[Anonymous November 21, 1996 at 1:37 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167762

The emotional side of this disease is not nonsense. It is very real. I have had
trouble with support from my family. They just dont get it, and they can’t get it.
This disease is beyond their scope of thinking. For me, it was because I just looked
tired all of the time. It even took the doctors quite awhile to figure out what the
heck I had. As for my family, they try, and they get really frustrated. I have gotton
better at stating my needs. I say things like, “I need to be alone now” or “Please do
this for me….” It is a never ending stuggle, but well worth it. It has been 3 years
and my family is coming around, yours will too….best of luck….Carolyn

[Anonymous November 21, 1996 at 3:30 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167763

Yes Sirree Bob! I have the same problem. My oldest brother who’s a Colonel
in the United States Air Force doesn’t believe that I have GD. He says that I’m actually faking these symptoms. He also started making stupid jokes about being “disabled”. My second brother is a teacher who understands some of the problems t hat I’m going through. He turned around and said “I’m sorry, but you’re just getting old, join the club”
My neice thinks that if you have a noticeable deformity, then you are disabled (and her father thinks that She’s more mature than I will ever be..HA!)

I wish they were a little bit supportive. But I have some other resources. Like this BB, a Social Worker who’s help I will never forget, some teachers who have the same interests as I do and
my german shep-retriever-collie-mutt dog. I usually cry on him, but he doesn’t like it. It’s like when you tell him it’s bath time.. Well, gotta go back to school and observe overt behaviors.

Ann N

[Anonymous November 21, 1996 at 4:22 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167764

Lisa, I think Ann N. hit the nail on the head. Unless people see
a physical manifestation they think you are making it up/faking.
Asthmatics and children with ADHD really suffer because of this. My own
Mom thinks that ADHD (Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder)is
faked/bad parenting-even though brain studies show the differences
between children with and without attention defecits. Other peoples’
perceptions are their reality. Our jobs seem to be constantly educating
other folks on the issues. The only suggestion I might have is hit them with
the chemical and physical facts rather than how one feels. TSH levels,
pulse rate/minute, blood work, give them a short article (use the Web).
Point your friends to the Web and the Foundations. Smack ’em with facts.
Know that lots of folks support you.
results.

[Anonymous November 21, 1996 at 6:05 pm Post count: 93172]

#1058134

I’ve just been diagnosed with GD a month or so ago. They’ve been toying
with my thyroid blocker medicine dosage. First, I go to low thyroid. Then
they raise my meds and I go back up. During this time, I was an emotional
disaster! I felt premenstrual X 10000!!! I was very moody, would cry at the
drop of a hat, and was pretty cranky. I reallized this, and was upset with
myself for acting this way. My boyfriend seems to think the emotional
side of this disease is nonsense… he thinks I’ve just been a real selfish
*itch lately and doesn’t want to deal with me. Has anyone else dealt with this
kind of lack-of-support from loved ones? What to do?

[Anonymous November 21, 1996 at 6:41 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167765

Boy, do I hear you. I was only 16 when I was diagnosed, and it sucked. Before I was diagnosed my parents were accusing me of using drugs because I shaked all the time, and my eyes were bulging out. Then my mom got on my back about weight gain. All I would do is yell at them. it didn’t help, but that is just how I was then! I ‘m always here for ya if you need it. It will all go up hill, it takes a while, but they will understand the disease some day. Tak Care.–Jodi

[Anonymous November 21, 1996 at 6:43 pm Post count: 93172]

#1167766

Boy, do I hear you. I was only 16 when I was diagnosed, and it sucked. Before I was diagnosed my parents were accusing me of using drugs because I shaked all the time, and my eyes were bulging out. Then my mom got on my back about weight gain. All I would do is yell at them. it didn’t help, but that is just how I was then! I ‘m always here for ya if you need it. It will all go up hill, it takes a while, but they will understand the disease some day. Tak Care.–Jodi

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