[RNFQueen]

in reply to: Worry about cold/sore throat? #1071860

Emily,

I wouldn’t worry about it right now. If you come down with a fever, I would definitely call your doctor and let him or her know prior to getting your results. You may be told to stop temporarily. You could just be getting what your kids had, which happened to me when I was on Methimazole. It can make it easier for you to get sick. Keep an eye on it, and keep us updated.

Jody

[RNFQueen]

in reply to: Lack of Support #1071885

I want to thank all of you for your responses.

Cathycnm, I am located in Pagosa Springs, CO. Don’t know if that’s close to your area.

Hyperm, I have definitely considered taking him with me on one of my appointments. I don’t know how much help that will be, though. My daughter has asthma and he has gone off on his speech of "doctors diagnosing every kid with asthma" even after leaving an appointment with her. I have had some board users forward me web sites that have articles for family members that I will be sharing with him today, so maybe that will help.

Marpo, thank you so much for your e-mails. I am definitely going to try my best to get out to one of the picnics or a support meeting. That poem I put on my fridge definitely raised my spirits this morning. I have come to the conclusion that I am going to look at my journey as survival. Everyone says that people find their strength and courage in survival situations so I hope that may help. I have also realized that I am not at fault here. If he can’t deal, then that’s too bad for him. There are plenty of people that would support me back in NJ, and plenty of friends who are there for me (especially my new friends on this board).

I think it’s time I do some deep thinking on my life and where I want it to go. I will be graduating college in June and it seems like a great time to start over. What I need is people who will love me with or without GD and people who will understand my mood swings, fatigue, and muscle pain. I wish I had husbands as supportive as yours, but if I don’t there’s nothing I can do except give him more information. So that’s the road I am taking. I plan on educating him today. If that doesn’t work, it’s just another thing on my plate that I can’t take right now. Once again, thank you all so much for your support.

[RNFQueen]

in reply to: You have Graves. Ok. I get it. #1071875

I might not be much help here, since I also stopped taking my Methimazole. For me, my issues with the meds were that my hair was thinning and falling out, and my immune system was shot. I have to take my 4 year old daughter to and from preschool everyday and it seemed that I got every single illness that passed through there. Twice I had to stop taking the Methimazole because I got a fever and sore throat – and I wasn’t even on a very high dose. It got to the point where I was pretty much bathing in Purell everyday. So for me, it just wasn’t the right medicine.

Now I am waiting for my Medicaid to kick in and I will be looking into RAI. In the meantime, I am taking Propranolol since my main symptom is a racing heart. Aside from that, I get those cramps and muscle aches every day. I am learning to just keep moving on.

My advice to you is to look at all of your options. It helps to get second opinions, and to talk to others with the disease (which you are doing). I am right around your age (will be 28 in June) so I understand how it can affect you when you’re supposed to be in good health. I am also looking into natural remedies right now, but I have learned that the doctor is usually going by years of experience and care when they recommend the drugs. I stuck with the Methimazole for months before going off it with my doctor’s permission.

Keep your head up. You’ll be in my thoughts.

[RNFQueen]

in reply to: Help-Exercise, still tired, brain fog and loss of sex drive #1071852

My doctor also told me that exercise would help. Seeing as I don’t have too much energy, I went and bought the Wii Fit to see if that would be something I could do. Let me tell you, the next morning I was so sore I could barely move. I try to do the Wii Fit three or four days a week, and it helps. The thing is, I have found getting outside even more helpful. Getting some sun and fresh air does way more for me. I make a point of getting out every day and look forward to my walks now. They have helped me the most.

As for the sex drive, I can’t really offer you much there as I have the same issue. I want to, but just don’t have the energy or drive to actually do it. That’s my husband’s number one problem, and he feels I am just making excuses when I say I don’t feel well. So, even when I am not feeling up to it, I just go along with it. Not the best response, but at least it’s keeping things a bit happier here for him.

Don’t feel guilty about your naps. For a while, I felt bad for my daughter when I had to lay down or couldn’t play in the afternoon. She’s only 4 and since my husband and I separated I am a single parent. Now, I make a point to do activities in the morning or early evening when I have more energy. I also pick up several coloring books and activity books each week that she can do while I’m too tired to play. I guess what I’m trying to get at here is that it’s best to arrange everything knowing you will plan on napping. It’s unavoidable and is something you need right now. Look at it that way.

[RNFQueen]

in reply to: I over-reacted #1071933

Emily,

I completely understand. Before being diagnosed with Graves in November, I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. My diagnosis came by accident, when my ob/gyn told me I had the most enlarged thyroid she had ever felt in her life. She then sent me to an endocrinologist. For four years, I told my doctor that my symptoms were not "all in my head." He repeatedly told me that people with Panic Disorder always felt there was something physically wrong with them and I was no different.
After finally being diagnosed, I still feel the sudden rush of anxiety. Maybe it’s because I went untreated for so long, and now I do fear the panic. What I do know, however, is that the anxiety is even scarier now. Most times it feels like my Graves symptoms have taken over me and that I am in dire health. So I completely understand your reaction to your symptoms earlier.
Keep with the Methimazole. I had the same things happen to me…a slight improvement, then a major decline. In the end, it turned out that it wasn’t the right medicine for me. This isn’t an exact science. Give it some more time, and if you feel the meds aren’t working talk to your doctor. I will keep you in my thoughts and wish you all the best. Be patient and have faith. When you feel that anxiety coming on, distract yourself or try some diaphragmatic breathing. The breathing works wonders for me, as does the propranoplol my doctor put me on until we can figure out my next plan of action.

Jody

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