[GDRobM]

#1072369

Hello Pixiejo, from my perspective, since being diagnosed with GD, the positive is that I am feeling my old self again, that self that I hadn’t felt for years. I have lost a lot because of this disease, but there is no other way to look at it as a good thing to have the reset button pressed on my life, and look forward while picking up the pieces. It’s not easy, but I suppose character building in a way. Once I started to feel more sane and recognise how unwell I was, it does make me happy to be back! And piece by piece it all gets better. Also to not have the physical and psychological symptoms (mostly) is a great feeling, and it feels great to feel normal, and even though its not as good as pre-GD, relatively it’s normal.

And I’m alive!

Rob

[belldandy112]

#1072370

It’s sometimes hard to think of this as a positive, but I got divorced from a man who didn’t seem to want to make accommodations for my illness. It’s not that I’m "sick" all the time, but there are certain things that GD patients need to keep in mind, such as accessibility to specialists, doable climates, family support, etc. He first moved us to the arctic … poor medical care there … then wanted to move us to Saudi … women cannot even go to the doctor there without a male relative escorting them, and even then, the medical care is minimal for women, as we are considered "property" rather than "human" in this country.

Knowing that he wouldn’t sacrifice a little bit of his career — we could have easily lived in the states — told me all about his character that I needed to know. Eventually, it all came out … how much he resented me for having this disease, the cost, the health concerns, etc. i was married to an exec for big oil … a dollar chaser. Once I saw what his priorities were, I realized that I did not want to spend the rest of my life with someone who treated me so poorly.

Another positive that came about it is that I learned how to take care of my hair, nails and skin. For some of us women, "Use moisturizer with a good sun block!" isn’t a thought in our heads, but every human being should be wearing some sort of sun protection these days. So taking care of myself in that way — and getting used to the idea that I’d have to do it for life — was also a big plus. I really needed the incentive.

But most of all, I’d say that GD really pushed me to be healthier in terms of my physical activity. I was always athletic, but once I got in the range of normal and got the dr.’s clear to go back to my usual routine, I really put the pedal to the metal and got IN SHAPE. I am pretty happy with my overall physical health and endurance these days. I’m sure it could be a little better, but I don’t think that I would be as motivated to really stay in shape, had it not been for the GD.

I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone else writes!

Melissa
Austin, TX

[GDRobM]

#1072371

I will say a little more… getting fit and exercising, even a little, does make you feel a lot better…. I also had a relationship break down because of lack of understanding about GD, but moving on helps… just more little steps forward, which is boring really but when you think about it, positive…
Rob

[cathycnm]

#1072372

Interesting poll – and a good focus for resilience.

I am having a challenge at work – my cholesterol is still up even with my TSH normal. I have been in and out of depression since this hit – not bad but way NOT ME. I am having migraines for the first time since my first child (now 30) was born – started 5 days after RAI so I have to believe there is some connection. My work is stressful and not real supporting – though it is on the upswing slowely, ever so slowly. I feel sad and sick too much right now – not me. I am a happy-go-lucky optimist.

I do feel very grateful that I am usually happier. Feeling "not myself" for the last 1-2 years has helped me realize how aweful it would be if I had major depressive disorder or worse heart problems. I love my daily walks. I enjoy this board. I have learned a lot about thyroid disease that I share with my nursing students. I value my health. My PCP told me on Monday that my health had gone from exemplary to mediocre in 2-3 years – from job stress. I guess it is helping me set priorities to get back to exemplary in the next year or two. C

[Kimberly]

#1072373

Interesting thread! Here are a few of mine…

1. All the great people I’ve met through various Internet groups and boards (including this one) and attending last year’s NGDF conference.

2. I have really been working on my stress management over the last few months, because I have found a definite link between stress and my T3/T4 heading into hyper territory. I have been doing weekly Reiki sessions and have been trying to do some meditation every night. I’m learning to not get angry over the continuing drama where I work. Hopefully, that will have a positive impact on my overall health in the future.

3. I was already eating pretty healthy before diagnosis, but even more so now. I have really cut back on processed foods, as well as gluten and dairy. (I find that my stomach is happier with less dairy and gluten – I tried eliminating them completely but that was WAY too high maintenance and stressful. See #2. )

4. I’m getting at least 8 hours of sleep at night, as opposed to 6-7.

5. I’m much more appreciative of the days that I feel good.

[PixieJo]

#1019544

since being diagnosed with GD?

