[dixiegirl]

in reply to: new to GD/probably electing surgery/looking for support #1065472

Hi lhc,
You and I are pretty much in the same boat as far as our Graves diease decisions. Our levels are much the same, as are our options. I am leaning towards surgical removal as well. For me it has come down to, how much more of this can I take? I lived for a few years not even realizing my backpain, tremors, anxiety, and exhaustion stemmed from Graves. It got to the point I couldn’t drag myself off the sofa for more than a few minutes a day.
Since my diagnosis, I have logged countless hours in front of the computer researching options and treatments and complications, etc. Then one day, I realized my chances of severe complications from surgery weren’t much different than falling down a flight of stairs and breaking my back. It is a chance I, personally, am willing to take to reclaim my life. Not saying this is the right path for you, but if fear of complications is all that is holding you back, maybe that thought will help. Also, I have found myself sometimes unable to make some of the simplest decisions due to the anxiety that tends to be inherent with Graves. It sounds as though your surgeon is better than the average in his class. Trust his experience to lead you in the right direction, even though at the end of the day the ultimate decision is yours.
From reading your story, I can say that you certainly sound like a strong, intelligent woman. You should be admired for your ability to overcome and endurace to persevere. You will be in my thoughts.

[dixiegirl]

in reply to: Just diagnosed with Graves #1065435

Thank you Ski and Mamabear. Only three more days to go until my endo. consult. Now that I am no longer living under the dark cloud of a possible cancer diagnosis, I find I am oddly focused again. I am finally at a point where I am no longer as angry for being brushed off by my doc. and I am focused on finally getting some solid answers on where to go from here. Even though you know there are countless others like you out there, you sometimes feel so alone in this process.
Thank you once again. It is nice to have others who understand reach out with heartfelt support. I will keep you posted as the process continues ” title=”Smile” />

[dixiegirl]

in reply to: Switched Endo’s continued…but I Guess I’m just crazy!!!! #1065496

I completely feel your pain and frustration. I actually just found out today that I have Graves Diease. It has been a two year nightmare just to recieve the diagnosis. I grew up in a family of women with hypothyroidism and recognize some of the symptoms of a thyroid gone bad, but when I shared my concerns about my symptoms with my primary doctor she blew me off and recommended I start taking anti-depressants(problem was…I wasn’t depressed). My overall thyroid levels kept coming back within normal ranges. Finally after two years of dealing with the symptoms of overwhelming fatigue, tremors in my arms and legs, and just an overall crappy feeling(I didn’t even realize I had many other symptoms; I just thought my eyes watered from allergies and I hated the sun and hot weather ALOT! lol); I drug myself into the doctors office and demanded to be retested(and by retested I wanted individual levels). Come to find out my TSH levels were non-existant and my free-t4 levels were through the roof!! The only way I got her to run these tests was to make a bargin with her that I would take her crappy anti-depressants if she would run this simple blood test! Come to find out I have probably had Graves Diease for at least 2yrs and I have a multinodular goiter that isn’t easily discovered by a physical exam because it expanded side-ways and to the back!

My advice to you is, if it doesn’t sound right to you STAND YOUR GROUND!! Don’t be bullied into accepting that the doctors know what is best(make them prove it). Make a nuisance out of yourself and MAKE them pay attention. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease! Educate yourself to the best of your ability. The internet is a wonderful tool for learning. Write down questions to ask(because if you’re anything like me, you will forget them 5secs later). Suggest tests you’d like performed and if the doc. refuses, get a clear reason why she doesn’t want them done. This diease makes you want to give up sometimes just because you don’t have to energy necessary to fight, but it is worth the drain to finally see results. Hang in there!!! and keep fighting!!!

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