[ely2009]

in reply to: New to Grave’s and need advice #1071736

Hopeful,

I’m interested in your response about the Tapazole. I feel "shaky" too. And it’s a different shaky than the tremors I was having when I was diagnosed. It’s like small muscle quivers. I never thought it was the meds – that’s not listed on my side effects paper I don’t think. How long were you on and at what dose?

Also, anyone know if some minor side effects – like that one – "go away" once your nody gets used to the meds.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Still wondering about my throat? #1071759

Catsmum,
Glad to hear your daughter feels the same way – as far as a lump in her throat. I had just been assuming (since the ENT saw nothing) that it was because of my swollen thyroid. But when the endo said "you shouldn’t be feeling anything, your thyroid is not THAT big" it made me second guess myself, and of course worry about what it may be. I DO feel something there and it makes sense to me that it could be my thyroid, even if it is just slightly enlarged.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Ponder this….. #1071788

Great ideas.

I’m into lists – like Cathy. I call them my list of threes. I try to do them every night.

3 things I’m grateful for (sometimes it’s hard to remember that blessings FAR outweigh troubles)
3 things I did for MYSELF today to get/stay healthy
3 things I did for/with my kids today that made them happy
3 accomplishments/chores (sometimes they are not huge – but they still count)
3 of the symptoms that bothered me most
3 things I’m going to do tomorrow

Sometimes 3 of each doesn’t happen, and that’s OK. I don’t do this to put pressure on myself to get all of that done. I do it to focus on whatever I do accomplish and to realize that even on "bad" days, life isn’t really as bad as it may seem to me. It’s also nice to look back on when I’m in need of a lift.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: thyroid storm vs. panic attack #1072064

It’s horrible to feel that way, Shell. I’ll say a prayer that your new doc is helpful. I go to the endo today to see how my labs are – so I’ll stick you in my litany of prayers on my ways to his office.

Sometimes all you can do is pray and hope – and even when it seems like not enough, it is worth it!

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Worry about cold/sore throat? #1071867

Thanks – sore throat is gone, only some sniffles left. I’m usually not one to get sick – even if I’ve been the caretaker for sick kids – or I’d just get something in passing. Luckily, my immune system seemed to work OK this time.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Worry about cold/sore throat? #1071865

Hyperm,

I think you and I think (and worry) alot alike. It’s nice knowing I’m not the only one.

I took my pulse in church several times today as well – coincecendtly, it was fine has not been above 80 (usually it”s 72) since I started absessing over it a few weeks ago. ” title=”Razz” />

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Worry about cold/sore throat? #1071862

Thanks – again this site (and all of you) really is a blessing to me.

Mamabear, I have already limited myself to one load of laundry a day – and that’s really helped a lot. I didnt realize how much I was running up and down to the basement for laundry. You have some great suggetions. I can tell you’re a good, patient, caring mom. ” title=”Smile” />

Thanks Jody an catsmum for your re-assurance as well. I’m less anxious about it and will watch out for a fever. In days past, I wouldn’t have thought anything about getting something from my kids (or other kids – I’m a teacher, I haven’t worked in a classroom since my kids were born, but I work in a tutoring center 2 nights a week.)

Happy Sunday.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: I over-reacted #1071934

Thanks Jody,

I did some research before my GD diagnosis on anxiety because that’s what I thought it was. I had a TSH test in Jan that was normal then in Feb it was too low. SO in the meantime I thought it was in my head. I was relieved to validates that it was my body! Of course, I do have the cycle of stressing about symptoms, which makes them seem worse, etc. I’m really trying to figure out when to be concerned and when to let it go. I’m so afraid that I’m going to miss an important sympton. I lay in bed every morning and pray that I won’t let GD take my day away from me. It’s SO frustrating – the ups and downs from one minute to the next.

I go see my endo Tues – with a list of ?s. He upped my beta blocker to try to help with the anxiety, but I’m still pretty shaky. I’m interested to see what the blood tests reveal.

