[Darcy43]

#1058986

I am always sooo very tired and I need a pick me up to get through work. I think coffee is the lesser of the evils (high sugar sports drinks, energy drinks, etc.). Any thoughts? I drink one large cup a day. I do not get jittery, but when I do not drink any coffee, i am dragggggging.

[adenure]

#1171378

I used to drink a cup in the morning to get me going, but once the hyper symptoms kicked in a few months back, I didn’t want any coffee! Now that my symptoms are under control (although I haven’t had my labs yet) being on the methimazole for 5 weeks, I still am reluctant to drink much. If my husband gets a Starbucks, I’ll take a few sips. I did buy decaf. Via from Starbucks and will sometimes put in 1/2 a packet of the caffeinated stuff if I’m tired. I’m trying to help my body the best I can by not stimulating it with any caffeine (aside from chocolate ). I’ve cut out sushi, seafood, and have cut down on dairy. I imagine it’s not too big of a deal to have a cup a day. The one thing I cut out completely was my occasional glass of wine as methimazole is metabolized by the liver and carries the possibility of liver issues- so, I don’t have any alcohol and take ibuprofen if I need a pain reliever as it’s metabolized through the kidneys instead of the liver (like Tylenol is).

Alexis

[snelsen]

#1171379

Hi Alexis. Have your coffee. Enjoy every drop. Be sure it is worthy of you, and very, very good, just the way you like it. If there is a special day now and then when you want a second cup……enjoy that one too!
My two cents.
Shirley

[Darcy43]

#1171380

That is great advice regarding Tylenol. I too have cut out shellfish (not all seafood, just those high in iodine), scallops, and red meat (just due to the high fat content). I reduced my dairy intake but it is hard to give up cheese entirely. I watch out for the soy products too (my protein shakes have them, so I switched). I will take Motrin instead, but it is scary because that isn’t good for the kidneys so it is rumoured. Dang. I will slowly wean myself off my coffee (the head aches are brutal). I have switched to green tea with honey when I have that crave and I do half coffee and half decaf for my weaning period.

This graves sucks but I am making the most out of it. Trying to stay positive. Last weekend was brutal…felt darn near suicidal. Taking a trip with my wonderful boyfriend who I feel I have been abusing (poor guy what a trooper). Thank you all for replying.

[adenure]

#1171381

Hi Darcy,

I understand what you mean about not being as nice to your loved ones. My husband has been a trooper too; he’s really stepped into my routine with the boys and the house to help a lot. His work has been super nice and has let him work from home on my really bad days. Fortunately, those only lasted 2 months (only– haha- kind of funny because 2 months when you feel really crappy seems like an eternity. Although I know people who have felt worse and longer). I’m still doing my best, but it isn’t MY best if you know what I mean. My boys understand that I’m sick and it will be some time before I’m better. I explained it to them that my illness is “awake” right now and I’m taking medicine to try and make it go “to sleep” so that I can feel like myself again and be able to do all that we used to do (trips to the zoo, museums etc etc). If I didn’t have my husband and family support, seriously, I have no idea what I’d do. It would be too much. My heart goes out to those who are dealing with this and any sickness alone. Well, the boys want me to play hide and seek! Time to count!

Alexis

[PolishTym]

#1171382

Have you thought of tea? The juiced up kinds have less caffeine than tea, and I think easier on the stomach. I notice less jitters with tea, too.

[Harpy]

#1171383

Coffee is a diuretic and it will also take nutrients out of the body as well as fluids, if you can reduce consumption, do so, try some herbal teas, I know they are not the same, but not diuretics.
Now this is also on the basis that you don’t develop angst, so reduce if you can, have one and enjoy it when you do really want one, don’t get the guilts afterwards.
Be good to yourself physically, but even more importantly be good to yourself mentally and emotionally.

[Darcy43]

#1171384

Thanks I bought some more herbal teas and drink them in the afternoon. Like a cigarette smoker I guess I have that urge with the smell of coffee and sipping it all day, so using tea as a substitute is a good thing indeed. I hope it helps. Thanks for all the great advice.

Adrenal I totally understand where you are coming from with the mood swings. That was a great anology about trying to put the disease asleep. I love it. I wish you all the best in recovery.

[PolishTym]

#1171385

I read that you can eliminate most of the caffeine in the caffeinated teas by tossing out the steeped water after 30 seconds, and then adding new water. It works pretty well for me, if someone likes black and green teas without caffeine.

[Author]

Posts