[ely2009]

in reply to: RAI or NO…What is Your Opinion!!…HELP! #1070812

My feet do hurt some. i never thought much of it before because my whole body aches sometimes. I’m just inside the "normal" range for my TSH and am weaning off beta-blockers so I’m hoping that I’ll feel even better soon.

So much to learn. ” title=”Smile” />

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Endo says NO to RAI???Confused? #1070835

I’m definitely a list person. i take one to every appt. It’s really helpful to keep you on track. Prioritize your questions if possible. that way if your doc is impatient, at least the important ones are asked first.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: RAI or NO…What is Your Opinion!!…HELP! #1070804

I too have soreness and stiffness – so much that a couple of times I heard myself "groan" as I got up from the floor. I know what you mean about feeling 100 – I’m only 36. i don’t know if it’s the meds (I’m on methimazole and weaning off my beta blocker) or the GD itself.

Glad you’re here. It’s been very useful to me to read this board and the people here are sympathetic and knowledgeable.

Good luck,
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: radioactive iodine treatment #1070974

I am by no means an expert- only been diagnosed since March. I do know that this disease is full of ups and downs and it’s so hard to be patient when you are in the DOWN part constantly and waiting for the UP. But I do believe (and pray for everyday) that i will have a "normal" life again.

i also know what it’s like to have a sick child – my daughter had a life-threatening lung condition and surgery when she was 3. It’s such a helpless feeling as a mom.

I’ll say a prayer for you and your daughter – for tomorrow and the future.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Hi my name is Jorgie Ana and i’m thirteen.. #1070868

Don’t forget your Mom loves you and wants to hug you – even when she can’t. my daughter had surgery and was in the hospital for more than a week when she was only 3 years old. She had so many tubes in her body that we couldn’t hug her for a couple of days – but we were close to her and NEVER stopped loving her. I know you’re anxious now, but think about how much better things will be next week.

Enjoy your new coloring books.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Hi my name is Jorgie Ana and i’m thirteen.. #1070865

Hi Jorgie Ana,

My name is Emily and I have Graves Disease also. I just found out I have it in March. It’s scary, isn’t it?

Catsmum is right. It’s really hard to WAIT for the tests and procedures like you’re doing now. But it’ll be over before you know it and then you’ll be closer to the day when you are feeling better.

I’d rather eat a pizza than a salad anyday! But remember that your mom is trying to help you get healthy – that’s what us moms are for. ” title=”Very Happy” />

I’ll be thinking about you this week.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Endo says NO to RAI???Confused? #1070833

Another "down" in the ups and downs of GD. I too have had doc troubles and it’s SO important to educate yourself and then be a part of the decisions. Sounds like you’re trying to… ” title=”Smile” /> I totally understand that they have the knowledge, training, experience, etc. but it’s not their body. If nothing else, things should be EXPLAINED to your satisfaction so you go away understanding his point of view.

I’m not at the point that I need to make a decision like yours, but I know it’s not a decision that any of you take lightly. So I can imagine how frustrating it must be for you right now.

Hang in there and keep educating yourself.

I’ll say a prayer for your situation.
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: need informaion on my condition #1070857

Sheila,

I was diagnosed in March and also had never heard of Graves before. Unfortunately ,my first endo was not the best so I was left with lots of questions. this board has been SO helpful – not only providing information, but encouragment as well. It’s very comforting to know that you are not alone.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: unexplained bruising – scared. Is it related to meds? #1070874

Hi M.

I was told to watch for fever and sore throat/other cold symptoms that didn’t go away. But I also read somewhere that a person could have a low WBC count and not have any symptoms. i know that’s not much help.

i also know how you are WORRIED about it. ” title=”Wink” /> If it were me, I would call my doc on Monday and ask about it – I wouldn’t wait until Friday. i would want to know sooner.

Take care.
hugs,
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Ut oh…feeling a little like I use to…Update 5/28 #1071250

Good news Mamabear!

One of the many lessons I’m learning from Graves is to slow down and take care of myself FIRST so that I can take care of my family. It still seems selfish to me when I lay down to rest – it’s taking some getting used to – but I know I need to.

Keep sleeping and eat well.

