[MaryI]

in reply to: brain recovery time? #1175566

Yes, indeed! I found my mental acuity & memory to be compromised also. Improvement is gradual, and I believe that at about 9 months there was marked improvement. I am now 2 1/2 years on methimazole and feel that I am at 90% of my former self. It does take time-don’t give up.

[MaryI]

in reply to: Results after Total Thryroidectomy #1174825

Hi everyone. I have been on Methimazole since June 2010. I will be having “the discussion” again in a few weeks with the Endo about either RAI or TT. My preference is the TT, if I have to make a choice, maybe because I am a twice cancer survivor, and I would rather get rid of the gland entirely.
Does any one else have a goiter or does everyone have one with Graves? Did having a goiter influence your treatment decision? Mine seemed to decrease for a while, now is getting larger. I get an thyroid ultrasound on Dec.3/12.
I have been reading the comments and it seems that those that chose TT are better faster, in general, and happier with their treatment.
Thanks for your help!

[MaryI]

in reply to: Joint/Muscle Pain – How common? #1175001

Have not posted in quite a while but here is a short comment. My choice of treatment is Tapazole. I have tracked how I feel now since June 2010, and note that when I am swinging to hyper again my legs ache first, then my arms, and I get short of breath. When I swing to the hypo my joints , even my feet, get sore and my energy level is lessened & exercise is harder and not enjoyable. The symptoms are definately different. It is amazing that the body responds to an adjustment in dosage in 7-10 days and one can feel great again. I now have a new Endo & now get labs done every 2 months instead of 3-6 months as ordered by my old Endo. It really is hard to keep on top of your symptoms and be able to tell your doctor what they need to know without tracking where you feel the best and at what dosage you were at that time. I am so glad that this forum is here!

[MaryI]

in reply to: I need help in Canada #1173268

Hi, I am from the interior of BC and see an Endo at VGH/UBC health sciences. I believe that he is very knowledgable and he is kind. Still, I learn so much more about the symptom side from this forum than from any other source. The Endo is more focused on the labs than how I feel. I have looked for other sources of Graves education, but this forum is simply the best.
I would be interested in communicating with others in BC, especially in reference to the surgeons & doctors with lots of Graves experience.
I will send you a private message.
Mary

[MaryI]

in reply to: What my surgeon said #1173160

Hi VanisleGal,
I notice that you are on the Island. I am in the Okanagan and see an Endo in Vancouver. I have been on Methimizole for 2 years now and need a dose adjustment every 3-4 months. I have been thinking about surgery and wonder if you have been able to find a surgeon with lots of experience with Graves.
Thanks!

[MaryI]

in reply to: How long can you be on meds? #1170212

Hi Kimberly,
I also chose Methimazole as my treatment. What do you consider as low dose? I am doing well on 7.5 mg per day. Just curious, esp. as I am 57 and now a wondering about my aging liver & kidneys metabolizing the drug in the next years(as Bobbi had posted).
Mary

[MaryI]

in reply to: TED and e-Readers (Kindle, Nook, etc.) – Any Advice? #1169751

Hi,
I have a Sony e-reader pocket edition, which I like for its size and my husband just got an ipad2. I notice that the Sony is more true to how a real book reads and there is no glare. The ipad2 is too bright for me. However if you like to download magazines you would want the colour version of whatever e-reader you are considering. The Kindle is really nice as it is 3G and you can download your books from anywhere unlike the Sony product which needs to be connected to your laptop or computer. Maybe we should have our sunglasses on when using our computers-ha ha. Anyway, I love the way I can increase or decrease the font size depending on how tired my eyes are, and it is fabulous to be able to carry your library anywhere you go.

[MaryI]

in reply to: Getting Through this.. #1170038

Hi, Newly diagnosed- I was on 30 mg of MI. I went hypo really quick, was sensitive. It took a good 12 months before we figured it out. In June, I was ready to have it ripped out of my throat.But I am glad that I waited. My Endo said that I would change my mind many times before he would talk about it again . When I told him what I decided, he smiled and said that he would have made the same decision. I am staying with the ATD, and continue to walk at least an hour a day, do Pilates once a week, do at least 2 spin or cardio a week or more. I have not lost an ounce but am stronger for sure. Right now I am on 7.5 mg of MI. and am positive about my condition.

