[rjconway04]

in reply to: Thyroid storm #1062061

Shirley,
I am not on any ATDs or beta blockers. Since I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s first, the only med I am on is levothyroxine. Before, my levels have normalized by just reducing that and once I go hypo again, then the endo slowly adds back the med. I don’t think this time it is going to rebound like it has in the past. If not, I am going to opt for surgery. I don’t want to do the RAI for many reasons, so if he says he wants to kill my thyroid, I am going to push for that. I need to get my life back. At work, we have year end coming at the end of June and expecting my first grandson in September. I have been on this rollercoaster for 2 1/2 years and believe I had it way before then but could not get a diagnosis. I know it isn’t going to be an instant fix, but at least I will know it is gone and not have to worry if the RAI took. I will write more tomorrow if I get my results.

Thank you
Rosemary

[rjconway04]

in reply to: What to make of my levels…. new to graves and prego! #1062539

Sarah,

Welcome to the wacky world of having both diseases. This board is great for information. Makes you feel you aren’t as crazy as you think. I have been on this rollercoaster for almost 2 years. Numbers on tests have not been a great help for my endo because my symptoms will be different than what tests show. I went to the endo last Friday because I was so tired, cold, achy, etc. My TSH is being suppressed is what he told me, but am headed back to hypo. If I go hyper again, the thyroid dies. I am hoping you don’t have to be on the rollercoaster that I have been on, but just learn the symptoms of each disease so if you start to feel different, you can let the doctor know and head it off at the pass. I tend to be more hypo than hyper so I am only on Levothyroxine and adjust that med as needed. If you ever want to send me a PM, go ahead. I don’t know anything about being hyper and prego, but I do know about having 2 wonderful diseases. Good luck and keep us posted. These people are wonderful and have great stories and advice.

[rjconway04]

in reply to: Graves and Hashimoto’s #1062715

I am so glad I am not alone in this journey. I too have both Graves and Hashimotos antibodies. I went hyper a few months ago and am now coming back to a more normal range. But I sure don’t feel normal. Very tired, cold all the time, migraines, musle pain/weakness, constipation, and bad mood swings. I don’t have the anxiety that others have, but I get very angry and depressed at times. I know some of the depression is from other situations going on in my life right now, but the thyroid problem does not help make things better. Some days I just sit and cry and want to hide from everyone. I am still working, but have some days I would rather be home than here. I have also found out that I more than likely have acid reflux on top of everything else. The only thing I am on is levothyroxine, 50 mcg 3 days a week and 25 mcg 2 days a week. Went to have my eyes tested since I was having problems seeing paperwork I would be working on and since it had been about 8 years since I had my eyes checked, but the glasses they gave me are still making things blury. Close up is good now, but far away is blury and am having headaches every since I got them.
I go back to the endo next month and will discuss what his ideas are. I am tired of the rollercoaster I have been on the last 2 years since I have finally been diagnosed. It seems like each winter, I end up going hyper and then takes months to get back to what should be normal. Don’t even know what normal is any more since I have felt so crappy for so long. I am seriously thinking of having him take it out so we can try to start with a clean slate. I have so much trouble with being allergic to different meds that I don’t want to go the antithyroid drugs, and RAI doesn’t sound like it is for me either. I am scared to have surgery since the only time I have had surgery, I had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia. But that was a long time ago at another hospital.
If you want, you can send me a PM to discuss more of what your experience has been like. It is nice to know there are others in the same boat.

[rjconway04]

in reply to: Going without meds #1063117

I am on Levothyroxin (generic) and get 3 months for $10 at our Sam’s Club, but think Walmart is about the same price. At most of our doctors’ offices and hospitals, you can apply for financial assistance. Depending on your situation, they could write off a part or even all of your bill. You have a form you have to fill out and provide tax return information and proof of income. It might take a month or so to get an answer, but that is worth a try too. I am in NE but I am guessing other areas have something similar, especially with so many people out of work that need medical care. Good luck.

[rjconway04]

in reply to: FREE Public Forum on Graves’ Disease in Raleigh, NC! #1063057

Where and when are other forums? I live in Omaha, NE and was wondering if there are any close to here. Years down the road we want to move to NC, but can’t do that any time soon. It is nice to know there are resources close to where we are wanting to move, but would be nice if there is anything close to where we are now, when I am having problems.

Thank you

[rjconway04]

in reply to: Anxiety, hormones and THAT TIME of the month? #1063089

I agree with the evening primrose oil. It works great. The bottle says take 1-3 per day, but I have found that only 1 is what I need. I tried doing more and it ended up making things worse instead of better. You can get it at any place that sells suppliments. I get mine at Walmart. Glad you finally was diagnosed. It took me years to be diagnosed also. Keep up with the bloodwork and be open and honest with your doctor about how you feel. If he/she won’t listen, then find another doctor that will. Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going.

[rjconway04]

in reply to: Newly Diagnosed with No Insurance #1063292

I also was diagnosed with Hashimotos and Graves, but in my case, I started out hypo and then went hyper. Please keep us updated on how things go. I know there are not very many out there with both, so I am interested in the stories/experiences of others in the same situation. You can also send me a private message if you would like. I am currently on Levothyroxine because of the hypo, but have now swung to the hyper side again. My endo said he was considering doing the antithyroid meds at one point, until my levels leveled out for about 6 months. My husband and ex-husband think I should have it removed, or killed so I could try to live a normal life. I am torn on what to do. Hopefully the cutback on meds will get me back to a normal level. So far the shakes are starting to get better and getting a little energy back, but know I have a long road ahead of me. I am scared and tired. My mom didn’t find out about her thyroid problem until after she had a heart attack, and I want to prevent that from happening. Anyone else have any opinions, please let me know too.
Glad you did get into the endo. A dr that will listen to not only the lab results but also how you feel is hard to find, so hope this one will do that for you. Good luck.

Thank you for any help, advice or stories/experiences you can give.

[rjconway04]

in reply to: Living with both Graves and Hashi. #1063637

Finally, I found someone else that lives with both Graves and Hashimotos. I was originally diagonsed with Hasimotos because my TSH was over 4 and had many symptoms that my general practioner wasn’t concerned with. My endo put me on Levothyroxine and watched things closely. Then my TSH began to go really low, so he backed off the dose and eventually had me stop meds all together. After an adjustment period, my TSH went to 78. Went back on meds and was ok for about 6 months. I am not back in hyper mode. Even with adjustments to my meds, my TSH is at .02. During my brief time of having my TSH around 1 I felt better and my endo thought my thyroid might have burned itself out and we were on the right track. Now he let me know that when I was on the rollercoaster before, he had thought of giving me the antithyroid treatment. Right now, he wants me to take 25 mcg 5 days a week and redo bloodwork in 4 weeks to see if things are any better, not wanting me to go severely hypo with the holidays coming. I have many of the symptoms that are charateristic of both hyper and hypo at the same time.
I went for 4 years without being diagnosed with Hashimotos because my primary care dr didn’t think I needed treatment. It has been 2 years that I have been on the hypo/hyper rollercoaster. Please let me know more about your experience of having both diseases. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired. Help.

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