[mikeduck1]

#1060140

Hello all! I am new here. Im so happy to have found a site to help me. I am 38 yrs old. I was diagnosed with graves about 4 yrs ago. I do not have insurance so its kinda been up and down with treatment. I am taking “PT” 3 times a day. Well I should say was…. I stopped taking it a year ago due to the cost of the RX. It really helped bring my thyroid levels down. I am so shaky. My hands shake, Im always HOT even with the AC on. I am VERY VERY irritable. My poor wife puts up with me. I also have bad anxiety. This is taking over my life! If not treated will this get worse?? I am over weight which I think is odd for havibng graves. Any help would be great! Thanks!

[Kimberly]

#1180709

Hello and welcome – I would *really* encourage you to be persistent until you can get the care that you need. Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause a number of complications, including bone/muscle wasting, heart problems, and a potentially life-threatening condition called thyroid storm.

The issue with finances is difficult (and one that a lot of people are unfortunately dealing with these days), but here are a few suggestions.

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There are a number of clinics in the U.S. that provide care on a free or sliding scale basis. The U.S. government’s Health Resources and Services Administration web site allows you to do a search by zip code. Although they don’t always offer specialist care, they can at least connect you with a physician who can do a basic evaluation. You can find them on the web at: http://www.hrsa.gov/index.html

You might also ask the doctor you see about prescription assistance options. Shopping around can also be helpful. Sometimes bulk retailers (Sam’s, Costco, BJs) and other discount retailers like Target or Wal-Mart can offer significant price reductions on medications.

Also, there is a non-profit organization called the Patient Advocate Foundation that helps individuals who are uninsured and underinsured seek access to medical care. You can find them on the web at: http://www.patientadvocate.org/

Contacting your state and county health and economic security departments can also be a good starting point. Even if you are not Medicaid eligible, these offices can sometimes suggest other resources. Local hospitals, universities, or medical schools can also be good options. It’s *extremely* important to be persistent until you can find a resource that will get you the care you deserve!

[cmac]

#1180710

Hello Mikeduck, Methimazole (MMI) is a generic and quite reasonable. Could you take that instead of PTU? Some doctor at a health clinic ought to be able to write you a RX for that. Especially since you already have the GD diagnosis. Are you in America? Walgreens has a plan where you pay $20. a year to join their pharmacy plan. It’s not insurance but you do get good deals on many drugs. I think I pay about $20 for a month’s supply of MMI with them. As far as the tremors, a beta blocker is usually prescribed to treat them, maybe you can find a reasonably priced generic. Best to get both, but if I had to choose between the MMI and a beta blocker for financial reasons, I think I’d opt for the MMI. If you can regulate the Hyperthyroidism with the MMI, some of the other problems might mitigate. Take Kimberly’s advice and try to get some help. Good Luck and God Bless.

[SueAndHerZoo]

#1180711

Hi Mike. Glad you found us but sorry you’re here. I can totally relate to the anxiety taking over your life (and the other symptoms, too, but when the anxiety enters the picture, all the problems get intensified). I was diagnosed with Graves 7 years ago (although I have had a goiter for 30 years and now believe it’s been causing me grief for decades). I treated the Graves with Methimazole for a couple years and even went into remission for a year or two but when it came out of remission in January I was absolutely miserable and had to keep increasing my dosage to try and keep it in check. The anxiety was what caused me the most problems – the last time I saw my endo I was sobbing in his office telling him I couldn’t live like this anymore. He referred me to a surgeon, I had my thyroid removed on July 16th and so far, no regrets.

I’m not suggesting you go in for surgery but I strongly suggest you do something to get the Graves under control (either medication, RAI or surgery). Graves is not something that will go away on its own and it can be dangerous and degrade so many different aspects of your health, not the least of which is your eyes.

Please don’t go untreated – I’ve never heard of Graves getting better by itself.

Good luck.
Sue

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