[npatterson]

in reply to: Decompression Surgery in 5 days #1072133

Dear Tracy,

I will be glad to talk to you as well. Send me a phone number @ "nancyngdf@bellsouth.net", tell me where you live (so I will know what time to call), and I will call you.

Like Dianne, I have already had the surgery, but I am pretty up-to-date on it (that is an understatement, by the way)!

iT’S NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS IT SOUND WHEN YOU ARE READING ABOUT IT. I remember the satement at the bottom,,,:"as with any eye surgery, there is the danger of the loss of sight." Then there was another sentence: "There has never been a patient who has lost their sight in this practice, and as far as we know, no one in the US has done so."

They are now doing these as outpatient procedures. Go home, be in your conmfortable bed (with your cat on your lap), elevate the head of the bed. I only needed real pain pills for two days–then just Tylenol.

Get in touch with me ~

[npatterson]

in reply to: Anyone have a doctor recommendation in Wisconsin? #1072773

The University of Wisconsin has a good thyroid unit.

[npatterson]

in reply to: Family Education Material #1073153

What a great idea! I look forward to receiving it.

[npatterson]

in reply to: My Husband has Untreated Grave’s Disease #1072999

If he has stopped his Synthroid, he will eventually get slower, sleep more, and have a hard time concentrating. There is no way to tell how long this will take. It may be that his job will "call this to his attention", and insist that he goto a doctor. Unless I missed something, calling the police is not going to work. For now, you may have to give him his space. Hopefully, others on the board will post their experiences when they stopped taking their Synthroid, and you (or he) will get some more insight. My e-mail is "nancyngdf@bellsouth.net". I may have some bulletins to send you as attchments.

[npatterson]

in reply to: My history and a question #1072896

Melissa,

Like Ski says, it is extremely are, but certainly can happen. It is not unusual (in those rare cases) that it be growing sort of "down your neck". You may be looking at some RAI at this point. The thyroid tissue that is growing is now putting out hormones. If you are also taking Synthroid, you will be getting it from two sources. Your doctor will be wanting to do some testing–for sure.

[npatterson]

in reply to: Are normal levels always normal? #1072939

We have both had Graves’ a long time! I have always talked a good bit. The feedback I have had (especially when I was really hyper) was that I talked a LOT, talked LOUD, talked OUT OF TURN, and at times, talked about OTHER THINGS than everyone else was talking about. I only remember one incident of that – all those years ago–but it was certainly true that day.
So, a couple of points. 1) You have been taking thyroid hormone for a long time. It doesn’t make sense that your dose would be making a difference, unless your levels are vascillating all over the place. 2) It is what you say, and how you say it that makes a difference.

[npatterson]

in reply to: At night lying down.. I can feel my thyroid thumping? #1073019

The "throbbing" is actually your heatbeat. Your large veins run right up your neck, and they will "vibrate". If you have a goitre, any swelling in your neck, you will "feel" it. There is only so much room in your neck, and it was quite nicely filled before all this started. If you are sleeping fine, tell your doctor about it on your next visit. If you are NOT sleeping, call your doctor, and at least talk to the nurse. Helpful information will include what your pulse rate is, whether you are flat on your back or have the head of your bed elevated, if you are choking or having difficulty swallowing, and if there is pain (and how severe it is) involved. The more objective information you can give them, the better they can evaluate what may be going on.

[npatterson]

in reply to: HELP IM AFRAID MY 17 YEAR OLD SON WONT TAKE MEDS #1072909

Teenagers can be some of the most difficult people as far as medicines go. They don’t want to take them, and if someone hasn’t managed to explain that they are IMPORTANT, they rebel. Add to that peer pressure, their own hormone fluctuations at that time, maybe drugs, and you have a real handful. Where in California is he? Maybe we can help you find someone to work with him.

[npatterson]

in reply to: Son just diagnosed #1072922

The information we have available about tudents and Graves’ may be of some help to you. It addresses the needs of college students, and the accomodations that schools must make for them. Email me at "nancyngdf@bellsouth.net", and I will send it to you.

[npatterson]

in reply to: Pretibial Myxedema #1072920

What Ski is telling you is correct. AND, it does come an go. IT is the same antibody that is causing the eye disease. It is much more rare than eye disease.

[npatterson]

in reply to: Bad Thoughts #1073177

It will get better. I can remember when I was diagnosed, I had this recurring thought of "what IF I drove off the bridge?" There are LOTS of big bridges there. Eventually, those thoughts just stopped, but at the time they were very intrusive, and therefore frightening.

Thyroid hormone is like speed, and can be a very "bad trip". My favorite color is dark green.

[npatterson]

in reply to: I don’t know what to do?? Please..need advice. #1073103

Really talk to your doctor. You are NOT actually coming down. Even when you lower the dose, your hyperthyroid levels come right back. You are NOT doomed to struggling with your weight. Have you even looked into surgery? I guess the thing to remember is that as a general rule, your thyroid is no longer your friend.

[npatterson]

in reply to: Graves disease in Males #1073285

May I make a shameless plug for the book Graves’ Disease, In Our Own Words? It is a book ABOUT Graves’, not FOR it. YOur doctor is there for you and the medical management of your Graves’. The book is about living with it, the long haul. It is optimistic, sad, and honest. I think it is still available on Amazon.com.

We try NOT to bash other people or things, but I can certainly RECOMMEND this one–I am the co-author.” title=”Smile” />

[npatterson]

in reply to: Can Stopping Steroids suddenly cause a thyroid storm? #1073129

I can answer part of that. Stopping the decadron will not put you in a thyroid storm. Whether or not you can quit cold turkey depends on what strength you are taking. It is approximately 10 times stronger than prednisone.

Make sure the PA can explain the risks and benefits of abrupt cessation.

[npatterson]

in reply to: I’m sorry me again but think I’m going crazy #1073123

You are NOT going crazy–but it does feel like it.

Did you ever contact the British Thryoid Foundation? j.l.hickey@btf-thyroid.org Janice Hickey is their President, a Graves’ patient, and easy to talk to. I URGE you to e-mail her. I don’t know where in the UK you live, but it is certainly closer than here. She might even know how to get you in sooner. They have some great contacts.

If you will e-mail me (nancyngdf@bellsouth.net) I will e-mail you an excellent article on surgery.

Thank you for the nice note about feeling good.

Also, take the extra medicine that the doctor said. You need some RELIEF, and I doubt that it will slow you down all that much.

[Author]

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