[ely2009]

in reply to: PTU? #1069798

I’m not the best person to answer, but I’ll tell you what I know. PTU is an anti-thyroid med that would be used in place of the tapazole. It’s generally considered safer for use in pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. I think that it has to be taken more often than tapazole – maybe several times a day, based on dose. I think it also works a little differently on the chemistry in your body – relating to t3, 4, tsh. I hope someone more knowledgable answers you before your appt. Good luck at your appt.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Thinking about moving into a bedroom by myself. #1069846

How long have you been on tapazole? I know I had a terrible time sleeping until mine "kicked in." And us sick mommies need our sleep!!!!! After being on meds for about 6 weeks, I was feeling a little better and sleeping better. I too would wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to fall asleep again. I would also try to rest during the day, but you know how unpredictable that is with kids. Graves + exhaustion + anxiety = TERRIBLE ,HORRIBLE!!! My daughter (5 yrs old) still ends up with us some nights. but I find I actually sleep better with her in bed with me (or me in her bed) because then I don’t lie awake wondering if she’s going to wake up. I know some parenting experts don’t agree with that…but I don’t care. ” title=”Smile” />

I don’t have any magic words. TRY to get to bed earlier sometimes – even resting is better than nothing. TRY to rest during the day some. TRY to not get "as much done" during the day and have a more leisurely pace – easier said than done. TRY to read to help you relax – or take a warm bath. I also found that when I could exercise again I slept better as well.

I remember how excited I was when I had a dream again – it meant I actually slept!!!

Hang in there.
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Memory Loss #1069973

I think many of us become good "pretenders" that things are Ok because what other choice do we have? I am blessed with a VERY supportive husband, family, friends who have never once questioned my feelings/symptoms. I’m the one who gets annoyed at me the most. I get tired of talking bout it because I feel like I only complain – and I sometimes don’t have patience for complainers – I’ve been known to say "suck it up." So another lesson in Graves – I learned to be less judgmental because you never REALLY know how someone else feels. At the same time we have no other choice than to suck it up and go on – or as my grandma would say "offer it up" while we wait to feel better. Thank God for this place that we can still vent with/to people who understand.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Anxiety/Panic Thread….. #1069926

Hey – I should be sleeping, but wanted to respond to this thread. My anxiety has really improved. Today it’s crept back up on me – which is why I’m still awake. ” title=”Smile” />

I’m not even anxious about me – my 9 year old is in a play (been doing theater since he was 5) and opening night is Friday. He messed up a little at rehearsal tonight and now is very upset and beginning to have stage-fright. He’s never been nervous before. So my reaction is to worry for him (but not WITH him, he doesn’t know I’m worrying). And I’m not even worried about how he performs, just worried about how HE feels about it. Anyway, my point is that my hands are tremoring like you wouldn’t believe. My heart was racing earlier, but has since settled.

I really believe it’s true that stress affects symptoms.

[ely2009]

in reply to: The Verge of Remission:) #1069989

I was able to take my two older sons to Disney last week and ride ALL the rides without even checking my heart rate monitor…lol That was a good sign for me:)

I had to laugh because my kids and I recently went to a waterpark and I too rode the slides! I don’t know who was more excited, me or them. My son asked "how’s your heart rate?" after the first time. It was a good feeling!

[ely2009]

in reply to: Just diagnosed today and I am so scared! #1069917

Christy…you’ve come to the right place, although I know you don’t WANT to be here.

I was diagnosed in March. Many of us are mothers with young children, so completely understand the struggle to deal with life while feling like crap and trying to figure everything out.

When I found this site, I read and read and read previous posts. It was SOOOOOO helpful to get a grasp on things and know I wasn’t alone or crazy. It also helped my husband understand more.

So read when you can and ask questions. You’ll find good answers and lots of support here.

Hang in there,
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Memory Loss #1069969

I’ve had some similar problems. Sometimes I have a hard time recalling someone’s name or a word (a common one) that I want to say. I also forget things easily – like open up the fridge and then just stand there trying to remember why I did. It’s gotten better (been on meds since March). When it was at it’s worst I ffelt like I was in a fog – not able to think or speak clearly sometimes.

