[bnspencer]

in reply to: Good News! #1069993

I’m so glad to hear that!!!!! ” title=”Very Happy” /> ” title=”Very Happy” /> ” title=”Very Happy” /> I wondered how she is doing.

I also have a daughter (she’ll be 15 in 2 weeks) who was diagnosed with Graves in March/April. Wow has it turned our life upside down… but it was a little bit of a relief to find out what was making her so sick and causing the HUGE mood swings. If your daughter is looking for someone to talk to about this that’s her own age– (I know Ally would like someone to talk to) let me know and I can send you her contact info. I think it’s hard for a lot of her friends to understand what she’s going through. As a mom– I just want to fix her now- and I feel totally helpless because it’s out of my control. I can’t even imagine how hard it must be/have been for you with the possibility of cancer hanging over you on top of everything else.

Stay strong– you’re in our thoughts and prayers….
-Nikki ” title=”Very Happy” />

[bnspencer]

in reply to: GD and Emotions..we are new to GD #1070289

Well, after another trip to Syracuse, they’ve decided she’s still hyper and needs a second dose of the RI. We go next week for the dose. We also saw someone about the moods she’s been having- and she was diagnosed with rapid cycling bipolar from the Graves. The doctor put her on Abilify 2mg for a couple of months to help with the symptoms. The last few days have been pretty good… Thanks so much for all your advice… it’s really helped…
-Nikki ” title=”Very Happy” />

[bnspencer]

in reply to: GD and Emotions..we are new to GD #1070287

The first couple of weeks her T3 (I think) was around 870. After treatment it has dropped to 350… but has stayed there for 4 weeks, and her TSH is still below .01. Her uptake was almost 78%, so the doctor (nuclear med) said she falls into the category that may need a second dose. She is having HUGE emotional swings, irritability, rage, depression, anxiety/anxiety attacks– well beyond what would be normal for a teenager. I don’t know if there is a way help her with the anxiety and depression??? Her pediatric endocrinologist is sending her to a child psychiatrist to hopefully help her with her emotional symptoms. She was a very active kid before this. She played competitve travel fast-pitch (she was a pitcher), played basketball, etc. Now she has to just sit and watch. It’s driving her crazy… Her pulse rate has gotten a little better. It was running 125-130 just sitting on the couch watching tv…on the beta blockers. Now it’s down to 110-120 sitting…on the beta blockers. They started her on the Propranalol– 5mg 1x day- but it made her light headed to the point of passing out– but it helped a lot more with the anxiety than what she’s on now. Now they have her on Atenelol 50mg 1x day. On top of that– there is the fatigue, aches, weakness, and some weight gain (prob 20-25 lbs). She’s been on a rollercoaster- both emotionally and physically. Do you have any advice on how to help her with the emotional symptoms? Or what to ask the doctor Monday?
Thanks for all your help!
-Nikki

[bnspencer]

in reply to: GD and Emotions..we are new to GD #1070285

Reading your posts has given me hope… My daughter is almost 15, and was diagnosed with Graves back in March. It has been a very rocky road. I think she has had it since the middle of last summer. She has been on and off beta blackers. The doctor wouldn’t give her anti-thyroid meds because her liver counts were off… so she had a radioactive iodine treatment in May. We don’t think it was enough… she’s still hyper, symptomatic– and her counts aren’t moving. The doctors are giving her a second dose Monday/Tuesday. She is having SEVERE mood swings, depression, and at times almost bi-polar episodes. We are also taking her to a counselor Monday. I was talking to Allie tonight… letting her know we would get through this… that she will get better… and feel better. She was worried- what if this changed her forever- and she never gets better. I did my best to reassure her that she will get better. It has helped me to read that other people have had the mood swings and rage. She will get so angry and upset- and feel terrible about acting like that after. Every now and then I can still get a glimpse of my sweet kid… and it helps keep me going. I guess reading the posts here has reassured me too– other people have had this- and it does get better. Thank you. Its SO hard watching someone you love with every ounce of your being go through what she has to go through. I feel so helpless– I can’t do anything to help her or fix her.
Take care of yourselves… and stay strong…
-Nikki ” title=”Smile” />

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