[Anonymous]

#1154292

Paul,

Hang in there buddy. I am the one with GD and I must admit living with
me is hard. It used to be worse. I too would rant rave and scream at
people. MAde a damn fool of myself many many times (still do sometimes)
but it does get better. Once the meds start and your wifes levels start
to come down she will get better. A mild sedative helps sometimes. I take
2 mg a day of a mild sedative and it helps to keep the adrenalin in check
and stops the screaming meemees. Her levels will bounce all over for a
while and all I can say is wait and things will get better. Use the board
to vent on and ask for support and you will find us helpful and keep an
ear open for you and your wife.

Regards,
Jake George

[Anonymous]

#1154293

Paul,

My heart goes out to you! The situation you are in is very hard, but please hang in there. It will take the medication, if you mean anti-thyroid meds, 10 – 21 days before any real improvement is noticed. It takes approximately 8 – 10 weeks for the thyroid poisoning to totally be depleted from the fatty tissues. If her doctor has put her on betablockers, her temper should improve sooner. Her irrational moods really are a symptom of this disease, and I know it hurts you dreadfully that she doesn’t “want to take responsibility” for her actions, but in reality she’s not responsible. This disease causes the the body to be literally poisoned with thyroid hormone – every part of her body is being effected by this poison, including her mental state. She probably hates herself and hates the way she is acting, but cannot control it. Imagine looking down and seeing a large, hairy tarantula sitting on your chest – imagine that as you are watching it it suddenly LEAPS at your face. Well, this is the feeling that poisoning gives someone with untreated Graves’ ALL DAY. Like a robber is about to burst through the door, irrational fear, irrational anxiety, irrational anger. Everything gets under your skin, including your own self.

If you can hang in there and wait for treatment to work, you will have your loving wife back and your kids will have their mother back. Right now she needs you more than ever, even though she probably cannot even think straight to express it. Believe me, this disease messes you up so much that you cannot even read a page in a book, or put two coherent thoughts together. Your mouth works quicker than your mind and you say stupid, horrible things that you can’t stop from flowing.

It doesn’t seem fair that a disease like this exists and the world knows so little about it. Educate yourself as much as you can. Bite your tongue and remember that it is the poison talking, not her. Love your kids, hug them, make them feel as secure as you can.

Please, be strong, Paul. You sound like you’re near to breaking point, so I would advise you to look up. Have faith: There is Someone who can get you through this, as well as your wife and family, Someone who is stronger than you. This is a time when you’re going to have to hang on to 1 Corinithians 13: Love bears ALL things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. You won’t be alone. You’ll have the Lord and the prayers of my whole family. We’ve been there and lived to tell about it!! ( We have 3 daughters 9, 4 and 20 mos…and it happened to me after the birth of #3).

God bless you with all the encouragement, peace and strength you need.

Glynis

[Anonymous]

#1052609

My wife was recently diagnosed with Graves disease. She’s normally a hot tempered person anyways, but I noticed that over the past year things have gotten worse. Things first appeared worse during the pregnancy of our 2nd child, which was about 2 years ago. She also stopped smoking Jan 1, 1997.

I’ve tried to be understanding, but I’m at my breaking point. Sometimes I just walk in the door, and the irrational screaming starts. A couple of weeks ago she asked me to order a pizza so she could pick it up on her way home. I said I would put it in my name. When she got home, she came storming in the door, because I had put the pizza in my first name rather than my last name. She screamed at me, and locked herself in her room for the remainder of the night.

Last week I came home 1 hour late from work (I was working), and she threatened to throw me out of the house.

She just started her medication yesterday, but I don’t know how long I can hold out. We have a 1 and 3 year old who I adore, and can’t stand the thought of them growing up without me around every day. She never holds herself accountable for her actions, and says she needs to vent and anyone would act this way if they were under the same kind of stress she’s under.

I will take any advice anyone has.

-Paul

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