[grasshopper December 19, 2008 at 3:58 am Post count: 13]

#1075126

You are not alone–About 7 years ago, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism..My dr says I have Graves Disease. Before I was diagnosed, I thought I had MS or something else, not a problem with my thyroid. My legs felt so weak, I couldnt walk well and anytime I had to go up stairs, I had to be helped. I couldn’t lift my leg to even get myself up a curb! I remember driving myself to the ER, only to find that there was no handicap access, only curbs..I went home & cried. I felt like a true prisoner in my own body.
I was very itchy, emotionally anxious & couldnt sleep. I had no appetite, lost 80 lbs ( I was very heavy, so that was the only good thing, yet I looked like death according to my friends & family)
I was put on PTU, and beta blockers once diagnosed. My bloodwork was taken routinely and my Dr decided I would benefit from having the radiation treatment..swallowing radiation. I did it and nothing happened…nada, zip! My thyroid has been so difficult to control ” title=”Sad” />
Finally, after 4 years, it was under control enough to have some surgery I needed. My dr’s would not allow me to have any surgery since I could have a thyroid storm while under anesthesia, and they wouldnt take the risk, and neither would I.
Since I felt good, I was stupid ( no other way to explain it) and stopped taking my thyroid meds. I was at a point in my life where I had no insurance, and couldnt afford the meds, or the dr visits.
Now, a few years later, I have been taking my PTU again, but my legs are very weak, and I am once again having a hard time walking & getting up stairs, curbs that are only 6" high, and generally feeling uneasy when walking. My walking as if I’m walking on eggshells has made my back give me problems & I have a pain on my right side that won’t go away. I’ve lived on tylenol for the back issues, maybe that is why my right side hurts? It is where the liver is located & I know the risks & issues tylenol can create for some.
I find my memory, and concentration are effected. I cry more & feel anxious much of the time. I itch again, and get very tired. So many of the things I feel could be from other reasons, but in having been down this road before, I feel it is due to my thyroid issues. I’ll see my dr again next week and tell her what’s been going on.
I have to learn to put me first at times. I think the stress I have in my life, due to finances & relationships, & not taking good care of myself made my walking issues and other symptoms return. What does anyone else think? Am I correct? Does anyone else have muscle weakness or any of the other things I explained I have?
Do what is best for you. Take good care of yourself. Ignore those who don’t understand. I’ve found many who never heard of hyperthyroids, but know much about hypothyroids.
What other things can I do to help myself & take better care of myself?
Let’s all hang in there & get thru this together:-)

~Elise

[Mickey65 December 19, 2008 at 7:04 am Post count: 84]

#1075127

I know all about the curbs and itching, Grasshopper! I’m still itching like crazy – my ankles, my lower back and sides and legs, and under my left armpit!

Just do what the doctor says and get back on the meds!

[QueenKema December 26, 2008 at 5:54 pm Post count: 2]

#1075128

I am 19 years old about to turn 20, and I have been trying to deal with the disease for 6 years now, and it gets stressful at times. I go thru constant weight changes, always irritable, and very moody. Now I am dealing with Insomnia. I go thru what I like to call thyroid storms. I quit taking PTU about a year after I was diagnosed because it wasn’t helping. I caused major problems with my doctor because of course he couldn’t understand why I was being rebellious. I went through RAI a year after I was diagnosed, and it seemed to help, but then I had a relapse and I became hyper/hypo. I am now in college and it has been a little rough especially after this past semester, I think it flared up more than it ever has before since my hiatus from meds, but I am now having to go see a new endo because my old one only serves people up to age 18. Sometimes I feel like a walking basket case because I have not only hyper’s symptoms, but hypo. I am about to go back to the doctor before spring semester starts because it has been an up hill battle this year and I need a little help. I’m trying to deal but no one else really understands what its like. I hate doctor’s and hospitals so going on this new adventure search is going to be weird, because the first thing I hear when I tell someone my name, my age, and the infamous "I HAVE GRAVES’ DISEASE" I become every DOCTORS DREAM " A NEW CASE STUDY". So this is going to take some getting use to the needles again, because I am still petrified of them. And as I type I am suffering from itching, a headache behind my eye, and an increased longing for sleep. So until next time.

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