[Darcy43]

in reply to: Depression #1171333

This is why I like this board. I was JUST about to start a thread on depression. I have been on methimazole for almost a year. I thought I was getting better, although still have symptoms and cannot sleep as well. Anyway, this weekend was just hard. I have a birthday coming up soon and I am reflecting on life. I feel a bit worthless. I have a lot that I have acomplished but I still feel empty inside. I have not been that nice to my boyfriend and I feel I am pushing him and everyone away. I cannot focus at work, and I don’t want to lose my job due to slow production because all I truly have is my job and what is left of my sanity. I am so tired of these feelings. I dont’ want to go on an antidepressant. I have been working out but it isn’t helping like it used to. It can be unbearable. I hope you get help and do not fall deep into this dark hole. I cry as I type because I am just plain scared. I know things could be a lot worse but I feel like eventually I will end up withdrawn, alone, bald, fat, and probably…I just feel like I don’t want to keep breathing..I’m sorry…I’m just really really …I feel so horrible and this won’t go away. I cannot call my friends because they all lean on me. I’m sorry for this but if I don’t get these feelings of hopeless out I may.. I just might…I need to pray. Pray for me.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Diagnosed with Graves This Week #1170997

Thanks PolishTym

I will give the Burts Bees products a try. The hair loss is maddening and it has been 8 months. I would think now that my levels have evened out, this excessive shedding would stop…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Finally good numbers after 5+ years treatment #1170860

Congratulations Harpy to you and your partner. Sounds like you are definitely on the right track. Monitoring your health, along with a great positive outlook on life will definitely produce positive results. You/your partner are inspiring.

Well done and Healthy recovery!!!

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Test results consistent with Graves’ #1171231

I take claritin and it does not affect my Methimazole. It actually helps and I haven’t experienced the itching that others complain about while taking Methimazole. Everyone is different. Continue to communicate with your doctor and let them know what you are taking, including any and all vitamins and minerals too.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Test results consistent with Graves’ #1171228

Savvyrat

Be careful. If your throat pain persists and is really bad, see your doctor immediately. It could be a sign of infection. When you start taking Methimazole, one of the possible side affects is that your WBC (white blood cells) count drops which are used to help ward off infection. That was the number 1 warning my endochronologist told me to watch for. Of course, my throat pain did not get severe, and I am infection free (knock on wood) thus far so no worries. But don’t put it off as something small if your throat is severely imflamed. It sounds like it isn’t so you should be fine, but trust your body and if you do not feel well, GO TO YOUR DOCTOR.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: TSH numbers #1171248

Thanks Kimberly.

I taken ATDs and Free T4 are a part of my labs, along with T3 and TSH. Yes everyone’s lab interpretation will be deemed different, however, based on what my endocronologist and primary care physician advised me, they do use certain levels as a barameter to determine if you are either getting better or worse. So yes, check with a doctor, who specializes in auto immune diseases and ask what your barameter is what levels should you strive for in order to be deems in a safe state. This isn’t really cured, but it is treatable and you can live with it…one day at a time.

Hang in there.

I am not an expert but I have Graves and I am a medical researcher/healthcare litigation certified paralegal (24 years) so I have some knowledge and understnading of medicine, biology, along with the background of being around my physician uncle and nurses (mom and sis) all my life. Btw my mom has diabetes (an auto immune disease where antibodies attack the pancreas. My grandmother was hypER. She had her thyroid removed (maternal grandmother). My cousin has her thyroid removed due to being HypER. Now she is HyPO and my hero. She endures a lot and helps hold my hand when it gets rough. Knowledge is power. Do your research, stay with a supportive group (such as this one, really has helped my nerves in the last week) and trust yourself.

Good luck.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Muscle cramps – Ouch #1171218

Although I really sympathize with all of you, it is good to hear that I am not crazy. Yes the itching (I take claratin – not claratin D) but I was on that for years due to hives – should have known an autoimmune was coming on right? I had read that you should stay away from antihistimines, but since I was on the claritin for years, I haven’t stopped and this has not had an adverse affect on my symptoms. The itching is controlled by it actually.

savvyrat and marathon trainer at 62 (God bless you, you rock) I am sorry that you both have the aches and pains. It will get better, but they are just annoying. I did an hour long session of pilates (the medevial torture kind on the bed, with pulleys, etc.) and it did WONDERS. It gave me some relief. I am on my way to yoga now. I think these keep me mentally calm which really helps control the Graves symptoms from flaring up. Hey I will try anything. I am looking foward to going into remission (I pray I get there by my 12th month).

I am praying for us all. This is a great forum.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Test results consistent with Graves’ #1171223

Welcome to our world. Kimberly give excellent advise and sites for information. Please do your research. You are in for a very bumpy ride.

FYi listed below are what are supposed to be “normal” ranges for TSH, T4 adn T3. Compare your numbers with these and make sure your endocronologist thoroughly explain to you what they mean. Based on what you said your numbers were, I can see why they started you on methimazole (10mg), probably at least twice a day. It will help a great deal but for some including myself, the side affects are less than desireable.

