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  • cathycnm
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    EWMB – It sounds like a good idea to do some relaxing and stress management. It does sound like your thyroid may be in the process of releasing excess hormone. The pulse being above 100 sounds worrysome to me, however. The heart can go into abnormal rythms when it gets too fast. While beta blockers are not particularly fun to be on – they are miracle drugs for our hearts in this stage. I think the fast pulse is worth a call to your doctor to let them know what is going on and to see if they think meds are necessary. Pulses are a reflection of the work our heart is doing – and it sounds like yours is working very hard when you first wake up – which is not a time I would expect the pulse to normally be higher than average. Keeping the heart from working too hard is important even if it means some unpleasant drug side effects for a few weeks. The relaxation may certianly help – but when we are hyper, we are so sensitive to adreniline and the fight or flight nervous system that it may not be possible to get the pulse low enough to ease the load on your heart.

    I so remember going through the stage you are at now – I remember wondering when the new symptoms and new meds would ever stop. It sounds, however, as if you are responding to the RAI – and that is a positive. I wish you the best – please let us know how it is going.

    cathycnm
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    Post count: 284

    Embw – the fast pulse comes from stimulation of our fight-or-flight nervous system. The same thing that can increase panic or anxiety increases pulse.

    Your pulse may be high because as your thyroid responds to the RAI and the cells die, they release the thyroid hormone that is inside. This often causes a surge in thyroid hormone before we go hypo.

    One thing you need to be aware of is that sometimes the fast pulse can be a health concern. How fast is it??? Do you know how to check it yourself??? If it is running high or you are not sure – please let your doctor know. There are medications called beta blockers that slow down the electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat faster. These medications can prevent some abnormal heart rythems, as well. It is best to prevent those if possible, as they can cause serious complications.

    How long ago was your RAI???

    cathycnm
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    Post count: 284

    One additional thought pops to my head after reading my first post of the day. Now that my TSH is normal and has been adjusted so that "I feel like myself again" – I can tell you that I am almost totally weaned off the sleep med/antidepressant (that I needed during both hyper/hypo periods), my weight is back to a normal BMI, I am exercising and generally enjoying life again – so in no way to I feel hypothyroid. If I were to rate my health – I would,once again, give it high ratings!!! I would have no problem recommending RAI with replacement to anyone who felt this was a good choice for them.

    Sometimes when physicians order cholesterol tests or meds after we have RAI they use "hypothyroid" as the diagnosis so that the insurance will pay. It does not mean we are hypo once our levels are stable on replacement – but it is a label we may see on our charts, labslips, etc – even after we are back to normal thyroid levels. That is what I was referring to when I said "hypo on replacement" – just insurance lingo.

    So – hope that makes my previous post clearer.

    cathycnm
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    Post count: 284

    Ski – True enough – thanks for clarifying. I guess there is always more chance for us to have hypo dips than someone who has a working thyroid if demand changes for some reason. It is good to know our cholesterol levels and if they do go up – to think that our thyroid may be off.

    In the short time (less than 1 year) that I had cholesterol issues (started when I was hypo), I did lay down some plaque (minor but real) in my heart. That means I will always need to keep an eye on my cholesterol to be sure those plaques are not growing. In the best of all worlds – the statin will get rid of them – which is one of the reasons my endo wants me on that med. It may be a life long thing I need to do now to prevent further damage. In my case, there are some genetics playing into the plaque formation. Still – I firmly believe my hypo was the trigger – then high cholesterol – then plaque (which is what causes hardening of the arteries – actually an inflammation of the vessel). Beta blockers are another potential cause of temporary high cholesterol – and I was on those just before crashing quickly to hypo.

    Good for you on the cholesterol – I am impressed. For today – I am feeling a huge success in my step toward being in great – even exemplary health – again in the near future.

    cathycnm
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    Post count: 284

    Thanks, Mary. I was honestly pleasantly stunned by the quick response to a statin. Technically, it is suppose to create a 20% drop and mine cholesterol and LDL are half what they were 2 months ago.

