having a hard time deciding if it is helping or just further exhausting me. Anyone have some experience with this? Advice?

[snyder95 December 2, 2008 at 4:16 pm Post count: 5]

#1075147

Hi Malia –
Being a gym rat myself, I also questioned whether I should be pushing myself there after RAI. After all, I have no muscles anymore! But I didnt’ want to get out of the habit so I continue to go. BUT last week when I went to the docs because of this cold I’ve been playing with (now that I know that’s normal so to speak I am greatly relieved!), my heartrate was coming in at 110 and I’d been sitting for awhile. So, yeah, doc forbid me to do any cardio until the heartrate is under control. I recall the radiologist telling me I may need beta-blockers if my heartrate continued to be so elevated. I think it’s time to ask for those until my levels even out and I can start getting back under control.

Just going for my first post-RAI checkup Friday and seriously hope that the levels are such that I can start synthroids. I hate feeling the way I do but am comforted to know that I am not alone.

[Bobbi December 2, 2008 at 4:39 pm Post count: 1324]

#1075148

Hi, Malia:

When I was given permission to start exercising again, after RAI and a bit of time on replacement hormone, I went to an exercise physiologist who analyzed my strengths and weaknesses and prescribed an exercise routine. I was amazed to discover that I had only 8% (yes, EIGHT percent) of the strength of a normal woman my age, as a result of the excessive levels of thyroid taking away muscle. The muscle does come back, and it does need exercise to strengthen it. BUT — and it is a major "but" — 1) your doctor needs to tell you it’s OK to exercise at this point in time, and 2) if it is OK, you need to listen to your body. What you consider "light" exercise from your pre-Graves experiences is, perhaps, very much too much for your body right now. When I began exercising, the only "weights" I could use on my arms, to get the number of reps wanted, were paperback books! So, if you are leaving the exercises exhausted, you are doing too much, even if, in your mind, it does not seem like too much.

We do regain our strength, and our stamina over time, but at the early stages we can experience "set backs" — which are morale busters — if we push too hard.

Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[LynneB54 December 2, 2008 at 4:57 pm Post count: 32]

#1075149

Hi Malia,

Oh my – you remind me of myself a few weeks ago. I’ve been walking several miles a day and riding a bike for years, plus working out at Curves a couple of times a week. I remember being surprised when I read a post from someone about exercising and Ski said it wasn’t a good idea in the hyper stage. I wrote back and asked why; my doctors hadn’t mentioned anything about exercise. Ski thought I could still probably continue to walk my dogs but not to over do it. Quite frankly – I didn’t understand that advice at that time – but I sure do now!! ” title=”Smile” /> My thigh muscles barely work and walks of 2+ miles are just out of the question at this point. And you know what?? I don’t care – I feel so miserable that it doesn’t matter. I’m also suffering from a cold – like everyone else. Bah humbug!! But it’s encouraging to know that we will get better with time; I think it’s important to remember that.

Anyway – it seems that how you’re feeling is pretty normal (whatever normal is now!) Best of luck to you.

Lynne

[cathycnm December 2, 2008 at 5:15 pm Post count: 284]

#1075150

Hi all – I am still sucking on my cough drops like all of us are right now! The whole exercise question is of interest because I had no idea about the muscle impact. Being a nurse – once I was diagnosed, I watched my pulse carefully – and fortunately my Graves was picked up in the early, mild stage. I have a real concern about doing no exercise at a time I was on the new injections for osteoporosis – and I can only be on those 2 years and the first year was my "hypert" year so I made no progress on bone. I was faced with wanting to keep my bones moving and also paying attention to thyroid issues. Most of the summer, I did very mellow walks every day with my ipod. I took my pulse every 10 minutes and was sure I had cool fluids with me to drink. A few times I got up to 140 even doing that – but I immediately stopped and rested. Seemed to work OK. I built back up to running/walking 10,000/day within a few weeks after RAI. I think it was not the best thing to be doing when I was on B–blockers and went hypo quickly with a slow pulse of 50 – maybe 60 after my exercise. It was my opthamologist who said I should not be running then. Anyway – after a couple months on replacement I feel pretty normal about exercise again. No 10 mile hikes yet – but my daily routine works again. Cathy

[malia December 3, 2008 at 10:52 am Post count: 8]

#1075151

This is so helpful. It IS really great to know others out there getting through all of this. I just walked on the treadmill yesterday and I felt better than I had all day, I think it worked out some of the tension in my body. Also had a much better evening than I had been – not so tired.

Gunna stick to that for a few weeks and then reconsider running. My trainer also has an auto immune disease – so she has me moving the smallest weights out there. My attack has always been to push through pain – guess its just time to rethink all of that.

Thanks!! M

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