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in reply to: went to new endo #1068240
Congratulations of successfully finding a doctor that listens. YOu may still doing something permanent, but now you have some time to consider the choices.
Take care,
in reply to: Re: A Question and a comment #1068195I hope you are feeling a little better by now. You are certainly no "danger" to anyone anymore. Even now, if you are still feeling shakey, contact the doctor on call. You may be advised to get back on your beta blocker and your ATD for a few days. That is not an uncommon procedure after RAI, though not everyone experiences the "dumping" as strongly as others.
Take care,
in reply to: 2 weeks on levoxyl no change? #1068202Two weeks isn’t enough time. Keep track of what is going on, so that you can give the doctor some facts when you see him or her. Hypo is not a good way to feel. Oh yes, I remember the tears for absolutley no reason, the brain fog, and being cold. I went to the doctor (in Florida) once, and refusedto take off my long wool coat, my gloves and my wool scarf. For you that don’t know–nobody wears winter things like that in Florida. I guess that was my visual list for that visit.
The more facts you can give your doctor, the better the adjustment of your medication will be.
Take care,
in reply to: For newer patients mainly… Life after GD… #1068179Krystal,
What a joy to read your post! We all need to be able to hear this good news, so thanks for sharing. I remember when my doctor made an important change in my medicine. When I went back to see him, I said "I feel BETTER–and I can now remember what GOOD felt like!". He replied, "I am glad to hear it, because you usually say you feel like s–t". He had been writing that down everytime I saw him, because that IS what I said! That is also the day that I learned how important it is to give them FACTS. That’s why you see me suggesting lists of varying types.
Take care,
in reply to: Levoxyl, synthroid, generic, what do I do??? #1068185There are four "branded" forms of Levothyroxine in the US. Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl and Unithroid. They are the only ones that have FDA approval. It is not a good idea to switch from one to the other, but one can change brands if necessary (usually "necessary" is designated by insurance companies). The truly generic brands tend to be different every month at the pharmacy, so you are nowhere near getting the same thing every month.
Take care,
in reply to: overly paranoid?? #1068270Here is one more vote in favor of getting your levels checked. You have the genetic predisposition (one first-degree relative with Graves’) and some pretty interesting symptoms.
I have three daughters, and the one thing I ask of them is to remind their doctor to check their thyroid levels at their yearly checkups. And no: "Things are all within normal limits". I want the numbers. They get them for me, and then I can rest fairly easy–till the next time.
Take care,
in reply to: 1 Day After RAI #1068290There isn’t a dramatic change the moment you take RAI. IT seems to be that It is "knowing" that you have done it. However, it seems to make us all hyper-vigilent, looking for that "ka-boom" when it "hits". It does take usually several months. If your heart rate is climbing, call your doctor. Give him or her numbers to compare and work with. If sitting quietly for fifteen minutes brings it down, that’s good, but possibly not thyroid related. If sitting down quietly for fifteen minutes doesn’t bring it down, it is more likely to be thyroid levels.
Take care,
in reply to: Finding Opthamologist who works with TED #1068275Usually, telling the Receptionist that you have Graves’, with eye complications, will get you in the group of patients that need to come in as soon as there is an available appointment, You can also tell them that you found their name through a referral on the Graves’ Disease Foundation’s website. Most of these doctors are doing a lot of cosmetic work right now, but their compassion for Graves’ patients runs very deep. They don’t confuse "cosmetic" with "Reconstruction". BTW, they don’t usually use initials like TED except in writing, so tell the reseptionist that you have Graves’ disease.
Take care,
in reply to: Im sorry but i dont think i can go on anymore… #1068294Lauren,
I am so sorry to read how badly you are feeling! You seem to have a clearer understanding of all the things that are going on that you realize. Please e-mail me at "nancyngdf@bellsouth.org".
In the meantime, keep talking to your therapist (perhaps print out a copy of your post). The website of the British Thyroid Foundation is http://www.btf-thyroid.org The e-mail of the President is Janis Hickey – j.l.hickey@btf-thyroid.org. Please try to get in touch with them. I don’t think there is an organization in New Zealand. You need people onyour side of the ocean, as well as us, to talk to.
You will hear from others that how we "feel" doesn’t necessarily track with our levels. Especially when there is a lot going on. Can you make perhaps three lists–Personal, Health, Work, and maybe "Other". Try to separate all the things that are going on into one of those categories. Try to identify which ones you have some control over, and which ones you have very little control over. Which ones you need help dealing with (and there may be many at this point). That is what the "new" Critical Thinking stuff is all about – breaking things down into more managable parts, and being able to look at the pieces in relationship to each other.
It sounds like you have a good team of professionals there. Use them. Stay in touch with them. Call your therapist tonight if necessary. You certainly have our good thoughts, prayers and hopes for you. Too many of us have been where you are (but it was our own "soup" we were swimming in).
Take care,
in reply to: checking in. Some good news Left eye much better #1068418You are definately feeling better if you are white-water rafting! That IS fun, isn’t it?
in reply to: Numbness and tingling #1068423Have you been treated? On medication? What does your doctor say? How long has this been going on?
If it disconcerting to you, get it checked out. Sometimes, just knowing that something is, or is not, related to Graves’ gives us peace of mind. Sorry I don’t have more info for you.
Take care,
in reply to: mood worse #1068411Dear Chesney,
May I assume you are getting your levels checked regularly? Does your doctor listen to you? Where do you live? an you come to the conference?
Take care,
in reply to: New, too – from Australia #1068428Dear Clancy,
I made this into a new subject for you.
Just a few thoughts:
Three weeks is not a long time to be on the medication, although some people seem to feel results fairly quickly. Everyone is different. You should be getting tested shortly? What you will feel is your hyper symptoms calming down – heart rate not so fast, not so hot all the time, able to sleep better. Eventually the expectation is that your goitre will diminish in size.
There are a few things you can download on the HOme Page, under the heading About Graves’ Disease (3rd tab from the left). The book list is not there, so if you will send me an e-mail to "nancyngdf@bellsouth.net", I will send it to you. Unfortunately there is a lot of mis-information in the media, the web, and in books.
There are two Patient organizations in Australia – one on either side of the country. You are most welcome here, but there may be times when you want to perhaps talk in person –over there.
Detail: Thyroid Federation International – This is a worldwide umbrella organization. l Url http://http://www.thyroid-fed.org/
There are no special diets – just eat truly healthy and nutritionally dense.
You will hear from others.
Take care,
in reply to: Another new person. #1069052I apologize for being so late in responding to this. If I miss a couple of days on the Board, it seems like things get pushed out of sight.
No lecture on smoking. BUT, have you talked to your Psychiatrist about the CHANTIX? Is that the doctor that prescribed it to you? You are right in being hesitant about the side effects.
Bobbi’s post to you about the Synthroid was correct. You need it.
I have heard about people having their thyroid wrapped around their vocal chords, and down into their chest. It’s rare, but it does happen.
You may find that you have to have a couple of medicines that work for you (like the Ambien and Lunesta) so that when one seems to wear out, the other can be re-started. They can be used on a rotating basis–obviously with the doctor’s supervision aznd support.
Take care,
in reply to: Need Help!! #1068509Dear Michael,
I hope that by the time you read this, you will have taken your wife to the doctor and/or ER, and have some plan of action. What you describe is not something that we "wait and see", it is very serious. If I knew where you live, I might be able to help you find someone to help. Right now, this isn’t even a "counseling" situation. I will send you a PM.
Take care,
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