[ely2009]

#1069969

I’ve had some similar problems. Sometimes I have a hard time recalling someone’s name or a word (a common one) that I want to say. I also forget things easily – like open up the fridge and then just stand there trying to remember why I did. It’s gotten better (been on meds since March). When it was at it’s worst I ffelt like I was in a fog – not able to think or speak clearly sometimes.

My first endo was very casual as well. He wouldn’t even address some of my questions – just said give it time – easy for him to say huh? I’ve since found a great doc who listens and explains. It makes a big difference.

I think that what you describe may come along with being hyper, but I’d talk to your doc about it anyway.

Good luck,
Emily

[jillie74]

#1019192

Hi Everyone,

I have been on PTU for a month, and I know not to expect great changes (or even minor ones) thus far. However, it is becoming more obvious to my husband and close friends that I am not remembering things. I think this is a normal side effect of the Hyperthyroidism, but I am starting to worry more. For instance, I was out with a friend yesterday, shopping, and I think I asked at least five times what store we were in because I couldn’t remember. I wouldn’t even care except that just prior to this, driving there, I suddenly felt like I had NO CLUE where I was. (I’ve been going to this same mall since I was 14 and I am almost 35!) I am more and more often "losing" things when I leave a room, and I don’t know why I go into a new room or office at work. It’s actually becoming embarrassing since I am the Executive Director at my work, and I am the last person who should not know what they are doing!

I have an appointment tomorrow (July 7) with my endo, but he is very casual about my Graves. I just want to make sure I address these things properly so he doesn’t shrug them off as "normal" if they are not.

Thanks!!
Jill ” title=”Smile” /> ” title=”Smile” />

[Ski]

#1069970

Agreed ~ but it’s likely your doctor will brush it off, this is VERY common. When I was hyperthyroid, my thoughts were here and gone in nanoseconds, I couldn’t keep a thought in my head. When I was briefly hypothyroid, I couldn’t GET a thought for a million dollars. The best possible antidote is a pen and paper or a PDA or cell phone calendar ~ obviously, this will not be of much help when you are forgetting what store you are in, but it might help you remember where you’re headed, and it may help you camouflage the forgetfulness to some degree. Get involved in keeping your calendar updated and in hand, minute by minute if you must. If you use a PDA or a cellphone calendar, set reminders that will give you a reasonable amount of time to "save yourself" so you can be where you need to be.

[Anonymous]

#1069971

I have had panic attacks while driving because nothing looked familiar, didn’t know where I was supposed to be going or what time it was. All the tools, cell phone, clock and such were useless because they did not make sense to me. I pulled over a couple of times and just had to cool down to get back on track. I also have about 5 post it pads with me at all times, to make notes, put on my dashboard so that I know where I should end up and so on.

I feel like I cannot always find even the simplist word, and my concentration at work has been in the crapper!!! I am in sales, this is NOT good.

Last month, my doctor gave me a Rx for an antidepressant and it is helping some. At least the Klonopin keeps the anxiety/panic attacks down to minimal and the AD helps a little with concentration. I take this with my Tapozole.

But, now that I am taking all of this, I am tired….no exhausted…all of the time. A 10 minute drive makes me feel like I will fall asleep at the wheel. I am going next week for more blood work, will ask him if there is anything I can do about that…maybe I am taking too much klonopin!

Anyway…we all ramble on and share stories that I cannot share with my present world…I so appreciate the fact that here, people are very nice, not judgemental and caring! My family just thinks I am being lazy…but leg cramps, hand tremors, eye problems and the occasional looney moment…it would wear anyone out!

Amber

[Sue_Conard]

#1069972

OMGosh Amberlynn…you UNDERSTAND where I’m coming from. I’ve had dbl. vision since December ’08, and my family, the other day, said for me to stop "making excuses" for the fact I can’t see what a "normal" person can see. I’ve spilled coffee on the counter top (missing the cup), burned my hands from pouring hot water on my hands (missing the cup) for hot cocoa (not to mention the TREMORS and WHERE DID I PUT THE COCOA?), but my dear family says "stop making excuses"…WHAT!! I’m exhausted too, physically & mentally from this disease, from my own family not understanding or interested in what I’m going through!! I don’t know what "normal" is anymore for me. Because I get up every morning and still able to work and bring an income into my family, they think I’m as normal as they are and I’m NOT!!

[ely2009]

#1069973

I think many of us become good "pretenders" that things are Ok because what other choice do we have? I am blessed with a VERY supportive husband, family, friends who have never once questioned my feelings/symptoms. I’m the one who gets annoyed at me the most. I get tired of talking bout it because I feel like I only complain – and I sometimes don’t have patience for complainers – I’ve been known to say "suck it up." So another lesson in Graves – I learned to be less judgmental because you never REALLY know how someone else feels. At the same time we have no other choice than to suck it up and go on – or as my grandma would say "offer it up" while we wait to feel better. Thank God for this place that we can still vent with/to people who understand.

