[SharieS]

in reply to: Insomia relief? #1061203

Hi Mike,
Sorry to respond so late, but I am not reading posts very often anymore.
Regarding finding someone who does hypnosis, I researched in the area I live in. They can be used to influence your behaviour and choices for many things. Mine has 20 yrs experience and a good reputation. It was the first time I had ever tried it.

He recorded an actual session of mine, and that is what I listen to every night. It is like undergoing a light hypnosis everynight, but it works……. and I have been sleeping, usually 6 to 7 hours/night. No medication hangover or drowsiness, as he said I will awaken feeling well rested and re-juvenated and ready to face the day! During hypnosis, you are aware of what is being said (both during and afterwards), but during the session you are in an altered state of consciousness, so you are absorbing all the things they are teaching you…….in my case, how to relax my mind and body, so that I can fall asleep. My friend used it to quit smoking (in 1 session), and another friend used it to improve the mental aspect of their golf game. My therapist also helps movie stunt men/women to have confidence and no fear. Hypnotherapy is being used for many things.

I’m grateful it worked for me, but probably would never have tried it except that I was desperate after having slept poorly for 2 years.
I hope you get your rest, with or without meds.
Sharie

[SharieS]

in reply to: Insomia relief? #1061196

Hi Mike,

I’ve had problems sleeping since I was diagnosed with Graves in March 2009. Prior to that, I always slept well. I was treated with Methimazole for 2 yrs, and have been off meds now since April 2011. My bloodwork is okay and I have been well…….the only problem was the insomnia. I was willing to try anything (except medications), so last April I went for hypnosis therapy. I had 4-1hour sessions, and he also made me a 1/2 hour relaxation tape. I have listened to that tape everynight at bedtime, just put it on my ipod. I have slept well ever since, and have not taken any drugs for sleep. I am also a type A personality, so I never knew how to relax or meditate. Had never meditated a day in my life, so I wasn’t sure I could calm my mind enough to sleep. Now, I generally fall asleep about 1/2 way through the tape, and have on rare occasion heard the actual ending of the tape. I still fall asleep listening to it every night.
I was very skeptical when I went for my first session, and I know it sounds like an odd thing to do, but being able to sleep has changed the quality of my life for sure.

I wish you well.

[SharieS]

in reply to: Weaning from beta blocker? #1071063

Emily, I only had hand tremors for the first month after I was diagnosed, then they just went away. I hope yours goes away soon.
Knitlit, it was my beta blocker that I weaned off in April. I am still on my Methimazole, but only 5mg daily (at my worst, I was on 30mg). I was told that I would be on this dose for 4 weeks, then will probably be maintained on 2.5mg as my longterm dose (next 2 yrs). It is no problem to take just 1 pill a day!!! I don’t even think about it anymore…..it’s like taking a vitamin.

Have a great day!

Sharie

[SharieS]

in reply to: Weaning from beta blocker? #1071060

Hi Emily,

I was on a low dose beta blocker for just over 2 months. My BP was always low and once my FT4 came down, my endo wanted me to wean off it. I did it slowly over 2 weeks and took my last dose on April 29th. I felt a little anxious each day that I made a dosage change, but the feeling passed and my body seemed to adjust to the lower dosage. I did check my pulse and it was always fine.

I have since been seeing a trainer and have been running 3 miles now, 2 to 3 times/week and weight training 3 times/week. My muscle mass is almost back to normal after just 31/2 weeks of this. I am not young (by age), I’m turning 46 soon, but the body has great ability to recover!!

I was tired of being at home (in Canada) so my husband and I are on vacation for 2 weeks, and enjoying golfing in sunny Arizona at the moment!!!
Take Care….you will get to the point where you feel well.

Sharie

[SharieS]

in reply to: Tapzaole #1071327

Hi,
My endo told me it would take 10 to 14 days before I would start to feel better. It did take about 2-3 weeks before I noticed that I was less shakey and sleeping better (I was on 30mg of Tapazole). I was quite weak for the first 4 weeks after I started the meds and lost a lot of weight (have since re-gained it). My levels were very high, so I probably was sick long before I was diagnosed. My quad muscles in my legs used to shake just walking down the stairs (felt like jello). I felt a lot better by my 4 week visit, so he said I could start light exercise (my levels were close to normal). I am off the beta blocker and have started light cardio and strength training. I am seeing a personal trainer twice a week and exercising on my own twice a week. I lost so much muscle that I felt I needed help to re-gain the strength that I lost. Getting better and feeling healthy has become my main focus. I am now starting my 8th week on Tapazole (Methimazole) and had my dose reduced after 4 weeks. I am quite active now and feel more like myself. ” title=”Very Happy” /> I see my endo again next week…..I am hoping that my levels will be normal and he will reduce my dose again.
Good Luck with your meds.

