[sarabear0508]

in reply to: Treatment issues #1074598

Shebaj,

Hi! My pcp was really bad also and she wouldn’t give me the referral needed to see to the endo. You need to find a new pcp. I felt like the doctor would time our sessions just to make sure she would get paid …then the appt was over. She missed the fact my thyroid was inflamed and swollen…she missed a lot of important things that ….if she would have taken the time…she would have noticed. Graves’ is nothing to fool around with.

I have medicaid also, and it’s very easy to get a new doctor. You might want to call your health plan and ask if you can see a different endo…one that isn’t as booked and has better time slots available. You have only seen that endo once so it would be a great time to switch since you haven’t established a relationship with this one. Once you find an endo you like…and one that is actively treating you, stick with it!

As for the anxiety meds…I refused to take them also. I have a three your old and I can’t be drugged. Plus I was worried about dependency. I felt they were trying to treat my symptoms not my disease!
STAND YOUR GROUND. ONLY YOU KNOW YOUR BODY! If you feel this isn’t the route you want to take than don’t. You have to feel comfortable with what you put in your body. There were many times the doctors would prescribe meds for things I felt were ridiculous, I would refuse…then come to find out…..I didn’t need those meds because I had something different then what the docs thought! "To thine own self be true!" is a quote my dad taught me since I was young!

You will get through this but, first you have to get a medical team that’s tailored to you! A team that you feel listen to you and understand your body. When you establish that team, they all work together to formulate a wellness plan just for you. I just met with my new pcp and she was great.So now I just have to find a good endo, I’m waiting for a call back to schedule an appt.

Keep your head up…and don’t give up.
Best of luck to you!

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: Looking for stories #1074646

Hi Jessica,

I know you will find my story very interesting. I just turned 20 in November. There is So much to tell you, instead of trying to type it all..go to the board index and look for messages by sarabear0508..that’s me…there you will find parts of my life. I will also send you a private message with an e-mail more about me! I think this younger generation needs to stick together and encourage each other. Thanks for stepping up.

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: Need Womans Advice #1074657

Thanks Cathy!

I can’t take birth control pills. I tried 4 different types, each made feel horrible. I was vomiting, dizzy and couldn’t drive, moody and felt like turning myself inside out! So that options out. I prefer calling it what you said…"disorder!" Sounds a lot less scary. I’m waiting eagerly to hear from the endo. I changed doctors and they call the endo and the endo calls you to schedule an appt. I’ve never heard of that until now. So I’m caring the phone around with me!! I will let you know what happens. Thanks for writing back.

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: Need Womans Advice #1074654

Thanks Lynn!

Did you have pain? Or just lumps?
My friends a nurse and she said that your lymph nodes are part of the endocrine system and my have gone wacky with everything else! When I don’t have pain…it’s nothing….just lumps…like you said. I was told to take evening prim rose oil, because it’s proven to help.

Thanks

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: PTU QUESTIONS! #1074766

THANKS!

How are you doing? Hope all is well.

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: HELP ME! #1074788

I’m really hungry now! I LOVE chocolate.
Actually I ‘m eating Dove chocolate now!!!

And nothing goes better with chocolate than raspberries!

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: HELP ME! #1074786

Thanks Shadowrider!

I stay away from milk because it doesn’t agree with my stomach. But I am going to the health food store this weekend to see what they have. I forgot about that store! I’m sure I will be able to find something I like!

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: finding it hard to cope #1074679

WOW!
I just turned twenty and I have just recently been diagnosed. I began by getting up in the morning and start throwing up. Once I started I couldn’t stop. I was a prisoner in my own body. I had the scope because they first thought it was my colon, the they thought it was an ulcer. During that time my son passed away and I was going through a terrible divorce with my toddler Blake who is three. I literally thought about volunteering to go to the psych ward if it meant I could live in my own skin! I felt I had lost it and would never get back to normal. The vomiting continued. So one day I saw my gastro doc and just broke down crying because I was sick of the results ALWAYS showing NOTHING! I lost twenty lbs and weighed 100 lbs by then. I went wks with out eating just about anything. Maybe some bread or crackers. They said I would eventually be hospitalized because my body was shutting down. He said…" wait…have you ever had your thyroid checked?" I said no, I hadn’t. After that I had my blood taken . I didn’t hear back so I assumed that those test, like the others came back normal. I happened to have an appt with my general practitioner two wks later and she said well lets discuss your test results. ( that same doc left the practice and I had to see another doc who was terrible.) That’s when I found out I had a thyroid problem. SO after many tests, I was diagnosed with Graves. WHAT A RELIEF! I started meds and a beta-blocker. With the PTU I’ve stopped loosing my hair and I am regaining my intestinal health. I havn’t thrown up in a month.! I’m extremely tired and have other symptoms but nothing like it was. I completely understand where you are coming from. I am divorced now and my stress levels aren’t what they were, and that has help considerably.

Keep your head up. Get a good endocrinologist and find coping skills that help deal with the stress.
Best of luck.

I’m here if you ever want to talk.

