[b-well]

in reply to: What’s Normal? #1074264

Dealing with this disease can be one of the most frutrating things you will ever do. Yes, we do go for days where we feel good and can do most of the things that we used to do then there are days that we just can’t. And it’s okay. I have been dealing with Graves for 4-5 years. I work full-time with Middle School special education students and all of the inherent paperwork and am Mom to four kids. My youngest two are in college. Sara, you need to embrace that your health is the most important thing. I can understand and applaud your desire to be independent financially. Think about arranging your work environment so that you don’t have to "chase" the three year old-gating off rooms might help. Minimize the toys and things that he can get into at home so that there is less opportunity to make messes. He doesn’t need tons of toys available all of the time. At three he can start to be the helper, three-year-olds love to be helpers. Good luck to you.

[b-well]

in reply to: Overall this board is mostly for surgery #1074251

The posts here do not reflect any one point of view-if you read the disclaimer. It is for support. I weighed the options and chose RAI as being right for me. I took Tapazole for a time hoping that I would go into remission but that didn’t happen. My endo said that research shows people cannot take Tapazole indefinitely. I chose RAI over surgery as being best for me and have done fairly well in the three years since then.

Get the thyroid issues under control first, then decide on what your next step is. There is no special hurry to make decisions and you must be comfortable both in the process and in your choice.

[b-well]

in reply to: Muscle Loss in Legs & More #1074819

Hi all, back to the board after a long time off. Was diagnosed with GD in 2003, RAI in 2005 and been through the ups and downs. I have 4 children with #3 a freshman in college and #4 a high school senior heading to college. I will be 57 next month. Currently, I work full time with 2-3 per diem positions as well. I feel that I have to work that much because I am divorced and their dad provides no support beyond the miniscule court ordered amount. That said I don’t think that I was looking for a complaint forum because I am very fortunate to have been able to afford to buy a house and am in no danger of being without work.

SLF you mentioned that you were having RAI. Have you had it yet? My experience was that the actual taking of the capsule was not a problem and following the guidelines immediately afterward went smoothly. My entry into hypothyroidism was quicker and more ‘robust’ than my endo and I anticipated. Plus it was January in VT so I was extremely cold. We worked carefully to get the right amount of Synthroid and things have been pretty okay. Getting my strength back has been a long process and I notice, even now, muscle fatigue and lack of flexibility. Good luck to you.

Others: Many of you have talked about problems with your endo. I have been very fortunate with mine. He spent time with me and responded to my questions (when I remembered to write them down). When I went into severe hypothyroidism much earlier than anticipated I called his office, had blood test orders waiting for me at the lab and an appointment at his office the next morning. His office staff says that he blocks time just for such events.
Let me say this. I work for the local Visiting Nurse Association (as a speech pathologist) which is part of the medical center. You do have recourse if you are less than happy with your doctor or care. First, try to talk with your doctor about your concerns and take an advocate/family member with you. Second, fill out those surveys that you get from your medical center or insurance company. The results are used in a number of ways, particularly funding related and the combined results are shared with providers. I get provider satisfaction results that tell me where I am doing okay and where I need improvement.

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