[barbra]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed with Graves #1181465

Hi Shell1967,

Nice to hear from you, all the way from England. I joined the “Graves’ club” the middle of April this year.

Reading and learning from the people here has helped me a great deal. Changed me from clueless to someone who actually knows a bit about the disease.

Sue is right. Since we’re not totally bedridden, bandaged or dragging on the ground people, even family, can’t understand how we feel. The thought is: you look ok so get over yourself.

So, anytime you need a little propping up or want to whine, come here and someone will always listen.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Urge to tear my muscles out. Help. #1181460

Hi Andrew1973,

Sorry you’ve been one of us since January 2012. I hope that by now you have found some relief from the nasty ups and downs.
I don’t have your muscle symptoms, mine just ache off and on, but I hope that you’ve mentioned your problems to your doctor. Maybe the same meds that help RLS will help you.

I just wanted to welcome you. There are lots of people here. Hopefully, someone has an answer for you.
Don’t give up and let us know how you’re doing.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Medical Alert Jewelry for People Without a Thyroid #1181430

I just ordered a medical history bracelet. It’s like a USB flash drive with lots of storage space on which you load your pertinent medical info.
My thinking was: what if some of the medical info changes?
Medics carry a small laptop and can plug the bracelet in and have all the data right there.
I haven’t gotten it yet but when I do I’ll let you know how it works out. It doesn’t look clunky and it’s waterproof but we’ll see. If it’s no good I’m only out $ 25.00 and I’ll go for the traditional stuff.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Medical Alert Jewelry for People Without a Thyroid #1181427

Hi Christina,

This is a great idea. Thanks for thinking of it. I hadn’t really looked at the situation in that light.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed #1181409

Hi Karen,

After my diagnosis I was on Methimazole and beta blockers for 3 months and then had RAI. I went hypo and am now on Levothyroxine, 75mcg. After a couple of adjustments I have been feeling fine. Now, all I’m taking is the Synthroid, a blood pressure medicine and something for sleep. My doctor’s appointments are now 3 months apart and I’m hoping the 75mcg dose works for me. I’m not going into the not so swell times before the RAI or even the hypo period. Finding out what the problem was and starting the medicine made a huge difference. There was relief from the worst symptoms. Of course we are all dependent on blood tests so what’s down the line is hard to tell. It’s different with everyone. What happens to one may not happen to someone else but this forum is a pretty good guide. Like I said before someone has always “been there done that”.

Take care and keep in touch.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: TT yesterday afternoon #1181434

Hello DIY,

I’m glad everything went well and you feel OK.
With a little TLC and the right dose of Synthroid you’ll be up and around in no time.

Take good care.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Survey on Emotional/Behavioral Symptoms and Graves’ – Please Participate! #1181402

Hi Kimberly,

I did it a few days ago when it showed up on Facebook.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: TT in 6 days, ready to get it over with! #1181387

Hello DIY,

Just want to wish you the very best for your surgery and hope that you have an easy, quick and uneventful recovery.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your team.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: new to graves, treatment options #1181374

Hi KristenB29,

I was diagnosed the middle of April this year, started out on Methimazole and beta blockers and then had RAI on the first of July.The endo did include a liver test early on in the usual lab work order.

I did have to go on a special diet for 5 days prior to the RAI and had to stay away from people and pets for 5 days afterwards. But that was the hardest part about it. I’m glad I decided to do it and it worked well. I went hypo after about 12 weeks, had some ups and downs but nothing like before the RAI.

I am now on Synthroid, 75mcg, working towards the ideal dosage. Of course, finding it requires adjustments and patience since it takes a few weeks for the new dosage to take hold.

Each of us had to make a decision as to what to do. None of it is an easy path by any means. There is no quick fix, unfortunately.

I went with RAI because it was something I could do on my own. Also, my insurance makes me pay 1/3rd of the cost of anything done at the hospital and surgery would have cost so much more.

