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in reply to: New diagnosis #1176569
Hi Alyson, I started feeling unwell around last April, finally got medical attention in July, had labs and uptake scan and was diagnosed w/GD in August and begun on 15 mg of methimazole and 50 mg of metoproplol. Started feeling better w/in 2 weeks, cut dosage to 10, then 5, now 2.5 of the methimazole. I think I am in remission, that remains to be seen, but my December labs were all in range. I’ll see the Endo again in April. You are way ahead of me in that you got attention quickly, that’s to your credit. As a nurse, you know that stress doesn’t help any medical condition, so try and take it one day at a time and not worry too much. I remember when I got diagnosed, I basically felt my life was changed forever. Now I feel just as good as I did preGD, all my strength has returned. You may be lucky and have the same experience. Good Luck.
in reply to: Newly diagnosed #1176004brondack. The ATD’s may well be all you need, it’s too early to say. Don’t assume you will eventually need to choose between RAI and surgery, it may not come to that. I have just had my first Endo visit and reviewed my recent labs. TSH 5.3, it was negligible 4 months ago. T3 2.99, and T4 .82, both now in range, I don’t know the earlier levels, but they were bad. In August I started on 15 mg methimazole, went to 10, then 5, now down to 2.5. The Endo is actually worried I may go Hypo. I will see her again in 4 months and have labs in the meantime to check up. Of course, everyone is different, but give the ATD a chance to work. Good Luck!
in reply to: Diet & Graves Disease #1175360This question of diet and GD is something I have wondered about. While it may be completely coincidental, the onset of GD occurred at exactly the only time in my life when I have been dieting. Around last Christmas, i decided I should pay attention to my hypertension or prehypertension. Although I was healthy as a horse and almost never sick a day in my life, my bp was stubbornly around or above 140/90. I figured I would try and lower it naturally through diet, rather than going on lipitor, like everyone else. So I cut out my normal meat and potatoes supper (I did not change my continental breakfast or sandwich lunch) and began eating rice or oatmeal, some celery and a vegetable for supper, instead of a chicken breast or pork chop, baked potato and veggie. It worked marvelously, I started losing weight, even though I wasn’t heavy, I figured this would lower the bp naturally. Around Easter, I began feeling less healthy. I quit the diet and went back. But I still lost weight, eventually going from 190 to 150, also developed an excessive thirst and physical weakness. By July, I got diagnosed with GD. I am on the methimazole and also a beta blocker. I have regained 25 lbs and feel great, although my labs from early October aren’t normal. Getting new labs and going to see the Endo just before Christmas. I am not claiming this is proof of anything, but the only time in my life I have gotten sick was the time I tried to switch to an allegedly healthier diet. Maybe a coincidence, who knows? Don’t really care as long as I can remain healthy.
in reply to: Methimazole dose #1174868Khadijah, I lost about 40 lbs, from 190 to 150 from Christmas to Easter. By July, I had decided I better go to the doctor. I have always been athletic, jogging 4 miles and swimming 1 km, very easily. By July, I was unable to jog 1/2 mile. I had an excessive thirst which could not be slaked no matter how much I drank. They had me do a urine output measurement one day and I had about 3x normal output over a 24 hour test. After an uptake scan I was diagnose with GD in July and began 100 mg metoprolol and 15 mg methimazole a day in August. I will see my first Endo just before Christmas. I decided to cut my metoprolol in half to 50 mg, and I have reduced my methimazole to 10mg. I feel great, better than before I got sick. I can exercise, no thirst anymore and have gained back 20 lbs to 170 where I think I am stabilizing (6 ft, 59 yr old male). I have no plans to have RAI or surgery, but we’ll see what the Endo says in Dec. and how I feel. I think I am one of the lucky 30% who just take the ATD’s and normalize. I hope you feel better.
