[cathycnm]

in reply to: Very stressed out, but there’s hope… #1070237

Alice – Hope is a huge strength to help us through this. There was a study from Harvard (as I recall) that found optimistic men were more than twice as likely to survive a heart attack. And that is just one of many similar studies linking health and hope – I just am blanking on the others. The only time optimism gets in the way is if we are too hopeful pay attention to things like breast lumps ("I am sure it is nothing).

Use that hope strength everyday in a new way – I think it will take you and your kids far! ” title=”Wink” />

[cathycnm]

in reply to: ovulation hormones and bad day #1070497

EWMB – Hmmm, It sounds like something we call mittelschmerz that occurs with ovulation and then goes away. PMS occurs after ovulation and generally does not get better until the next period.

There are lots of theories on PMS – some of the latest research really pinpoints serotonin (a neurotransmitter or brain chemical messenger). The most effective meds are the antidepressants that increases serotonin levels. One birth control pill, Yaz, has also had some positive impact on the more severe form of PMS – the pill has a form of progesterone that acts like a diuretic as well as some other unique actions.

Mittelschmerz is more related to ovulation pain. Is yours pain or mood related?

BTW – Calcium has been shown to improve PMS symptoms, folks, so chalk up!!! ” title=”Very Happy” />

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Looking for research on Stress and Graves-causation factors #1070329

Brenda – Another thought would be to look at autoimmune disease and its relation to stress. You might want to do a web search on type 5 hypersensitivity (previously considered type 2 hypersensitivity) reactions and stress. There are many illnesses that come from the body’s over-response to a foreign material (hypersensitivity). I think you will find that autoimmune illness is more common in women because we (as a gender) have a stronger antibody system – whereas men tend to have a stronger system of cells that directly kill invaders. Autoimmune disease is more common in women for that reason (our bodies doing too much of what they are good at). So, the link between hypersensitivity reactions and stress may be helpful. Hope you will post your results!

[cathycnm]

in reply to: no dairy products? #1070111

I may be able so add a little. I was put on a low iodine diet before my scan (my doc is old school) – and milk has a lot of iodine. I was not allowed to touch dairy for a month. I did some research on milk alternatives – coconut milk (you can buy it in cans) and hemp milk (I found it as a boxed liquid) were great substitutes. Of course, they lack the calcium so don’t forget your supplements!

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Hyper / Exercise / Joint Pain ? #1070145

Sue – Yes, hyper effects muscles. It also impacts the heart (our biggest muscle). It is generally best to stay clear of exercise while we are hyper for these reasons. I recently had to be readjusted on my thyroid because I was a little high. How did I know – my theigh would ache (starting about 1/2 way through my walk) and would radiate down into my knee – it lasted a few hours and was helped by motrin. Within 3 weeks of having my dosage adjusted back down – the achy pain resolved. There is no doubt – our muscles are effected and the cells do not respond in their usual was to exercise.

Jazzersize sounds great – hang in there, I wish you a rapid recovery to normal levels so you can get back to what you love! Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Bioidentical Hormones #1070142

Brenda – I have heard of bioidentical hormones for women’s health (estrogen, etc) but confess to not knowing as much about them for thyroid. I am wondering how they compare as far as cost???? Anything that keeps your hormones in balance is what works – I am not sure if there is an advantage to paying more for something bioidentical. Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: rai update/detils #1071193

Hopeful – Sad and worthless are the pits. It is interesting how our thyroids can impact mood. I am ordinarily very optimistic and this year that has turned upside down – esp when my levels are off. The last month or so, I start to feel like myself more of the time. Maybe it is some other things to do with my life situation, too. But nothing in my life has ever made me suddenly feel sad and worthless as quickly as my thyroid levels being off. I laughingly told my therapist that if I ever blew my brains out – to check my TSH cause it would probably be out of wack.

Good luck with the healing – let us know. Hoping your appitite is back tomorrow. I am headed for a few days in a tent so won’t be around until next week. Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: quivering #1071288

One of the symptoms I had before I was diagnosed was issues that I think were blood sugar related – and hyper can impact that. I was grading the students while they were doing physical exams and started yawning, sweating – it was aweful. And I kept going down and getting food and drink – but I never got better. When I told the students that I was diagnosed a couple months after the exams that day – the first thing they said "Oh, that was what was wrong with you that day". I had forgotten about it = but I bet they are right.