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: depression #1074692

Hi

I would talk to your doctor about an anti-depressant giving the state of things. They can really help you mood improve. Once the dark cloud of depression hits it can be nearly impossible to lift it..( or so it feels) you need a good support group… US HERE.. ON THIS BOARD. We are here to listen and struggle with you. You need to try and keep perspective which I know is hard. There is always someone out there that has it worse. Eating healthy and exercising is really important also. I know you don’t want to move out of bed, let alone talk about activity. But the truth of the situation is, you have to force yourself. You have to tell your self that you are a strong person and you’re going to beat this. Your will power has to kick in. If you alienate yourself from society and school and work your just making it worse on yourself. Even though you don’t want to you must because in the long run it will help. I’m so sorry that you are at a low point right now. But you have the rest of your life ahead of you, don’t limit yourself.

Ps: A great trick to beating depression is to make a list. Make a list of all your worries and problem. Then on the other side write possible solutions to those problems. Then make a list of all that you have and are grateful for.
What makes you a great friend? What are you good at? What are some of your accomplishments you are proud of? etc…. It puts thing in perspective. It shows you the things you forget about..the things that are important!

I’m here to listen any time you want to vent!

Or e-mail me: sosmundsen@yahoo.com

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: PTU QUESTIONS! #1074760

Does anyone on these meds have headaches? I had my eyes tested and there fine. I keep getting these debilitating headaches. Any ideas why and what else I could do? Ibuprofen 800 won’t even wrk, or take the edge off. They get bad enough that I get nauseous and if I can’t lay down to sleep I fell as if I could throw up.

Thanks

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: Where can I get help if I don’t have any insurance? #1075462

I agree with asking your state about medicaid and medicare. I am on medicaid and it’s the best insurance EVER! It covers just about everything and I have no co-pay. All my prescriptions are free. I have Midwest Health Plan but you can also have straight medicaid etc…. Whatever you do, don’t give up. You may have to make a million phone calls but it will pay off.

Best of luck.

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: HELP ME! #1074784

Susan,

WOW! That’s awesome! It makes perfect sense! I usually have my day care girls here in my home so it would be very easy to make some snacks for myself. I’m going to try exactly what you said, and see what happens. I didn’t think about timing my meals to have fuel for the day. Considering I can’t gain weight…WHY NOT! I use to be 120lbs. I dropped down to 100lbs when I was first afflicted with Graves. I’m back to 114lbs and look much better! I would like to gain more, but I just can’t. I’ve never found a protein drink that I liked. Most I had to gag down, and then I felt nauseous. Any suggestions? Thanks alot for the advice. Do you think I should get into see a dietitian?

Thanks so much

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: New here #1074740

PS: What meds are you on?

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: New here #1074739

Tara,

One things that stood out to me was your spine aches. I would make sure to follow that closely. I know what you mean about ACHE! I have been on PTU for 2 and a half wks. Several days ago I began having unbearable pain in my lower legs and my knees would give out. It’s was out of the blue that this all began happening. When I talked to the pharmacist she said it’s a side effect of the meds. Considering your spine is hurting make sure you follow up with your doctor. You may be able to try a different route if you find it’s from the meds.

Best of luck.
Keep in touch.

Ps: I recommend this book to literally EVERYONE. It will give you SO many solid answers and comfort.

THE THYROID SOLUTION by, Rhida Ahrem M.D

Here is what the book covers. Each chapter is jammed packed with great information and many sub-topics also.

PART 1
* THE EMERGING MIND-THYROID CONNECTION: HOW A TINY ENDOCRINE GLAND INTIMATELY AFFECTS YOUR MOOD,EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIOR!*
~ Thyroid Imbalance: a Hidden Epidemic
~ Stress and Thyroid Imbalance:
~ Hypothyroidism: When the Thyroid is Under active
~Hyperthyroidism: When the Thyroid is overactive
~ Thyroid Imbalance- Beating Depression, Anxiety and Mood Swings
~Medicine from the Body: Thyroid hormone as an anti-depressant.

PART2
*NO- YOU’RE NOT MAKING IT UP! COMMON EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL INTERACTIONS.*
~Weight, Appetite and Metabolism: The Thyroid and your sex life
~Hormones of Desire: The thyroid and relationships collide.
~Overlapping Symptoms and Syndromes: Fatigue-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Hypoglycemia and Fibromyalgia

PART3
*WOMAN’S THYROID PROBLEMS. YOU’RE SYMPTOMS ARE NOT ALL IN YOUR HEAD!
~ Premenstrual Syndrome and Menopause: Turning the cycles
~ Infertility and Miscarriage: is your thyroid a factor?
~ Postpartum Depression: The hormonal link

PART4
*DIAGNOSING AND TREATING COMMON THYROID DISORDERS; THE JOURNEY TO WELLNESS
~ What you need to know about thyroid tests
~ Treatment and Imbalance
~Curing the lingering effects of thyroid imbalance
~ The New t4/t3 Protocol- " It made me feel better ALL over!"
~Living with thyroid eye disease
~ Thyroid Cancer: Curable and Anguishing
~ Eight Steps for the future- How to promote a better understanding of Thyroid,Mind, Body and Mood.

I hope this helps!

[sarabear0508]

in reply to: New to Graves and struggling with life… #1075396

Jill,

Welcome to the group. I don’t have much time but I just wanted to say; I’m thinking of you and your not alone as you’ve seen. People here care and will listen to your problems. I’m relatively new and I’m flabbergasted at how everyone has great advice, love and acceptance. Just remember on bad days, " Life’s not about learning to survive the storm…but learning to dance in the rain." Thing will get better. Get rest and feel better!

Much love,

[Author]

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