    The statin was obviously part of the mix. I also wonder if, because I was hypo in the fall, the levels are responding to normal thyroid levels. There is some new research in the field of the hypothyroid-cholesterol connection – and the endos are now recommending thyroid labs BEFORE anyone starts on cholesterol lowering meds. The thyroid being hypo makes that much difference. And since high cholesterol is closely linked to heart disease – which kills more Americans than anything else – I think it is good to be aware of that. After RAI – we are all technically hypo on replacement. We need to remember to take care of our hearts – always.

    Also – another cholesterol tidbit is the plant sterols/stenols that are available over the counter in most pharmacies. When I saw the dietitian a few months ago – she advised 3-4 grams a day. There is some good research to support their use – I believe they claim up to 5-20% reduction in cholesterol. The gut thinks these are animal cholesterol – so absorbs them in place of animal cholesterol. But once in the liver, which recognizes the difference, they are chucked out (back through the bowel) like yesterday’s trash. It is worth asking your doctor about for any of us who are post RAI. Cathy

    cathycnm
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    Post count: 284

    Rhonda – Where in Wyoming? I am in W Colorado and my mom grew up in Rawlins. My family have lived all over Wyo and CO for many generations now.

    On the surprize – I think there are a lot of practices that are being bought out by hospitals, etc. Who knows who owns what. On top of that – the HMOs can decide how many of which specialist they want on their panal. And, on top of that – there is good old politics. (Not in the West!) So, it is anyone’s guess what is happening – I can see why it would be a surprize.

    Good idea on educating your PA. I know a little about their training from being involved as a faculty once. I think they are the supreme jacks-of-all trades – and their real strength is doing office procedures.

    I am unclear from your post if you plan to find an endo who could even see you occasionally to follow with the PA. It sounds like your case needs to be followed by someone in the know. If you could get to Grand Junction – my endo is excellent and I would be happy to give you his name if you send me a message. There are also a lot of good ones in Denver if that is closer. C

    cathycnm
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    Post count: 284

    Rhonda – I have done leadership in healthcare for over 20 years and this smells of economics, to me. At least saying they don’t need an endo. Just a guess, but as healthcare goes through this transformation, no doubt there is a ton of numbers crunching. Where can they cut $? I am sure there are ratios of the population base needed to support an endo and stay in the black.

    I live in a rural community and I have to travel over an hour to my endo. For years, he was the only choice in the whole western half of the State. Now there are a handful of others within a 1/2 day drive. It is hard – but I know he is the better one to be following my Grave’s and osteoporosis. I love my PCP but she does not have his wisdom and I am afraid things will slip through the cracks.

    That said – how far would you need to drive to see an endo??? I am a nurse practitioner and have high respect for the non-physician practitioners – and it may will be within the PA’s scope to follow someone with a stable thyroid. Still, Graves influences so much and, no, RAI is not a cure (I love that one). I think it is important to have an endo on that team even if it means travel. BTW – my endo is willing to do some of the lab follow-up via phone – he always calls me directly if I have a new diagnosis. That has helped with the gas bill – so you might ask if the nearby endos could work with you and do somethings via phone. Let us know.

    cathycnm
    Participant
    Post count: 284
    in reply to: Mood Issues #1069887

    Cruiser – First of all, I applaud your ability to look at your husband’s strengths beyond his current state! We are, indeed, supersensitive to good old adrenaline when we are hyper. Adrenaline is the fight or flight hormone. I know I am hyper when I start yelling at my cats – for being cats! I am not happy, nor are they, in that moment. Being angry is a bit of internal h___ for me, as it is for most of us.

    Would he consider counseling? While it is very important for him to get his levels monitored (I agree with seeing the GP for now, while you search. They might be able to make recommendations on endos, too), it may also be helpful to get some counseling now. There are many stress management strategies that may provide some temporary relief for both of you. Of course, this is a very personal choice that needs to feel right for each person.

