[Anonymous August 21, 1997 at 1:42 pm Post count: 93172]

#1157857

Glynis, Valerian Root doesn’t work for me.. to calm, or to help with sleep, the only thing it does do is leave a bad taste in my mouth.. really gross..And I know the that Evening Primrose Oil is suppose to help with the pms… I have tried it and it did not work for me… but, then.. these things may work for you… Lori

[Anonymous August 21, 1997 at 4:13 pm Post count: 93172]

#1054099

I remember someone, maybe Valerie(?) whose doctor told her to take this for the anxiety.
Could anyone tell me about their experiences with this…fast, I want to
bring some with me on my trip (leaving tomorrow night).

For months, I haven’t had a problem with the anxiety (esp. since using the
progesterone), but this past two weeks has been rough. I can’t tell if the anxiety is from
getting hyper again (don’t think so), getting (hypo, not sure), PMS (I’ll see if
it improves now) or if it is just the incredible stress in my life right now.
I also binged and at birthday cake (too much) and tend to have mood swings for
a couple of days after a sugar overload. I woke up feeling like crying for no
apparent reason today! This is too weird and I really don’t want to go back on this
road again. I never, ever want to take a benzodiazepene again if I can help it, so…
Any info on Valerian Root would be helpful! Also, anyone know anything about
Evening Primrose Oil?

Also, I had not had a problem with muscle twitches for a long time (just slightly during
that rotten PMS). Anyway, for the last two months the twitches have been returning.
On my back, my legs, my arms, anywhere. Does this happen when you are hypo or hyper or both?

Thanks a bunch.
Glynis

[Anonymous May 26, 1998 at 7:29 pm Post count: 93172]

#1157858

Have any of you experienced deep muscle twitching as part of your Graves’ symptoms? My quadriceps muscle has been contracting slightly for almost a week now, with occasional echoes in other muscles. It is driving me absolutely bonkers! I suppose this could just be related to tension or interrupted sleep. Could it also be related to the disease, or am I just decompensating?
Someone else asked about summarily discontinuing their beta-blocker, and I can testify that that is a bad idea. I did it under the direction of my endo, but I experienced worsened palpitations and a return to being very hyper pretty quickly. I’m curious, though – in 8 months of treatment, my endo has never prescribed anything but beta blockers for me. I think prescribed them as supportive therapy while he waited to make a definitive diagnosis. Now, he wants to do RAI. Isn’t it fairly standard to use anti-thyroid drugs for some time (in patients who aren’t acutely well) to see if the disease will remit on its own? I have to face the doctor soon and would appreciate any suggestions for questions that I might ask. Thanks!

[Anonymous May 26, 1998 at 11:42 pm Post count: 93172]

#1157859

Hi,

This used to be one of the things that drove me crazy when I was hyper and in fact, it lasted for a year while on ATDs… usually only acting up during PMS once the hyper situation was controlled. Not only would my quadriceps twitch, a muscle in my back would twitch, my upper arms, etc. My doctor said it was just part of the package. I would be on the Internet trying to find out “why” — looking up “muscle fasiculations” and downloading junk on that, hoping to find an answer that would make it stop.

I do know now that stress is a factor (usually the annoying twitch by the eye) and also, too much estrogen causes twitches.

Glynis

[Anonymous May 27, 1998 at 10:04 am Post count: 93172]

#1157860

Hi Marian,
I am not sure which muscle you are referring to, but I have had some
twitching – mostly in my upper arms and to a lesser extent my legs.
Very annoying. It was worse last week. Not sure what was the factor in
calming them down, but its been better since my doctor increased
my methimazol dose and I began to cut down on my coffee.

If I were you, and of course I am not, I would ask the doctor to discuss
all the possible treatments with you, ATDs, RAI and even surgery. It
helps to have all the facts and I have read that patients who are involved
with the decision making process do better in treatment.
During my first episode with graves in 1994, I felt strongly that I
wanted to try to be in that small group that gets into remission with
ATDs. My children were small then, so I did not think the precautions
after RAI were doable then. Its these personal factors, as well as your
medical condition that can make a difference in your decision, I think.

Also, my doctors did start me right away on ATDs, both times, saying it
gave me time to consider other treatments [they are reversible].
Good Luck!

Casey
PS I did get a remission of 2-3 years, but due to a recent relapse I
am now considering RAI.

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