[maesanchez87]

#1060394

Hello, My name is Maelisa. I was just diagnosed with Graves Disease. I am third generation. My grandmother and my mother both have it.
Usually I have always been healthy never really sick. Which was a good thing, because my daughter is disabled. I always feared something happening to me because she needs me. Another worry was my husband is in the military and the military needs him. I always hated asking him to focus on me. Between our three kids, his soldier. I should be strong, I hold down everything.
Now I fear things will change a little. I am wondering what are some things you have done to help you through this? I have my mom which has been amazing, but there are things that are so unknown.
THank you so much

[snelsen]

#1182384

Welcome. You have a lot of new friends here. I am hoping that you can realize that you will be well again. I do not know how your grandmother and mother are doing, or how they did. It is a path we all take. We get the diagnosis. We don’t feel well (this is why.) We are not ourselves! The usual path is to take anti thyroid drugs (abbreviated here to ATD) and we begin to feel better. If our heart is beating very fast, the doctor will probably prescribe another pill, called a beta blocker (slows the heart rate, this is a good thing.) Then you have choices of treatment. This website has a lot of good information, and/or you can use the SEARCH part of the forum, and type in various words, like, treatment, surgery, RAI (for radioactive iodine) Those two are treatments, and some people stay on ATD’s for quite a while, and/or they decide with their doctor what they want to do.
YOu WILL NOT be sick forever. You will be fine again. You will be able to care for your daughter, live and love a long life. Glad you have your mom in your life, she should be a great example that things,and you, will be fine again. She sounds like she is there for you.
Please continue to write.
Shirley, another Graves’ patient (a LONG time ago, it developed in my 20’s and I am now in my late 70’s. I had surgery, and I take Synthroid.

[Kimberly]

#1182385

Hello and welcome! My #1 recommendation would be to educate yourself about Graves’ disease and the risks and benefits of the three treatment options – and then make an informed decision in conjunction with your doctor. The “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of the forum is a great place to start.

Also, anything that you can do to pare down your schedule will be helpful during this time. See if there are tasks that are bogging you down that you could potentially “dump” or “delegate”. Building some “down time” into your day to focus on activities that bring you joy and give you energy is also helpful. Examples include meditation, gentle yoga, walking, reading, watching funny movies, or attending a live musical or theatrical performance.

Many of us with Graves’ have traditionally been overachievers when it comes to helping *other* people – now it’s time to make sure you are taking care of yourself!

Please keep us posted on how you are doing!

[Author]

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