    As for not wanting to be around the moods, that is totally understandable. As humans, our brains are drawn to positive emotion and away from negative ones. I hope you will let us know how it is going and remember we are here for support. It will be so important for you to take care of yourself now, too.

    cathycnm
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    Post count: 284

    Hyper M – She is hypo???? How was she diagnosed? Thyroiditis has a hyper and hypo state – and I know if Graves goes on long enough without treatment there is a possibility of burning the thyroid out.

    My mom had Graves – my sister is hypo. Both are probably autoimmune but minor genetics differences played out as slightly different pathology. She is my only sibling – so in my immediate family, we are at 100% of women. I tease my daughter that – if genetics continues – she and I may grow old taking thyroid replacement hormone together <img decoding=” title=”Smile” />

    cathycnm
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    Post count: 284

    MommySick – Welcome. This is an awesome, healing community. It sounds like you have some good family support. The eyes are important – I assume you are getting care for that now. Weight gain varies with the individual. Once you are stable, there is more you can do about that with exercise, etc. For now, focus on getting well. The house cleaning will wait. The fear can be overwhelming – and we are more sensitive to stress hormones when we are hyper so staying calm is real work. But we do heal one day and one cell at a time. Let us know how you are doing.

    cathycnm
    Participant
    Post count: 284

    Hopeful – Interesting idea. You know, I just dropped out of my online study group (I am in graduate school, again) because of the amount of contagious anxiety I got from that group about tests, assignments. I also looked at my environment and identified things that were neutrals and thought of how I could turn them more positive. I got some motivational screen savers for my school computer, funny stickers to mark important things in my books, etc. I have heard that anxiety is created by a feeling of being out of control. So, to counter it – it is best to focus on what we can control. I guess I found a few things I could control and I do feel better. Thanks for starting the thread.

    cathycnm
    Participant
    Post count: 284

    Ewmb – Good luck with the labs. I had friends tell me it was a couple years from early symptoms to treatment and regulation of hormones. One friend said "you will wake up one day and say – hmmmm, I feel like myself again". So, the last couple of weeks I have become hopeful that I am feeling like myself and that it is a long term feeling <img decoding=” title=”Smile” /> It has been almost 2 years since my first symptoms (8/07). What a journey!!!!

    On the calcium – sounds great – good for you. Be sure you are getting enough vit D, too, because the calcium is pretty worthless without it. As long as you stay within the recommendations, it usually does far more good than harm. It is always good to let your doctor know of any changes in over the counter meds, too.

    cathycnm
    Participant
    Post count: 284

    Runlacie – Reading your story, I wonder about an estrogen connection. Runners often have a change in estrogen levels – and menopause can be another precursor to Graves.

    I am a believer in the web or causation theory – not one thing but several that interact with each other. Like something a spider would spin.

    cathycnm
    Participant
    Post count: 284

    Dear Appreciate – The birth control pills should not have a dramatic impact on your thyroid. I don’t know what sort of symptoms you are having, but I would suggest letting the person who prescribed these know ASAP. There are some serious side effects that contraceptives can have for anyone and these need to be caught as soon as possible. Hope that helps – let us know how it goes. Cathy, RN, APN

    cathycnm
    Participant
    Post count: 284

    Ewmb – I laugh everytime I look at a drawing of the menstrual cycle – roller coaster, for sure. And they keep finding new and wonderful chemicals and hormones that are part of this picture.

    If you have osteoporosis – I would refer you to the Ntl Osteoporosis Foundation site for vit D and calcium recommendations. One a day sounds low. I can tell you I have no more issues with constipation taking 3 a day than I did one. Just remember that fiber and drink lots of water – exercise can help once you are well enough. Calcium may also reduce colon cancer rates they think.

    I have hit a couple of plateaus – in-fact, more like back-sliding. It took a couple of fine tuning adjustments of my thyroid hormone. Some so small that my PCP thought I was just depressed – but my endo is old, wise and had heard the story before. So despite a normal TSH, he tweaked the dose down ("Quality of life is important, too.") – my TSH was almost unchanged but my smile has returned. Hang in there – it takes time. Two steps forward – one back.

Viewing 15 posts - 61 through 75 (of 267 total)