[MaryI]

in reply to: Smoking and Graves Disease #1169365

Hi Shirley, Thank you for the response. He does not smoke in the house. But if we are outside with guests or at friends it still gets to me. Today, I see that he ordered the patch for himself. Great!
I am thinking that my eyes are super sensitive.
I have been reading your posts-you are vey brave, and thank you for your documentation, and I would never want to go thru what you have done.
Mary

[MaryI]

in reply to: Smoking and Graves Disease #1169363

Hi Everybody,
I am 56 and smoked until March 1,2010, about 3 months before my Graves diagnosis. I smoked since was 15 years old. I had known for quite a while that I had to stop, thinking that maybe if I stopped smoking the way I was feeling would go away. I did feel better for about 6 weeks. I ( stopped the patch, chewed sugarless gum with aspartame like crazy, really enjoyed the new sushi bar next door for lunches ) did everything wrong in the meantime.Of course I got sicker.
If there is anything I want to say to all who are still smoking- please stop.
My husband still smokes cigars, and when I am around him, my eyes swell and get red. In one eye, I have regular surface hemorraging. Last night I lost the colour in the other eye in 2 short episodes. It is OK now. If there is anything that I can recommend- stay away from anything that could accerbate eye disease. I am terrified of being one of us affected.
Mary

[MaryI]

in reply to: Chest discomfort #1062450

It has been awhile, but I thought I would share what might help some of you. I last posted in July/11 because I was feeling very discouraged with remaining symptoms-anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, fatigue after eating, pain in my heart region. My family doctor upped my Tapazole dose and I felt much better within 10 days, but not great yet. I had another adjustment to 1 and a half 5 mg Tapazole a day and that is working out well.
He suggested that I might benefit from see another MD with special interest in Bio-identical hormones. I have been shying away from hormones because of the bad press, but was feeling desperate.I did the blood tests, had a consult, and he thought that with bi-est, progesterone, magnesium,vitamin D, omega 3 supplements I would likely feel relief. I am now 3 months into it and it is like night and day. I feel great. I started to feel better about 2 weeks into it. He also thought that with time my thyroid would settle down, so urged me not to do anything permanent to destroy my thyroid. I am so pleased with these results. We are also now trying 100 mc selenium to see if it will help my eyes.
I am seeing the endo in 2 weeks(it is a 5 hour drive each way) and I am hoping that he also will be pleased
Anyway, for male or female, it may be wise to check out the other hormones, as if we are out of balance, it can affect us in a bad way.
I sleep way better, my chest feels good, anxiety minimal, fatigue after eating gone, energy is very good. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[MaryI]

in reply to: Chest discomfort #1062448

Hi again. Was feeling like I was sliding backwards for a few months even though the Endo said I was within an acceptable range in my T4 level in April. He said that there must be something else bothering me.I was feeling discouraged. Went for a physical and am feeling better after my GP increased my Tapazole dose-better energy, longer sleep. My GP took new labs on June 3rd and my T4 was at the extreme upper end of the scale. I guess the specialist is not always right.
I am curious though why Graves causes chest pain & palpitations for so many of us. Both my Endo and GP say my heart sounds normal. Are the heart muscle and diaphram affected the same way as leg and arm muscles? I lost so much muscle before being diagnosed last year and had trouble breathing.Muscles are almost back to normal now but still feel an irritation around my heart area. Does this ever go away?
Also since my Tapazole dose needed to be increased does this mean that I will not likely be one of the lucky ones to go into remission with ATD use?. It has been a year now.
Thanks to anyone for some feedback.

[MaryI]

in reply to: Chest discomfort #1062447

Thank you, Kimberly.
I will talk to my GP about labs every 2 months.
I think that I need to learn patience and know that whatever is happening this week is probably going to be different again next week. When I speak with my husband I often say that I am "morphing again".
From reading the posts, I am understanding more that it takes time to reach that "sweet spot" and also that my Endo is wise in telling me that I am in good shape. He has always given positive re-inforcement.
I still think that I am going insane, but now I am more confident that some time in the future I will regain my equilibrium.
Thank you to all who post.

[MaryI]

in reply to: Chest discomfort #1062445

Well I saw my Endo last Friday, and he says that I am fine-that my free t4 at 17.9 pmo/L is within normal range. Pulse and blood pressure are fine. He said that my chest discomfort and racing heart ,at night and after I eat ,have no relationship with my thyroid and there must be something else bothering me.
I felt pretty good at the 14-15 pmo level and people around me have said they have noticed my going hyper again. The Endo suggested that this is part of my menopausal state (I am 55 he noted) and that if I were hyper I wouldn’t be able to do the spin classes as I do now. I am on 5 mg methimazole daily since October and my free t4 levels have been rising slowly since then. My next appointment with him is October 2011. and no blood tests ordered until then. I told him that I am noticing some muscle fatigue on my walks, and am a bit short of breath again. I feel like I am regressing.
I am not comfortable with this. I know that there is a change to the hyper side. Any suggestions?

[MaryI]

in reply to: When to make the decision re RAI or more ATD #1062322

Thank you all for your comments. I think I have a better sense of direction now. This has been very helpful to me.

[Author]

Posts