[shell1967]

#1060242

Hi to everyone

I have been reading lots of interesting threads and stories on this forum and have decided to take a chance and register.

I am in Hertfordshire, England and was diagnosed in June of this year. Was hyper and now thanks to medication, am now hypo!

Reading the stories and information on here has been a fantastic help and given me great encouragement. I have been surfing the internet since June and have not found a UK site that is specific to Graves’ disease.

I feel that since June i have been to hell and back but am still just about surviving. Me and my disease have been accepted by most but rejected by others. It is a disease that needs more exposure and support.

So now i have worked out how to post, i would love to hear from people.

Thank you for the great advice and help i have already had and i look forward to being able to chat and help other through this site.

Regards to all.

[SueAndHerZoo]

#1181464

Hi Shell.
Congratulations on your first post – you did great!

Yes, this is a disease that is very disruptive and most people know nothing about it so when you tell someone what you’re suffering with they usually look confused, and when you try to explain it, it never sounds like a big deal. The fact that we pretty much LOOK normal also confuses people – they have no idea what’s going on inside of us.

It is definitely a struggle but one you can win. Keep reading, keep posting, and good luck with your treatment plan.
Sue

[barbra]

#1181465

Hi Shell1967,

Nice to hear from you, all the way from England. I joined the “Graves’ club” the middle of April this year.

Reading and learning from the people here has helped me a great deal. Changed me from clueless to someone who actually knows a bit about the disease.

Sue is right. Since we’re not totally bedridden, bandaged or dragging on the ground people, even family, can’t understand how we feel. The thought is: you look ok so get over yourself.

So, anytime you need a little propping up or want to whine, come here and someone will always listen.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[flora]

#1181466

Hi Shell1967 –

I’ll add my “Welcome”, too – this is a wonderful place to visit, to share and to learn. I came on board last Spring when, after months of wondering what could be happening to me, and absolutely no “happy” left, I got my diagnosis at last, in March. Although I started my ATD on March 5th, I had to pretty much crawl through the next 10 weeks, before I began to feel better. But, my Tapazole finally kicked in one late Spring day, and the light that everyone here assured me really was at the end of the tunnel, finally appeared. Since then, my doctor and I have been making dose adjustments – sometimes a little too little, and sometimes a little too much – but we are getting there. The swings are gradually ramping down in amplitude, as we get nearer to “my” dose. It’s been an interesting journey thus far, and I’m so grateful for the encouragement of our “Forum Friends”. Yours will be, too.
With healing thoughts,

Flora
PS: If you find me under “flora” in the User List, you can read about my experiences – hope it might help.

[npatterson]

#1181467

Hi Shell,

Welcome to our board. I can also refer you to the British Thyroid Foundation “www.btf.org”. Janis Hickey is their President. They are really active over there. If that address doesn’t get you to them. let me know and I will dig deeper for her personal e-mail. You can also try the Thyroid Federation International.

Take care,

Nancy

[Raspberry]

#1181468

Welcome Shell, you will find lots of knowledge and great folks here. I’ve been on this journey for 18 months and still struggling quite a bit, lots of roller coaster riding. My biggest piece of advice for anyone starting out is: don’t wait to be well. If you feel well enough, even if still somewhat sick or off, to do the important things in your life go ahead and do those things. Waiting to get back to full and normal health can backfire – not saying I’ve given up because I certainly haven’t, but I put my life on hold for way too long waiting for a state of “normal” that never arrives. Now I know that sounds awfully discouraging so please also read the many stories of people here who feel that they really did get restored. I think recovery is complicated by many factors including genetic makeup, treatment method, and external events beyond our control so it is unique for each person. Wishing you the very best!

[Teri_Odegaard]

#1181469

Hi Raspberry, gotta agree with what you said. I have noticed that as I am more active in a short period of time; can only remember if a day or two, do not remember if less time than that. I am so worn out that I will sleep a lot the next two days. So have learned to space activities as needed. I do not have a ‘normal’ at all unless you would consider a ‘normal’ to be anywhere from one minute to a couple of hours. Learned to just deal with what is happening “in the now” of my life. Take what I get, use the time I have it and not let what other people don’t know bother me.

[HyperLee2]

#1181470

Hi Shell,
and Welcome!!
I also have Grave’s and am currently Hypo, due to the thyroid burning itself out, so I am told. (haven’t been on meds in many months, and haven’t had RAI either) Don’t know about you, but I would chose HypO over Hyper anytime!!!! Although I complain of being cold, and slightly tired, I much prefer HypO. One thing I can tell you is that I have been dealing with Grave’s for over 6 years, is that you learn to take well advantage and are grateful for the periods in which you are feeling well. I live in the middle part of the USA, and love it here!! Welcoming having medical insurance here after many years of being denied coverage due to this “pre-existing condition”

[Author]

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