Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
in reply to: Just diagnosed today #1182319
lileone, nothing at all to fear from the uptake scan. You take a vitamin sized pill, come back the next day ( I have heard of some cases where you take it early in the AM and do it same Day, but I didn’t) and then have a 15 – 30 minute scan. It is probably closest to an open MRI for comparison. No pain, no discomfort, no after effects from the Uranium pill. Some noise from the machine, but nothing you can’t get used to. They will give you a card explaining the procedure and your tiny exposure to radiation in case you were to set off a geiger counter or some sensor at the airport or police station. You’re lit up for another 24 hours, but it is extremely unlikely there will be any negative effects from the scan. By all means have the scan, it is a very effective diagnostic tool. Good Luck!
in reply to: Decision to make btw ATD and TT #1181703Shakira, we have a very similar GD history. I was diagnosed August 2012,went on MMI for approximately 1 year, reducing gradually from 15 mg/day to 2.5 every other day, and finally stopping in September. Have had 2 labs including a metabolic panel since then and everything is in normal range. Am seeing the Endo every 6 months, with labs every 4 months. Evidently in remission, no lingering effects of GD, although I know it takes a year for an official remission diagnosis. I remember what Hyper feels like and am alert to any changes, but so far, so good. I hope you find yourself in the same place. Good Luck.
in reply to: Newly diagnosed #1181414Hello Goodcheermom, After 14 months on Methimazole, I have just discontinued it, with my Endo’s consent. I will have labs in 2 moths to check on my levels, but they’ve been fine for 6 months on a small dose of MMI. I started at 15mg and recently was just 2.5 mg every other day. My point is it is far too early for you to assume you will eventually have to choose between RAI and TT. You may be like me and many others who get better on the MMI and then have remission. Time will tell, I know. Lots of people have remission and then relapse years later. I will always have to watch myself, but right now I feel like I did before Graves. Perhaps you will have a similar experience. Good Luck.
in reply to: Graves NOT treated #1180710Hello Mikeduck, Methimazole (MMI) is a generic and quite reasonable. Could you take that instead of PTU? Some doctor at a health clinic ought to be able to write you a RX for that. Especially since you already have the GD diagnosis. Are you in America? Walgreens has a plan where you pay $20. a year to join their pharmacy plan. It’s not insurance but you do get good deals on many drugs. I think I pay about $20 for a month’s supply of MMI with them. As far as the tremors, a beta blocker is usually prescribed to treat them, maybe you can find a reasonably priced generic. Best to get both, but if I had to choose between the MMI and a beta blocker for financial reasons, I think I’d opt for the MMI. If you can regulate the Hyperthyroidism with the MMI, some of the other problems might mitigate. Take Kimberly’s advice and try to get some help. Good Luck and God Bless.
in reply to: swimming goggles #1180468Hilary, i swim 3 or 4 times a week with goggles and haven’t had any problems. I’ve had GD for a year, but am probably in remission. I use Speedo Vanquisher, a very basic goggle, think I got them on Amazon for 12 bucks. I like them better than more expensive ones I’ve used in the past. My eyes are always red when I exit the pool, but it goes away. If you don’t do it already, rinse your goggles after swimming and dry them off with a paper towel before putting them back in their case. It will get the chlorine off.
in reply to: Sue’s TT – July 16, 2013 #1180345Sue, GLAD makes a product called Press’n Seal, it’s basically saran wrap with one side that is sticky. I recently had some stitches and Steri strips I had to keep dry and it worked perfectly in the shower. A little tricky to keep it from sticking to your fingers while applying it but you’ll get the hang of it.
Hello Misslex, There is a dermatological condition called Grover’s Disease which I have been diagnosed with. I have a minor case and control it with Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream or Ointment, which is a low cost generic. When I first got it I wondered if it was related to talking MMI. I doubt that it is, I think I got it from swimming in a pool which the management keeps at too warm a temperature, thereby turning it into a gigantic petri dish. I have switched to a cooler pool and it seems to be going away. Anyway, before concluding that a rash is GD or MMI related, it’s worth considering this as a possible cause.
