[jeanierd]

in reply to: Suspecting Graves in Teenage Girl #1176348

Shirley,

She is in her second year and is an art major. Still waiting for Doc to return call for lab order. If no response tomorrow I will call the office again and ask to speak to the office manager rather than the nurse. Have phone calls into other health professional seeking their input on good Doc.
Just so hard to see her suffer.
My husband and her dad also has Graves and I never understood the anxiety and depression he experienced until seeing it in my daughter. My nephew also has Graves and went through the same type of depression. There HAS to be an answer!

Jeanie

[jeanierd]

in reply to: Suspecting Graves in Teenage Girl #1176346

Thanks! Saw the video a while back. Phone call into doc for the labs. Hope we can find an answer – she is sooooo sad.

[jeanierd]

in reply to: Suspecting Graves in Teenage Girl #1176345

Shirley,

Thanks for the response. She had RAI at age 11. Last lab values indicated she needed an increase in synthroid and she is on 175 mcg. Call into doc to get new labs done. She decided to stop the ADD meds today because it makes her more anxious. No anti- anxiety meds at present. She is in college – trying to get by day to day. Waiting for doc call, but history shows long time for phone calls to be returned. This is our 3rd doc since RAI.
Therapist seems to help, but I think she needs more help. I know Graves = depression and anxiety, but is there anything that can be done other than dealing with it?

Jeanie

[jeanierd]

in reply to: Suspecting Graves in Teenage Girl #1176342

Hello! I’m new to the group – kind of! I joined last January but have not been active. I’m in need of help for my 20 year old who has Graves and had RAI when she was 11. She has been on and off antidepressants and anxiety meds for the last 5 years. She is not currently on any antidepressants. She is now on ADD meds which we think are making her worse. I’ve read that all these symptoms are normal – but what more can we do? The docs don’t listen and she thinks she is going crazy. She had a panic attack in class last week, won’t go to the dining hall and has trouble keeping a job due to anxiety. She see a therapist weekly for emotional help but it was been over a year and I think we are spinning our wheels! Is it time for a phychatrist?

Help!

[jeanierd]

in reply to: Help, desperately please if anyone can.. #1176445

I agree with Vanillasky that when you say the term “Graves” people say “oh yeah” but have no idea of what it is! I’m new here and getting so much comfort from this group. I especially like the YouTube link Kimberly posted. I view it and sent it to 3 people so far. If you have not viewed it, please do!

Emotional Impact of Graves’ Disease Video (from 2012 GDATF conference):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB8_5rbCso8 [youtube.com]

Meeting up with my sister today (mother of my nephew with Graves) to discuss how we can use this video to spread the word.

Jeanie

[jeanierd]

in reply to: Help, desperately please if anyone can.. #1176438

Kimberly,

Great links! I am going to share them with my daughters therapist and endocrinologist! Love this site already!

Jeanie

[jeanierd]

in reply to: Suspecting Graves in Teenage Girl #1176338

My daughter was diagnosed with Graves when she was 10. She had all sorts of allergies and asthma starting in first grade. She was treated with allergy meds, and steroids. The doctors could not pinpoint her issues as they never really met all the criteria for asthma or some allergies, but treated them anyway. In 5th grade we noticed ADD like symptoms, weight loss and a huge growth spurt. She had the radioacitve iodine treatment 1 month before her 11th birthday. From May to August of that year she went from 5’2 to 5’7. From Aug to Nov after the treatment she went from 82 pounds to 129! All in the midst of entering puberty. Middle and high school were HELL! Nobody understood and I begged and begged for answers only to be told it was puberty. She was finally diagnosed with ADD one month before her high school graduation! Her last marking period showed 95 and above in all subjects! Take away message…..get her into counseling to let her know how to deal with the special emotions related to Graves disease. Educate your school on Grave and get her help! At age 19 she finished her first semester of college, is doing well but the anxiety and depression are issues. She see a therapist weekly and started accupuncture. I think all the meds/steroids she was on early in her life triggered her autoimmune system to react. Good luck !

[jeanierd]

in reply to: Help, desperately please if anyone can.. #1176436

I would print out science based articles on emotions, moods and depression stemming from Graves Disease for them to read. My husband of 30 years, our 19 year old daughter and 25 year old nephew all suffer from Graves. It is only recently in dealing with my nephew and daughter that I am starting to understand the side effects of Graves. I am on a mission to educate people on the disease and welcome any suggestions from this group. I am new to the group in hopes of getting more information to educate people. I am so sick of hearing that Graves is “treatable” Yes, it is treatable if you know what you are dealing with! We just started accupuncture and an anti-inflammatory diet with our 19 year to help her depression and anxiety.

Hang in there – educate your partner’s family and as many people as you can on Graves! Get some counseling to help you deal with the emotions and try to eat a diet high in vegetables. Good luck!

[jeanierd]

in reply to: Memory Tips and Tricks… #1176362

I take a picture of the location in the parking garage!

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