My first endo was very casual as well. He wouldn’t even address some of my questions – just said give it time – easy for him to say huh? I’ve since found a great doc who listens and explains. It makes a big difference.

I think that what you describe may come along with being hyper, but I’d talk to your doc about it anyway.

Good luck,
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: The Verge of Remission:) #1069985

Thanks James for the good advice. I’ve only on the meds since March, so I know I’ve got a ways to go…just happy to be on the way there. My endo did say we’d wean slowly after at least 18 months.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: The Verge of Remission:) #1069982

Such good news!!!!!!!!

I’m heading in the right direction as well – labs are all "normal" on lowest dose of methimazole. What a good feeling to know that things are improving – I had a hard time believing it a few months ago.

My endo asked what my biggest change is. I told her that not wondering how I’m going to feel each day – I can just assume it’ll be a good day. I don’t have to avoid things anymore or plan my life around Graves. Not that everyday is perfect, but SO MUCH BETTER!

Wishes to you for remission..

And to those who can’t believe they will EVER feel better (I was there a few months ago), keep being patient. it really doesn’t last forever, just feels like it..

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Good News! #1069991

AWESOME NEWS!!!! I’ve been wondering…

How’s she feeling?

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Mamabear Checking in to say hello #1070008

Hi Mamabear,

It’s good to hear from you. I was hoping since you haven’t been on, you were busy enjoying life. Sounds like you are. Glad you’re feeling OK – good luck at your appt.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Hey Ski, I have a question? :) #1070029

Hey all-

I gave up both caffeine and aspartame just after my diagnosis. It was actually something I had wanted to do before – my friends and I always TALKED about doing it – just didnt have the willpower. I drank WAY to much diet coke for the last few years and knew it couldn’t be good for me, but it just tastes so darn good. Can you tell I still miss it?

Anyway, I was feeling so TERRIBLE already, i figured that was a good time to go through withdrawal from those things. I now drink decaf green teas in the am and a lot of water. I also drink FUZE drinks, which are good but would be expensive to drink all the time. I get those as my treat. ” title=”Smile” /> I’ve found that diet rite is OK when I really "need" a soda – like with pizza. It has no sodium, no calories, no caffeine, but it has sucralose.

Giving up those things has been one of the "good" outcomes of Graves.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Is it a bad day? #1070102

Julie,

I am taking generic zoloft (25 mg) for my anxiety. I (and my GP) thought it would help me until the meds kicked in. It was just so hard to sort through the symptoms – what was real and what I thought about what was happening. If that makes any sense. I am feeling so much better – both physically and emotionally. I was also slightly deficient in Vit. D so I’m ataking an additional supplement for that. Have your vitamin/mineral levels been checked?

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: the rai is working:-) #1070036

YIPPEE!!

It’s so rewarding to finally see progress on paper and more importantly, FEEL it!!

[ely2009]

in reply to: So nervous – how will I cope? #1070063

Hey M…
I GET your anxiety – I would be right there with you. My cousin (38 yrs. old) had a total hysterectomy today. She’s always has had "female" problems. She’s been a nervous wreck this past week as well. It’s so easy for those of us who are not undergoing surgery to say "look at the stats, everything will be fine." But it doesn’t help the way YOU FEEL. Because rationally you know that the overwhelming liklihood is that everything will be fine and you’ll live a happy (happier?) thyroid-free life. But getting there is the hard part. I’m continuning to pray for your recovery but also for anxiety to lessen. BTW, my cousin is fine following her surgery. ” title=”Smile” />

I agree that it’s a good idea to focus on the positive, because what other choice do you have? Keep a list of the positive outcomes where you can see it and look at it/add to it all the time.

I wish I had the cure for anxiety….you’d be the first person I’d share it with.

I saw a friend today that I haven’t seen since before I got sick. We certainly had alot to catch up on. I was telling her some of the "good?" things that have come out of GD: no more caffeine/aspartame, learning to let (some) things go – really, enjoying more moments in the present, and making some new cyber-friends. ” title=”Smile” />

Hang in there, my friend,
Emily

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