[npatterson]

#1068816

You provided your own answer: we are all different. I would imagine that it really gets to you that your sister seemed to get better so quickly–I would be thinking: "but my sister and I are a lot the same!"

Your surgery wasn’t a magic wand. It did remove the offending thyroid, but you still have four years of feeling bad (actually being sick) to recover from. It won’t take anything like that long, but things are not going to just pop back to the way they were. Somehow, you need to lighten up on yourself. You do seem to worry a lot, most of it unneccessarily. I don’t think I have ever met a Graves’ patient that is patient–it is just not in our general makeup. We are used to being go-getters, multi-tasking, in good health, in control, etc. Life gets in the way of all that. So do children, jobs, relationships, society…and oh, yes…Graves’!

You are actually very tough. Hang in there. Write down your little successes so that you can see them.

Take care,

[ewmb]

#1068817

Hyperm,
I know how you feel about wanting the illness to go away and get on with things. I am still not feeling that much better after my RAI on May 8. Yesterday I woke up with fever, headache, etc.. and thought why this on top of everything else. Had to cancel plans to travel too. This morning I felt some better but have already taken one nap. Nancy’s right about the impatient patients. I feel like this is going to be my life forever some days and then others I get a glimpse of hope. Maybe you’re just worn out from being able to do so much last week. That would put a positive spin on things.

Hope tomorrow is a little brighter for you.

ewmb

[hyperm]

#1019047

Hey all,

Your little impatient GD friend here. Ok how long did it take for those of you who have had surgery to feel better? Having a bit of a rubbish day…very frustrated as not managing to get out and about. Just thankful my GP and surgeon advised me take at least 6 weeks off for work – I am going into week 4 – (have been on mat leave so really just planning a back to work date) and to be honest unless my fairy godmother comes and waves a magic wand I can’t see me back at work in 2 weeks. Feeling a wee bit low with this overwhelming feeling…. It has been 4 years of ill health and I am just wondering how long will this continue..Do you think its possible I am going to be someone who is going to feel the ongoing effects of GD – should I ask for an antibody check at my 6 week check up? My voice is still not back and my throat is feeling really weak, although my scar etc.. is looking and healing very well.

I got the report from the pathologist that my thyroid was clear of cancer – I am so glad I wasn’t aware they had even sent away a biopsy as I would have just spent he last 3 weeks worrying. So yeah – a very positive result ” title=”Smile” />

I know I am so impatient with myself and I need to remember how unwell I have been but I am just wondering when the "kick" will come along and I can live "normally" Will that happen? My sister felt great after her op and was up making breakfast etc.. a few days later..Why are we all so different?
” title=”Wink” />

Thanks again for listening

xx

[cathycnm]

#1068818

Hyper M – Did you say you are on maternity leave? Confused.

[hyperm]

#1068819

Hi,

Thanks everyone…

Nancy – I am not too worried to be honest I think more frustrated is the word. My sister and I are not alike at all – although she has thyroidism she is far healthier than me even from the onset of her condition – I think apart from having a rougher ride I was diagnosed after having kids whereas all her probs/ op etc.. were years before her children arrived. So I guess its just different health and circumstances. She admits herself that although symptomatic she never looked as or felt as ill as me so yes you are right to say I have had a rougher ride of it as such – I just feel guilty saying that ” title=”Smile” /> Definitely you are right about successes – I am so thankful to come through the op and feel very proud of myself that I did it! ” title=”Smile” />

ewbm – Sorry to hear you are still not great – its so frustrating. I think for me its the fact that I REALLY need to get a move on now as I have 2 small boys and family life is demanding. However, I managed out to the swing park today with boys and hubby. He had to drive as I still have limited movement at my neck. So like Nancy said it is small successes. I am I suppose like you having good days and not so good days – but my not so good days are much better than what my "good " day would have been pre- op so hurrayyyy! I am just not used to taking things slowly and am used to pushing myself lol! Just a typical woman! I certainly hope you start to feel the benefits of your treatment. I know that I am benefiting in other ways physically especially my heart rate. However, I am having changes in temp tolerances so one min freezing the next ready to combust – lol whats new eh?

Cathy – yes my youngest is 9 months I will have had a years maternity leave come the beginning of Sept and have a med cert to cover me until the 10th of Sept therefore that is when they expect me back at work – not looking good as I know you have a midwifery past so can appreciate that I need to be fit and healthy to carry a caseload from the moving and handling rehab aspect and also physically more rebust immunity wise..However, I am not really worrying too far ahead with regards to that however, it is a practicality and therefore must be addressed… I work for the NHS therefore there is a GREAT deal of emphasis made up on keeping low sick leave rates in staff….oh the joys ” title=”Smile” />

Thanks again xxx

[ewmb]

#1068820

Hyperm,
That’s great about your days getting better on the whole. My fever is still here today but I am feeling better. I envy you your maternity leave. We don’t get that kind of time in the US although I was lucky and didn’t have to work when mine were little. My husband was a student at the time and we were so poor anyway it wasn’t worth it for me to continue working. Glad you made it to the park, being outside on a sunny day is good for your Vitamin D levels. Have you had them checked by the way? You can really feel blue if your D levels are too low. My dad, who has Graves, had his so low they had to give him massive doses for a while and he’s still on the low side. I read a paper on this once that Graves patients can have very low levels. Maybe one of the facilitators can ask the Docs to confirm this.

ewmb

[runlacie]

#1068821

Hyperm, from reading your posts these past few months, you have made great strides in getting better already. I’m deficient on the patience scale, too, but I guess we don’t have too much choice with this. ewmb is right about the Vita D- I found out I was low vitamin D before I found out I had Graves’, but now I read that somehow Graves’ predisposes us to low Vitamin D. You are doing super. One day at a time, we’ll get there!

ewmb- I’m sorry you didn’t get to make the trip. Hopefully you are on the upswing with whatever was causing the fever?

Today is our annual neighborhood block party. I walked over a bit ago but it is extremely hot out there so I came home to cool off and get away. Guess I should go back. Don’t really feel much like partying or dealing with that heat and having to tell my Graves’ story countless times over. I know people care, but I’d really just like to take a nap! ” title=”Wink” />

[hyperm]

#1068822

Runblacie – thanks so much for your support – you are always rooting me on! I really appreciate it! Yeah I am not patient with myself at all yet give out great advice that others should be lol!

Thats interesting about the vitamin D! I live in Scotland so we probably have the worlds highest Vit D deficiency in the world ” title=”Wink” /> I am trying to get my confidence up and rehab myself in thinking it can’t all be done in the one day…little by little but that doesn’t really apply with this condition as you just feel so crap some days don’t you?

However, my kids keep me going. My eldest was always very bright and alert but this wee one is making my mouth fall open. I used to have my own franchise of baby signing classes after signing with my eldest – was amazed at the results. Just started doing it with my 9 month old and he is signing already – 4 signs and has 5 words. The other day he said to me "mama’ and then done the eat sign – as I was making his lunch.. These wee things are really spurring me on and I keep thinking well 4 weeks ago you were worried you wouldn’t be here today seeing all this – be thankful for small mercies – I am trying folks but hey as you all know it ain’t easy……

I am def going to try and get out more with regards to the vit D issue! xxx

[Author]

Posts