[Anonymous]

#1096494

Sorry – ment for that to be adressed to GDwife!

[Anonymous]

#1096495

I wish I could tell you how long it takes to get regulated, but it seems to vary from person to person. I did Tapazole for 18 months, went into remission for 16 months, then became hypo this past Nov. I have had my Synthroid dose adjusted twice recently, and right now I feel like it’s the right dose. Also, in the last week or so, I really feel for the first time that my anxiety is lessening. I’m really excited about that!! My irritableness would come and go for about 2 years, but many people get straightened out very quickly.

How wonderful that you were a psych major, and that you are going for counseling!! Sounds like you are really on the right track with everything you are doing. I’m sure you are already doing this, but sometimes with Graves, having fewer responsibilities helps. There were times I couldn’t handle doing a load of laundry or talking on the phone! I really didn’t enjoy being social anymore. Your husband may need a little quiet time. Since you were a psych major, you may find the book, “The Thyroid solution, by Ridha Arem, M.D. helpful. It really gets into how the thyroid affects the mind, and presents case studies of individuals. It is excellent. You may already have it.

By the way, I have a friend who has Graves and diabetes, and had a real tough time with Graves for a while. She is doing very well now.

Again, your family is very fortunate to have you!!

[Anonymous]

#1096496

Dear GD Wife,

I, too, had mood swings for over 1 1/2 years of being treated with an antithyroid drug. I felt better physically, but mentally, I was still suffering a lot of stress and anger. It was very hard on my family, but like you, they stuck with me. I had to leave my job due to stress and also lost a friend who could not understand what was happening to me. It will get better, but you or your husband should let the Dr. know what is going on. The only reasons I did not add an antidepressant to my medication regimen was that it was never offered, and I was on so many drugs, I didn’t want to add one more. But, I probably could have used it. Instead, I quit my job to de-stress and started a home career where I didn’t have so much stress. I know my Dr., who was an internist, really did not understand the mental ramifications of Graves’ disease, but I did get some insight about it in the book, “The Thyroid Solution” by Ridha Arem, M.D. He explains well what both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can do to a person mentally and physically. He has a theory that it takes the brain chemistry longer to recover. It sure helped me feel understood, and of course, just reading this BB does that whether I post or not! I wish good support for all 3 in your family!

Kind regards,
Carole

[Anonymous]

#1027256

Hi there Laree- my hubby has been through the ringer with me and my GD. I went undiagnosed for a while and lost 60 lbs before becomming completely disfunctual in nearly every way- Boy was I a screamy mom for a while (my kids are 4,3,&2 now but this started right after my 3rd was born. What I wanted to mention to you was that my timeline was this- one year of PTU (miserable stuff- I hated it but needed 18 pills a day of it to function) then surgery to remove most of my thyroid & goiter- then gained back the 60 + 20lbs and now, 9 months post opp I am WONDERFUL! I take one synthroid pill everyday and I am finally able to control my emotions, enjoy my kids, and love my husband every day. When you are sick- you can’t think, you can’t comprehend what you feel, you are miserable, weak, jumpy, irritable, and just downright unhealthy-… but oh what a joy to feel better and look back over your time as a survivor. You will look back with your husband somedy knowing that you have conquered this disease together! good for you! hang in there! lissa

[Anonymous]

#1096497

Drop me a note and I will talk to your husband.

As a guy with Graves’ I have been where your husband is now. I was a raving nut but I got better. Took some time and going to a counselor for stress management and family counseling.

We are not nuts (which is what a lot of us fear) but we are having problems with our chronic illness and it has an effect on our bodies and mind.

I would get mad at the drop of a hat. Scream at my family and I was not mad at them. I was mad at myself. So when I got mad I would yell at them that I loved them and I was not mad at them. Got the anger out and they knew it was my “Graves” not me so to speak.

I would be more than glad to talk to you and you husband. Just click on my name and we can work out a phone call.

We are only a click away.

Jake
On-line Facilitator
Co-Author “Graves’ Disease In Our Own Words”

[Author]

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