[Bobbi]

#1065863

Yoga may work for some, at some point in their progress back towards health. But yoga requires muscle strength and many of us have lost it. Adaptations have to be made.

[Ski]

#1065864

I am tired and just worn out and really need to get my sleep in order. In my case I have trouble falling asleep or go into a deep sleep then wake and cannot fall back.

Hi Dave,

The sleep issue is one of the most difficult ~ when you’re hyperthyroid, it’s kind of like trying to swim with no water. The chemical imbalance makes it extremely hard to rest, and yet our body is exhausted from the hyperthyroidism. Very weird feeling, I know. While your sleep patterns are disrupted, you may want to make some modifications ~ first, lower your expectations. Do not expect that you will be able to have that "good night’s sleep" you remember so well. You may have to perform certain rituals in order to train your body to rest ~ take a hot bath, keep the room dark, don’t read or eat or watch TV in your bed, use it ONLY for sleep ~ and if all those things fail, sometimes you’ll just need to get up and do something quiet for a little while until you feel tired. Remember that resting your body in a dark room is almost as good for your body as full-on sleep, so try not to feel frustrated when that’s all you get. Rest WHENEVER you are able, you’ll benefit from it. If you need to go to sleep later in the night to avoid waking up FAR too early, do that. Adjust for now, and things will come back into the proper balance as your levels come into the normal range and stay there.

[susanne13]

#1065865

Haute-
I am sort of newly diagnosed (not quite 2 months) and I am on propylthiouricil. I lost about 5 pounds when I first started feeling bad (last August) but soon gained it back because I just couldn’t run like Iike I used to. I had no idea what was going on with me until I finally had to go to the ER with heart palpitations and was diagnosed. Anyway, since then I have gained about 10 pounds. I will tell you that I did go back to doing cardio at a less intense level soon after diagnosis (but on meds). You should probably ask your doc and get a heart rate monitor so you know where you are while you are working out. I also play sports, but lucky that mid-Feb was in-between seasons (in addition to a broken wrist in late Jan – yeah, not a good start to 2010 for me ” title=”Smile” />). I am also on Propanalol for my heart rate and BP.

Anyway, the bottom line is – I feel you! I have been working out (now that my heart rate and BP are stable) twice a day, running 4 miles and doing another workout at home. I have yet to lose any of the weight, which is frustrating! And my eating is, and always has been, healthy. I am gluten and meat free. It is tough, whether its be the meds or the metabolism slowing down or just not being able to run as fast or far as I used to. But it WILL get better and we WILL get healthy! I always try to remember that, even as I struggle to fit into my clothes. It’s hard sometimes but we can do it!!! I wish you the very best luck!!!

Susanne

[gatorgirly]

#1065866

Haute, I can’t tell you how similar our situations sound. I’m a 25 year old female and was heartbroken when my endocrinologist told me I was not allowed to work out at all. I understand why, both to protect my heart and any remaining muscles I have, but it’s a lot to ask of someone in this stage of life. I haven’t needed a dermatologist for the itchy, dry skin since my Feb 2010 diagnosis, but I may ask for a referral as lately I’ve had acne breakouts like a teenager! I never had acne, so it’s embarrassing and annoying at my age.

As for the weight, I’ve seen the numbers on the scale fall like rain, but cannot see any signs of this. If anything, I look bigger in the mirror simply because all of my previously-toned muscle mass is now sagging skin and fat.

Please feel free to message me if you want to talk further. It’s been really hard, but my friends (several of whom are graduating med school, which is a bonus for me) and family have been very supportive. My employer has not, but I’m working on securing a new job doing PR for a hospital, where the employee health nurse will ensure I’m not run into the ground ” title=”Smile” />

[djones]

#1065867

I too am incredibly frustrated with the weight issue. At first I lost it like crazy, even while eating like there was no tomorrow. Then overnight I started gaining. I’ve cut WAY back on what I eat and can’t lose 1 lb, and am still gaining almost to the level I was when this nightmare started.

My question is, besides the loss in muscle mass, what causes the weight gain – especially when my eating is healthy and in line with what it should be, AND I’m still hyper? It makes no sense. My doctor keeps increasing the PTU dose to get me stabilized (again), so so far I can’t exercise, although I’m way stronger than I was before my diagnosis when I was so weak I could barely make it up a stair.

Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

[Kimberly]

#1065868

Djones – I know that the weight gain issue is VERY frustrating, as I have been struggling with extra weight since I was diagnosed in 2007. Prior to that, I had lost 25 pounds through Weight Watchers and had maintained at my goal weight for 3 years. (And I know I wasn’t hypER during that period, as I have copies of old lab results).