Emily

[Anonymous]

#1069974

We are great "pretenders" because if any of you are like me…and it sounds like you are all strong character people…you don’t want to appear weak or stupid. But that is how I feel…weak and stupid. Of course if I told them each time I was feeling out of sorts they would be sick of me!!!

My hubby works 4 ten hour days which often turn out to be 12 hour days…when he comes home I am sitting numbly on the couch and watching tv…kids made their own dinner because I didnt feel like working… I know he wants to feel sympathy for me, and it isnt every night…but the looks I get ” title=”Sad” /> ” title=”Sad” />

Not knowing what to do to make the memory better scares me to death. But my conversations with my 84 year old Grandma have become quite interesting. I used to think she was losing her mind, but I think I just passed her up!!!

Now we have more in common!!!!

Bring on the elderly…I will fit in!

And remember…we are all strong people and God thinks we can handle this, so let’s prove him right!

(side note… EVERY TIME I try to reply I hit save instead….ughhhhhh!!!)

[Ski]

#1069975

I love you guys.

[Madame_X]

#1069976

I am still having problems, too. For instance, I’ll be driving towards a destination where all I have to do is proceed straight ahead on the road — instead, I take the local turnoff to get onto an exit that takes me in the opposite direction.

It happened when a friend of mine and I were driving on our way to the beach — an exit that has been second nature to exit from? I forgot — I was driving a good 10 minutes when I realized uh oh, we missed the exit. (It/s the same exit that I’ve taken for years and years, even when we were kids, our parents took that exit to get onto the next highway to take us to the beach)

At that point, I wound up on a road that was not at all familiar — it took us a bit out of the way but it still led to our desination.

It is worrisome — I am still out of work and now I wonder what’s going to happen when I go back — employment is shaky enough, especially for one who is returning to the workforce and is ultra green at her job, you know?

[jillie74]

#1069977

Thanks! My endo did seem surprised by it. In fact, he told me that a lot of the symptoms I said I was having since starting the PTU he was unfamiliar with. That made me wonder how he can possibly prescribe drugs if he can’t assure patients of what is normal and what is not. He did bloodwork Tuesday and I INSITED he do a liver enzyme, as well. (I had hepatitis from mono about 15 years ago). He did it, but shrugged it off. He called today and said my enzyme count was at 99!!!! (It was 32 in May!!!) Now, he sounds like he is confused… like this is a new thing. Argh. Really frustrating!!!

But thanks for your updates! IT makes me feel less senile!!

Jill ” title=”Very Happy” />

[Ski]

#1069978

We hate to confuse our doctors! Just the one we’re looking to for guidance, and they shrug their shoulders and scratch their heads? AAAUGH! The elevated liver enzymes shouldn’t confuse your doctor ~ they are one of the more serious side effects the doctor should be monitoring for regularly as you take PTU. If that doctor doesn’t get his head in a book and start doing some of his OWN in-depth research into your condition and your medication, and then come back to you with a much greater knowledge-base in your next conversation, I would recommend shopping for a new one. This is nothing to play around with.

[jillie74]

#1069979

Wow! I appreciate the advice! He said he normally only tests the liver enzymes once a year. He seemed surprised to even hear that liver damage is a side effect of the drug. I am definately going to get some referrals for another Endo in the Pittsburgh area. I welcome any suggestions!

THanks!

[hyperm]

#1069980

Oh yes I have had this one big time!

Little old anal me was starting to get things wrong and forgetting alot of things. My worst situation and I burst into tears at work was when I forgot to write up a patients notes- thankfully my very lovely colleague told me on the quiet but i burst into tears and was ashamed.

I have taken the wrong cut offs at roads etc.. and unless I write everything down and put it somewhere where I will remember where it is – magnets on the fridge …then well then its a goner. I have lived away from home since I was 16 – going to college etc… and then had my own flat for about 8 years before I got married, ran my own car, put myself through uni and worked in the evening and now…well my hubby has to take care of all the household financies, car insurance the lot and basically tell me where to sign… I remind him of the above and how capable I was when I am having a "sensitive moment" aka "moodswing"

Thank God for him or else I would be in a right muddle. Its a horrible feeling isn’t it.

Oh Emily "offer it up" is a common saying in our house and you know what after seeing a group on facebook in the fight again child abuse …I am trying to "offer it all up"".

In the meantime girlies Pen and paper but just remember where you put the reminder if you are anything like me.

zzz

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