Hi Caro, I’m in a very similar situation, except I’d like to get off the ATD’s and enjoy my remission (so I think). I was diagnosed in August 12, started on 15 mg MMI and a beta blocker, eventually moved down to 2.5 mg MMI by Christmas and, just recently, a water pill (hydrochloroziade) instead of the Beta Blocker. My #’s are inn range. TSH was 5.3, (it was close to zero when I was Hyper). The acceptable range is .35 – 5.5. Six months till my next Endo appt and 3 months to labs. But the lab order is only for TSH not T3 or T4 anymore. I guess the Endo wants to see if the TSH goes Hypo before stopping the MMI. Don’t feel Hypo, have had a little weight gain but only 10 lbs or so. Anyway, have pretty good confidence in my Endo, so I’ll stay on the MMI without complaint for the time being. Best of luck.
in reply to: muscles overtightening #1179510Raspberry, I would cramp up almost every time I exercise if I didn’t stretch AFTER. Everybody knows to stretch beforehand but after is just as important. It doesn’t have to be arduous or lengthy, just an easy stretch for a minute or 2. Best thing is to face an open door, put your hands on the frame while bending a front leg which is flat on the floor and extending the rear leg about 18 inches back. You will feel the back leg calf muscle stretch as you naturally go up on tippy toes with the rear leg while bending the front. Alternate and do the other leg. Just a nice gentle stretch, not supposed to be hard or painful. Hope it helps.
Ann, I went through a similar period a year ago when I got GD. Lost 50 lbs and all my stamina in 2 months, couldn’t jog a 1/2 mile, whereas before i could knock off 4 miles with no problem. They put me on methimazole and also a beta blocker and they worked. I strongly suggest you try and get on the ATD, I don’t think you will get your strength back until you do. Try and get your MD to prescribe the methimazole as was suggested while you wait for your Endo appointment. I had to lobby a little bit it it worked. They started me on 15 mg a day, that’s a moderate dose, but it worked for me, everyone’s different. I’m now down to 2.5 mg a day. As far as I know, the initial treatment for GD is almost always methimazole, if your MD understands that he may be more willing to try it. Good Luck
in reply to: Beta Blockers and Exercise? #1178912Steph, after my GD diagnosis I was unable to run because I just didn’t have the physical strength. Also had an unslakeable thirst. I would try, but not get 1/2 mile along. Once the methimazole kicked in, I regained strength over about the next 2 months and got back to 4 miles, which I continue. I was on metoprolol all through this time. My feeling is, your body will tell you. I f you had a good 5k you should continue. To me the benefits of moderate exercise on anxiety and stress outweigh any downside. Just got taken off the metoprolol and replaced it with a water pill, hydrochloroziade, for hypertension. The beta-blocker was kind of a blunt instrument for me anyway, because I always had a good low heart rate, it’s the hypertension which is my issue.
in reply to: abnormal CT scan – thyroid?? #1178890I am totally with Shirley’s take on this one. Not tell a patient something because it might ruin their weekend? I don’t see it that way, from either a medical ethics or practical treatment angle. I want to know everything affecting me ASAP. Unless the patient is a child or psychologically vulnerable person, they should be told all pertinent info ASAP. Isn’t the more common complaint that docs condescend to patients and don’t keep them in the loop? Seems like they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
Most importantly, Talley, I hope you get better news this week.
stymie, about a year ago, I was unable to jog a 1/2 mile. This after being an every other day jogger for almost 40 years, usually about 4 miles. Since I’ve been on the methimazole no problem resuming my jogging. I also swim and bike a lot. I don’t know that I would go in for marathons or long runs, but I never did that anyway. What works best for me is alternating jogging one day and then swimming the next day. Especially as we age, I think it’s important to moderate your exertion.
in reply to: Just for Fun – The “Off Topic” Thread! #1177828This little tool will put our concerns in “perspective”. Use the horizontal scroll bar to go from microscopic on the left to gigantic on the right.
in reply to: Is the Uptake Test Necessary? #1177114Hi Jen, as far as I know the uptake scan is the gold standard for diagnosing GD. It will allow the radiologist to see the shape and size of the thyroid, the presence of nodules, and whether they are hot or cold, which can indicate thyroid cancer. The percentage of uptake is also important for diagnosis. I would definitely have the test. It uses a tiny amount of radioactive material that leaves no ill effects. Talk with your Endo about your concerns, I’m sure he/she is well used to explaining the benefit of the uptake scan. Good Luck.
-
AuthorPosts
