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Welcome to our world, newbie10. You’ll find this is a very helpful site for having your questions asked and just for sharing your experience with others who are in the same situation.
I was diagnosed in March of this year–am on anti thyroid drugs (methimazole–aka tapazole) in hopes of attaining remission. You’ll be offered some different options for treatment and will find people on this board who can tell you more about whatever option you choose, because they, themselves have gone through them. We have some excellent facilitators who can provide details, but just wanted to say ‘hi, and welcome."
Joyin reply to: only sleeping 2 to 4 hours night sooo tired #1065129I have been taking my methimazole in the am instead of at night (only take it once a day) for the last few days and have been sleeping better since then, also. Hmmm. Maybe it’s psychological. Strange, but it seemed to work for me, too. Joy
in reply to: only sleeping 2 to 4 hours night sooo tired #1065124Hello…
Glad to hear of your improved sleeping. Benadryl is one of my favorites, as well, and has been since I also have allergies. I did not know about the connection between Methimazole and sleeping problems, and I have been taking it in the evening–until today that is. Thanks for that bit of info–my doctor did not tell that either.
Joyin reply to: only sleeping 2 to 4 hours night sooo tired #1065121Cynthia–
I, too, have trouble sleeping many nights. Have been on Methimazole since March when i was diagnosed. It was worse when I was first diagnosed–would lay in bed with my heart pounding and staring at the ceiling, and feel so restless. Thankfully, the ATD has been helping with my symptoms, but I still wake up most nights about 2 or 3 in the AM. If I can’t get back to sleep I get up and go read a book (I"m becoming quite well read ) , maybe have a little snack (but I am starting to be careful again about what I eat since my weight has crawled back up to where it was pre diagnosis, which is ok, but I don’t want to gain too much weight now). I did get a prescription for a sleeping pill back in March when first diagnosed, but don’t like to take it too often, since i have heard if you do that you become dependent on it or else it loses its effectiveness. I don’t take atenolol anymore, since my endo said I could try and wean myself off of it and my heart rate has remained within normal limits. Now I wonder if atenolol affects the ability to sleep– maybe I should have kept taking it? I am wondering if after awhile it’s really the thyroid overproduction keeping me awake or just that I’ve gotten into the habit of waking up. My lab values were within normal ranges last time they were checked in early June EXCEPT that my tsh was still low.
Anyway, that’s my story. Hang in there–I hope it gets better for you as well as for me ” title=”Smile” /> I’m tired of being tired.
Joyin reply to: Mother with Graves update #1065303Thanks for your kind words. My Mom can be difficult sometimes–she’s not a compliant patient, and if she doesn’t like the way a certain drug her doctor prescribed makes her feel, she refuses to take it. When I’m 89 perhaps I’ll be the same way.
My db and other family members (I acutally have 3 db’s over there, two of whom (with their wives) take good care of Mom and are very patient with her, and one who is too busy with some serious problems of his own.
Sadly, I think most people in the family do not know or understand about the connection between Graves and erratic emotions and behavior sometimes, so she has been judged unfairly at times. Even though Mom has had Graves since ’94, our family knows little about it. You can bet I will be using every opportunity to fill them in now that I have it (hopefully I won’t be too obnoxious).
Gotta run–thanks again.in reply to: Mother with Graves #1065331Thanks, guys, for the thoughts and prayers. I composed an email which I haven’t sent yet, and I did mention I did not want to step on toes, but am familiar with the symptoms of being hyperthyroid and am concerned about Mom. I am not sure how it will go over–I may get no response at all (typical). Very frustrated right now and feeling powerless.
Will let you know what happens.
Joyin reply to: Treating the underlying autoimmunity #1065368You are both right in saying there’s a connection between stress and illness. So indirectly we can control our immune system by managing our stress. Hadn’t thought of that. And there’s certainly no harm in taking some good supplements to boost our immune systems, either. I started taking some good vitamins after my diagnosis for that reason.
This is a disease that takes time to control, which is so difficult. I hope everything works out for you and that you feel well again soon.
JSin reply to: Treating the underlying autoimmunity #1065365Hello!
