[Ski]

#1063021

Hi there,

I’m glad you found us, and I’m sure glad you wrote ~ we can help you navigate the process, for sure. I’m actually not very clear on what your treatment status is ~ you had RAI, but no follow up? Or do you take thyroid hormone replacement at this point? It’s true that normal thyroid hormone levels usually signal good news, but we understand that being at YOUR normal point is even more important, since the range of thyroid hormone that’s considered "normal" is so large. The fact that you’ve been largely untreated, or at least haven’t paid a great deal of attention to your thyroid hormone status, may make this immediate process a little more complicated, because it’s hard to know exactly where you stand and where to go next. It’s also important to follow your doctor’s advice about the other things, because we do tend to begin every medical conversation after diagnosis by saying "how is Graves’ causing THIS thing?" when in fact it is nearly as likely that something else is going on, so don’t stop talking when your doctor suggests it may be something else, because they could be very right.

Some interim steps may include anti-depressants, and I would urge you to consider that as a real possibility for help. If your thyroid hormone levels have been out-of-whack in either direction for a long period of time, it can affect nearly every body system, and our brain chemical balance is very delicate. If you find that you can stop the rage in this way, it’ll be worth it to you and to your relationship. There’s no harm in spending some time with a therapist, just to talk these things out, even if you don’t really think it’s rooted in a longterm psychological issue. Anything you can do to ease up on your other responsibilities at this time will probably be good for your overall mental state ~ do things that you love, try to minimize things you absolutely hate (within reason, of course ~ if you have a job you hate, best to try and get through a day in order to keep financial issues from becoming yet another issue).

I hope this helps ~ let us know how it’s going, and keep asking questions! Knowledge is definitely power! ” title=”Very Happy” />

[Surge]

#1018158

Hello,
I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease when I was 16 and at the time didn’t really care to know about it. I was depressed, and was doing drugs. After about a year of dealing with the pills everyday, my parents and I decided to do the RAI treatment. I was informed I would need to check back with a doctor, but I wasn’t really worried at the time. I’ve been with my fiance for 4years now and I’m beginning to not handle my mental issues. I’ve developed paranoia, my suicidal thoughts have gotten out of control, I’m extremely aggressive, and I’m just feeling crazy. My typical "flair-ups" ,usually only encompass my body are coming back stronger than ever, and kinda worried. I don’t really know what I’m doing posting this here lol. But I just feel out of control and I know she is paying for it. She looked up GD and was kind of freaking out. Now I’m worried that I’m pushing her away. I want to find help but when I went to a Endocrinologist she said my T3 and T4 levels were normal and that I need to see a cardiologist for a event monitor. But I know when I have have a "flair-up" and when its not the same. Does anyone know of a good Endo-doctor in the Phoenix, AZ area? I could really use help with getting some mental and physical help. Thanks

[Surge]

#1063022

I had the RDI done to make myself as close to the "normal person range" as I was trying to enlist at the time. When my informed my recruiter he said that having GD made me medically unable to join. My doctor said my levels were "a little high" but I did not require further PTU and Propranolol. After that I just stopped going (was in a rather dark place after not being able to enlist), and started doing drugs. Once I met my fiance, she helped me fight off my addiction. But after quitting my depression/aggression issues became more manic and became less consistent. I’m not physically violent, I’m told I become; cold, careless, short-fused, over-all a terrible person. I’m open to seeing a therapist and getting help anything I can do to get what I can under control. I do not want to lose her. I work two jobs at the moment (Money is kind of tight with a family of four). So I’m limited on my sleep and my relax time, and it seems like when I’m not working all I AM doing is fighting with her. Worst part is that most of the time, I am able to see myself acting bad but in the moment I can’t stop myself. I feel like a little kid sometimes.

[Kimberly]

#1063023

Hello – I agree with Ski’s comments…I just wanted to add that a couple of good web sites for endo referrals are http://www.aace.com/ and http://www.thyroid.org/. If you use the aace site, be sure and select the specialty “thyroid dysfunction.”

Also, there are some great articles on the Foundation’s web site about how Graves’ Disease affects our emotions. You can find them by visiting http://www.ngdf.org, clicking “Publications” (ignore the drop-downs) and then clicking on “psychosocial and emotional effects”.

Also, if you and your fiancé have an interest, there is a support group that meets monthly in Scottsdale. Details for this group (and all the support groups around the country) are available at http://www.ngdf.org/pages/11.

Best of luck – please check back and let us know how you are doing.

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