[Bobbi]

#1074474

I assume that since you have a diagnosis, you are on some form of treatment. If not, you absolutely MUST go back to your doctor and start some form of treatment. It is very common for Graves to begin postpartum. It doesn’t matter, though, what triggers it, treatment is essential.

I do not understand why on earth you should feel guilty, though. Being hyperthyroid makes us incredibly ill. You are not "weak," you are sick. You may not "look" sick, but you have been hit by the metabolic equivalent of a semi-trailer. Nothing in your body works correctly when thyroid hormone levels are wonky. Nothing. Our treatments do work to bring us back to health, but while you are ill, you need to take very good care of yourself (as well as that baby).

If you have specific questions about the various treatment options, feel free to ask. The moderators here have been through what you are going through, and we have extensive files of information.

Take care,

[cathycnm]

#1074475

Fergi – I concur with Bobbi’s advise. I also wonder if you have postpartum depression. Both Graves and Postpartum are times when depression rates soar. The guilt, etc, would make me wonder. This absolutely needs to be treated. Not just the Graves – but the postpartum depression. Please, please, please get yourself the help you need to deal with this.

I take my students for their mental health rotation each year where they meet a woman who had severe postpartum depression and actually became psychotic. It is a story that my students never forget. It is so important to recognize how serious this is and to get help early. Women and children loose lives when this goes undetected. It is more important than ever for you to see someone about this and get treatment right away. Let us know how it goes. Cathy

[fergi]

#1019839

hi i need some advice. i have been suffering from post partum graves for the past 4 months or so. i get really tired and feel i cannot even get up half the time. i have stopped working as i cant manage and feel really depressed and guilty about this. can someone please advice me.

[LaurelM]

#1074476

Fergi,

I am so sorry you are going through this. Being a new Mom is stressful and tiring enough without having to cope with Grave’s as well. I recently posted my story of postpartum diagnosis. My daughter just turned 4, I have since had a second healthy pregnancy (2nd daughter now 2yrs old). We are all healthy and doing well.

At the time I was so, so, so very sick I also had to stop working. I felt like a failure at both my job and as a mother. I felt that I wasn’t doing anything well. After a couple of months of treatment, I could feel some improvement. I won’t sugar coat it. It took about a year until I felt mostly normal but it did get better. It is OK to concentrate on just taking care of yourself and your baby right now. It is OK to ask for help with running errands, shopping, housework, childcare (so you can get a nap). Your friends and family won’t know how to help (but I bet they would want to) unless you tell them specific things they can do to assist. Don’t feel weird if someone else is cleaning your house for you while you sit on the couch holding your baby. It really is OK. With treatment, you will slowly begin to feel better. I was able to go back to work after about 10 weeks. On the plus side, the extra time at home with my child was a gift that in hindsight I am very thankful for. Money and jobs can be replaced, time cannot.

One thing I was really freaked out about was being able to continue nursing. If this is a concern for you, talk to your doctors (both yours and your baby’s doctor). Depending on your particular circumstances, you may be able to select treatment that allows this. I was able to take ATDs and continue nursing. This is not possible for everyone. If you don’t have doctors that you are confident and comfortable with, keep looking. I attribute my steady recovery to knowing that I had good doctors who took into account what was important to me and supported my wishes when medically possible.

Another thing that helped me was to keep a Grave’s notebook. In it, I kept track of my lab results, noted Dr. appointments and contact information, wrote down questions that I had to ask the doctors, and took notes in it durning my appointments. My short term memory was shot and Iknew I would never remember all that stuff.

Please know that the vast majority of Grave’s patients get treated, after some time feel better, and get on with living their lives. I hadn’t been back to this bulletin board for a couple of years. I just recently posted an update to my story because I remember being scarred about reading all the posts from other people and wanted to share an encouraging story from someone farther down the treatment road.

Feel free to email me if you want to talk more. I wish you and your baby all the best.

Laurel

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