[adenure]

in reply to: Breastfeeding/ Weaning & Synthroid Dose- Shirley #1180588

Thank you!

I appreciate your response. That’s good to hear. I nursed my last baby for 3 years, so I’m planning on nursing for awhile. Plus, I don’t have a cycle when I’m breastfeeding, and since the last child birth was most likely the trigger for Graves, I’m not planning on having anymore babies. So, this guy’s going to be a momma’s boy for awhile- hee hee!

That’s awesome that you get to see a little pumpkin! Newborns are sweet. Grandbaby?

[adenure]

in reply to: Post TT, Levothyroxine question #1180578

My first endo, when increasing me from 100 mcg to 112 mcg, said I could do the increase to 112 or I could take 100 mcg 6 days a week and 200 mcg 1 day a week. I opted for the 112! Something about taking 200 at once seemed kind of crazy! I guess it works, but I’m sensitive to meds., and wasn’t about to try it. I did (for awhile) take 112 mcg. 6 days a week and 100 mcg 1 day a week when my TSH was 0.29. But, now that my TSH is 1.6, I’m taking 112 everyday.

[adenure]

in reply to: Sue’s TT – July 16, 2013 #1180369

My guess is that everything you’re feeling is part of the healing process. I had the ups and downs and the tightness at the incision. I didn’t wear anything except V-necks for months bc I hated feeling anything on the incision. I would still have sharp pains/ twinges at the incision for weeks after surgery; it is completely fine now and you can’t even see the scar at all.

I didn’t feel normal until 4 months post TT after my Synthroid was right and stable for 2 months, so you might feel up and down for a bit. Stay strong.

[adenure]

in reply to: Sue’s TT – July 16, 2013 #1180357

Are you taking the Tums everyday? They can’t hurt and it’s a good precaution. But, I would let your doctor know about the clenching. Has it happened again? I bet it was a combination of doing too much and possibly low calcium- just a guess from a non- medical person though- hee hee! It’s easy to do too much when you start to feel better- even the littlest bit- I’m very guilty of that. As soon as I feel a little better, I want to do it all! My body has to knock me off my feet sometimes so that I’ll sit my butt down and rest! Take it easy and relax as much as you can- you’re doing great!

[adenure]

in reply to: Sue’s TT – July 16, 2013 #1180352

Congratulations on a successful surgery! It is good to be on the other side of the fence, right? Onward! Yay! I had a subcuticular stitch and a bandage that I removed 24 or 48 hours after surgery. The stitch was removed about a week after. I didn’t have steri-strips, so I don’t know too much about them.

I just took Tums 1000 mg four times a day the 1st week, 3 times a day the 2nd week, and twice a day the 3rd week while the parathyroids settled down.- a precaution from what I understand.

I also just took OTC pain relief- Advil for the 1st 10 days or so (600 mg) every 6 hours. At about 2 weeks, I was able to cut that back quite a bit.

I hope you continue to feel better. One thing that worried me (I worry too much) is that I’d start to feel better, and then my throat would feel weird or hurt again and it would worry me. But, it’s all part of the healing process which takes time. My voice got stronger around 3 weeks post TT.

Let us know how you’re doing.

[adenure]

in reply to: had post-TT appointment with ENT #1180395

Hi Talley,

I would agree that the headaches are due to recuperating, Synthroid etc etc… I had headaches for quite awhile. So much so that I had them do a CT scan bc I was convinced I had a brain tumor! I was on 100 mcg. for the first 6 weeks. At that point I had a TSH of 6.35 or so, so I was upped to 112 mcg. I’ve been on 112 for the last year and stable. My TSH dropped to 0.79 or so 2 weeks after my dose increase and has ranged from 0.29 to 1.6 depending on the lab and month. I started to feel better after being on 112 for 2 months. So, 4 months post TT is when I started to feel better.

