[new2this]

#1058636

I came to this forum to get some support. I found out I have Graves Disease yesterday and I am scared and confused.

I am a 31 year old female. Last week I started to feel a bit "off" almost like I had smoked marijuana. A couple days later I am crying on the phone to my Mom, saying I didn’t know where I was (I was in my house) followed by an embarrassing trip with my boyfriend to the hospital. My heart was going crazy and so was my blood pressure.

Over the next couple days I took the RAI test and just found out I have Graves.The doctor has prescribed me 20MG of Tapazole/Methimazole (to be taken at once) and 40mg of propranolo taken twice a day. I have only started the Methimazole yesterday.

I feel like I’m going crazy, I can’t concentrate, and I’m depressed now. I feel like breaking up with my boyfriend because he saw me in that weird state. I have been off work for a week and told them I could go back next week. I have no idea what I’m even doing, if I’m going to feel better soon or not. I look up Graves Disease on the internet and it scares me.

I have so many questions, but the endocrinologist who is my main doctor is out of the office for a long weekend. She said that I’ll have an appointment next week to see how I’m doing. Do you think I should be trying to get on with my life or do I need more time off? I just agreed to see my boyfriend tonight but I don’t know if I should. Even asking this question makes me feel crazy, so you guys let me know if this is "normal" when you have Graves.

[Kimberly]

#1169122

Hello – I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but am glad that you found us.

Hyperthyroidism not only affects us physically, but can also affect emotions, memory, and concentration. We really encourage patients to NOT make any major/permanent decisions about relationships, jobs, etc. while on this emotional rollercoaster. You *will* start to feel like your “old self” again once your thyroid hormone levels are back in balance.

There are numerous bulletins on our web site about Graves’ Disease that you can access from the home page at http://www.ngdf.org. From the home page, click on “Publications” (ignore the drop-down options) and then click on whichever area interests you the most. There is a really good one in section IV called “What Is Wrong With Me – I’m Not Myself Anymore” that talks about the mental/emotional aspects of Graves’ Disease.

Please check back and let us know how you are doing!

P.S. If you do a search for the word “crazy” on this bulletin board, you will find, oh…around 500 posts. ” title=”Smile” /> Pretty much every person on this board has “been there, done that”. The good news is that things *will* get better over time once you have selected a treatment option and your levels are back under control.

[new2this]

#1169123

Thank you Kimberly I will look up that link. I really appreciate it.

[snelsen]

#1169124

Hi, I completely understand how you feel. I was a crazy person. The most life giving, reassuring thing that happened to me, was finally being diagnosed, have a reason and a name, for how I was feeling. Other people thought I was "losing it" and I agreed with them. Frequently, Graves’ is not thought of by docs as soon as it should be, and having said that, women tent to blame themselves for feeling so nuts, and are very hard on themselves for "being out of control." So, very sorry that you have Graves, but I am so very relieved for you that you KNOW something is wrong, that you know that you do not always be like this. YOu are taking the right medications, you have an endocrinologist, and are moving toward feeling better RIGHT NOW!
Maybe it would be helpful for your boyfriend to read my post, the experience of others, and the reference Kimberly provided.

I do think it helps to try to put ourselves on the "other side," that is, being what used to be our normal selves, then pretend to look at the way we are now. It helps us realize why family, partners, kids, employers, DO NOT UNDERSTAND. Because, without some education and knowledge, we would not understand either.

Kimberly is right on target about refraining from making ANY decisions right now. while you are so sick, emotionally, physcially and every other way that Graves’ impacts us. This is a great site, and using the references, plus reading some old posts, will be very helpful to you and people who know you.

Do use this site a lot. It ‘s a good one, with great facilitators, and free of sensationalism and misinformation. Wel’ll help you get through this!
Shirley

[jrs1218]

#1169125

I was wondering how you are feeling. I was crazy too. (I yelled at my husband for having a beer with the neighbor and asked him if he wanted a divorce…slight overkill.) It gets better. Promise!

I was diagnosed in June and am feeling a ton better now. I am still not quite there. My concentration stinks, but I am a TON better. Propranolol has been my godsend. I was taking 80 mg a day with 20 mg of methimazole. I am now down to 2.5 mg methimazole and take 10 mg of propranolol, but not every day. Just when my anxiety gets my blood pressure up.

How are things for you?
Jennifer

[Jennifer]

#1169126

Just like the others said, try not to take major decisions now, give some time to the treatment to work.

My husband was diagnosed last year in May, and we did have some difficult times, but if I hadn’t been as strong as I am (and his mother, as well), we’d probably not be together now.

[Author]

Posts