Normal ranges;

TSH 0.30 – 5.5
T4 9.0 – 24.0
T3 2.5 – 6.5

Of course if this is mis information, I am sure someone on this board will correct me, but this is what my endocronologist told me.

Good luck.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Muscle cramps – Ouch #1171213

I feel your pain, especially about feeling like our bodies are 80+. Along with the aches and pains, the senility that kicks in is incredible. I cannot tell you how many times I am in mid sentence and then I forget my thoughts. Then, when I am speaking, I have to keep telling myself “use your words.” This is from someone who was the Great Orator, the Gift of Gab, etc. Humbling indeed. Sigh…

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Severe menstrual cycle – doc says means pills are working – huh? #1171192

Snelsen that makes a lot of sense. I am fearful that I have now gone from Hyper to HypO. I will contact my Endo, sign release and get more lab work performed prior to my May visit. This explains why she drastically reduced my medication intake after my last labs (from 3 a day tabs of the Metho to 1/2 a tab a day and no beta blocker at all anymore). I was so exicited thinking “I’m cured” when now it appears that I have lasped into the other end of the spectrum…Darn!!! I’m not giving up. I will find that sweet spot because this back and forth is horrible. Once cannot gain stability if you are wobbling all over the place (figuratively and literally). I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. My brain hurts lol. Thanks for the feedback. And I have to perform well on my job because I don’t have a sponsor (i.e. husband, rich boyfriend) who can take are of me and pay my bills and I need my medical insurance to keep receiving treatment. I work extra hours to make up for the time when my mind drifts or I am just too tired to read voluminiou reports. Vicious cycle. Then I go home, take care of my cat, try to clean my home, car, organize, run errands for myself and mother who lives alone and is super needy, etc. It never ends. I take a shot of wine so I don’t continue to Whine pun intended, and it starts all over again. Plus wine makes you gain more weight. Oh well….going to the gym tonight at 8pm (then only time I can go after work). something HAS to give.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Muscle cramps – Ouch #1171211

Hi Gem glad to know I am not losing my mind and I am not alone.

Yes, you can cramp up everywhere and it was never like this prior to the diagnose.

Kimberly I think you are on to something, maybe it is the ATD meds. I will mention this to my doctor. I will also check out the link. It is brutal pain.

Sometimes my neck hurts horribly. I thought it was tension due to the computer/monitor so I raised it. Nada. My shoulder blades, then the leg cramps, etc. and it can strike out of nowhere.

Hang in there GEM. I am right there with you.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Teenage daughter with Graves – A Mom’s point of view #1171196

Very encouraging. You are a great support to you daughter and I wish her well and a healthy recovery. She is extremely lucky to have you in her corner. Thanks for sharing this information. You have no idea how close to home you hit for me (i.e. her symptoms, etc.). To have to endure this at 17 – wow, she is truly in my prayers. At least now she is on her way to recovery and living a much better life.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Severe menstrual cycle – doc says means pills are working – huh? #1171190

Thanks for your reply. I have an appointment with my OB/GYN and I will definitely raise the question. I am doing my best to exercise paitence. This is a small nightmare. I have a difficult time focusing, I am cranky a lot more than usual and I am tired. Folding laundry last night felt like I ran a 5k. I hate an unorganized house, but I cannot get to all the chores like before and it depresses me. I know, I should suck it up, some folks do not have homes, clothes to fold, etc. but I had my 5 min pity party and then I went to bed. Thankful I woke up this morning and I took meds along with vitamins and minerals and just staying as positive as I can and hoping for the best outcome.

[Darcy43]

in reply to: Diagnosed with Graves This Week #1170995

Hi AnnaJ

Here is my experience with Meth. (thimazole)

Hair Loss. I don’t care what is being said that it doesn’t cause hair loss – IT DOES. It takes about 1 month and you feel great then POW, in the drain , brush, shower….I am miserable. Maybe it varies with others. I never experienced itching. I do have tender joints (I hope I am not going into HypO, but that my be why my endo drastically reduced my intake (from 30 mg a day to 1/2 a pill a day). The texture of your hair will change also. I heard this is temporary (and abnormal hair loss is listed as one of the side effects for this pill). It is working I feel, although I am still anxious so now I have incorporated Yoga and Pilates for exercise (safe due to heart problem from GD) and it keeps the weight maintained – but yes you will gain weight because it slows down the metabolism…way down.

Not to scare you, but I am telling the facts based on what I am experience and I go to my endo regularly and I trust her. I am looking forward to the “balancing out” portion so I can begin to feel like myself. hang in there and welcome to the club.

beware of Graves Rage…yep I am have been quite evil….

[Darcy43]

in reply to: So mad at my thyroid #1171143

Here is that HUGGGGG! I know how you feel.

it sucks.

And I am going grey really fast too. I now take Fo-Ti (and herb that retards the greying of the hair).

It actually works (will slow it down – it’s translation means “man with black hair”). Anyway my doctor says it is safe. I will try anything as a band-aid so I can stop crying/feeling hopeless.

Hang in there.

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