I am relatively new to Graves–since March, and am on ATD’s (Methamizole) hoping to attain remission. Am doing pretty good–feeling almost normal again. I am scheduled for a check up tomorrow.
I’m certainly no expert, but from everything I have read, there really is no way to control the errant antibodies that cause our symptoms. If someone knew how to do that, all those with auto immune diseases—Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Graves, and maybe more I don’t know about—would have great reason to rejoice, because therein lies the cure.
I would be very suspiscious of anyone who claims to have that knowledge or a so called holistic means to achieve control over antibodies that cause auto immune diseases. Best thing to do is follow your endocrinologist’s advice and the traditional treatments that have been proven to give relief of symptoms Also keep supporting organizations that are working to find a cure (such as the Grave’s disease foundation).
Best wishes and good luck!in reply to: NY Times piece on thyroid disease #1065499It was great to meet two of our facilitators ‘up close and personal’ ” title=”Smile” /> Both of you did a great job of enlightening the public about how Graves’ impacts those who have it. I find that not many people know much about it. I have to admit that even though my Mom had it (1994), I did not educate myself even then as to the implications of the disease. Like everyone else, assumed it was a ‘thyroid problem’ and that once she had been treated for that, she was cured. She is still living (89 yo) and takes thyroid hormone every day, since she had RAI (I am on ATD’s). She has led a pretty normal life since treatment, but currently her doctor is having some difficulty sorting out symptoms of what could be over-dosage on her thyroid hormone or the congestive heart failure she has. She no longer sees an enodcrinologist. I have been thinking she needs to see one again perhaps, though I am not the one that can make that decision. Anyway, before I get too far off topic–good job, guys!
Joyin reply to: First Endo appt #1065596I was hoping someone like you would reply and report success in achieving remission. How long were you on ATD’s before this occurred, and how often do you get tested now to make sure all is well?
Joyin reply to: First Endo appt #1065594So for a true remission to occur I would have to be ‘euthyroid’ for a year without meds. If I have to take ATD’s forever I guess it’s not a big deal. I will either have to take them or Synthroid the rest of my life, I know. So far I have been tolerating the ATD’s ok. I’ve read about the nasty side effects, but my husband tells me all the meds he takes have them, too. You stated low dose long term ATD’s have been proven safe, which is good to know. I know that ATD’s are commonly used in Europe where RAI is not used at all. My doctor is European, and I wonder if that is why he promotes this method.
Yes, this disease does change lots of things and even my ability to wear contacts again makes me feel that my life will return to ‘normal’ (however, normal is a setting on the drier they say ” title=”Wink” /> again.
Thanks, Ski!
Joyin reply to: Recommended Reading #1065773I have ordered the book from Amazon and am looking forward to reading it.
Joyin reply to: Thyroid Hair #1065720You look quite young (and attractive), Kim. If I stop coloring my hair, I will really look like the Grandma I am ” title=”Smile” />
No make up? I would feel naked without it. I admire your ability to do without both. Maybe it’s just a matter of getting used to it.
I will check on the contacts mentioned in the earlier post and the Systane drops. I have been wearing bi-focal contacts so I would have to check and see if they are available in that type of contact. My contact days are limited anyway, I think, since bifocals won’t work forever. Eventually I would have to go to glasses anyway.
QUESTION: Should I make an appt with an opthalmologist now before I have any eye involvement (at least it doesn’t appear so)?Thanks again, friends, for being there.
Joyin reply to: Thyroid Hair #1065717I decided to try my contacts again this afternoon, and they were ok for a couple hours. I hadn’t heard of those other kind of contacts for dry eyes–will check into it.
I have been coloring my own hair, but will check with my stylist to see if she has any ideas.
Thanks so much for taking the time to ‘talk’ with me—I so appreciate it!
Joyin reply to: Thyroid Hair #1065714I have been unable to wear the contacts becasue of the dryness of my eyes–
I’m afraid of the chemicals in the hair coloring damaging my already brittle, dry hair.
What is your background? Perhaps you’re beyond treatment and back to semi-normality. It would be reassuring to know that things will get back to normal if that is the case. I’m sorry for your problems, too, by the way.
Joy -
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