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Welcome, Deb. I understand exactly what you’re saying, as I have been a single working mother through Graves’.
No, you aren’t going to feel like this all the time. If you just started taking antithyroid drugs, it may take several weeks before you start feeling much better–and you may have some harder times if your levels are hard to stabilize, but otherwise you should find everything easier than it is right now. If you can arrange somehow to have time off or work partial days until you’re feeling better, you might survive this period with less difficulty.
You may very well let down your children and your employer somewhat during this time. Try to communicate adequately with your boss about the disease and that you wou’t be up to snuff for awhile, but that you will get better eventually. Try asking for some help temporarily in your management duties. I know that’s difficult, but even something minor could make your day more manageable.
It’s more difficult with children, especially if they’re young. Mine were teenagers and certainly intelligent enough to understand why I wasn’t “there” for them as much, but I can’t say they really did. I don’t know how people do it with young children, but I would suggest that this is a time to ask for lots of help from friends and family, so that whatever needs your children have that you can’t meet can be met by someone else for a time.
It’s my opinion that if doctors understood the severity of the coping difficulties this disease produces, they’d recommend a period of disability while thyroid levels are stabilized, for those who need it. I think many of us have in some way damaged our careers by our behavior during the rough times, and there’s no way to expect others to understand what’s behind it. . .so it’s often viewed as a character flaw. It’s hard enough for those who love us to deal with and understand.
This may not help a great deal, but please know you’re not alone.
Best wishes,
Dianne W
Asst. Online Facilitator, NGDFI was diagnosed with Graves disease last Nov. I have had problems with an
overactive thyroid for years. After surgery to remove the thyroid and
radioactive iodine last year, I developed Graves disease. My thyroid
medication is the correct dosage for me according to my doctor and the
blood test, 112 mcg Levoxyl. I do not take anything else other than eye
drops and ointment for my eyes at bedtime. My right eye sight is getting
progressively worse, sometimes my eyes are very dry. I was told
this disease can last up to 3 years, but is temporary. What do I do now?I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease in November 1998. Since then I have had to have radiation therapy on my eyes since the disease has caused me to have double vision. My vision has improved slightly since I had the radiation. My double vision is slowly changing and allowing me to have single most of the time. My radiation dr. tells me that it will be awhile until it all returns to normal. There is still a very good possiblity that I may have to have eye surgery done to realign my eye.
Make sure that you find a good radiation dr. if you will be needing that type of treatment in the future. My dr. was very helpful and reassured me that the procedure really does work. I was told that I wouldn’t see any changes in my vision for atleast 1 month after the radiation was completed. I began to see a difference within a week after. The results were quite suprising to me. I have a very good eye dr. that is listed under the Grave’s Foundation of Physicians. It is so important that you find someone that really specializes in the Grave’s field. Just your everyday, run of the mill eye dr.’s are not enough. Take the time and do the homework to make yourself fell comfortable with whom ever you choose to be your specialist. You certainly are worth it. Also make sure that you get your hands on every piece of info for the disease before any work is to be done.
The best advise i HAVE, is to take it one day at a time and to be very patient.
Good luck…
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