[AlisonGraves]

#1059933

Hello everyone! My name is Alison and on Friday I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease. I know this sounds weird, but I nearly cried with joy. I have been sick for six years now and every doctor I have seen has told me that it was stress and tried to put me on antidepressants. I know my body well enough to say that it was NOT stress, but no one would listen to me. Finally I went to my OBGYN, but I did not mention the way I felt, because no one ever listen and if one more person told me it was all in my head I would have probably blown a gasket. My doctor seemed very concerned about my weight (I am 5′ 11″ and I weigh 120 pounds) I had told her that I can’t gain weight. Then one thing led to another and I gave her a list of my symptoms, which included:

1) Feeling shaky and weak all the time.
2) Tachycardia and Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC’s).
3) Constant hunger
4) Trouble focusing my eyes
5) Shortness of breath
6) I was always just so hot and everyone else was freezing to death.
7) insomnia and never ending lethargy.
frequent bowel movements

After hearing my symptoms she immediately sent out for a blood test and found out that my TSH was coming in at less than .006

She then told me I needed to see my primary care physician and get further tests run, which I did almost immediatley, though I chose a new primary care physician see as the old one never even bothered to check my thyroid. My new PCP was wonderful and actually listened to what I said and didn’t blow me off or think I was overly stressed. She ordered a full panel of blood work and then called me back less than a week later. My results were in and they had her worried.

My results were:
TBG: 18.3
T3, Free: 13.0
TSH: >.01
T4 Total: 26.9
T4 Free: 3.7
TSI: 531

After seeing my results my doctor referred me to an endocrinologist. I went to my doctors appointment and they were such wonderful people. They looked at my results and said I needed an ultrasound of my thyroid, which they did right there in the office. After the ultrasound was finished the doctor told me that my thyroid was enlarged (both lobes) which explained my difficulty with swallowing at times. He then proceeded to tell me that I have Graves’ disease, which we both found a bit ironic since my maiden name was Graves.

After that we spent the rest of the hour talking about treatment options. I am currently waiting on the results on the blood test that my endo ordered to check my liver and white blood cell counts. He said that they needed to get a base reading because the merhimazole can possibly effect my liver and white blood cell count.

It has been a long frustratingly painful road for me, but now I have an answer and options on how to make myself better. It still angers me that I had to suffer for six years before anyone took the time to actually listen to my problems, but I am grateful that they finally did. I hope that no one ever has to go through what I, and many other like me have gone through.

Hopefully things will be much brighter in the future!

[Ski]

#1178881

What a positive message, after all of your troubles! I think you have a bright future ahead of you, if you’re able to be grateful right now. Welcome! Sounds like you know a lot about what’s going on with you, and what your options are, but if you have any questions for us, we’re here!

[vanillasky]

#1178882

Hello and welcome to Graves’ Land.

I completely understand your struggles with trying to prove you have Graves’ and that you are sick.

I went for 15 years with symptoms and saw a few endos. where I live there are only a handful and all they came up with at best was clinical depression, hashimotos, and more or less said I was “stressed out.”

I am 5’4′ and weigh about 95 and that is on Fat days. I have been as low as 89 pounds and told I had anorexia, which I always resented because I was burning up with heat, my heart was racing, my hair was thinning and I was so depressed, I tried to end it all 3x.

I compare the whole thing always to the film “rosemary’s Baby.” She was so sick with pain but no one believed her and she was carrying the demon child. That’s what we feel like. Why won’t they listen? Are they that stupid? they are supposed to be doctors. or maybe they haven’t heard “Graves’ Disease?” Tell them to take a look at the late, great Marty Feldman. that’s what a lot of us look like. He died at 48 of a heart attack. I wonder why. Hmmm? He had Graves’ so bad, his eyes were bulging and back then, they were almost as stupid as they are now.

Now for the good points: you don’t have to worry about how sick you feel because you know what’s wrong with you and begin to get help because now somebody is on YOUR side.

It took me 15 years and then 2 doctors found Graves’ in a week with the right testing.

Take care
Karen

[Gabe]

#1178883

Allison. I can feel your relief! What a long struggle. Makes me wonder about some of our medical communities. I tell almost everyone I meet to get their thyroid checked! If for no other reason than to get a baseline when they are younge (or older). This forum is a great place to sort thru all the treatment options and to vent…certainly saved my sanity!
Best wishes.
Karen (there’s lots of Karens on this forum..haha)

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