During a panel discussion at last year’s conference in Charlotte, I asked a question about weight gain and treatment for hyperthyroidism. One of the doctors on the panel indicated that it’s possible there might be a “resetting” of one’s metabolism following thyroid issues. I know that my own metabolism is different than it was before…although part of it could be due to reduced muscle mass, which you mentioned.

However, remaining in a hyperthyroid state is an *immediate* danger to your health and needs to be corrected. Otherwise, this can cause complications such as bone/muscle wasting and heart problems – and occasionally thyroid storm, which can be fatal. So the priority is to stabilize your thyroid levels.

I still count Weight Watchers POINTS, which I think has helped keep things *somewhat* under control. You don’t have to go that formal route, but I do think it’s helpful to keep a food journal from day to day. Also, here are a few suggestions from a nutritionist who presented at last year’s GDF conference:

1. Include breakfast daily within 2 hours of waking up.
2. Don’t go longer than 5 hours in between meals
3. Select “high volume” and “high fiber” foods such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains
4. Limit servings of healthy fats to 1 per day
5. Prioritize at LEAST 7 hours of sleep a night

Once a doctor’s clearance is obtained to resume activity, she also recommended 150 minutes per week of physical activity, plus strength training 2 times per week.

Best of luck – and feel free to vent here if you need to. There are *many* of us here who have struggled with weight issues since our Graves’ diagnosis…so we definitely understand.

[debaub03]

#1065869

Sad and scared fits me perfectly. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in April 2010 after routine bloodwork by my doctor. I then went to an Endocrinologist. After discussion we decided to watch for symptoms to develop because at the time I didn’t really have any. I also was diagnosed in Sept. 2008 with fibromyalgia which makes it harder to decide what is causing my fatigue and aches. Now my hair seems to be falling out more than normal and I feel very emotional, mostly weepy or angry.
I too have big concerns about my weight. I am one of those people that has not lost any weight being hyperthyroid and I definetely don’t want to gain any. I guess my main question is should I go on Methimazole or have the RAI and get rid of my thyroid. Any opinions would be appreciated!

[mifis]

#1065870

Restorative yoga can be very helpful, but as a teacher I would suggest not doing any long holds of postures and not doing ANY backbends because they will be too stimulating. So no cobra, warrior, bow etc. Forward bending is considered more calming and therefore more appropriate for someone with GD.

Hope this helps!

[maryintx]

#1065871

Some things that have uplifted myself & friends family coping with thyroid in transition issues- artwork/painting with oils, Music playing instrument/listening, pet therapy, TM (Transcendental Meditation), planning a future vacation/ wedding vow renewal, and participation in a prayer group.

[djones]

#1065872

I love yoga and just had to drop out of a class because it was too taxing. I would love a list of poses that are good for GD. Also just put my gym membership on hold because I can’t lift weights without wiping myself out for 3 days afterward. I used to be SO physically active. Cannot wait until I can get back to it.

I’m on PTU but my levels aren’t stabilized yet. We’ve increased the dose and am hopeful the levels finally get to where they need to be. It’s SO frustrating gaining weight and not being able to exercise. Counting Weight Watchers points is a great idea. Thank you for that. At the very least I’m going to start writing down everything I eat.

I am so grateful for this community!

[Kimberly]

#1065873

Debaub03 – Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I also got my diagnosis as a result of routine bloodwork. When a diagnosis comes like this out of the blue, we tend to go through the various “stages of grief” – denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, etc.. But the good news is that an early diagnosis means that our hyperthyroidism was caught before it had an opportunity to do too much damage. There are many patients who literally spend *years* going from doctor to doctor trying to get a correct diagnosis. Some of these folks end up in the ER with thyroid storm…so we definitely have to count our blessings.

All of our treatment options have pros and cons, so this is a decision that you should make in partnership with your doctor. Factors that might affect your decision include whether you are (or want to become) pregnant, whether your thyroid is significantly enlarged, and whether you have eye complications. There are members on this forum who have been through various treatment approaches, so this is a great place to get feedback. You might also try searching this forum for “methimazole” and “RAI”, which will give you some good background information on members’ experiences with the different treatment approaches.

Keep in mind that none of the treatment options is a "quick fix." Regardless of whether you choose Anti-Thyroid Drugs (methimazole, tapazole) or RAI, there will be a period of trial-and-error where you and your doctor work to find the dose that is right for you. But the good news with Graves’ is that once you select a treatment and get your thyroid levels stabilized, you *will* return to good health!

Finally, you noted that your hair was falling out – many of us notice that we lose hair more rapidly when our thyroid hormone levels are changing, either up or down. So if your next appointment with your doctor is far off, you might call and see if you can get bloodwork done sooner, *just* to make sure that your levels are OK.

Best of luck!

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