[runlacie]

#1068856

Hi Sofia! That must be tough to see your Mom like this. I’m sure one of the moderators will be much more helpful with your situation, all I can really tell you is that while I am hyper, YES, I do feel quite wacky sometimes. I have become confrontational with total strangers when they have done something I didn’t like (such as tossing a lit cigarette in a parking lot in front of me, road rage type things, etc). And I know that I probably would not have done such a thing before. I guess I’m just very easily agitated right now, somebody does something I don’t like and I fly off the handle. I try to not be grumpy with my family, but I’m sure they have noticed some difference as well. I hope you find some answers, good luck to you and your Mom!

[Sue_Conard]

#1068857

Hi Sofia. I’m just here to tell you that I don’t know "who I am" some days myself. There are days I’m happy, some days I’m depressed and there are days I just don’t feel like coping, but I do. I’m not much younger than your mother, but hate what my husband has to go through with this illness. I try to be cognitive of my actions, but sometimes, I just don’t plain care (which is sad, I know). I told my dr. last week that I feel, with this illness, that when I get up in the morning I"m putting on knee-high boots and walk through knee-high mud ALL DAY LONG. It’s stressful for the patient because "we" don’t physically appear ill and the world outside us doesn’t see us as we do (if that makes sense). I try now, more than ever, to be aware and grateful for my friends that surround me, ask how I’m doing, and are trying diligently to understand the illness. I don’t know that I have any answers for you, but what I can do is give you a BIG HUG and tell you that it’s a monstrous disease and I’m sorry your mother and family is a victim of it’s presence, like me.

[SofiaFreitas]

#1019052

Hi,
My name is Sofia, I am 35 years old and from Portugal. I have been searching the internet for websites like this because I need to talk about my mother and, if possible, get some answers to the problem.

My mother is 60 and has GD for 3 years. A specialist doctor has always followed her (an endocrinologist) and her levels are balanced. She isn’t currently taking any medication because the thyroid is controlled. The problem is that she is a very difficult person to deal with, sometimes suffers from “conspiracy theory”, is obsessed by the bad relationships that she has with my only and older brother, she has a negative, anxious and envious personality, etc. Sometimes she is happy, sometimes she is depressed, and occasionally thinks about killing herself. She has even tried once!

When I confront her with this behavior and problematic manner, she says she is all right and doesn’t show any interest in going to a therapist or a shrink, because she thinks GD is responsible and there is nothing she can do. She says there is nothing wrong with her, mentally speaking, but the fact is that it is very difficult to maintain a conversation that doesn’t end in discussion. My father, who is 75 and lives with her (I don’t), is getting desperate and when things are down, is like hell.

I don’t know if this conduct is 100% derived from GD or if some part is just her being herself. I would like to know how we, the family, should talk to her and if we should insist on her seeing some therapist or anything else.

Can you help me? Thank you.

[SofiaFreitas]

#1068858

Thanks Runlacie and Sue for your kind words! Yes, I know how difficult GD is because I have read a lot and I can imagine what you and my mom are suffering. GD can both affect people physically and mentally, right? People should rest a lot, learn how to relax and be patient. But mentally speaking, have you ever needed some kind of professional help? Do you think emotional disorders from GD should be treated separately by a professional? Would it help you? Would you recommend it?
I wish you all the best.
regards,
sofia

[Sue_Conard]

#1068859

Well Sofia, I will tell you how I personally feel, from my perspective, as a GD sufferer. I’ve been asked by my boss (and friend) if I thought talking to someone professionally would help me b/c she knows my frustrations, the ups & downs, and the daily challenges I experience. My "issue" with seeking someone professionally to talk to is that no matter their experience in their field, they haven’t "walked my walk" (unless I could find a psychologist with GD!). And, another "issue" I personally have talking with someone is that it’s yet, ANOTHER APPT., that I would have on my calendar and another disruption to my schedule that I just want to remain as "normal" as possible. I already have AT LEAST 1 drs. appt. on my calendar each week, either for my eyes or my thyroid or for bloodwork, etc. Most weeks I have multiple appts. and it’s difficult to work and keep up at this pace for me. I’m sure there’s someone on this site that has had success with talking to a psychologist, but it’s an individual and personal choice. If you could ask your mother to join us on this site, I believe it could help her immensily, as it has me.

