[barbra]

in reply to: After a long absence, back again! #1185099

Hi,

Had the pre-op checkup yesterday and everything is still a go for the 16th.
Won’t have a time until about 48 hours before.
I did not know that they don’t use steri strips, they use glue, which will peel off after a time. Nothing like having your throat cut and glued back together.
I’ll be in touch again when this is over.
You all take good care.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: After a long absence, back again! #1185097

The only FNA I have had was back in 2013 when it all started. It was negtive at that time.
No thyroglobulin test so far (that I know of).
I have a pre-sugery conference scheduled on the 4th, more info then.
Thanks for the good wishes.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Share your Success Story! #1183859

Hi guys and gals,

I have been on an even keel for a year and 3 months now. Was diagnosed in July 2013, had RAI went through the usual ups and downs, switched from Levothyroxin to 75 MCG of Synthroid in December 2013 and started feeling so much better in March 2014. All my tests come back in the normal range and I feel incredibly lucky. I am off the blood pressure meds and the Ambien since I can actually sleep again, only take some Ibuprofen occasionally for the disc and joint disease and, of course, the ever mandatory baby Aspirin and Vitamin D3. I am good.
Every now and again I feel a bit out of whack but it does not last and since my tests, which are now 6 months apart, come back OK I am not going to panic over every little thing and fiddle with my dosage.
Still trying to lose some of the pounds I acquired. Not an easy thing since I like food! I can’t afford to gamble or travel, my husband passed away, I quit smoking, never drank or did drugs – so, like I told the doctor, that just leaves food. Oh well, 20 pounds to go.

Writing and condensing it like this makes it look so easy. Make no mistake about it, sometimes it seemed utterly hopeless. And I did a lot of whining and crying on this forum. The ONLY people who understood this misery were here and I thank all of you for your time, advice, patience and encouragement. I wish that each and every one of you finds some kind of normalcy very soon and is able to get off of this terrible treadmill.

This is my success story, hope I didn’t jinx it.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Graves disease and tinnitus and/or hearing loss? #1183830

Hi scanders,

I have had tinnitus since before Graves, although I probably had undiagnosed thyroid disease for a while, so it’s very possible that there is a relationship between the two. I used to have severe migraines at least once a week, which have now disappeared since my RAI and treatment with Synthroid. One day the migraines abated but the tinnitus stayed. I have had normal hormone levels since March of last year but, sadly, the tinnitus has continued.
My personal opinion is that both the migraines and the tinnitus are related to hormone levels. Although, when it comes down between the two, I’ll take the tinnitus any time, as utterly annoying as it is. I have learned to live with it since nobody seems to know how to get rid of it.
I know this doesn’t make you feel any better but you can always hope that I’m wrong or your case is different from mine.

Wishing you the best.
Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Post RAI update #1183553

Hi Sneagle02,

With the RAI in the rearview mirror you can now look forward towards normalcy.
It’ll take a bit , there’ll be some glitches along the way, but you’ll get there.

I had RAI in July 2013 and have now been in the normal range since March 2014.

Be patient, take your time and let us know how you are getting along. All of us here will try to answer your questions, listen to you whine, rant and rave because we’ve all gone through this tunnel. It seems that not all cases go the same way but there is not a symptom or ache, brain fog, insomnia or hair loss that at least a couple of us have not experienced.

I wish you all the best.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Is your endo supposed to address symptoms? #1183338

Hi BarbaraLK,

I am also a Graves patient but I already had RAI and my levels are now in the normal range.

The reason I’m writing this is that about three months ago I developed a nasty rash on my left leg just below the knee. The sores seemed to go really deep into the skin and the itching was horrible. My endo said it’s an allergic reaction but not from the medicine and told me to use Hydrocortizone 0.1%, which helped somewhat with the itching but did nothing to curb or heal the rash. My PCP said it’s probably from the dry heat in my house, happens frequently in the winter time, and prescribed Triamcinolone 0.1% ointment. Now, I think they may both be wrong as to the cause of the rash, but that ointment is a Godsend. Using it twice a day the itching stopped right away and the rash was gone within two weeks, but did leave some scars. Maybe you can ask your doctor about the ointment, it may help you as well.

As an aside: I did gain weight after the RAI when I went hypo, but my love for food and quitting smoking may have contributed to that.

I wish you well with whatever treatment you may choose. I know it’s hard to believe but there is light at the end of this long dark tunnel, something I would not have believed a year ago.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: My Graves / Eye Story in Germany and USA #1183525

Hi augen,

I’m glad that your story has a good ending, at least as far as your eyes are concerned.
I also suffer from Graves, but without the “augen” involvement, so far.

I was born in Germany and I can imagine the difficulty you had to overcome. Although many Germans do speak English they can be very intolerant and standoffish.

“Nahrungsmittelunvertraeglichkeitblutprobe” is a mouthful, even for a German.

I just wanted to drop in and wish you well.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Just for Fun – The “Off Topic” Thread! #1177870

[img]https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10255000_10205410313915805_7024605285794168067_n.jpg?oh=6fd7c7d66cb42be52df794a9239a5f76&oe=555AF445[/img]

Hi,

Don’t know if this is going to work but we’ll see.