The uptake scan is SOP for diagnosing or confirming a GD diagnosis. It’s just like an MRI, except you take a radioactive pill the day before the scan, then you return in 24 hours and have the scan. Takes about 1/2 hour, not constant, different angles are done with waits between them. Some places have you take the pill early in the day and hang around for 4 hours, and then do the scan same day. The cost here in NE was about 1100, and another 120 for the radiologist to read it. I got a discount because I am self insured and a self payer. Your doc will get the results soon in a day or two. The radiologist will describe the thyroid, its shape, characteristics. Most importantly, whether or not the test suggests cancer or just a benign enlargement
Interesting info about tinnitus. I’ve had it for about 2 years. I just ignore it, I think that’s the normal “treatment” for tinnitus. Unless I think about it, it doesn’t bother me, and I don’t think it’s constant. I have had GD for 6 months, although I think it is in remission now. I guess I’m lucky that I can pretty much put the tinnitus out of my mind, I’m sure not everyone is able to do that. I never thought it was related to GD though, and I’m not sure it is in my case. Good luck.
in reply to: Labs are a no-no here but… #1174853Hi Naisly, I am seeing my Endo for the 1st time Monday (if Hurricane Sandy doesn’t intervene). My MD has had me on 15mg of methimazole for 2 months. I just got my second set of labs and my TSH was worse than the first time down to .005 from .01. However, the methimazole is doing its work, even if it’s not showing up in the labs. The f4 is OK. I feel completely better, and my symptoms of excessive thirst, weakness and weight loss, have reversed. If I didn’t have a Graves diagnosis, there is no reason I would be seeking medical treatment at this time. I point this out to emphasize that well being is more important than what the labs show. Good luck.
in reply to: Does everyone gain weight with a TT? #1174695Bobbi, what an excellent and concise summary of the thyroid hormonal process. i don’t know what you do for a living, but you would be a good technical writer. To echo what many have already said, this forum is a godsend!
No Shirley, the rate has always been good. Now with the metoprolol my bp numbers are @120/60, with a rate of 55. Without the beta blocker , I would be 140/80 and 65. I’m half convinced the lab made a mistake. I’m sure the Endo will order new tests so maybe that will clear up the mystery.
Anyway, I’m feeling good and if I have to choose between good clinical results and bad health, or bad clinicals and good health, I know which is better.Just had a visit w/ my MD and went over my labs. T4 and CBC were in range. TSH went even lower, dropping from .01 to .005. I am seeing my first Endo in 2 weeks who will take over my case. The funny thing is, since starting the methimazole a month ago, I feel great. If I didn’t know the labs, I wouldn’t think I still had GD. I am exercising again, easily jogging 3 miles, I couldn’t do 1/2 mile in July. I have regained 10 lbs and my excessive thirst has largely abated. Why am I feeling so well if the TSH situation has worsened? Anyone have an idea? Is this some kind of phony remission?
in reply to: Dental Work #1174371I just had a root canal over two sessions. I told my dentist about Graves and my meds, he didn’t seem at all concerned and I had the shot of local anesthesia. No problem. Good Luck.
in reply to: Side effects of Methimazole #1174313Well Amy, I’m no expert on this, but it seems to me that a pulse above 80-110 is high enough to warrant discussion of a beta-blocker. Raise the issue when you get a chance.
in reply to: Side effects of Methimazole #1174309amos, I have been on 15 mg a day of methimazole for a couple of weeks now, taking a 5 mg pill 3 times a day. i had a very slight sensation of the fogginess and weakness you describe, but it seems to have gone in the last few days. For example, i remember feeling, while swimming, that I was swimming through jello. The water just seemed heavy. That feeling is gone now. I also take 100mg of a beta blocker, metoprolol, once a day. Maybe you should ask your MD about that. I hope you feel better in a week or two.
in reply to: Just Diagnosed and New to this Forum #1174160Hi Mark, I am roughly in the same boat. Turning 59 next week, have had a GD diagnosis for 1 month. I just began methimazole and haven’t noticed any changes yet, but it takes awhile. I was also put on metoprolol, a beta blocker. I still try to exercise. My jogging is way off, I will jog a mile and then walk home, whereas I used to jog 4 miles, no problem. I swim on alternate days, still 1 kilometer in the pool, that hasn’t changed, although I noticed that when I swam in the ocean earlier this summer, I didn’t have the strength I used to, so I am sticking to the pool for the time being. My symptoms were weight loss, hoarseness and excessive thirst, which has moderated somewhat. I hope you start feeling better.
in reply to: methimazole dose #1173924Just got home. The doc was happy to start me on methimazole, 15 mg a day in 3 separate 5 mg doses. He also upped my daily metoprolol to 100 mg from 50. I have a lab appt for Oct 9th and a review w/him on Oct 12. I’m relieved to be starting treatment now instead of waiting for the Endo.
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