Would it help me? I don’t know b/c I’m very blessed, in that I have this site (with people that UNDERSTAND GD) and some very close friends that keep abreast of what’s going on in my life and do a lot of personal therapy, from their perspective, of what is going on. These are friends that I’ve had in my life for over 20 yrs. and know me, accept me, and love me unconditionally. The days I’m an emotional wreck, maybe yoga or meditation (learned) would help me, as those are "learned"??

I hope someone will answer your question besides me, but personally I have no intention of seeking a psychologist to "talk to"; however, my mother-in-law says to me every day, "Never say never"…

Good luck on your endeavor to help your mother. She’s a very lucky woman to have you in her life.

[SofiaFreitas]

#1068860

Oh Sue, thanks. I understand you, why you won’t seek a professional. But I imagine you have a lot of support, which is very good. How I wish my mother could join this forum, but the fact is, besides the language problem (she doesn’t know enough english), she refuses to do any activity that could help her disease. She just doesn’t’ care. And you know how difficult it is to make someone with GD do anything against his will. And it is so difficult to talk to her. For example, I have bought some books about GD, I have read a lot of websites and I am now a member of this forum. When I told her, for her to see that the family cares and wants to help, she just said, “ah, ok” and immediately changed the subject. Frustrating…

Anyway, thank you for your support!

[Sue_Conard]

#1068861

Oh Sofia…you have your hands full my dear but we’re here to help you with the frustrating moments you’ll go through with your mother. Like I said, I just have too many "other appts." as, along with GD & the eye disease, I’m a breast cancer survivor, so I have a mammogram and an MRI scheduled next week for THAT disease. I just don’t feel like adding anything else to my plate right now. This site has been an EXCELLENT OUTLET and SUPPORT for me. Let us know what you decide!!

[James]

#1068862

SofiaFreitas wrote: . . . My mother is 60 and has GD for 3 years. A specialist doctor has always followed her (an endocrinologist) and her levels are balanced. She isn’t currently taking any medication because the thyroid is controlled. . .

Hi Sofia,

Sorry to hear about the struggles you are experiencing right now. I would have to agree with many of the responses so far. I was wondering if there were some other things at play though. If you say that your mother’s levels are balanced and that she isn’t taking any medication because the thyroid is “controlled”, one would that that this unusual behaviour should have subsided somewhat. When I was Hyperthyroid I would do or say things totally out of character (effects men and women the same way), once the thyroid is under control, typically the persons disposition starts returning to normal as well. It is important for your mother and her Dr. to determine if in fact it truly is the GD that is effecting her emotionally; if not, then further investigation by a qualified physician/specialist would be required to determine what in fact is at play.

There is no question that GD can have a profound effect on the way we behave, I just think that you have to encourage your mother and her Dr. to properly assess that with certainty.

Take care,

James

[SofiaFreitas]

#1068863

Thank you James. I totally agree with you. And I will try to convince her to speak freely and openly with her Dr. to see if he can assess whether her emotional disturbance is only due to GD or not. I do think it is a mixture of GD, stress in her life, tendency to depression and also bad temper.

And Sue, I really hope you are 100% OK now! And yes, you have enough to handle! You are very brave, let me say it. Just let me ask you, is your thyroid now balanced or are you under any treatment? Like James here, haven’t you experienced any emotional improvement with treatment?

[Sue_Conard]

#1068864

Unfortunately YES Sofia, I’m UP and then DOWN like a yo yo emotionally with GD. I am currently taking 60 mg. of tapazole daily, just went through IV Solumedrol Infusion Treatments (3x 1000mg) and on Tamoxifen for my breast cancer. No, my thyroid isn’t balanced yet and my Endo dr. wants to take out my thyroid. In the past year, I’ve only had 2 months of "normalcy" with my TSH & TSI numbers.

[npatterson]

#1068865

Sofia,

The ETA (European Thyroid Association) is meeting in Lisbon in two weeks. The TFI (Thyroid Federation International) is having a Patient Forum as well (co-sponsored by the NGDF). I could be wrong, but I believe it will be conducted in Portugese. If you will send me your regular e-mail, I will put you in touch with someone that can give you details. "nancyngdf@bellsouth.net".

I think there is also a movement to start a Portugal Thyroid Foundation — which will be a Patient Organization.

Take care,

[Author]

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