As far as weight, I didn’t gain any more than my normal weight, but I didn’t go too hypo either so that is probably why. Was your 116 lbs. your weight when you were hyperthyroid? I was 113 at the worst. My pre- Graves weight was 126; I’m now about 120 lbs- give or take a few lbs. Four weeks is not a lot of time for the body to recuperate and accustom itself to life without a thyroid and on Synthroid. I’m not the most patient patient. So, I understand your frustration. I was trying to swim laps 7 weeks after surgery and I probably was doing too much. It will take time, and I have to admit, it isn’t perfect. I’m not pre- Graves me, but I’m not hyperthyroid basket case me either- so that’s good!

Just keep doing what you’re doing- eat well, incorporate exercise back into your routine and get your labs done every 6 weeks until your dose is right. It’s a journey.

[adenure]

in reply to: Best wishes Sue #1180320

Hi Sue! I was thinking last night about you- you are going to do great! Let us know how everything goes. You are on the path to recovery & wellness- no more being hyper- yay!!!

[adenure]

in reply to: 13 years of Graves, plan to TT, right decision?? #1180232

Hi!

I had surgery a year ago and am doing well now! Very happy with my choice. Not to say it was easy, but I did have a successful surgery with no complications and was able to get my thyroid hormones (synthroid) stable with only one dose change. I started to feel good again about 4 months post surgery. I have not gained any weight in the last year.

Like Kimberly said, everyone is different, and you must do your research and make the right decision for you with your doctor’s guidance. My doctor (for example) wanted me to do RAI. Although he didn’t recommend surgery, he supported me in my decision as I was a good candidate (healthy, stable, in range thyroid hormones). He felt taking a pill was a “no brainer” and far easier, less intrusive. For me, it was not. I have 4 young children and was (and am still) breastfeeding. I would have had to wean my baby, which I wasn’t willing to do if I didn’t have to. I also didn’t want radiation in my system if it wasn’t necessary. My other thought was I wanted it “done and over with” so to speak. I didn’t want to wait for my thyroid to die and then have a dead gland in my body. Again, just my personal feelings on it all. I started Synthroid on day 2 after surgery and didn’t go anymore hypo than a TSH of 6.35 or so. I was upped from 100 mcg to 112 mcg 6 weeks post surgery and have been on that ever since with a TSH that fluctuates from 0.29 to 1.6 depending on the month and lab. But, I do feel fine most of the time.

I exercise, eat healthy, homeschool my boys, and live a happy and active life once again. Surgery gave me my health back. It isn’t perfect, but what is, right? I chose surgery bc methimazole caused me liver issues (very elevated enzymes) so, I actually chose surgery just after being on methimazole for 7 weeks. It was a quicker decision than I anticipated, but I think it was a blessing in disguise as I was able to move on with life quicker and not have to worry about the ATD’s long term or relapses if I went into remission. Good luck on your decision.

[adenure]

in reply to: Insomnia while hypo? #1180289

From what I understand, hypo or hyper can cause insomnia and anxiety.

[adenure]

in reply to: For those who took SSKI . . . #1180279

Hi,

No, I didn’t have any side effects except for metallic breath & um, #2. I was sleepless bc I was anxious. I knew I was, but I think that (even if you don’t think you are) how can you not be? You know what I mean? It is surgery, and even though it makes us well again, subconsciously, I think our minds take what we know about what could go wrong and it probably keeps us up some. I didn’t sleep a wink the entire night before my surgery.

[adenure]

in reply to: Suppressing TSH #1180210

It’s usually done for thyroid cancer patients (after the thyroid is removed and the patient has had RAI). Suppressing TSH (keeping it at the very lowest end of normal or maybe even a little lower) is meant to prevent cancer cells from growing again. I don’t believe there is any reason for a Graves Disease patient to have his/ her TSH suppressed.

[adenure]

in reply to: normal to have depression after TT? #1180125

Hi!

