[Sophia25]

#1018004

I hate to make a new topic, but I couldn’t find a post exactly what I was looking for, I guess.

My name is Sophia and I’m 17. Though I’ve only been diagnosed for about four months, looking back, I probably realistically had symptoms for about two years prior to.

Historically I’ve been a high achiever–what would be the American equivalent of AP classes and honour roll, I believe. But at the start of the year I began university in a new city, and even though I thought I was getting better I’ve taken a real nose-dive, and it seems like I’m flaking out. I’ve been hospitalized three times, mainly because of my worryingly high heart rate, tremor+myoclonus and extreme muscle weakness, but I have many other symptoms two, such as a high intolerance of heat. I haven’t been able to stand/walk for any extended period of time for about three weeks, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. The specialists I’ve talked to say that the average adjustment period when they work out the correct medication/dosage is about six months, but I don’t really have that kind of time. Not that I want an overnight fix; though it would be nice, I’m not an idiot, and I know that with the endocrine system, everything must be incrementally altered, but if there is anything I do that would aid it, that would be wonderful.

What I was wondering, then, is has anyone had experience/knows of how this specifically affects teenagers? The internet is only so helpful, and while I have a family friend with (now) well-managed Graves’, she is in her fifties and can offer little perspective into how I can get over it. Frankly, I really want to do well this year (I’ve effectively not been in class for close on two months), and I’m tired of telling my roommates I’m "sick". Is there any time period I can expect? What exactly can I do to aid my “recovery”? Any help at all would really be appreciated. Thank you. ” title=”Wink” />

N.B. At the moment I’m on 60mg of carbimazole (which is called methimazole in the US?) and 240mg propranolol (though they did muck me around with metoprolol as well temporarily). I’ve had big dips and a couple of ups since being diagnosed, but does stress hinder the process of getting better? Recently most of my hometown was destroyed by an earthquake which has been quite traumatic, and I was wondering if that’s why I’m feeling so bad currently.

[Kimberly]

#1062151

Hello and welcome to the boards!

I’m so sorry to hear about all that you have been going through. Anti-Thyroid drugs will start working immediately to block your thyroid gland from producing *new* thyroid hormone. However, your body will need several weeks to clear out all of its existing stores of extra thyroid hormone before you start to feel some relief from your symptoms. Once your thyroid hormone levels are in the “normal” range, your body will still need some time to go through the healing process to recover from the initial onslaught of hyperthyroidism.

Many of us with Graves’ tend to be “high achievers.” We often label these folks as having a “Type A Personality” – people who are highly driven, competitive, and achievement-oriented, and rather lacking in patience (especially with ourselves). I don’t know that any studies on this have been done, but those traits *often* seem to apply to Graves’ patients. Also, I don’t know that any studies have been done specifically on stress and Graves’, but I can tell you from personal experience that when I am going through a stressful period, my thyroid hormone levels almost always move more towards the hypER end.

The attached article on Graves’ and students might be helpful to you.

http://www.ngdf.org/cms/modules/files/u … 701547.pdf

I know that you want to get through school, but the important thing right now is to not push yourself too hard and make sure that your body has time to heal.

Take care – and please keep us posted on how you are doing!

[snelsen]

#1062152

Hi Sophia,
I know that there are other teenagers on the board. Try different words in the search engine, maybe you can ferret them out and read their posts. I’d begin with the word "teenager."
Shirley

[Author]

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