[Darcy43]

in reply to: Seeking Support & Advice #1172072

Hello welcome and you are not alone.

I am sorry because I completely understand how you feel. It seems like despite everything you are getting great medical care. Please do not give up. I wish I lived there so I could lend support. Thank goodness for the internet. Pray, hope, hang on. I am thinking about RAI also at this point. I am sick of taking the meds. the side affects for some (like me) are not temporary. At least with RAI, whatever side affects you may have, they eventually go away. I have several friends who have had that treatment. I don’t know what to tell you and I cannot advise you, but I really do empathize with you.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed and wanting someone to talk to (sorry a little long) #1171990

Hi Bri, sorry you have to be welcomed into this world, but it is really a supportive group.

Do your best to take your meds as prescribed, get as much rest as you can and try really hard not to sweat the small stuff.

It will get better, but it gets worst first.

Hugs.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: I Know we are not supposed to make hasty decisions during this phase but… #1171846

Thank you all for your advice.

Harpy you were spot on as usual and gave me a lot to think about. Your breakdown of the psychological factor, without sounding supercilious, is exactly what I needed. I will get out my pschology books from school and really figure out what is truly triggering my synapses to react. I also started taking 5-HTP (just a seretonin uptake and my doc said it was ok). Besides, I cannot eat chocolate, which is natural seretonin lol.

I am feeling much better this week. Day 1…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: I Know we are not supposed to make hasty decisions during this phase but… #1171844

thanks Catstuart7. I agree. I think that is why at least my doctor kept telling me not to make any hasty decisions because my thinking may be a bit altered due to what my body is going through. I know I don’t feel like my self at all.

I do also agree Bobbi, that the thyroid is attacked by antibodies when we have Graves, but just like with another autoimmune disease (diabetes) which antibodies attack the pancreas, a person is still moody, depressed, etc. because there is a metaphysical and psychological connection between the body and mind. Just my humble opinion. It is that connection, along with treatment from the medical community, along with a positive attitude, that helps and in some ways promote healing.

Thanks Cat for your advice. I have taken a deep breath, and not given up my support system. I am not in any harm by him. Heck, he is in harm by me possibly (kidding) because I stay so tense and angry. I just feel antsy. My doctor told me to ride it out, my labs look good and I should be over the hump soon. My doctor also prescribed a very low dosage of an anti anxiety drug. The first phases are so very hard. Thanks again for your support. My chest pains were based on anxiety and costrocondritis which I have had for years.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: I’m home #1171887

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: I Know we are not supposed to make hasty decisions during this phase but… #1171839

And now I am having severe chest pains…I know anxiety. I am going to the doctor.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Severe Stress due to Selfish Mother – Not good for Graves #1171549

Harpy we must be related.

Here is irony for ya…she “Mommie Dearest” was just admitted to the hospital due to severe stress….Now after work, I live at the hospital listening to her rant and rave about how her kids are blah blah and nobody cares about her etc…Jeez

I finally had it and did my best Shirley McLaine empression from Terms of Endearment and yelled GIVE HER THE SHOT, GIVE HER THE SHOT…anti anxiety meds….it worked, she slept and I went home.

Hanging in there…what else can you do…I want wine…but that wouldn’t be good for meds….

Thanks again so much for all the support. Yep first half of my life going thorugh hell and the second half putting salve on the burn marks.

Not giving up…I will have a happy ending.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: My period is almost 2 weeks apart now…Anybody Else?! #1171677

Yep right there with ya. I am 5’1″ and gained 8 pounds since the meds and feel like a cow. Others are like you are still small…nope. I feel like I am beginning to look like an egg.

I cannot run anymore due to the heart palps (even though they took me off the betablockers), but I do yoga, pilates and ride the bike. The weight will not buldge. My doc just told me to stay focused on getting better and forget about the weight gain for now. I understand but summer is approaching and I am getting sick and tired of wearing the same two black skirts, A-line, because my butt is starting to look like a condo LOL….

It could be worse. I feel your pain…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: My period is almost 2 weeks apart now…Anybody Else?! #1171674

Yep I posted about this a while back. I was shocked because I can set my periods like clockwork, every 28 days. They were getting less and less before I reached 40 it was like 4 days max and only the first two days were heavy so I was feeling great. Now, since the Graves diagnose and meds, and once I was “getting better” as my endo told me (basically possibly going near hypo) my cycles come earlier and earlier (every 21 days and are VERY HEAVY) and last 8 – 9 days. It sucks. I feel like I need a blood transfusion and I do not have any energy. I take iron, but as you know, you have to space that out with your Methimazole pills (now on .5 every other day). It is a vicious cycle (pun intended) and I have to work nearly 6 days a week. All I can say is speak with your endo and tell them about your symptoms. Good luck and God bless.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: In need of support #1171730

Hi Alexis

I’m so sorry about your decision and it is a huge one. As all are encouraging, really think about your choices and options, arm yourself with truthful and helpful information like you are doing and surround yourself with positive support. I will keep you in my prayers. I hope the outcome is well for you. This disease is horrible, but you can live with it one day at a time.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Severe Stress due to Selfish Mother – Not good for Graves #1171546

Oh and I never owed her anything. I never borrowed a dime from her. Maybe because she bought me diapers as an infant she feels I owe her huh lol.