I know there are major struggles for all of us, but thought it would be interesting to see what "blessings in disguise" there may be ” title=”Smile” />

[Marpo]

#1072374

I actually wrote a list a while back called "What has Graves’ ever done for me?" I have 26 items but these are a few of my favorites.
1. I have learned patience
2. I have learned things about myself I didn’t know
3. I have found out I am a strong person
4. I have met people I would never have met if not for Graves’
5. I have learned Graves’ is not the end of the world
6. I have learned to appreciate the smallest things
7. I have learned there are others worse off then I am
8. I have learned to accept myself for who I am
9. I have learned to accept my appearance
10. I have learned to not judge people by how they look
11. I will survive

[catsmum]

#1072375

A real positive is finding that there are people out there who are willing to be supportive & helpful to complete strangers. Thank you all. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[cathycnm]

#1072376

Today I am feeling better about feeling worse!!!! I have felt "hyper T" for the last couple months – moody, irritable, borderline depressed, achy theigh muscle. TSH last week 1.8 – my PCP decided to check a T4 after I told her I thought I was hyper again – The result came back slightly above normal limits and would explain a few things!!! She has a call into my endo to back the dosage off a bit. Holy cow, batman – I thought it my thyroid and felt dejected when the TSH was normal. I was sitting here blaming my poor resilience skills – which are normally great. I knew something was up when I cried for 3 days after getting a B on my last pharmacology test and got really mad at my cats for breaking a plant pot. And my muscle started to hurt on my walks everyday.

Positive – I trust my intuitions about what is going on with me more and I am more assertive with my physicians! C

[Apostrophe]

#1072377

Graves disease taught me to appreciate feeling good. Before I was diagnosed, I took my good health for granted — no more! Now I feel like I can appreciate feeling healthy.

[belldandy112]

#1072378

cathycnm wrote:Positive – I trust my intuitions about what is going on with me more and I am more assertive with my physicians! C

No kidding! I used to just roll over and do whatever the doctor told me to do. My allergist could sell me on anything … anything! Any new medication, any new treatment, blah, blah … well, they get kick-backs from the pharmaceutical companies, we all know that.

I have learned how to tell my endo, unequivocally NO on the RAI treatment. After researching the topic and arriving at the conclusion that this was yet another pricey procedure used by docs largely to rake in insurance money, I made my decision and stuck with it. ” title=”Smile” />

[Ski]

#1072379

While I know the U.S. healthcare system is VERY sick, I just have to make one comment here ~ RAI is actually the least costly treatment for Graves’. ATDs require frequent office visits and lab tests for at least two years, then again after the patient stops taking the meds. Surgery, of course, involves many other professionals (anesthesiologists, surgical attendants), a hospital room, and follow up care. Both are more expensive than RAI.

Still, if you don’t want RAI, there’s no need for any other argument than you’d rather not. No doctor can force you into it.

[cathycnm]

#1072380

Ski – I agree – the US system needs some real improvement. I practiced as a provider for years and I never got any kick backs from pharm companies other than some nice lunches while they sold us on their newest product. Also – referring for procedures never benefited my practice. That money all goes to the facility you refer to – there is no reward to the provider (monetary) for referring to one facility over another. However, most times the privider must be on-staff at the hospital where they order procedures. It is a ton of work to be approved to be on-staff and to meet ongoing requirements so most providers are not on staff at huge #s of hospitals. Kick backs are illegal and I honestly never saw that happening.

I think our system is medicine focused – look at all the ads on TV. We want quick answers and quick fix pills – rather than taking the long-cuts in our lives. America has a healthcare industry – which means we get the latest techno and drugs faster than other countries. Other countries have healthcare systems – which are less money focused. The money is the "carrot" for the tech. I am not sure which is better, really. An aquaintance of mine who is an HCA physician wrote a book called "Sick patients, sicker system" that has some interesting research on the topic.

I chose RAI because of my pre-existing osteoporosis – I did a lot of reading and going hyper again – even briefly – could set me back quickly in my treatment. Everything I read said if you already have osteoporosis that RAI is the safest option for the bones. And so I am glad I had that option. Without the bone issue, I would have done meds for sure. Cathy

[CMoore416]

#1072381

Ive learned to be more understanding of other’s problems – and phobias. After being terribly afraid of everything while super HyperT – I learned that everyone has problems. Now, I can be more more helpful to others and more sympathetic. Its taught me a lot about life and I now calue being happy and healthy way more than anything else in life.

[Mickey65]

#1072382

I appreciate that I caught it when I did. I’m not sure how long I have had GD, but it was late last summer when I noticed my hands shaking all the time.

And thankful that my medical bills didn’t hurt too much and my insurance at work covered a lot of it – altho the uptake and RAI were the killers for the bills that they didn’t cover much of and now I’m paying off about $400 of that!

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