[catstuart7]

in reply to: Graves’ Disease In Our Own Words is on Kindle #1171958

Thank you for making this and letting us know! I’ll definitely be getting a copy.

[catstuart7]

in reply to: Why is RAI so controversial on the internet? #1171856

Hi all, thank you so much for your responses. I wish I could respond in more detail but I am having problems with severe brain fog recently.

But Beach, I send you a foggy high five! So glad you are doing well post RAI

[catstuart7]

in reply to: ncpatches- Good Luck Tomorrow! #1171885

Adding my prayers too, may it go well!

[catstuart7]

in reply to: I Know we are not supposed to make hasty decisions during this phase but… #1171843

“A literature study of 2006 mentions that ophthalmopathy may also contribute to psychiatric morbidity, it is presumed through the psychosocial consequences of a changed appearance.[11] However, the observation that a substantial proportion of patients have an altered mental state even after successful treatment of hyperthyroidism, has led some researchers to suggest that the automimmune process itself may play a role in the presentation of mental symptoms and psychiatric disorders in Graves’ disease, whether or not ophthalmopathy is present.[11] Persistent stimulation of TSH-Rs may be involved. In Graves’ disease, the TSH-R gives rise to antibodies and in some patients these antibodies persist after restoration of euthyroidism. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus are rich in TSH-Rs. (emphasis mine) Antibody stimulation of these brain receptors may result in increased local production of T3.[11]”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graves%27_disease#Neuropsychological_manifestations

[catstuart7]

in reply to: Why is RAI so controversial on the internet? #1171850

Elf, lol at “the Gravers” yep….preoccupied. Doesn’t take much for me to get preoccuppied and filled with anxiety these days. I saw in your sig that you did have the RAI done. Were you happy with it or did you ever wish you had the surgery instead?

And yeah, I guess it would even be obnoxious to go about announcing one’s great health on message boards with struggling people!

[catstuart7]

in reply to: Had the Scan Done #1171862

Sorry to hear it wasn’t that better option Alexis but glad you mom found that great surgeon for you. Have you thought about trying natural options to help you until the surgery date? The stuff about L-carnitine is pretty interesting and it might not interfere in a bad way.

[catstuart7]

in reply to: I Know we are not supposed to make hasty decisions during this phase but… #1171840

Darcy, just some advice based only on your post so remember I may not see the big picture you do. Right now your brain and emotions may still be being affected by the Graves’. For all we know even after thyroid is normalized the autoantibodies could affect the brain. The upcoming times will be challenging for you even if they go well and now is not the time to throw away support. Unless the relationship is actually harmful to you in some way, it’s best to wait till you are truly on the other side of treatment or stabilized on ATD’s long-term. Good luck at the doctor I hope your chest pains aren’t a sign of trouble.

[catstuart7]

in reply to: Sorry, but I need to vent! #1171810

Barb I am the same. If I take enough beta blocker to control my heart rate I am slowed down severely. It is mostly side effects from the drug, but we can hardly stop taking it can we? I always used to be able to stop taking a prescription drug when I got unacceptable side effects, but now no longer. I’ve tried four different beta blockers and my doc says that the big “slow down” is the reaction I’ll have. VERY frustrating indeed.

[catstuart7]

in reply to: Deep thoughts for a newly diagnosed – work, immunity, and personality #1171638

Oh yes, great questions. I can absolutely tell that my thinking and emotions have been affected. My thoughts run too fast and are often disjointed and I’ve noticed a lot of short-term memory problems and absent-mindedness.

[catstuart7]

in reply to: Just dropping in after TED orbital Decompression #1170531

Sending prayers for you Jules to find the very best doc and that your insurance will cover him so that everything can get better as soon as possible for you.

[catstuart7]

in reply to: In need of support #1171716

Hugs to you Alexis. It is awful isn’t it? I’m in a similar place to where you are at I had an allergic reaction to the MMI and just today I’m beginning to think I’m having liver symptoms for the PTU, slight nausea for a couple of days now. I’m going to get tested tomorrow and if I’m right we are in the same boat. I too read all these horror stories about RAI and it makes me scared of that choice, but yet my life circumstances don’t really support surgery at all. Still like you I have read some positive stories and results about it, so it is not a nightmare for everybody. Just remember the people who things go routinely and well for are probably not on the internet writing about it – they are probably just getting on with their lives. Did your doctor say PTU was out of the question for you?

[catstuart7]

in reply to: Worried & Upset About Liver Test Results #1171661

Oh by “too much” I mean after I take atenolol and also metoprolol for a couple of weeks, I start to react even more strongly to them, even small amounts. Like a quarter of a 25mg pill can take my pulse down to the 60’s and BP to being around 100/60. Too low to be safe or feel good. I’m not sure why I start to get the exaggerated response over time – my doctors have never had a good explanation and say it is an unusual reaction. So far the propranolol doesn’t do that and I feel safer with it because it has a short half-life compard to the others. And yes you can cut the 25mg in half and take it 12 hours apart, that will help you to feel less groggy.

[catstuart7]

in reply to: Worried & Upset About Liver Test Results #1171657

I’m on propranolol too. It is invaluable, but beware of the mental side effects. It can give you a bit of brain fog and depressive thinking. Atenolol is a little better on this front because it doesn’t go as easily through the blood-brain barrier as propranolol. I react to it too much though. Again good luck to you getting it sorted all out.

[catstuart7]

in reply to: What now? #1171666

Alexis so sorry to hear about the methimazole not working out! About surgery I thought I had read somewhere that they can use iodine Lugol’s (?) drops to shut down the thyroid beforehand. I wonder would it work for you? I sure hope you find a solution that works for you.

[catstuart7]

in reply to: Severe Stress due to Selfish Mother – Not good for Graves #1171548

Harpy wrote:

Darcy43 wrote:

So strange we spend the first half of our lives getting screwed up and the second half trying to get it straightened out.

Amen, sister.

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