What meds are you on now? I was starting to feel positive about my progress on methimazole. After 3 weeks I was having some "better" days. Now it’s been 4 weeks and I feel like I’m going backward.

So nice to have people who understand to talk to.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Feel lucky despite having Graves #1071950

Shirlee –

What a story! You’ve been through so much and have such hope – you are an inspiration to me today. I’ve been feeling bad physically the last couple of days, which makes me anxious, and I’ve also been feeling sorry for myself. Well, no more. I want to be strong like you.

Thanks,
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: I over-reacted #1071930

I forgot to mention that I did call my endo anyway and am waiting for his return call.

Thanks again.

[ely2009]

in reply to: hair loss #1071936

Janet,

I’m pretty new to this Graves thing, so don’t have much advice to offer you. I do have a 4 yr old daughter though who had a health scare of her own last year, so my heart goes out to you. I’ll be thinking of you and your little girl.

Good luck,
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Anyone else dealing with nausea? #1071995

Sounds like you’ve had a rough year. I am also on Methimazole (2.5 mg/day), but I’ve not had any reaction to it – at least that I can separate from regular Graves symptoms. I’ve not had any nausea. Sorry I’m not much help. Take care.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: having a rubbish day need a wee bit support. #1072019

I totally get what you’re saying about having things clean causes less anxiety. It’s been really hard for me to let some things go – like housework. I’ve learned that if I keep the kitchen and family room picked up (our main living spaces), it helps a lot. I’ve just been closing the kids bedroom doors so I don’t see their messes. Then on a day when I’m feeling good, we tackle those together.

I know I couldn’t stand having my MIL or my mom for that matter living here for a couple of weeks. In theory it sound nice, but the reality is different.

Hang in there. I feel the same sometimes, like I shouldn’t be giving advice – as I sit here shaking at the keyboard. But we’re in this together.

” title=”Smile” />

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Newly Diagnosed #1072363

One of my biggest concerns through this whole process has been how it’s affected my children. I have a 5 yr. old and a 9 yr. old. I also have my nieces with me every day – 2 and 3 yrs. old. There’s been a tremendous amount of guilt involved for me that I’m not doing things the way that I always have for them.

I have to say that I do a lot of pretending. I really try to muddle through the days, even when I’m feeling bad. That’s not to say that they don’t know what’s going on. We’ve talked to them about what’s happening and answered a lot of questions. But I know how much of "me" GD has consumed and I try REALLY hard not to let it affect them. That’s part of the exhaustion – trying to keep things normal for them.

I have a great support system – family, friends, and neighbors that are helping out. I’m much more willing to ask for help than I used to be. I used to be able to DO IT ALL!!!!!

We don’t usually watch TV, so that’s been a treat for them. When I’m feeling like I need to rest, we’ve been popping in a video and cuddling on the couch.

In my years as a teacher and a mom, I’ve seen how resilient kids are. My 5 yr. old was in the hospital for 8 days last year with chest tubes. Sum it up to say it was a horrible experience. She, however, remembers that she got to be pulled around in a wagon to see all the giant aquariums throughout the hospital. She remembers the sherbet that she got to eat and all the balloons. When we have to go back for a blood draw or something, she actually gets excited to see the fish. Thank God that’s how she remebers it, because I certainly have different memories of those 8 days!

A good friend suggested that I journal to help me get through all of this. I’ve started my lists of threes – and one of them is "3 ways I was a good mom today." If you see it in writing it becomes more real. I’ve discovered that I actually do more with them than I thought I did – I just have slightly lower expectations of myself.

Happy days tomorrow!

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: thyroid storm vs. panic attack #1072061

My husband laughs when I say thinga like "in my rational mind, I know that I’m proably going to be OK, but in my "Graves" mind, I think I’m going to …." Usually I know what I’m fearing is irrational, but the anxiety part of me takes over. I’ve been taking my heart rate all day and it’ hasn’t been above 72. But I still keep checking it….

Emily

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