I even paid for my own wedding. I bought my very first car by myself, including the insurance. I was always independent because she use to (heck she still does) gripe about having to spend a dime on anyone other than herself. She offers like the poisionous apple then when she traps you she makes you suffer. I never fell for that, but she thinks because I am so independent and not take from her, I must be independently wealthy so she begs me to pay her bills alot or speaks about not having food, etc. just to make me feel guilty. Yes I go to her home and her fridge is full when I bring groceries and it makes me angry – like a chump. Then she says the food I buy for her wasn’t good enough anyway…she is a mess.

I will stop griping about her. Just had to get it out. But no, I lived my life to get her love and respect and never got it. I just want out…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Diagnosed today #1171437

Adenure,

It seems like you have a good physician who is conservative with treatment also. I would rather have them prescribe a low dosage and you work your way into it for maintenance then the high dosage then they drastically pull your dosage down but by then you are suffering from some of the worst symptoms due to to the imbalance – from hyper to hypo and vice versa. Not everyone is affected like that, but I was. I have complained of most of my hair failing out, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, cannot concentrate for squat, moodiness, anger, etc. I know I will get better now that the medicine has been adjusted. Sometimes it feels like the cure is worse than the disease, but I guess my bloodwork had them worried so the were pretty agressive with treatment.

We shall see. 11 months and counting…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: How long has this been going on? #1171514

Now that I look back at my life, I guess I have had the symptoms for a while also. I was always extremely hyper, anxious and freezing cold all the time. I thought it was just due to severe stress (even as a child, which is pretty sad – but if you read my post about Cruella DeVill (mother) that raised me you would understand ) so I thought it was “normal.”

Who knew. I am just glad to be diagnosed and treating it. I am really trying to do my best so the symptoms are calmed down. I take my medicine, I try to breathe and I pray a lot.

This board is very helpful.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Maintaining employment while dealing with Graves Dz #1171458

Nope Tammy you are not stupid you are very very smart and you will get the job that you deserve.

I will keep you in my prayers. Hang in there and please keep us posted.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Severe Stress due to Selfish Mother – Not good for Graves #1171545

Catstuart thanks and I have gone to therapy in my teens (when her behavior caused me to have severe anorexia and bulimia – she called me fat all the time when I was a size 2, so I starved to become a 00 – before it was fashionable – I am now in my 40s and a healthy size and prior to my marriage I was in therapy trying to stay well. Did I tell you she is obese? Irony at its best. Yeah she has a bunch of issues and my therapist who was wonderful opened my eyes to the fact that she is a master manipulator. Due to her messed up childhood she blames everyone and thinks that she can use it as an excuse to me mean and vicious and extremely hurtful.

Harpy I couldn’t agree with you more and I am so sorry about your relationship with your father. I know you understand how I feel. I try to set boundaries – even moved 2000 miles away, but she keeps pulling me in with the crying, tantrums, fake suicide “when I’m gone yall will miss me” crap. Writing about it helps but when it is your mom, you know the holy grail creator of life, etc. you seem like a jaded witch speaking about her in an ill manner. But I have to get over the guilt. Enough is enough. I cannot take it anymore.

She even now claims to have Graves. I basically didn’t speak to her for a month after that. Selfish. Of course she doesn’t have it, she was being mean and spiteful and always marginalize any of my accomplishments (as an author, award winner, college graduate – she refused to attend btw – and just all around good person). Yes, I need to not only set boundaries but stick with them and not give in. I try not to phone her but then she will get messages to me through other family members and they will guilt me into calling her and the vicious cycle starts again. I told her that my heart couldn’t take all this stress and this is extremely bad for me and she screams “well you are gonna die anyway with Graves”. Yeah.

Anywho thanks for hearing my cries. I will get over it. I have no choice. I chose to live my life my way and get from under her craziness. I don’t live with her – thank you lord – and I am free physically from her mess, just mentally still struggling. I mean really, your mom should be your comfort. My dad is dead. A lot of my aunts are dead. But I have a host of figurative moms and really good friends who try to understand bc they know her so I should feel thankful.

Yeah, Happy mother’s day. There is a reason why I refused to have kids. I don’t regret it, but I do regret that was yet another bad thing I did to myself based on my feelings for her. I vowed I would never have a child feel like I felt growing up. Not blaming her, just accepting the facts. I gotta move on. I have to get well and yes Graves opens your eyes.

[Author]

Posts