[SharieS]

in reply to: New to Grave’s and need advice #1071727

Hi,
I was diagnosed in March and have been on Methimazole for almost 6 weeks. My thyroid hormone levels were very high and I felt quite sick. I have never needed any medication before and was scared to take the Methimazole and Propanolol, but am glad I did. My Dr. says he treats quite aggressively with meds at first to get the levels down. After only 2 weeks on them, I felt noticeably better, with no side effects (I always take it with food). At my 1 month checkup, he reduced my Methimazole to 20 mg and said I could start exercising to strengthen my weak muscles (I lost a lot of muscle mass). I enjoy gardening and golfing, and since it’s spring, I have been doing hours of gardening with no problems. I have hit some golf balls, but haven’t out to play yet as I have to have stamina for 4 hours. I can honestly say that I feel quite well most of the time now and have been weaning the propanolol and should be off of it next week. Since my levels are coming down (not normal yet, but close), my weight is steady and my eyes feel normal. I had very dry, gritty eyes when my hormone levels were very high. I know some people have not been so lucky and have suffered quite a bit, but you will get better, it just takes time. I was the most impatient person when I was really hyper, but thankfully that and the hair loss is much improved. ” title=”Very Happy” />

Best Wishes,
Sharie

[SharieS]

in reply to: thyroid storm vs. panic attack #1072059

Hi Emily,
I was diagnosed around the same week as you, and have been on Methimazole 30mg daily for 4 weeks. I have also been worried about having a thyroid storm, and asked my endo on my last visit if I should be concerned because my FT4 was off the charts….very high. He told me that he has a 1,000 thyroid patients, and has only had 1 thyroid storm. I felt much better just hearing that. Like you, I am starting to feel much better now that I’m on meds, but I have to say that I have some bad days still, where I feel quite anxious for no reason. I hope you start to feel better soon.
Sharie

[SharieS]

in reply to: GD & Joint pain / loose joints..any link #1072425

I was recently diagnosed with GD as well. I haven’t experienced any joint problems, but I have the dry gritty eyes. I read a post by someone (sorry, but I forget who) to use eye drops for dry eyes that do not contain preservative. They are single use drops that are quite expensive, compared to the other kind, but they have helped me immensely. They are not prescription and I bought them at the local drugstore. I have been using them for the past week whenever my eyes feel dry, and have not had that gritty feeling since. It is much more comfortable now that they aren’t so dry.

[SharieS]

in reply to: Do I need to go on a low iodine diet for my GD? #1072465

Thank you all, I sure appreciate your feedback.

I am learning to cope with all the things Graves Disease throws at me, but giving up so much food has been particularly difficult (especially the sushi). I will continue to hold off on some of these foods until I’m no longer in the hyper stage. I’m glad to hear that a LID is not required. I’ve decided to just go the ATD route for now…. for the next 18 months anyway (a little scared of RAI and surgery).

[SharieS]

in reply to: Trying to gain weight but no luck #1072487

Hi, I have had noticeable weight loss (bones starting to stick out-can see every rib), although I didn’t get as low as you, I went down to 48kg. I am normally around 52 kg. I am not exercising at all (still hyper) and I have been eating double portions at every meal, and making sure I eat something every 2 hours. In the past week, I have stopped the weight loss, and have gained 1kg! I don’t always feel like eating, but force myself to do so. I haven’t been taking any meal supplement drinks as the smell makes me nauseated. I am hoping that when my Methimazole starts to work, my weight loss will stop and I won’t have to eat so much food.

[SharieS]

in reply to: Itchy skin #1072544

I also have this problem with itchy skin. At first I thought it was due to the cold winter and dry skin, then I was diagnosed with GD (March 13th) and was thinking it was due to my medication. I don’t take any medication for it, and I don’t have a rash. The itchiness can occur almost anywhere and will go away only to re-occur in different spots! It doesn’t cause me a lot of distress, it is more annoying than anything else.
Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone! If you find out a definitive cause, please let us know.

[SharieS]

in reply to: I’m a new member-with a new problem #1072575

No the Dr. did not know whether the purplish discoloration would go away or not. I’ve decided to not look at my gums, that way I won’t worry about them! ” title=”Smile” /> It seems this disease gives you more than enough other things to worry about!

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