Hugs to your kids (even the teenager ” title=”Very Happy” /> )
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: My lack of understanding myself #1070939

Welcome Julie,

I agree with everyone that you may be overdoing it. I was diagnosed in March and at first I had to conserve my VERY limited energy for the things that I HAD to do – make meals for my family, do SOME laundry, etc. It was a big adjustment for me. I was used to moving all the time and getting lots accomplished every day. When I began to feel somewhat better (after weeks on methimazole) I began doing more, but not overdoing it. Now I’m feeling much more energetic – not normal yet – and I’m looking around at my house that seems to have fallen apart for the last 6 months and just keep thinking it’s going to take 6 more months to get it back to normal. But I just couldn’t do more than I absolutley HAD to for a while, and I was OK with that.

So if your energy goes to work and taking care of your dog, that’s OK. Your body probably needs the extra rest right now.

It’s so frustrating that the meds take so long to "feel" working. It’s very difficult to maintain a normal life when you feel so out of whack. It’s also frustrating that it’s ot obvious we are sick. I feel like I constantly have to explain my lack of energy, etc. because i don’t want to appear lazy or grumpy. And Graves is something that most people haven’t heard of so the people around you need to be educated just as you do so they understand better what you’re going through.

Best of luck and hang in there.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: is there a light at the end of the tunnel. #1071033

Looking for small achievements is SO helpful. I’ve really changed my perspective in that way.

We went to a family camp over the weekend – canoeing, horseback riding, rock climbing, etc. I began to feel sorry for myself and think "last year I could have done EVERY activity, now look at me." Then I realized "hey, wait. Two months ago I would’ve not even attempted to do any of this. I would have been in bed or watching from a chair if I was lucky." I felt OK – not great, but OK. And my kids had an awesome time!!!!!

I know how Cat feels though. I’m definitely paying for all of the activity now.

Hope everyone has a good week.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Ut oh…feeling a little like I use to…Update 5/28 #1071248

Boy I remember those symptoms well – still having some, but not near as many and not all of the time. It’s funny that you mentioned that you are not pregnant. Before I was diagnosed, when I would tell someone about my symptoms, they would always say "maybe you are pregnant." I KNEW FOR SURE that I wasn’t, but it did remind me of pregnancy because everything wsa a little weird – esp. stomach stuff.

keep sleeping and eating – I also know what you mean about eating because you know you have to. I still kind of feel that way, but do feel so much better with something in my stomach. I try to eat little bits throughout the day like I did when I had morning (all day) sickness throughout my pregnancies.

Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: is there a light at the end of the tunnel. #1071024

I DO believe that there is a light at the end! Some days I have to remind myself of that because I don’t always FEEL like there will be. I try to think about time in terms of weeks – like last Monday I was really shaky and today was a good day, so next Monday will probably be even better. Sometimes I feel like I’m wishing time away (which I don’t like doing), but it helps me to focus on the future and not how crappy my day may be going.

AS far as my husband goes – he is incredibly patient! I often think that if our roles were reversed that I would certainly not be as understanding, patient, consoling, helpful, etc. as he has been while we’ve been dealing with GD. I KNOW that I would have blown up at least a few times if I had to deal with ME! I know it’s been hard on him as well as my kids, but it is what it is and we’re getting through together. We talk about things that are bothering us and pray together.

I understand the anxiety. ” title=”Wink” /> Have you read The Thyroid Solution? That book explains well the link between emotions and the thyroid. It was really helpful to me.

Please keep us updated – don’t feel like you are whining – the emotional rollarcoaster is part of Graves – we all know that all too well.

Prayers and hugs,
Emily

[ely2009]

in reply to: Babies and GD #1071036

Kids are challenging anyway – and to deal with GD on top of parenting can definitely be OVERWHELMING at times. It’s hard to take care of others that depend on you for every little thing, when you are feeling so bad yourself. I’m really sorry that you are not getting much help, if any.

It’s normal for kids to go through times when they eat a lot – especially before a growth spurt. I always make sure I push the healthy food even more when this is happening. Right now my 9 year old is eating so much that I know I’ll be buying new shoes for him soon!

Aggression in children is not uncommon either – especially in younger children who can’t communicate with words as well as they want to. Most of the time it’s a phase that seems to last forever, but really doesn’t.

Hopefully, you can get your levels checked soon to know what’s going on there. Until then, hang in there and give your kids lots of love (even when they are driving you crazy).

Emily

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