[barbra]

in reply to: Hello #1183213

Hi swithed,

When I was first diagnosed with Graves I was put on Methimazole and Propranolol and started not only having nightmares or vivid dreams but every time I woke up in the middle of the night I had hallucinations. I knew that the stuff I was seeing was not real, which means I was not insane, but it was all very disturbing. When the doctor removed and replaced the Propranolol the nightmares and hallucinations stopped. It may have been the combination of the 2 meds or the Propranolol by itself, I don’t know.

Some time later I got a prescription for low dose Ambien for insomnia and I do take it once in a while, as needed.
My insurance company got all spastic over the Ambien and is only paying for 3 months out of the year. I guess it’s not important for Graves patients to get some sleep the rest of the time.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Hi – RAI update in UK. #1183160

Hi joy123,

I’m glad the RAI is showing results. I had mine in July last year.

Just a thought: Could the Levothyroxine on the empty stomach be causing the nausea? Or not enough water to take it with? Does it get better when you eat something? I had noticed that when I took the Levo very early in the morning and stayed in bed, laying down, that my stomach was not happy.

I know a few people have a hard time taking the Levo without eating a little something. It’s absolutely worth a phone call to your doctor. Being nauseous for that long would be upsetting, to say the least.

Levothyroxine did not agree with me so I finally had to switch to Synthroid, which normalised my levels without a lot of up and down adjustments.

I hope you and your doctor can figure it out. All the other symptoms are miserable enough without adding nausea to it.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: What to expect? #1183231

Hi,

I was diagnosed in April 2013 and had RAI on the 1. of July that year. After about 8 weeks I started to feel a bit better but it took until December before, after some dose changes and switching from Levothyroxin to Synthroid, we hit onto the right dose of medicine for me. And by about March 2014 I felt like myself again. I’m still on the 75 MCG of Synthroid and I’m doing OK. Blood tests, PCP- and endo’s visits are now 6 months apart.
I have some other health issues that popped up but none are Graves’ related, thank goodness.
This sounds easy and straight forward but it was a miserable journey and from what I see on the forum some of my fellow sufferers are still looking for the ideal dose of medicine. It’s a little different for everyone. Just don’t lose hope. You’ll get there and the people here are knowledgeable, kind and very helpful.
As to the pregnancy question someone else will have to answer that, since my children are all grown up.
Try to stay positive, it’ll get better. Keep in touch, I wish you all the best.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Puzzling Symptoms? #1183135

Hi Connypie,

I’m glad your new glasses are helping you.
I need new one’s too but I have to save up some more money, my insurance will not pay for them. Oh well, one thing at a time.

Sending happy hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Graves, Shingles and now this? #1183179

Hey Connypie,

You’re right! I noticed the other day that if I wait too long to take the Ibuprofen the pain really sets in. I also got a heck of a headache, how that is possible with the 800 mg of medicine in my body is beyond me. So, now I take it in the morning, about 10:00 and I seem to be ok all day. Standing and walking are not much of a problem so far, but sitting a while is no good. That really sucks because I like to sit and read.

The doctor switched me from Levo to Synthroid because the filler in levo did not agree with me and moving the dose up or down had very little effect. We even tried adding Cytomel, which helped with the T3 but did nothing for the TSH that stayed sky-hi. Now, as far as the Graves is concerned, I seem to be fine with levels in the normal range and doctor’s appointments 6 months apart. Of course I’m seeing an eye specialist twice a year just to make sure my eyes are ok.

If it weren’t for the other crap popping up I’d be dancing in the street, even with the extra 30 pounds I can’t seem to get rid of.

I hope that you’ll feel better soon and get not only the Graves stuff normalized but everything else straightened out as well.
As for the whole body transplant – I’ve been in that line for the last 2 years.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Graves Hereditary? #1182958

Hi Tkiv,

I was diagnosed with Graves last year at the age of 70 and had RAI in July 2013.
I am taking Synthroid and since last December my levels have been in the normal range and, aside from occasional muscle aches, I feel OK.
It seems that I have been lucky, so far, to have found the right dose of Synthroid already, since so many of our friends here are still looking, adjusting and suffering.

I have a son who, at the age of 42, was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s seven months before we found my Graves. He’s on a very low dose of Levothyroxine and is doing fine.

I am now keeping an eye on my other two sons and the rest of my family, since I know the symptoms and the possibility of a genetic link.

I wish you well and hope that your daughters will be fine, both of them.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Loss of appetite after RAI? #1182836

Hi Michaela,

With me it’s just the other way around. I had RAI in July 2013, and ever since I haven’t seen a morsel of food that I do not like. Therefore I have gained almost 40 pounds, which I am trying very hard to lose.
I don’t know if it has anything to do with the Graves, but I had never been more than just 2 or 3 pounds beyond my usual weight, until now.
Last time I had labs done everything was in the normal range and I feel pretty good, except that my mind is totally preoccupied with food.