Say hello to Dexter.
He’s a baby hedgehog, born on December 1. 2014, very sweet and no trouble at all. He just wants to eat, sleep and run around to play, mostly at night. He eats cat food and uses a small litterbox. It’s like having a cat but without all the hair.

Sorry, the picture came out so very big.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: feeling miserable–hypo after RAI #1183360

Hi,

My endo prescribed Cytomel twice before my levels normalized, although both times only for a month’s period.
But, yes, I have to agree it did help make me feel much better.
Some doctors don’t like to prescribe it at all, Im not sure why.

My levels have been in the normal range now since March of last year and I like to think that switching from Levothyroxin to Synthroid and the Cytomel bringing up my T3 levels had something to do with it.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Just an update. #1183316

Hi Shirley,

To answer your question: No, I haven’t gotten the immunization for Shingles yet.
Darn it, I still think I’d be better off and have more fun if I take the $120.00 to the Charlestown, WV casino and throw it into the slots. Maybe one can get Shingles only once???
Of course, now that I have put this and my wellness on paper it’ll all go south. That’s about the way my luck runs. In which case you will hear me whining and lamenting soon enough.
I just changed insurance plan and provider, maybe they’ll actually pay a decent amount towards the vaccine. I’ll check on that.

Take good care. Gotta go shovel some snow, pack it up and send it to Seattle.

Hugs to all of you.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Just an update. #1183313

Hi Sue,

I am happy that you are closing in on you target. That would be great.

You are right, it is a bit like child birth, although a whole lot longer, but once you’re past it it tends to fade away some. Just one thing: I had three children but I indend to have only one “Graves”!

The reason Boomer crossed my mind once again was that he was funny, uplifting and only one week ahead of me on this journey and with the RAI. He was blazing the trail, so to speak.

Maybe you can get an answer to your message, maybe he’s all well and happy.

Take care, Sue. I wish you and everyone else here all the best. I’ll stay in touch because I care how you all are getting along.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Medical Alert Bracelet #1183306

Hi Mary,

I bought a medic alert bracelet about a year ago from C.A.R.E Memoryband. It’s not made of metal of any kind, it’s more rubber with the medical insignia on top. What I like about it is that when you remove it, and only when you take it off, it shows a USB plug which can be plugged in at the hospital or into the ambulance crew’s laptop and presto: here is all your medical info. From ailments right down to insurance info and people to notify. You can also change, add or delete information, such as new blood work results.
It doesn’t look clunky and it’s waterproof. When I wear it people usually think it’s some kind of watch. It comes in different sizes and even colors. Two of my grandchildren wear them in blue, mine is black.
It cost me under $30.00, so if anything happens to it it’s no big deal.

I looked at the many other kinds of bracelets, most of them very pretty, but since I have had a couple of other medical issues I opted for a band which lets me change the info.

I hope your levels stay in the normal range and you feel good.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Strap in, it’s a crazy, bumpy ride!! (And I want off! lol) #1183268

Hi Chrissy,

Like Kimberly said it’s a good thing that you realized the seriousness of your situation. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to assert ourselves to get the attention we need. As you found out with your primary. Try to keep track of your labs, get hard copies. Push for what you need to get better, or find another doctor who will pay attention to your concerns.
Compare the treatment options and choose whichever you feel comfortable with. Some of us did the RAI and others went with the TT, and then some are staying with the medications.

With time and patience you’ll get better and start to feel normal again, but you have to be patient and give it the time. I know you are miserable, we all are or were in your shoes. We are here and are listening and understand so keep in touch.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Feeling fairly hopeless #1183280

Hi Linda,

One of the reasons why it’s a bit slow here on the forum is probably because of the upcoming holiday season. December is bound to be busy for some people.

I had my RAI in July 2013, went through a hypo period, did some of the adjustments on the meds but am feeling fine now. Of course, it wasn’t quite as simple as all that but I didn’t want to get into my many complaints here.
I know it’s hard to hear someone say that it’s going to get better, that with patience you’ll find your way back, when you feel so very bad and hopeless. And since most of the Graves symptoms are not very obvious we don’t get the sympathy we need from family and friends. It would be much easier to hobble around on a broken leg where everyone could see the crutches. Sadly, as it is, most people don’t know what Graves disease is and sometimes think we’re making it sound worse than it is.

But you will make it through this misery! Don’t give up. We are here for you, whine and complain all you want because we have all done it here before and we are listening.

Hang in there, Linda.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Hi – RAI update in UK. #1183162

Hi Joy,

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving, as nice as it can be in your situation.

I did go hypo about 6 weeks after the RAI and went through the same symptoms you are experiencing, so hang in there it WILL get better.
After the switch to Synthroid, which finally took hold in the spring of this year, I have had normal levels and am feeling good. I take 75 MCG of Synthroid at 7:30 AM and I’m OK. My doctor’s appointments are now 6 months apart and I’m hoping it stays that way.
Occasionally I still take an Ambien when I can’t sleep.

I had a couple of other medical problems, unrelated to Graves, pop up but seem to be on an even keel for now.

Take good care of yourself and if you feel like whining or have questions don’t hesitate to let us know. I’m speaking for all of us here: We have done our share of all of that, believe me.

Hugs.
Barbra.

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