[cornelius]

in reply to: Concerned about mood #1063083

carmenl,
I have been on lorazepam for anxiety for about a year now, which I take at night to help me sleep and during the day as needed when having an extra stressful day. I have found it very helpful, because I, too, was having problems sleeping. And as we all know, lack of sleep for anyone can put a damper on normal activity. Hope this helps!

[cornelius]

in reply to: Want to have baby #1062983

Hello! I thought I would share my story of my thyroid struggles and pregnancies with you.
I was diagnosed with hypERthyroidism when I was about 6 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child (most likely brought on by my first pregnancy). I was prescribed PTU while pregnant, which was scary, since it is a Class D medication during pregnancy. Obviously, I couldn’t have the RAI or surgery while pregnant, so I had to weigh the pros and cons of taking the medicine while pregnant or not. I had to choose to take it, since I already had a child at home and coudn’t risk my own health/life by not taking the meds. During my 2nd pregnancy, I was classified as "High Risk," had endo appts and ultrasounds monthly to assure that the baby was growing appropriately. I lost count after 15 ultrasounds! She was born very healthy, however, and is 6-1/2 years old today without any delays of any sort.
I chose to have the RAI done about 2 years after she was born (May 2006). In Oct 2006 I became severly hyPO and was placed on synthroid (levothyroxine), which I have been on ever since. In January 2007 I became pregnant with my 3rd child, whom was born super healthy (and huge–10.3 lbs). During this pregnancy, my thyroid levels remained in the "normal" levels. Shortly after having him, my meds had to be adjusted accordingly. I had a 4th baby Sept 09 and she, too, was very healthy.
I would definitely discuss ALL of your concerns with your dr…and even get a second opinion. Some endo’s will say one thing and others will tell you a differnt version (from my experience). But, yes, the sythroid is a natural replacement and is not at all a risk to your unborn child. However, the PTU and Methimazole is…so be sure you are aware of these things when you make your decisions!!

[cornelius]

in reply to: Concerned about mood #1063079

Shirley, you did post on my "irritability" post and I appreciate your insight very much. I called the endo office and demanded a refill of meds. They said "Oh, well we had a cancellation on Jan 12at 8am so you can come then to get a refill order." I said, well, that will be 2 weeks or more without meds and I don’t think it’s a good idea. I spoke to the nurse about my concerns of being off meds and driving the distance for nearly nothing….so, I got a refill for the next 8 weeks in which I then go to see endo in Feb, which gives me time to be on the right meds for a little over a month before labs and a visit to the endo. Thanks again for your insistance on being "pushy," as it did help. Plus, I spoke to an Internal Medicine dr here in town that I have dealth with since I was a child and my children also see him (he is a pediatrician, also) and he said he would be willing to take on my thyroid issue case so we can handle it locally. I will probably just do that, since it seems like the trip to the endo is nothing more than feeling my thyroid, looking at labs and checking my reflexes. That is an expensive trip for that few of "medical practices" to be done…..in my opinion.

I am also having a procedure called a TEE ( some kind of scope being put down my esophogus to look closer at my heart) since I may have a small hole in the ASD of my heart….I knew this 2 years ago but never did anything to take care of it back then. I vowed to myself I would do better at taking care of myself this year…..let’s hope it comes back fine!! Thanks for being so caring!

~Christa

[cornelius]

in reply to: Concerned about mood #1063077

Shirley, It was the original poster KRYSTAL who was diagnosed in Sept 2010. I was diagnosed with hyper thyroidism in Sept 2003…Grave’s @ August 2004 after my May baby (#2) was born…. Sorry for any confusion!

~Christa

[cornelius]

in reply to: Concerned about my irritability…. #1063069

Bobbi…my endo is the one who informed me that the meds don’t "take effect" for 6 weeks…perhaps I misunderstood this and believed that it takes that long to actually FEEL the effects. Unfortunately, I am not really sure what "normal" feels like.

I was diagnosed with hyper-thyroidism when pregnant with my 2nd child. I was about 6 weeks pregnant and down to 84 pounds from a norm of 95-100. I read an article in a parenting magazine about thyroid issues and said to myself "I have all of these symptoms!" I immediately called my family dr (who is no longer my dr) and said I want to be tested. Her response was "Those are typical pregnancy symptoms." I demanded to be tested anyway, and sure enough, I was severly hyper. I was sent to a specialist (an hour away), put on PTU while pregnant (Class D med during pregnancy), plus had to drive the hour trip twice a month to see the endo and have an ultrasound (could never get the appts scheduled for the same day-ARG!) Anywho, my daughter was born very healthy, YAY! Shortly after she was born is when I had more tests done that lead to my diagnosis of Grave’s Disease. I was HORRIFIED to say the least. About 3 months after my diagnosis, my fiance was caught cheating and I left him….long story. I think I live in a world of stress, which doesn’t help matters much!!!!

