[Darcy43]

in reply to: graves with weight gain #1173386

Yes I too gained while on Methimazole. It was strange. Without it I was very hyper, sweats, heart palps, and cranky as heck. when they put me on a high does at first 30mg a day, it regulated my symptoms but then I was told to cut it down wayyyyy low to 5mg. I was becoming borderline Hypo and those symptoms include weigh gain. I do not the Methi slows down the metabolism, but doesn’t take away the appetite you may have had when you were full blown hyper. Add the fact that muscle wasting occured and you may not have the energy to be quite as active = weight gain.

Of course my endo swears the meds have nothing to do with weight gain…right.

My advice, is once you get your labs stable (which is most important) then start slowly by walking or yoga. It keeps you tone and will help you maintain and at least not gain. And as aways watch what you eat even more so. It is hard (I have some pounds to shed and my spiteful mother even joked “I thought Graves Disease folks were skinny”…I’ve posted about her but I have since solved that problem.

Self love and really taking care of yourself is the best advice I can offer. It gets better…slowly….but it does get better. One day at a time.

Good luck.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Long term Methamazole use? #1171481

Great post…just what I needed.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: OK now what…RAI Seriously??? #1173298

To Bobbi:

First I apologize. I had you confused with another facillator who is on Methimazole for years. The only comment I thought I really wanted to convey to you was when you stated I was being SOLEY emotional with my decision (left side of brain versus right side). I even added LOL. I wantd to clarify. Enough about that, I know you are knowledgable and I appreciate your input and I said I did.

Alexis you are amazing and you really do help alot (as do everyone who esponds) because you are/have been in my shoes, especially with the doctors saying “you must do this, don’t do that…” I know they have the education, but we do research as well. I just want to keep all options that are best for FOR ME as you said. Thanks so much for your response and I am truly glad you are recovering well.

Thanks Kimberly. I will check out the site. You are truly insiteful, and generous with your kind responses and never judgmental. You state the facts and you always give links, research to back up your responses. This is truly helpful and I really appreciate you.

If I left anyone out..please do not take offense. At work and can only jump on periodically.

Here is to good health and me seeking a second opinion from docs…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: What my surgeon said #1173151

I am glad I read this post….

Helped tremendously.

Alexis if I could hug you through the board…I would.

Still trying to decided but this is great information.

Vanlsle Gal good luck.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: OK now what…RAI Seriously??? #1173292

thank you all for responding. This is truly a tough decision.

Bobbi – thank you for your insight. I know you have had graves for years, as most on this board. this has only been a year for me (being diagnosed) so YOU BETCHA I’m emotional lol. Serously, my decision, however, is not based solely on emotions. I have consulted with several physicians, two primaries, one my endo, and also an oncologist because the word radiation came up.

Gatorgirly – I am not trying to be unfair, but this is a extremely close friend of mine who is now in his 50s and had the RAI in his early 20s and I trust his judgment. He isn’t the same and his eyesight is nearly gone. That is what scares me the most..not the bulging eyes…I know I can be vain, but I am not that vain. I would rather be alive with bulging eyes, but I feel a bit saddened to think I may be blind before 50 if my eyesight is affected after RAI (which studies show *can* happy. Probably, maybe, possibly, yep.

Beach and Carito – thank you so much for giving me balance. I am praying and I do know for every horror story there are also positive stories too. I am just scared and yes, from doing tons of internet reseach (which can be a Godsend – this site- or a curse – all the scary stuff you read) so many folks are anti RAI.

I know everyone is different and I am glad that my endo, who is really great and nice and patient, was firm but did tell me let’s wait and we will talk later. I just needed to hear the pros and cons (and I did search RAI on this site – all posts were not positive), I don’t want to lead to TED, OD, etc. but then again I want to get well.

I get more labs tomorrow and I will wait to hear the results etc.

Taking very deep breaths. I cannot help it, it am being extremly honest..this sucks…..

