[Anonymous]

#1037248

Thanks very much for your reply. Unfortunately i dont have any one that can come with me to appointments. I used to forget everything now i right it all down so i dont forget. My doctors appointment didnt go well at all and he is the 4th specialist i have seen. I have had 2 of the four say its depression but i know its not.

Thanks for your reply.
Sorry about the winging

[Anonymous]

#1122873

Well I had a doctors visit today only to find out that he said I was diagnosed with high blood pressure 2 weeks after my surgery. I guess I just never realized that. I have been on that metoprolol for a long time but I thought it was because of the thyroid issue. I am seriously thinking about changing doctors. I was for some unknown reason having like a mini panic attack in his office. I was really nervous and my blood pressure and heart rate were elevated. The strange thing is we discussed it and he gave me a perscription to take for those times I feel I need something. The odd thing I thought was he never even listened to my heart or anything at this visit. I know maybe that is a good thing that he feels panic attacks are somewhat harmless but I was very surprised. We also discussed my thyroid medication and he is explaining how we are “fine tuning” right now and I may continue to fluctuate closer to hyper again. He said I may just have to accept things where they are now with a low T3 and deal with the tiredness. Any input?
Katie

[Anonymous]

#1122874

Hi Katie,

When you are not happy with the type of care and treatment you are receiving from your doctor, then it is time to think about changing doctors. That is your right. It is very important that the both of you are on the same page. You need to make sure why you are receiving certain medicine and how long the doctors expects you to be on it.

Yes, it is true that we have to deal with thyroid level changes and the fact that some of them take longer to return to normal. But we don’t have to just live with it.

Are you seeing an endo? They are the best ones to deal with our Graves Disease.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1122875

I am not currently seeing an endo because the one I was seeing left the field to practice in end stage at Hospice. She was the best her field. Part of my problem with my doctor is I go in there very nervous. I do think it has to do with the changing levels then I go into a panic and I dont have to tell you what happens from there. I felt like I was going crazy yesterday. I had the test for TSH, T4 and T3 that is how they know that my level is low. I dont have a huge problem feeling a little sluggish it is this wild panic that comes over me when my levels are changing. I feel this horrible shakiness in side then it makes me nervous then I am in a full blown panic. He seemed very surprised when I told him two other people I know have had their thyroid removed they all ended up on high blood pressure medication and have both had that shaky feeling with heart racing even when they were in the hypo state. He looked at me like I was crazy for saying that. He was very understanding about the panic so is running some other hormone level test (female) to see where things are at. I know it sound strange but whenever I have to go get my blood pressure taken I go into a panic and it makes it so much worse. I have decreased my levoxyl back down to see if this will help calm things down. I am going for the testing in another 2 weeks so hopefully by then I will get some answers. I just dont understand why my levels seem to change for no reason. I am 15 months after surgery and still cant seem to get it just right. I may feel really well for about 3 weeks and then it is back to this.
Thanks for listening.
Katie

[Anonymous]

#1122876

Hi Katie

A lot of people feel nervous about getting the blood pressure check and even going to the doctor. As a result their pressure is a little higher. I have a girlfriend like that. I’m sure there are many others who have panic attacks like you. You need to look at the reason why you are having them. Is it nerousist about seeing the doctor or having out that your levels are not in the normal range cause you to panic? If that is the case you need to realize that have low or high levels is very normal. There is really nothing you can do to prevent them. It took myself over a year after having RAI for my levels to reach a normal range and stay there. I was on many doses of thyroid replacement. It is hard not to get upset about this but it is beyond your control.

When you feel an attack coming on you need to practice deep breathing. This helps me when I have a panic attack. You might even think of going to therypist for those. I go and it has helped me greathly.

Are you following doctors orders with changing your dosage? Only do what he tells you to do and do not play around with your dosage yourself.

I certainly understand what you are going through when you have these panic attacks as I have them also. But not when I go to a doctor. Again there really isn’t anything you can do to prevent them from coming on. But like I had said before deep breathing has help me stop it once it begins.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1122877

Thanks Diane. I am doing exactly what the doctor has told me as far as mediciation. The only thing was he wanted me to try cymotel again and I had an adverse reaction on it and told him I really didnt want to try that again. I have decide to go to an Endocrinologist and have made an appointment. Unfortunately it is 7 weeks away but I figure by that time I am hopefully going to be stable. As far as the panic attack it is just going to this doctor. I dont know why but I get really panicky. I guess I am afraid something else is going to go wrong. I know it sounds crazy but I cant control it right now. I did talk to the pharmacist today when I was pickin up some new medication. She did advise me that with my thyroid number fluctuating and my perimonpausal state I am in this alone can throw everything into a spin. It did make me feel much better. She suggested starting to take my blood pressure at home in a calmer environment and if it is truly normal then I shouldnt be nervous that it will be high at the doctors. I started today I was a little paniced but my numbers were almost normal so I was happy about that and am hoping I am over this phobia soon. Thanks again for listening. It is so nice to vent to people who have been there.
Katie

[Anonymous]

#1122878

Hi Katie

At least now you know that your blood pressure can be lower in a more safer place. Keep track of it, just take it once a day about the same time, and then show that to your doctor.

Yes, your pharmacist gave you some good advice and insight. You have a lot going on with your body and unfortunatly they can both cause uncomfortable feelings and panic attack. Just remember to take one day at a time, or even one hour at a time. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you do have a panic attack or nervous feelings. This happens to so many people and especially you with Graves and menopause. Most of us on the board, including me, have been there and we understand. Just remember there will be a time in your life when you feel better.

Diane B

On-Line Facilitator

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