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in reply to: Hi all! Been a long time! 2.5+ years! #1183251

Thanks Kimberly.
Saw Dr today, go back Fri for blood work. He says I have to take the methimazole twice a day, but gave me a ‘script for tummy meds that is once a day so I don’t have the conflict.
I haven’t ‘gone hyper again’, it has never slowed down, I had no medical care for over 2 years. Been 2.5 yrs since my last blood work.
So hoping to get a handle on this. Most days I can’t get out of bed except to get something to eat etc and I’m right back in bed.
I’m SOOOO tired of being tired! Exhausted all the time but can’t sleep. He said that’s normal under the conditions and just to ‘roll with it’, it’ll get better when the meds kick in. Glad to know I’m not loosing my mind!
He’s pushing for RAI, but I told him I want to try the meds for a few months to see if it helps. If not, then we’ll discuss it.
On top of this, I’m also diabetic and that’s gone haywire too.

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in reply to: How Long For Beta-Blockers #1173357

You’ve gotten a lot of good advice here, but I want to chime in about beta blockers. They are safe, in/of themselves and have been around for MANY years. Many people are on them for years and years for high blood pressure, myself included. I agree, you absolutely must get in to an endo sooner than 6 months. But, if you are concerned about taking them for 6 months or more, please rest easy, they are ‘tried and true’ and have few side effects for most people. Best of luck to you, it does get better, or so ‘they’ tell me. Big Hugz!

ps… I wish people screaming about wanting universal health care could see what you’re going through. I’m guessing you aren’t close enough to the border to come across and see a DR here? I know a lot of Canadians do that, when they need medical care NOW.

Oh, and I wanted to add, I am on Metoprolol, twice daily, 50 mg. Which is why I didn’t have the palps, etc, (I’m guessing) usually associated with Grave’s, when I was hyper. My ONLY symptom was extreme weight loss, like 6 lbs a week, without trying.

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in reply to: Crying Fits…Is this normal #1172809

Normal for me too, my boss said I’m unstable, go figure.
Good luck with that one, girl!

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in reply to: Successful Thyroidectomy! #1172506

So glad you’re doing well! Sorry, I haven’t been here lately, started PT for the shoulder and feel pretty rough. Lots of love and good vibes for a rapid recovery!
HUGZ!

p.s glad to hear nursing is going well, too!

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in reply to: SSKI Drops without ATD’s? #1172373

You are NOT a chicken! You’ve been through a lot and your nerves are shot, that’s to be expected. You are a very strong woman and everything will turn out fine. It seems we always let ourselves get worked up over something and then, months later, look back and realize, it wasn’t as big a deal as we thought at the time. You have many people here sending their prayers and good vibes for you. Breathe lady:D and take your meds like your DR says. It’ll be ok. HUGZ!

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in reply to: 1st labs after starting Synthroid – need help understanding #1172198

Bobbi, have to say, I appreciate the way you explain things, it really helps newbees!

NLBatten, I think I replied to your concern about hair too, mine is a disaster, but hang in there, I hear it gets better once our numbers are stable for an extended period of time. If not, I’m gonna shave mine!
HUGZ!

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in reply to: Not Stabilizing on Tapazole #1172273

Like Alexis said, I was on 40 a day, 20 twice a day for 3 weeks before my shoulder surgery. From what my DR and the endo team at University of North Carolina said, they wanted to hit it hard and fast, to get it close to normal before the surgery. I know there are meds they give someone that is hyper and needs emergency surgery, just can’t remember what it is (thanks to graves, I have CRS too LOL) I’m sure someone else can tell you about it.
You were so fortunate to have had such a long remission, I only pray I can do as well. Hang in there and keep us posted. HUGZ!

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in reply to: Cannot Believe it… #1172313

Yep, me! I swear, if it gets any worse, I’l have it all cut off and buy a wig! My hair is waist length and it is so thin now, you can see the scalp on top:( It breaks my heart. Congrats to you! Hopefully mine will get back to normal one day or it will all be gone! 😡

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in reply to: shoulder post op and graves #1172184

yeah Shirley, the whole idea is scarey, I’m inclined to believe its a nerve issue from the surgery and will get better with time.

NLBatten, the tens unit was attached, under the polar cuff, when I came home from the surgery, actually removed it 2 days later and it pulled off some skin (the patches) I was too out of it, for it to dawn on me, how sensitive my skin is and I should have never had it on that long, I know better!

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the pain will go away in time, but I don’t see any possible way for me to go back to work in 3 weeks, not as much as it hurts. Would be different maybe if I was at a desk, but I’m a retail supervisor. hugz ya’ll!

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in reply to: shoulder post op and graves #1172181

It’s a possibility, but my surgical site is almost painless. The pain I have, is from bicep to below the wrist, which makes no sense, since it was the shoulder/rotator cuff that was operated on. I plan a long conversation with my physical therapist on the 14th, (when I start therapy) I want to know what is causing it and what will be done about it. Yeah, I’m buggin’, but I will get answers. I already ask the Ortho, at my post-op appt a few days ago, and he hasn’t a clue, he took xrays and offered me a refill on my pain meds. I’m sure it’s a nerve issue, but I’m hoping it will go away.
I do appreciate the info ‘gatorgirly’, it gives me a place to start.
HUGZ!

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in reply to: shoulder post op and graves #1172179

gatorgirly wrote:

Did the woman you met mention (reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome)? I was “diagnosed” with this after my knee surgery several years ago. Basically there was no reason for me to be having pain long after healing and completing physical therapy. The surgeon suggested a nerve block, which at 20, I wasn’t willing to do, so I sucked it up and eventually the pain dissipated over time. I’m not telling you to suck it up, but ask about RSD or CRPS, or whatever they are calling it these days.

HOLY COW! I sure hope that isn’t what this is, I got enough on my plate. The lady said ‘regional’ something, said she couldn’t remember the rest. aww geez

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in reply to: Okay. What would you do? #1172216

Alexis, I was on beta blockers for yrs, for mild high BP, before Grave’s, never a problem, BP stayed perfect. When I went Hyper and lost 60 lbs, didn’t need it anymore for BP, but was put back on it for the palpitations and it worked fine, but you can tell if it wears off and you’re due for another dose, because of palps, need to keep regular dosing. Keeping your heart rate stable is very important, it helps prevent cardiac issues. If you’re having irregular heartbeat, i.e. palpitations, you need to have something to control it and beta blockers have been around forever and are very safe for the vast majority of people. Obviously, this is my personal experience with beta blockers, but ‘I’ wouldn’t be afraid of them, due to their track record and my own use of them.
Hugz!

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in reply to: shoulder post op and graves #1172176

Thanks Alexis and hang in there, you’ll make it!
I was ‘out and about’ Saturday w/dil, walking around downtown. I live in a historic area, with small antique shops and such and met a lady that had shoulder surgery 6 weeks ago and is having the same issue with the weird pain. Her Dr called it something she can’t remember, but it’s a nerve issue because of the surgery. I guess it will go away, but at least I’m NOT crazy! You would think my Ortho would know, but he has no idea why, go figure. I find that the TENS unit helps it for a couple hours, I’ve been using it several times a day, guess all will work out in time.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the feedback, hugs to all, keep us posted Alexis.

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in reply to: shoulder post op and graves #1172174

Getting old is sooo highly overrated! thankx Bobbi

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in reply to: Rats! Relapsed #1172170

6+ yrs remission!? wow! you give us newbies on ATD some HOPE! Sending best wishes to you, to regain that kind of control. Big Hugz!

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