A month out of surgery isn’t too long in the big scheme of things. Your body is recuperating from surgery (although is probably mostly good there), but it’s also adjusting to not having a thyroid and being on Synthroid (levo.). My doctor told me the body uses its stores of hormone for 2 weeks to 2 months post surgery- so you could be coming off of your natural thyroid hormone stores as your body is solely relying on the Synthroid now. Also, it’s possible the Synthroid dose isn’t quite right yet for you, so that can contribute as well if your levels aren’t stable. In a few weeks you’ll get labs and have a better idea what will happen next with your levo. Once that dose is right and you’re stable on it for a few months, you should start to feel better. It took me a good 4 months post TT to start feeling good again after 1 dose increase (and being on it for 2 months). If your depression really becomes debilitating, do talk to your doctor to see what might be the best thing to do until your levels are normalized. Try to hang in there. Cyber hugs to you!

Personally, I did experience moodiness, feeling down, some anxiety (not nearly like when I was hyperthyroid though), but it wasn’t too bad- although I did have bad days. It’s an adjustment.

[adenure]

in reply to: Question & 6 wk post-TT Update #1180199

Hi!

I had my TSH, free T4 & total T3 tested (as my insurance at the time didn’t test free T3). I was on 100 mcg and my TSH was 6.35 or so at the 6 week point. So, I was increased to 112 mcg & 2 weeks later TSH dropped to .79 then lower 4 weeks after that. It’s basically gone from 0.29 to 1.6 over the last year on that dose. My free T4 is always in the upper range of normal. I started to feel “good” again 4 months post op. after my increase to 112 had been stable about 2 months. Ever since having Graves, I’m more prone to anxiety if I’m very worried about something (something I didn’t deal with before), but it’s not too bad- it usually only happens when my husband has to travel for work- otherwise I’m fine. I think it just takes time. Hopefully your labs will help you get closer to the right dose for you.

[adenure]

in reply to: Dear Thyroid… #1179714

Laurel,

I understand the discouragement. I was there (and still am at times). My thyroid decided to be agreeable on methimazole, but the methimazole, unfortunately, was a two- faced helpful (on the hormones) yet destructive on the liver third party! I was discouraged and freaked out when I was told I had to stop taking the methimazole that night (over the phone with the doc. on call). I often wonder if I would’ve been okay and gone into remission since the 5 mg. put my levels in check within 7 weeks without a problem. But, that was not to be, and although tempting, I shouldn’t look back at something I had no control over.

That being said, I really had no options but to say good bye to my thyroid. Wish I didn’t have to, but it had to be done. So, now I am much healthier than I was when I was hyperthyroid, and for that I am grateful!!! The TT gave me my life back. Did it give it back 100% as it was before Graves, no. Unfortunately not. I am well, but I have issues that I didn’t have before. I think I’m more prone to sleep issues now, a little bit of depression at times (not always though- usually related to sleep issues) and am more anxious about things in general- although all the anxiety attacks and physical manifestations of anxiety are about 98% gone- so that is a relief. It’s easy to lament and wish I could be who I used to be 2 years ago, but that just isn’t the case. So, I try to really appreciate that I am better now than I was a year ago. That I can live my life and enjoy my family- even if it is more of a struggle than it was before Graves. Nothing’s perfect, but surgery can make things better. Good luck to you!

[adenure]

in reply to: decided to do TT – June 18 #1179480

Hi!

You can do it, and you will be okay. I too am a big exercise nut and worried a lot about gaining weight. I had my TT 1 year ago almost (June 15th last year) and I haven’t gained any weight. I still exercise, but I will admit it’s not quite at the intensity of my pre-Graves self. I swim laps or do spinning (bike) 30-40 min. most days, but I don’t do any weight training anymore and I haven’t been to a 60 min. spin class. I probably could do it, but I view my exercise more as a way to be healthy and fit and not such a drive anymore- although, I do miss spin class and the weights. Maybe I’ll try again someday. I’m pretty busy though; I have 4 children (all boys!) and homeschool- so I’m active in other ways! Hee hee!

Have a great time Italy and try to stay positive, knowing that the TT will give you your health back and make you well again.

Also, I had my Synthroid increased once (from 100 mcg- my started dose to 112 mcg. 6 weeks after surgery). I’ve been on the 112 since and doing fine.

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