[Bigdogs00736]

#1059140

I 49 years old and was just diagnosed this passed Tuesday June 12. Here’s my story…Ive been feeling bad and just out of sorts for about 8 weeks( wondering if its been longer for some symptoms). I cant stand heat,my heart races, have tremors, cant sleep, and my ankles swell up like balloons by the end of the day!! I have played Softball since I was a kid and right now I cant even hit the ball…A very good friend of mine kept telling me to go see my Dr! People have been giving me all sorts of diagnosis …. I just kept telling myself that it would go away….and that maybe I was just drinking to much coffee! I finally went in to my GP and she did 2 rounds of blood tests and then sent me to an Endocrinologist who did an Ultra Sound on me and Diagnosed me with Graves Disease!! She put me on Propranolol and Methimazole I have been doing quite a bit of research on this condition…thats how I found you …..How long will it take for me to fell better? Will I ever feel like my old self?

[Bobbi]

#1172469

Hi, Lil Red, and welcome to our board.

It can take a while to get our thyroid levels back to controlled normal. And sometimes the antibody levels will change for no well-understood reason, and adjustments will need to be made in the meds (while you retain a thyroid). That said, once we have normal, controlled levels of thyroid hormone, our bodies begin to heal, and over time we get back to feeling ourselves. We have a disease that makes us very sick, but is very treatable.

I hope you are feeling much better, and soon.

[Robboford]

#1172470

Hi Lil Red,
Welcome to the forum. I have drawn great information, inspiration and support from participants here. if you have read any of my earlier posts you will discover that my Journey with Graves has now entered it’s 9th month. When first diagnosed I was originally told it would be a 12 – 18 month journey. I thought that was excessive and I would be back to “normal” well before that. Unfortunately it hasn’t been quite that simple. I have found that knowledge is power (if you are armed with the correct knowledge – there is alot of myths out there and unfortunately it can be hard to weed out fact from fiction). The Forum members have been great in sharing their experiences and insights into this terrible Disease and I have found many facts based on members own experiences. The Moderators/Facilitators are also wonderful and very helpful. Please do not hesitate in asking questions, someone will always have an insight or experience to share with you. Even on those “bad” or “down” days, we all have them so please don’t feel you are alone. Hang in there and stay strong.
Sending you a cyber hug from Sydney, Australia
Regards
Debbie (Robboford)

[Kingzucka]

#1172471

I had Graves for about 20 yrs, and was scared of the options so stuck with PTU/ then methizmole as it didn’t have the bad residue taste. finally i found a dr that did a partial burn out around 1995, worked but then was overactive after a few years again only about 10mgs of methizmole a day. I liked how overactive made me feel, and I didn’t need to sleep much so I was hesitant to do the partial burn out.

I finally did a full burn out RAI about 3yrs ago and I highly recommend it to anyone considering the options. I like how I feel much better now, calm, relaxed, focused, no anxiety and so much healthier.

[Bigdogs00736]

#1172473

Thank you both for your encouragement ….I was wondering if either of you had any suggestions on books to read? I just want to learn as much as I can on this disease. I tried to play softball last night….my legs are so weak I could barely run….its very hard not to be able to do something I love so much….my teammates are very supportive….but its still very upsetting!! My body is paying the price today….

[Bobbi]

#1172474

Please do NOT exercise without the express knowledge and approval of your doctor, Lil Red. Being hyperthyroid saps our muscle strength (it actually causes us to lose muscle), and it overworks the heart. A slow walk put my heart rate into the “aerobic workout zone” when I was hyperthyroid. It’s not good to push it. This is only temporary, but it is typically a precaution that we have to take until our thyroid levels are normalized, and our bodies have started to heal.

[Kimberly]

#1172472

Hello – Here is a link to the GDATF’s recommended reading list…hope this helps!

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following links, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://gdatf.org/about/about-graves-disease/reading-list-for-patients/

[adenure]

#1172475

I just wanted to say hi too & understand the fear. I was diagnosed after having my 4th baby. I had the muscle weakness, fast heart rate, shaky feeling inside, minor tremors, emotionally/ mentally fearful, insomnia was really bad. It is scary; totally normal to feel that way! I think Graves (when we’re hyper) fuels fear and anxiety quite a bit. I was on methimazole (5 mg daily) for 7 weeks. It helped my thyroid get normal and I started feeling better after 2 weeks. Unfortunately, it was damaging my liver, so I had to stop taking it. Fortunately, my thyroid stayed stable long enough (6 weeks) for me to be able to have my thyroidectomy this past Friday. I’m on Synthroid (100mcg) daily and will get bloodwork done in 2 weeks to see how I’m doing. I can say that the hyper symptoms are gone, but I am still weak physcially (from the surgery and the Graves I think), but knowing that I won’t go hyper anymore from Graves is a very reassuring thing.

My advice is to try the medication. Do ask for a liver panel test though just to make sure you’re okay there. I didn’t have any of the symptoms of liver problems (fever, jaundice, dark urine, sore throat), but the enzymes were quite elevated all the same. Once your levels are stable, then you can decide if you want to stay on the meds. or opt for a more definitive solution (RAI or surgery). I too LOVED to exercise- spinning, swimming- I’ve always been really active my whole life. It was really hard to have to stop doing anything for so long, but when walking down the hall gets the heart rate close to 100 at times (!) you have to be careful. On the methimazole, my heartrate did get back down to 62 (my normal), so that was good. But, it’s amazing how fast your muscle goes with Graves- at least with me it did. But, I’m going for light walks now and doing the best I can.

Alexis

[Author]

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