[hyperk]

in reply to: Share your Success Story! #1183869

Long time, no post! I was diagnosed waaaaay back in February 2007. What a nightmare remembering those days. After 1 1/2 years of Methimazole at varying doses, and including a time on the block and replace therapy,the yo-yo’ing stopped, and I could start to feel human again. In the next several years, there were three attempts at remission, each time coming off a mere 2.5 mg does of methimazole, and each resulting in a rapid rise in Thyroid levels. For the last three years, after letting my Endocrinologist know that I was through with attempts at remission, my Thyroid levels have been rock stable (! I remain on a mere 2.5 mg Methimazole, and enjoy all my pre diagnosis outdoor activities (hiking, bicycling, xc skiing, and snowshoeing), am a mere 3 years away from retirement, and work the same job as I did pre diagnosis, but now part time. I still get down on myself when I can’t get out to enjoy time with friends at their level of fitness, but quickly pick myself back up to join them when I can! Best of luck to all of you.

[hyperk]

in reply to: Strength Training #1062603

Thanks for chiming in. Classes at the Y sound like a wonderful way to accomplish my goals of strength training after my PT. I’m not sure I can motivate myself to do the work at home, so will go to the Y for starters. I know there are different certifications for trainers, making them supposedly more capable and knowledgeable when working with different populations…just don’t know what those certifications would be. Thanks for the tips on going through my MD’s and PT people for referrals. Hopefully, it will be back to the x/c ski trails, injury free, next season!
Kathy

[hyperk]

in reply to: About to go off meds #1066037

I know how you feel! I was taken off my block and replace therapy in January ’10 after a real battle to get me in the normal range and then stablized. I was given the choice of coming off the meds or staying on them. What the hay, I say? I chose the med route so I could have a chance at remission. Each time I’ve felt the hyper symptoms creeping back, I get my labs checked (every three weeks for starters). Make a log of how you feel each day, and that may help you identify if you’re going hyper again. It’s a very weird process, but so far, so good. Be very vigilant in taking care of yourself, and best of luck to you. It feels good to feel good again!

[hyperk]

in reply to: Not going to do radiation or surgery…am I a minority? #1066548

I too have chosen the ATD route, and use the block and replace method to control my thyroid levels. I have recently been given my first shot at remission (I’ve been taken off the meds) for the first time since my Feb. ’07 diagnosis. Like James and many others, I too hope for a sustained remission, but I don’t really expect that to happen. If it does, lucky me! If not, I’ll go back on the ATD’s and use them indefinitely to manage my Graves.

[hyperk]

in reply to: Ignorance or Arrogance? #1066674

I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease in Feb. 2007, and after 15 months of taking Methimazole, my thyroid levels weren’t back in the normal range. Every time my endo would adjust my medication just a smidgen, I’d go either more hyper or hypo. After reading about the block and replace method of treatment, it was agreed upon that that was a viable treatment option for me. Synthroid was added to my Methimazole, and in 6 short months (Oct. 2008), my thyroid levels landed in the normal range and have stayed stable ever since. I have recently been taken off my meds in hopes of enjoying a sustained remission…time will tell! You may want to talk to your doctor about this as a viable treatment option for yourself.

[hyperk]

in reply to: Living through Graves disease #1067092

Hi,
I had a similar experience trying to get stablized with Methimazole after my Feb. 2007 diagnosis. I would go either hypo or hyper with very small changes in the dosing. After 14 months of hit and miss, I was put on block and replace therapy (both Methimazole and Levothyroxine), and in 6 months my blood levels stablized and stayed stable without further dose manipulation until now. I’ve just been taken off the meds and hope for a period of sustained remission. You and your MD may want to consider this as a treatment option.

[hyperk]

in reply to: Selenium use in Grave’s Disease #1070906

Thanks…that’s, in part, what I wanted to hear, possibly that is has no, little, or unknown medical benefit. The flip side would be hearing from others that may have found some benefit to it’s use. I’ll ask my endocrinologist when I see him next.
Kathy

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