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Hi everybody….
My name is Christy and I was recently diagnosed with GD. Two years
ago my family doctor had told me I needed to lose weight….made the mistake
and took some Stackers and I honestly believe thats what started this whole
journey….only took them once but the way they made me feel and my body reacted was enough to scare me.
Anyways….after that experience I decided to lose the weight the “healthy” way….started going to Curves….eating salads….tons of water and I managed to drop 17 lbs in approx 3 weeks….thats when the doctor had a fit and decided I need to have a Uptake done and a thyroid scan done….showed that
I was into Hyperthyroidism.
Here I am 2 yrs later with him doing nothing about it except blood work once in a blue moon….encouraging me to continue to lose weight (through exercise and healthy eating habits even though I eat anything and everything under the sun….my appitite is a bottomless pit)….oh and he finally decided that I needed to go see a specialist.
Seen the specialist on January 17th 2013….he asked all the questions as far as symptoms go….the only one I had at that time was weight loss and a small goiter which is barely noticeable. Unfort I couldn’t even tell him who had thyroid disease in the family because our family is a Heinz 57 family (dad adopted by stepfather and mother raised as a foster child since she was 3 days old and neither one knowing anything about bio parents.
The specialist was like “weird case” but am going to say I think you have Graves Disease….it didn’t bother me….I didn’t spaz because I had read up on it so my first question to him was “” Are my eyes gonna bulge out ?””….sorry if that offends anybody on here but at that moment that was my main concern.
He said to have another Uptake done then come back in 4 weeks to have a RAI treatment done…..I also asked him if we could wait for another 50 lb lose before we start messing with my body parts….he actually laughed at me and said no.
So here I am 19 days into this GD journey…have noticed a few symptoms creeping in….heart wanting to do its own thing (called doctor….am now on Inderal 40mg twice a day….resting heart is 100 bpm)….apitite is still there….can’t seem to get enough food ……always tired but at same time can’t sleep…..according to husband and son I have mood swings from hell.
I am so glad that theres other people that is going through this besides me….a few of my friends tell me that my outlook on it….being able to crack jokes about it is amazing to them.The way I see it is….I have been through so much in my life….a survivor of many things that in my mind is alot worse than this….so this GD issue should be a piece of cake….I see it as another experience in life and I have always dealt with life on lifes terms.Hello and thanks for sharing your story! You definitely don’t want to postpone treatment for hyperthyroidism, as it can cause major complications if left untreated, including bone/muscle wasting, heart issues, and a potentially life-threatening condition called thyroid storm.
You do have three treatment options, though — RAI, Anti-thyroid drugs, and surgery to remove the thyroid gland. All three options have risks and benefits, so you definitely want to do your research (from credible sources), consult with your doctor, and then make the decision that is right for *you*. The “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of the forum is a great place to start.
Unfortunately, doctors can’t predict who will get the eye disease, but the good news is that most patients will *not* experience the worst of the eye symptoms, such as bulging and double vision. Smokers tend to have a higher risk for eye complications and don’t respond as well to conventional treatment options, so that would be something to consider if you are currently a smoker.
Wishing you all the best!
Had scan and uptake done yesterday afternoon and this morning…..yesterday morning the specialist called….they bumped me up to RAI for tomorrow….eeks
Hi Christy – Are you comfortable with this treatment option? And did your doctor talk to you about the safety precautions that are needed for several days post-RAI? For example, if you have small children at home, you will likely need to make arrangements to have someone care for them for a couple of days.
If you have any eye involvement, it’s also a good idea to consult with an ophthalmologist, as some docs will recommend a course of steroids in conjunction with the RAI treatment. For patients with more severe involvement, an alternative treatment option will likely be recommended.
Obviously, we are fellow patients here, not docs…and we don’t know your medical history or your current situation. In general, though, there are three available treatment options (RAI, anti-thyroid drugs, and surgery), and you definitely want to understand the risks and benefits. The “treatment options” thread in the announcements section of this forum includes a couple of good links that will help you get started.
We have members here who are very happy with their choice of RAI as a treatment option…but they have generally had some time to review their options prior to making a final choice.
Take care!
Please consider all 3 options thoroughly before you let your Dr push you into something, without your knowing all the possible consequences. It most likely can wait a few weeks. This website has given me so much information, that based on my own needs, I’d go TT.
