[sandys1953]

in reply to: On ATD two years-plus? #1183762

Thank you Virginia and Kimberly. I really appreciate all of your insight and seems like I need to research more on this disease. Doctors say one thing and you really rely on what they say, but that is why this forum is so important, to hear it from those going through the same thing. Yes, I admit I am inpatient, especially since I have felt this way for so long and now there is an answer instead of what the docs think, that its all in my head. I do appreciate all of your wisdom and knowledge.

My ekg was perfect today and it matched the baseline they took last week. So far my QT waves are behaving. Two ekgs down and two to go!! I also have been on a beta blocker for years and it seems to have kept my heart rate at bay. My next set of labs is the end of November and I would not hesitate to call my endo if something seems not so right.

Thanks again for the encouragement.

Sandy

[sandys1953]

in reply to: On ATD two years-plus? #1183759

Thanks for the food information. My diet does not consist of processed foods starting this week, as I am eating more veggies, fruits and lean meats. Figured I could give the whole foods a jump start. I have been on Methimazoline for over a week now and was told I should start feeling better within that week. But its been quite the opposite. I feel more nauseous, my heart rate is a little faster at times and I am quite tired still. I cant sleep at night and my muscles constantly ache. I know I may be expecting too much too soon, but the doctor did say I should see changes within the first week. I see my cardiologist tomorrow for my second EKG to make sure the Multaq and Methimazoline doesn’t interact.

Anybody’s thoughts?

Sandy

[sandys1953]

in reply to: On ATD two years-plus? #1183758

Thank you for the welcome and I so much look forward to everyone’s ideas and stories. We all know how our bodies feel and we know when something isn’t right.

Saw my cardiologist today and there is a concern with the Multaq (to prevent Afib) and the Methimazole. Seems that the two could cause issues with the QT interval of the heart, which is a measure of the time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave in the heart’s electrical cycle. I will receive an EKG for the next 4 weeks, then one a month for 3 months. By the end of the month, that should be enough time to see if the two meds will cause issues. But at least they will monitor my heart and if there is a significant change, even in the slightest, I will go off of the Multaq and see what is needed after that. Since I have had the Afib and hyper symptoms for about the same time frame, they think the Afib is a result of the thyroid issues. So if I get my thyroid in check, who knows, the Afib may be something of the past.

All I want to do is feel better; not be so run down, stop losing my hair, not have the feeling that my body inside is going faster than the outside, etc. Hopefully, the meds will work.

Has anyone modified their diet? I have been reading and found sites that say some foods are better not to eat and other site saying those particular foods are good for helping with Graves Disease. Any thoughts?

Sandy

[sandys1953]

in reply to: On ATD two years-plus? #1183753

Yesterday, I was diagnosed hyperthyroidism, graves disease, and started on meds. My results are as follows:
FT4 2.0 High
TSH .10 Low
Thyroid Stim Immunoglobin 312 High
T3 162 Normal

I have most of the symptoms, including A Fib, diagnosed 15 years ago and had most of the symptoms for over 20 years. Through the years, my physicians just dismissed them, although they would check my TSH occasionally and it was always in the low normal range. No other test would they run, but I still had most of the symptoms, and being hospitalized several times for AFIB. Recently, I’ve been under stress due to my 88 & 90 year old parents who are diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s, in which I am their only caregiver, even though there is a sibling of mine who wishes not to be involved. My daughter was diagnosed with Hashimotos a few months ago and I felt I needed to seek an Endo since my PCP was dragging and I have been so exhausted all the time. My PCP ordered routine blood tests, along with the TSH, which came back at .30, so I took myself to an Endo specialist. I am also to see my cardiologist tomorrow since I alerted him of my diagnosis. I am on Multaq and a beta blocker, so I am sure that should be adjusted so my heart rate doesn’t bottom out.

I have had symptoms for many years, but no one ever decided to listen to me, only relied solely on the TSH. But now I have a physician who seems to be more proactive with my Plan of Care.

I do want to look at my diet and at least try to choose foods in case some of what I eat may aggravate my situation. I have stomach issues with eating wheat and allergic to milk and milk products, so this will be a hefty challenge for me.

Finding this forum and organization made me feel that I wasn’t alone and I do hope that those of you out there who have suffered with Graves Disease will help shed some light for us newbies. My heart goes out to those who have had to deal with this disease for a long time and those newly diagnosed. Hopefully together, we can get through each day with a better outlook than the day before.

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