[hubb]

#1018719

I come to the message board, often, to learn what I can about what others are going through. I too, have my ups and downs, but I do not think I have it as bad as so many of you- Possibly the worst thing happening to me is that I am gaining so much weight- I feel like a sitting duck for so many other diseases- (The doc says I am in a minority of hyper people that gain weight-) Because several adjustments in my meds have not balanced my system, doc is now asking me to go see a surgeon- I told him I was not interested in RAI, but frankly, I’m not interested in surgery either. Here comes my arrogance: There has simply got to be another answer- Anyone else looking for alternatives? I am NOT jumping off my meds- but maybe there is something I can do with meds to help get my system in balance and keep it there. I started taking L-carnitine a couple of weeks ago- The research here looks promising and I have spoken, through e-mail, with one of the researchers- Also, I am really watching what I am eating- Lastly, I am seeking ways to reduce mental and physical stress- Is it ignorance or arrogance to believe that these lifestyle changes can alter the outcome of Graves symptoms? The thyroid has an effect on sooo many body systems- shouldn’t treatment include the whole body? Why is it so difficult to find a medical doctor that is willing to take a holistic approach to treatment? More arrogance- I simply can not give up on my thyroid just yet- Reason dictates that there is an alternative- Anyone else out there NOT having surgery or RAI??

[Bobbi]

#1066671

I would like to suggest a different perspective: We Graves people are so very lucky. Yes, we have a very dangerous disease, but we also have three different medical options that have been PROVEN to give us back our health. Not all of them work for every patient, but when one option does not work for any one patient there are two more options. Most people with life-threatening conditions are not that fortunate.

I went online and read up on the supplement you mentioned. You need to notice that what it is purported to do is to reduce "symptoms" of hyperthyroidism. The symptoms mentioned that might be helped (insomnia, etc.) had absolutely nothing to do with controlling blood levels of thyroid hormone. THAT is what is making you ill: your blood levels of thyroid hormone. So what it sounds like is that this substance "might" help mask the symptoms, make us more comfortable. That’s it. The website that I visited was a medically sound one. It also said that further study was necessary before this supplement could be recommeded for people with hyperthyroidism.

Eating well, and making life style changes can definitely help keep you healthier. These things will not, cannot control your thyroid hormone levels.

Allowing elevated levels of thyroid hormone to continue is horrible for your future health. Even subclinical levels of hyperthyroidism have been shown to cause long-term health problems. So your problem is to find a proven treatment to control those levels of hormone. If the meds are not working, your options are RAI or surgery. There is no other real alternative.

[npatterson]

#1066672

Bobbi’s answer was very thorough. I don’t think your explorations are either arrogance or ignorance. We all need hope, we all need some measure of control over our lives, we all need support. That’s what we look for all the time. Hopefully we get it from our family, friends, physicians and others with Graves’. I know this is not always the case, so we go searching on our own. Just be careful, and stay in touch.

Take care,

[hubb]

#1066673

Thank you both- I am just not ready to give up my thyroid- I haven’t given up on the idea that the meds may work and help me reach remission, however what I seek is some way to help those meds do their job- Believe me when I say I am well aware of all the misinformation out there, and I too look for reliable resources- I was really just wondering if anyone else out there has sought alternative strategies to work IN CONJUNCTION with anti-thyroid medication.

[hyperk]

#1066674

I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease in Feb. 2007, and after 15 months of taking Methimazole, my thyroid levels weren’t back in the normal range. Every time my endo would adjust my medication just a smidgen, I’d go either more hyper or hypo. After reading about the block and replace method of treatment, it was agreed upon that that was a viable treatment option for me. Synthroid was added to my Methimazole, and in 6 short months (Oct. 2008), my thyroid levels landed in the normal range and have stayed stable ever since. I have recently been taken off my meds in hopes of enjoying a sustained remission…time will tell! You may want to talk to your doctor about this as a viable treatment option for yourself.

[hubb]

#1066675

hyperk: I never heard of block and replace- What is it? I have been diagnosed under a year and on meds only since Sept., but that up and down is what I have experienced thus far- Thank you for your feedback and I wish you the absolute best with remission-

[ely2009]

#1066676

I, too, am taking methimazole – I have been since March of 2009 (5 mg daily). This site has been AMAZING throughout the last year – full of information and support. One of the many things that I have learned is that in the grand scheme of Graves I’ve been very lucky. It was caught fairly early, I have a great endo who listens, I responded well to the meds, etc. Like you, I’m really hoping for remission. but only time will tell. I really don’t want to face the RAI vs. surgery decision either. I’ve decided that my job is to keep my body as healthy possible. My family has always eaten fairl healthy – organic produce, lean protein, whole grains. But I’m watching additives and preservatives more now. Also, I’m making exercise more of a priority – it was sometimes neglected in my busy life. Along with my multivitamin, I’m taking vitamin d and c and selenium (with approval from my doc) Will these "help my thyroid"? Not necessarily, but they can help keep my body healthy so that when I’m ready to wean from methimazole, I am strong. I’ve seen the body do amazing things…my daughter had a lung completely FULL of bacterial pnuemonia and they thought they may have to remove it, but she has recovered completely with NO scar tissue.

Like you, I am also fighting weight gain. Its very frustrating, but I feel healthier that I did a year ago, so I try not to focus too much on it.

Good luck in your quest for health.

Emily

[Ski]

#1066677

Hi hubb,

If you’re looking for things that will help you be healthier while you pursue ATD treatment, then look to a nutritionist, find out what is lacking in YOUR system, and supplement that. It’s best to target your own specific deficiencies than to take what everyone else takes, if you know what I mean.

Remember that Graves’ Disease is an autoimmune disease, which means your body has developed antibodies that see your thyroid as foreign tissue, and they are bent on destroying it by causing it to overproduce and, ultimately, burn out. Your immune system is "triggered," or "activated" by stress. When your immune system is activated, the antibodies that attack your thyroid are also activated. This means that controlling stress can help to minimize the antibody attack. We cannot live without stress, but we can do things to limit it’s effects on us. Whatever works FOR YOU, again, is the most important thing. What others do for themselves can be helpful input, but the important thing is to find those things that work for you, and take advantage of them. Yoga, meditation, hot baths, funny movies ~ all of these things can, theoretically, work to bring your stress levels down. In addition to that, be good to yourself in all ways. Do not accept invitations that stress you out. Do not sign up to be a "point person" for some activity that promises to elevate your stress level. Get your rest. Learn how to let things roll off your back. ALL of this can help the ATDs be successful for you.

We all wish you luck! ” title=”Very Happy” />

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