[Bobbi]

#1075009

Hindsight is wonderful. But, please, stop beating yourself up about the ski trip. Unless you are a doctor, there is absolutely no way for you to have known. And, inasmuch as your sister is an adult, she shares responsibility in the decision to stay in the mountains rather than come home. But she isn’t to blame, either. The truth is, many doctors misdiagnose Graves in its early stages. Mine did. So, even if you had taken her to a clinic in the ski resort, it might have made no difference. And, it is very likely that had you not gone on that trip, her disease would have continued undiagnosed for a while longer.

The good news is that there is now a diagnosis, and the treatments work to make us well again. It takes time to undo the damage done by excessive levels of thyroid hormone, but we do get well again.

And you should be forewarned. Autoimmune thyroid issues run in families. You might not develop any thyroid disease, but your risk is slightly higher than normal now that your sister has shown up with Graves. It could be either Graves or it could be Hashimotos (autoimmune hypothyroidism). Tell your primary care doctor so that the issue can be entered into your medical/family history. And make sure that when routine blood work is requested (during annual exams), that thyroid function is one of the issues being checked. If thyroid disease is caught early enough, the bad side issues (muscle loss, bone loss, etc.) can be avoided.

Wishing you and your sister well,

[belou]

#1019917

Hello,

Thank you for creating this website. My sister was just diagnosed with Graves disease today after 3 months of unexplained weight loss. We found out after returning from a ski trip – she fainted when we arrived, unloaded the car, and were headed to the condo, then felt nausea, dizzy, had cold sweats, had a difficult time sleeping, and got fatigued just walking around a few steps (so no, she didn’t ski). We thought she had altitude sickness (because she felt fine when we were at a lower altitude, other than feeling stressed about work and other family issues, which is why we went to the mountains to get a way for the weekend)… we didn’t head down the mountain or go to the ER because she didn’t have the headache and disorientation, and everything we read up on said to just take it easy, drink fluids, etc. My big mistake dragging her up the mountain after she went in for a checkup, but before she got her labwork back…I figured that if she didn’t feel like skiing, she could relax in the condo or get a massage. In hindsight I’m realizing that we should have checked with her doctor first (I didn’t even think about the altitude). When we returned, we found out she had hyperthyroidism and then Graves disease (T4 > 4.5 times normal). I’m really #$%&#$ at myself after having read up on symptoms and realizing that she had all but 2 symptoms of a thyroid storm. This after having a cardiac ablation a few years ago to treat SVT. We’re identical twins, so it’s especially hard (why her and not me…) She’ll probably join this forum soon, but right now she’s just getting over the shock of the diagnosis.

I’m the opposite, I’ve put on a lot of weight recently…but I’ve read that Graves disease can cause both weight gain (hypothyroid stage) and weight loss (hyperthyroid)?

My sister needs a less stressful job, but now that’s out of the question with a pre-existing medical condition, don’t want to risk loss of medical coverage.

[belou]

#1075010

Thanks… we have the same primary care doctor (can be good and bad – oops pulled the wrong chart, billed the wrong insurance) and signed release forms to have access to each other’s rexords.

It’s strange how genes vs envt works – my sister has always been prone to allergies and colds, this helps explain things. Our dad and a brother has psoriasis, which I think is an autoimmune disease. I’m definitely going to get checked at my next appointment since I seem to be following down the similr path as her (first anemia, then weight gain, then irregular cycles – hers spotty on and off, mine menorrhagia), only five years later. So – high blood pressure and cholesterol from our mom, risk of diabetes from our dad (elevated now for my sister since she can’t work out until her hormones get in control), bad eyesight from whatever (and now the added factor of Graves and checking for bulgy eyes – I told her she needs to get a referral to an ophthalmologist, optometrist wont cut it).

We need to find ways to relieve stress! Nno more 60-80 hour work weeks is the first step (for both of us), maybe tai chi when she’s up to it. Stress defintely riggered it, too many things going on (mom died of non smoking related lung cancer – hospital on a Friday, dead in Wednesday; brother diagnosed with mental illness; dad not in the best shape, firestorms, finances..okay, done)

[cathycnm]

#1075011

Dear Belou – I chuckled to myself a bit when I read your post. Not laughing at you. I practiced as a nurse-midwife in Montrose CO for years – and your story sounds like so many of my patients over the years. I got many calls from the surrounding ski towns during those years with symptoms that people thought would get better with stress mgt holidays – when the altitude and stress of travel actually brought on more symptoms and lead to a diagnosis. Many illnesses seem to declare themselves during times like that – so, as Bobbi said – there is no point is feeling bad about it.

I can identify with your situation. My job can be stressful and yet has wonderful benefits. When I drew my line in the sand about putting health first – well, I did not get any standing ovations!!! In fact, quite the opposite. Still – I am being true to myself and honering that – people will get use to the fact that I give more than most would even on slower speed. If they can find someone who wants to do 70 hour work weeks for what educators make – go for it!!! When I do work more than 40 it is for something I find meaningful – like helping the nursing students be successful.

I also do life coaching – and one thing that might help you and your sister is to look at some of the knowledge we have gained about happiness at work. I recommend the book "Good Business" by Csikszentmihalyi or the book "First Break all the Rules" by Clifton (I think). A lot of times it is about refocusing what we do have – I know in my case, I can easily overbalance my workload and leave out my social support system. Any boss would love to have us work 80 hours for 40 hours worth of pay – so they are not usually the ones who will help us rebalance. One step at a time, I look for ways to rebalance. Graves was yet another wake up call that I still need to work on that!

You are correct on psoriasis. Yes, the mix of genes and environment are interesting. I have also had some discussion with folks here that there may be a Graves personality. I was called "driven" so many times in my career. I was in overdrive so much that I blew the engine out! Let us know how it is going!

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