Hi echowhispered, I live in Cleveland, Ohio and I had RAI on December 12, 2012, my family was after me because I had lost 20 lbs. and weighted 120 lbs., hand tremors, no strength in my arms and thighs, extremely fatigued I dragged myself to work every day and came home and laid down to sleep but couldn’t fall asleep or stay asleep, my family dragged me to the doctors (Type A personality, never missed work and I am now working towards taking Yoga, exercising and eating well) and within days I was in to see one of the top endocrinologists and when I was at his office I was in AFib with a heart rate of 180 and he immediately hospitalized me. It took days for them to get my heart rate down and as I stated I had RAI on December 12, 2012. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and hyperthyroidism. I also had a cardiologist involved because of my heart rate. I spent almost two weeks in the hospital. I have to say I feel I have one of the best endocrinologists who calmed me down, reassured me everything will be okay, told me the exact course of action step by step and answered all my husband and my questions. As of today, January 31st my levels have come way down but I am still hyper but the hand tremors, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness have stopped. We are just waiting for me to convert. I get bloodwork every two to three weeks and see my endo every 4-6 weeks. My cardiologist and endo are of the opinion that my heart rate issues are thyroid driven and will be okay down the road. I take 25 mg. of Metoprolol every 12 hours only if my heart rate is over 70. I hope things get better as the days go by but I was not prepared for my life coming to a screaching halt. I am working to slow down and take care of myself.
@karenz516 – Thanks for sharing your story! Great advice for all of us to slow down and take care of ourselves. I’ve not seen any research on this, but just from talking to other patients, it seems that many of us who end up with Graves’ are extreme Type A personalilities, multi-taskers, etc..
Take care!
@Kimberly, thanks for your feedback, it would be interesting to see how many people are Type A/Multi-Taskers, I am probably a little OCD too. I promised myself if its the last thing I do that I will start Beginners Yoga for relaxtion (hopefully, I won’t be thinking of all the things that need to be done and I can relax) I have already cut out all caffeine and switched to Organic tea which taste wonderful and is relaxing and I am not a big salt person but the endo said NO SALT, so I have been researching food alternatives for cooking, etc. I go back to work next week and I am very apprehensive since I am still having good and bad days but I have been off two months already.
I am already on Inderal….40mg twice a day…..when I went for the RAI today I expressed my concernes about the heart rate and flip flops it does….he said if need be to take 80mg twice a day as a PRN…..had the treatment done at 1pm (EST)….right now its going on 930pm….so far so good…..only problem I have at the moment is not being able to be around my cats….oh….and they gave me the 33mCi strength
@echowhispered, glad to hear things are okay right now, I agree with you I had my RAI on 12/12/12 and still have days where my heart rate goes up, but never over 115, but today it was in the 90-100’s and I just don’t feel well on days like today, when my heart rate is in the 50-60’s I feel much better. My doctor and cardiologist are of the opinion that it is all thyroid driven. I had an echocardigram when I was in the hospital and my heart was fine. The also have me on Pradaxa, a blood thinner, 150 mg. to prevent a blood clot.
So far so good today….its 1135am est and already bored….can only watch so eemuch tv…..slept like a baby last night….of course had bed to self so didn’t have to deal with hubbys snoring…..poor guy slept in the recliner but most likely he’ll end up crashing at his parents house sooner or later….only positive thing i have found to this isolation is being catered to by husband and son….they poke their heads into the room every 30 mins asking if i need anything….bet if i tell them i need $1000 they give it to me lol…..checked my heart rate….so far its hanging at 70 bpm resting….so means it dropped since yesterday and i did not take extra Inderal….am going to keep eye on it throughout the day…..if still around 70 when i decide to go to bed tonight will skip the night pill ( i take 40mg twice a day….i try to take 12 hours apart)….just wish i knew when thyroid is supposed to start the dumping process so i can know when to start feeling funky if am supposed to….tata for now….might as well go on a cleaning spree here in my bedroom since its my castle for a few more days
@echodwhispered, I felt fine a few days after my RAI and I agree with Kimberley, AZGravesGuy has documented his experience and I can only speak for myself, its February 1st and I am still hyper after my RAI on 12/12/12, levels have come down but still hyper, I have good days and bad days, I will go 4 days with heart rate 50-70’s and feel great than it will shoot up to 90-100’s for a few days, and I am hot, shaky, anxiety through the roof.
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