When I went to the pharmacy for a refill on my script, they told me the dr denied my refill until I was seen in the (hour-away) office. I then called the office and the receptionist said the same thing, yet can’t get me in until Feb. I currently have a stash of .137’s on hand that I am taking, so I have SOME synthroid in my system, though it is not enough. I was taking .175’s 6 out of 7 days. I am a little twerked about it, too, but feel at a loss right now. My family dr whom I was very close with recently moved out of state and her replacement won’t refill my script, either. I wish I could find a new dr, but there is only one endo in the nearest city (Rockford, IL) who will accept the state medical card. I do get my labs drawn here in town at our local clinic and the results are faxed to the endo, so I don’t understand why they can’t refill….I will call tomorrow and speak to someone else about it (per Shirley’s advice! Thanks!).

I, too, am upset that the dr who put me on Zoloft didn’t expain the risks of stopping the med. I have been slowly tapering off for nearly 8 months! The behavioral health dr put me on Prozac 20 mg daily…hopefully it will help. I do believe that the Zoloft is what was making me feel zombie-like, however, I guess I could be wrong.

I am aware and follow the guidelines of taking synthroid in the morning, with water and on an empty stomache. I take mine when I get up with my 2 school ager’s and they get their vitamins at the same time. So, they remind me and I remind them! ” title=”Smile” /> When I was pregnant and breastfeeding, I took my prenatal vitamins in the evenings so the two didn’t interact. I purchased the book "Graves Disease in Our Own Words" which has given me alot of insight and helpful tips that my endo did not share with me. If either of you would like to borrow this book I would be more than happy to mail it to you! ” title=”Smile” />

Thank you so much for taking your time to "chat" with me. It is really hard sometimes to grasp the idea that I am so young with this disease. No one in my family (that we are aware of) has been affected by thyroid issues, but then again, there are SO many people who go undiagnosed!!! Everytime a friend of mine mentions a symptom I am so very familiar with I tell them "GET YOUR THYROID CHECKED!!!"

On another note….I have started all my kids on a very strict schedule of getting out clothes for the next day, packing backpacks, same-time every night bedtimes, etc. to help with my irritabilities in the mornings, which also helps me to have some "down time" before I drift off for the night.

Again, thank you so much for your insights!! Greatly appreciated and will chat again soon!!!

~Christa

[cornelius]

in reply to: Concerned about my irritability…. #1063066

Thank you for your response, Bobbi. I appreciate your suggestions. It’s hard when all I want is for my children to be happy and FEEL loved yet I am lost in a mist of anxiety and irritability. I will use your suggested measures of using "I" statements more often.
As for my always fluctuating thyroid levels, this has been ongoing for many years. Like I said, the only time they have ever been Normal is while I was pregnant. I get bloodwork about every 6-8 weeks and have my medication adjusted accordingly. However, because the new dosages take approx 6 weeks to even start making any effect, it makes it hard to ever get it just right. Another stick in my spokes is that I live in a small town and the closest endo is an hour away….so needless to say, I don’t get to his office as often as I should. My family dr was handling my case locally until she came to a point where she didn’t feel comfortable switching my doses as often as we were (about every 8 weeks.) My most recent labs were done in November and the endo sent a letter stating to "stay on the current dosage regimen–.175 6 days a week of the levothyroxine. I ran out of the meds last week and tried to get a refill, which the endo denied until I am seen in the office an hour away!!!!! I am a little p.o.’d about that, since they are well aware that I live far away. They saw my bloodwork results, so what the heck do I have to be seen in the office for???!!! Just another addition to the stressfulness of a thyroid disorder I guess!
Anywho, thanks again for your response. I greatly appreciate it. Talk soon.

[cornelius]

in reply to: Concerned about mood #1063074

It does take time with having to fluctuate meds to a correct dosage to get to the point we need to be to "feel normal" (whatever that is). I like the assimilation with the hurricane winds that was made. That is a great way to put it!! I have been battling with correct medicine dosages for nearly 8 years now, never seeming to find my thyroid levels in the normal range. It is a hard battle to fight, but hopefully this discussion board can ease your worries. I haven’t been on here in a while, regretfully, and am happy I have rejoined the discussions, because it really does help to discuss these issues with others who have been there!! Here’s to hoping you can find the right dosage of meds that brings you back to your normal self!!

~Christa

[cornelius]

in reply to: A year later, still no period! #1063071

not sure if this helps, but I had a baby in Sept 09 (so my last period was 12/08) and I JUST got it back today…so nearly 2 years without. I breastfed for the first year, but it still took a few months for the period to actually come back.

[Author]

Posts