I hope this info helps you just a little bit and I wish you the best of luck.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Just when you think……… #1181154

@Kimberly,
Thanks for the info. I’m surprised that so many things influence the test results, that’s interesting.

@Sue,
The reason I asked about Boomer is because he was a week ahead of me with the RAI and I thought he was kind of paving the way.
I also hope that he’s OK.

@Raspberry,
Right now I’m only taking the 75mcg of Levothyroxine, 50mg of Losartan Potassium and Ambien 5mg.
So far so good.
I noticed that I am not near as hungry as I was, but even though I lost 4 pounds I still feel fat as a tick.
Oh well, one thing at a time.

I feel fine, but don’t say it out loud because as we all know it could turn at any time and hit me in the face.

Hugs,

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Just when you think……… #1181150

Just a quick update here.

The new levels are:

FT4 0.7 Ref: 0.7 – 1.8
TSH 26.8 Ref: 0.4 – 5.5

And I feel pretty good. Quick, somebody knock on wood.

I have 2 questions.
1.] Why are the references for the thyroid levels different at some labs? Why aren’t they universal?
2.] Has anybody heard from Boomer? I miss his humor.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: First symptoms of TED #1181351

Hi Diane,

You’re laughing about the “old age thing” but that’s exactly what the ophthalmologist told me a week ago. He said there is no sign of TED. I have dry eye and he gave me some eye drops.
I have some of your symptoms like the tops of my eyes resting on my eyelids, bags under my eyes, no pain but irritation. Also, there is some discoloring right under my eyebrows that looks like pink make-up.

I hope that your diagnoses from the ophthalmologist is also not Graves’ related.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: joint and tendon pain hypo or hyper? #1181367

Hi Raspberry,

I had RAI on July 1. and on September 9th my labs were:
FT4 0.4 Ref: 0.7 – 1.8
TSH 34.1 Ref: 0.4 – 5.5
I was severely hypo and suffered from joint and muscle pain, felt tired, lethargic and listless, just plain miserable.

The endo put me on Synthroid 25mcg and 2 weeks later added Cytomel 5mcg, which is T3, twice a day. I only took the Cytomel for 2 weeks as per instruction but it made a world of difference. I could actually get things done and feel OK.
Last labs on September 30 were:
FT4 0.7 and TSH 26.8, Reference as above.
The Levothyroxine was increased to 75mcg on the 2nd of October and the Cytomel stopped on the 4th of October.
The pains are just about gone and I feel good. Gosh, I hope I didn’t jinx it by writing it all down.

I hope you feel better real soon.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Orbital Decompression advice? #1181361

Hi Barb,

Sorry, I don’t have any advice for you either but I’m sending you my very best wishes that everything goes well and you recover quickly.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Just when you think……… #1181149

Hi Sue,

When I called the endo my levels were:

FT4 0.4 Ref. 0.7 – 1.8
TSH 34.1 Ref. 0.4 – 5.5

After 2 weeks, and with another 2 weeks to go before my next labs, I absolutely could not function and I told him so.

I think he added the Cytomel, T3, to see if would help, and it did! But, it produces some of the symptoms of being hyper, like looser bowel movements, slightly accelerated heartbeat and some weight loss. I did notice the weight loss when, after stuffing myself and thinking every waking moment about food, I lost 4 pounds. None of the symptoms were near as severe as when I was hyper. I was, and still am, able to get stuff done and feel pretty good but I am on my last day with it and really hoping that with the increase of the Levothyroxine to 75mcg I won’t have to beg or threaten the endo for more Cytomel. Just kidding!?

Maybe the fact that I’m 70 years old has something to do with the 2 week limit he set. Maybe he just wanted to cover the 2 weeks to my next labs to see what the results would be. I’m not really sure. All I know is that it made me feel human again.

I had labs done 2 days ago and I’m going to pick up a hard copy from the endo’s office today.

Hugs.

Barbra.

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