I hope that you and your doctor can figure out how come you have no appetite.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Would you believe: Shingles! #1182742

Hey Shirley and Flora,

By the time the Shingles were finally diagnosed I was well past the 72 hours for any medicine to cut them short or stop them all together. My PCP had a chance but didn’t look close enough and missed it.
When I went back 2 weeks later because the rash had increased somewhat it was all set and done. The rash is not very big, has crusted over and has not caused me any pain so far.
The funny thing is that about a year ago my PCP gave me a prescription for a Shingles shot. The only pharmacy in all of Hagerstown, MD that gave the shot wanted $91.00 and another $25.00 to administer it. And that was after insurance! Needless to say, I told them if I had that kind of money to waste I would take it to the casino in Charlestown, WV and throw it into the slots. And who the heck would get Shingles anyway?
Well, I guess the joke is on me.
Luckily, it’s a very mild case and I’m hoping that it’s a one-time happening.

Thanks for all your help and support, everyone.

Hugs,
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Would you believe: Shingles! #1182739

Hi Kimberly and Raspberry,

Thanks for the information and the kind words, it was very helpful.

I took the first Amitriptyline pill on the 4th at 11:00 PM since I had places to go and people to chauffeur around before that and did not want to ruin the holiday.
Woke up on the morning of the 5th at 9:30 AM, having slept right through the alarm to take my Synthroid. And everything went downhill from there. I had one of the most miserable days I can remember, could hardly hold my eyes open, had a headache and took 2 very long naps. The effect of the antidepressant did not wear off until 7:00 PM. I don’t even want to hear something like: When you get used to it it’ll get better or you’ll change your mind when you get pain from the Shingles. Maybe, but probably not. I can’t see me living in this kind of stupor for 90 days.
So, tomorrow I’ll call the PCP, who may even be back from vacation, and tell him or his Nurse Practitioner, all about where they can stick those pills.

And I feel very sorry for all the people who have to take antidepressants for whatever reasons.

Hugs,
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Would you believe: Shingles! #1182736

Hi Kimberly,

Yes, I have been lucky that there is no pain so far, but the Nurse Practitioner put me on Amitriptyline 25 MG anyway. I asked her if I should wait to see if there is going to be any pain and she insisted that I start taking the pills right away. One at bedtime about the same time each evening for 90 days. My insurance has decided that they won’t pay for it, but it’s not expensive so I’m paying myself. And just as I have gotten off the Ambien!

And why are those meds called Antidepressants if they make you drowsy, dizzy and depressed?

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: sore hair? #1182520

Hey Raspberry,

I’m truly sorry but I actually had to smile when I read the heading on your post. You poor girl! If indeed your hair follicles hurt, that would be the ultimate symptom and an insult of epic proportions. Considering how much hair we all have it’s a terrible thought and I really hope that it’s a strange, temporary and unrelated ache.
With GD one can never really be certain what new symptoms may pop up, but I’m sure you just earned first prize for “most interesting”.
Please keep us informed.
Sincerely hoping and wishing that by the time you read this the ache is gone and you feel better and less worried.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Normal, finally! #1182455

Hi Sara,

The goiter I have is small and can’t really be seen. I can feel it, sometimes more sometimes less.
I am up 40 pounds and am rapidly running out of clothes. But my weight gain has very little to do with being Hypo and more with EATING and snacking too darn much.
My husband passed away in November 2012, I was diagnosed shortly after that and I quit smoking last September. So, sometimes my evenings are long and I do have lots of food. I like to read and while I’m reading I’m eating. Not really hungry, just bored.
I’m working on it, a little at a time. I’ll get there.
The main thing is that I feel good and I’m glad that you feel better too.

Hugs.
Brabra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Normal, finally! #1182453

Hi Kimberly,

Just wanted to tell you that my endo gave me a chart, just a bit bigger than an index card, with the colors, sizes and inscriptions of the Synthroid pills. He said when in doubt compare it there.
And I give my meds at least a cursory check while still at the pharmacy. It has saved me a second trip on occasion.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Normal, finally! #1182451

Hi Sunshine,

The endo explained to me that sometimes the fillers in pills, generic or original, made a difference in how a patient reacts or feels. When I was on Levothyroxine the dosage was changed with almost every visit, blood pressure meds were changed, Cytomel added then removed. And still the muscle aches and muscle cramps, the tiredness, hair loss and intolerance to cold continued.
Then, last December, I was put on Synthroid 75mcg and about 4 weeks later things started to change for the better. I didn’t have to see the endo again until this month, with the new lab results in hand. Now the endo is happy, I am happy and so is the endo’s nurse – she and I had an intense telephone relationship about all my miseries.
One thing I have to keep an eye on is the pharmacy. Although the prescription says “no substitution, medically necessary” CVS will ask every time I refill it.
The only meds I am taking now are the Synthroid, Losartan Potassium 25mg for blood pressure and Ambien 5mg for sleep on most nights but not all.
Next step is to get off the blood pressure medicine and the Ambien.
I am hoping that my levels will stay in the normal range.

Hugs,
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: a bit of history #1182353

Hi,

I’ve had tinnitus for almost a year before the Graves’ diagnoses and I had always thought that it was associated with the frequent migraines I used to get. After one particular nasty migraine finally eased off it left the ringing/hissing in my ears behind. Sometimes it changes not only the pitch but moves into only one ear, sometimes it’s loud, mostly I don’t pay attention to it and it’s very low. It does not seem to go away, though, and I haven’t found any remedy for it.
Now, quite a few people who have tinnitus have also been diagnosed with Graves’ disease. Maybe tinnitus is a sign of thyroid trouble to come.

Hugs.
Barbra.

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