It is funny – BTW – I posted a while back about migraines. I had them start about 5 days post RAI and continue for several weeks – until I started replacement. I also had them again recently – just before my dose was lowered. Migraines for me have always been blood sugar triggered. I am thinking that having abnormal levels must be a trigger for the blood sugar. These are not like the migraines of my youth – more subtle. But the aura is there – fireworks!

It is interesting the little subtle things we learn mean that our levels are off a bit.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: anti-inflammatory diet? #1071210

Well – Most Americans could use more fruits and veggies so if that is the jist of it – sounds healthy. Good luck with it. You will have to let us know if you feel a difference.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: quivering #1071284

Emily – Could it be your blood sugar getting too low?

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Ut oh…feeling a little like I use to…Update 5/28 #1071223

Mama – While labs being out of kilter (or wondering if they are) does not lead to "happiness" – neither does being sick. I was thinking the other day how lucky we are to live in a time when many things are treatable. There was a time when Graves carried a fairly high mortality rate. Now there are treatment options that work well.

Same thing with my osteoporosis and high cholesterol. I preferred the days when I was med free – and now I am on 4 meds chronically. Somedays I feel sad about that – like it all happened in 4 years and I was not ready. Then I think of my aunt who had sever osteoporosis before we had meds other than estrogen to treat it – I can’t imagine because it would eventually be a loosing battle.

My thoughts are with you as you wait for results. Most of all – I wish you health and happiness.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: anti-inflammatory diet? #1071207

Elisa – OK, I am curious about what the diet actually contains. Is it more of certian foods? Or is it supplements? I think a lot of Eastern medicine can be a nice adjunct – but as Ski points out, with caution.

I recently found out that red rice yeast is very close to prescription lovastatin (used to lower cholesterol) – in fact, FDA had some brands pulled because they were too close to the same. So, the Chinese get enough in the average diet to actually equal our prescription meds. And so East and West are often on the same track but with some differences.

Let me know about the diet and what it entails – again, I am curious. C

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Dangers of Over the Counter weight loss supplements #1071216

Mickey – Nothing better than good old diet and exercise to loose weight. I was reading recently that it does not matter which diet we follow – as long as we actually stick with it. For me – it is the low cholesterol diet these days. It is pretty good for keeping weight off, too. Three cheers to you for taking good care of yourself!!! ” title=”Very Happy” />

[cathycnm]

in reply to: New here, but not to Graves #1071256

Pam – One thing to remember is that if you do need to proceed with having your thyroid removed or radiated, you will not be hypo for very long. Once you are normal thyroid (with replacement) then weight gain is more about diet and exercise than anything. I have not gained any weight since RAI – in fact, I believe I have lost a couple of pounds. It is very individual and does not need to be permanent.

As far as calcuim and too much – I am not sure what information you are referring to. We know that more than 3 grams a day is probably too much. Depending on your age – less than 1,000 to 1,500 is too little. Osteoporosis is epidemic in our country (partially due to increased use of sun screen). It is good you are on the vitamen D. The national osteoporisis foundation has info on their website about recommendations for each. The latest research on vit C is not very promicing and it may even increase risk of some diseases – so you may want to check to see if you want to be taking that much.

Other than calcium, warm baths might be of help.

I am sure it is frightening (when I have palpitations I always have that question flash through my head about = what if my heart stops!)- and it sounds like you are doing the right thing to see your doctors. It is also good you have a positive relationship with your doctor. You have lots of positives going for you. Keep us posted.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: The Next Step #1071276

David – Oh my, I sometimes cannot believe how little emotional intellegence healthcare providers can show. I am so sorry to hear you were shut down like that. I recently posted that I am at about month 9 after RAI and had been feeling more and more hyper for about 6 weeks. I had my annual at that time and got a TSH. By then, I was a wreck with a capitol W. I cried all through my apt because she said my TSH was normal (had labs a couple days before) and that it was just stress. To make a long story short – eventually my PCP did decide maybe my endo should back off the thyroid a bit – but he did not call back (because the labs were normal). I finally got my dose tweeked down – my last TSH this week was almost the same as it was on the higher dose – but I feel 100% better.

My situation is different from yours – but the same. Because we both got the "your labs are normal, so your symptoms are not real" types of messages. Nothing feels quite so disempowering as not feeling heard or believed.

Your symptoms sound like they warrent more attention – I encourage you to go back again – or find a different doctor. In the mean time, it may help to keep a symptom chart. Take that in to your next appointment with you! That is often a huge help to the physician in diagnosis. Let us know how it goes. And – I agree – there are a whole lot of diseases that I would gladly NOT have compared with Graves. I am glad you do not have Parkinson’s. C

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