Sometimes it feels like the cure is worse than the disease…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: OK now what…RAI Seriously??? #1173287

Ok thanks for viewing…..

Onward and upward.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Labs After Thyroidectomy #1173259

Alexis I pray your numbers normalize also (whatever that means). I truly understand what you are going through. I am about to embark on possibly another avenue due to my most recent numbers and I am getting really scared…I will share in a minute.

Things will work out.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: And now, my vanity…. #1172887

GL022 you are not alone. I have cried buckets about losing my Rapunzel mane. However, to get by, I bought a lipstick like wax that I could touch up my roots (I have naturally black hair due to heritage), but because I am in my ahem 40s (and I heard GD has a lot to do with it supposedly) I have a bunch of gray hair coming to the forefront around my temple. In the past I never used a permanent dye, only a rinse or semi permanent that did not contain ammonia (sp?). I have not used that however since diagnosis, and I am being extermely gentle with the hair as Bobbi said. I have upped my vitamins and minerals per my doc (biotin great for hair and nails, evening primrose lessens hair loss ALOT) so do what you can but it does get better. I am going on nearly a month without hair loss and excessive shedding (finally). It was a year of hell…I thought I would for sure be bald but I’m not. Hang in there, try your very best to stay calm and get creative, scarves, hats, loose ponytails, clips, even clip on hair pieces all work fine. I am sure you are a beauty inside and out.

I have the same concerns, nothing wrong with being a little vain….you gotta love yourself or no one else will

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Crying Fits…Is this normal #1172808

Thanks for your helpful replies. I am trying my best to hold on. It has been 1 year, first I felt great, then not so great. Highs and Lows for sure. I have been really active (movies, concerts, ballets, etc.) as distractions but then there are the “Hours.” It gets hard but this board really helps. Instead of one day at a time, I need to focus on one hour at a time. It is now 11:52 EST and I am not crazy, crying, yelling….

Breathe in breathe out…

I am going to try accupuncture again also. I used to do it all the time years ago (before Graves…go figure).

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Remission rate improved by extended ATD treatment. #1172858

thanks goodness you are back Harpy!!!!!!!! Great information. You were missed!!!! I was having withdrawals…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Crying Fits…Is this normal #1172802

Thanks so much Alexis. It really helps. My boyfriend thought it was “that time of the month – jerk” it wasn’t. I am seriously considering having the surgery if my labs do not stay in the range because I really want relief. I know I have to be patient and there is not a “one size fits all” treatment. The Methimazole, although provided some balancing, makes me feel miserable and the baldness..lol…that is awful, but the hairloss has stopped. I just called a psychologist so I can learn how to “relax my mind’ which is half the battle. I don’t want to have to take any more pills of anything. It was just really scary. I used to be such a tough cookie. Now, it is like any little thing makes me sensive and thin skinned….

Glad to hear your surgery was huge success. Happy healing Alexis and thanks again.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Funny Taste in Mouth #1172687

Oh yes I have posted about being almost bald, until recent. It finally stopped coming out (my hair). I still do not have the courage to wear it down because it is so thin looking, but here is to hope. Good luck. It bumped me into hypO (I feel – the weight gain is horrid) but I am taking it one day at a time.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Funny Taste in Mouth #1172685

Thanks for the feedback Kimberly. I had not ideal and never saw that listed as one of the side affects. I thought I was losing my mind..well actually…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Latest labs #1172531

Muscle cramps are the WORSE. I started taking potassium also (either by drinking orange juice or eating a banana – natural way) or popping the daily recommended dose of a potassium pill, along with magnesium, once a day. Check with your doctor of course, but that, along with drinking tons of water and staying hydrated so my electrolytes stayed on point, was the only thing that gave me relief, with the stretching also. It stopped them completely. Good luck.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Anyone choosing no treatment? #1172449

Thanks for the information regarding the heart monitors.

[Author]

Posts