[NZErin]

in reply to: Young Woman with Graves’ (Getting Worse?) #1061923

Thanks mamabear. I’ll look into that. I actually felt quite good yesterday and the day before re anxiety/other symptoms but I have felt quite bad today (very anxious/edgy etc) and I didn’t sleep well last night. It’s so frustrating cos I get all optimistic when I have a good day and then the next day is bad. It’s such a rollercoaster. I just want some stability, but not even the ground is stable in this city Gotta try be patient I guess.

Irony is that we were discussing anxiety in my sociology class today and I wanted to contribute to the discussion but was feeling too anxious to do so! Ah, Graves…

[NZErin]

in reply to: Young Woman with Graves’ (Getting Worse?) #1061921

Thank you all so much for your kind words, information and reassurance.

My doctor’s appointment today went okay. She was indeed surprised I complained of symptoms as I have never really complained of many before. My labs were "the best they’ve ever been" which is good in a way but maybe if they were high, I would have felt better about it because at least it would have explained more. Anyway, she did tweak my dose a little and said that she would put off the possibility of RAI for now because my TED has come back slightly. I was relieved about that since to be honest RAI and what it can do sounds scary. I also told her about the anxiety and she didn’t really say that it was directly related to my thyroid, but apparently my pulse was super fast, so she gave me an anti-anxiety drug to try (can’t remember what it’s called right now) so I am eager to see if it helps, and she also reassured me that I was not the only one struggling considering the very stressful circumstances we’re living in. I’ll have blood tests in six weeks time and will see her again in about 4 months (where she will be in yet another building since her current location is temp).

I think my biggest problem is really that I am way too hard on myself most of the time. When I think about it, living with a moderate physical disability is hard enough. CP affects my whole body. All my muscles, as well as my co ordination, spacial perception and reflexes (since it is all to do with the brain) and so even that can go through (unpredictable) stages where it is harder than usual to live with and really does take a lot of effort to overcome. Then add the unpredictability of Graves’ and the major stress living in a place which has suffered two major earthquakes over the last 8 months (we had a 7.1 near here in September) with continuing aftershocks and an environment that is even less accessible to a wheelchair-user than usual (roads and footpaths cracked and uneven, businesses moved into inaccessible buildings etc). Then add the stress of being a university student when half the campus is still closed after being completely closed for 3 weeks after the quake (had only just started, the quake struck on the second day of the new year) and the timetable is constantly changing in order to fit everything/everyone in and it is no wonder I am not feeling the best.

I received my first essay grade for the year the other day and when I saw it was a B+, I was so annoyed with myself, but I really shouldn’t be. I should be really proud. I never want to seem less able than anyone, if anything I want to seem more able, but there is only so hard one can try especially with everything going on. I need to learn to give myself a lot more credit than I do, so if anything, that’s what I’m going to try and do. I’m gonna just let myself feel crappy sometimes, just gonna let myself rest sometimes, instead of beating myself up about it, because ANYONE would be super stressed if they had what I have going on.

Anyhow, little pep talk to myself there! Thanks again for your support. Look forward to being a part of this community. x

[NZErin]

in reply to: Young Woman with Graves’ (Getting Worse?) #1061917

Thanks Bobbi! I appreciate the information and the well-wishes. We had a 5.3 aftershock this morning at 3am (second biggest since quake in February). It felt really bad and definitely wasn’t good for my anxiety levels!

Seeing the specialist this afternoon so will see what she has to say. Somewhat nervous as normally I don’t have many symptoms to report but different this time. I guess she will actually have her first lot of real work to do with me.

If my T3/4 levels are in normal range, could I still be producing more antibodies than I have been because of stress (or whatever the cause) etc.? Just wondering if that’s a separate blood test or if it comes under the same one.

Thanks again! I do hope the earthquake-related stuff all stops soon. The latest aftershock really did catch me off-guard as we haven’t had any that bad for months. But I guess we just have to roll with it for now. ” title=”Smile” />

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