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in reply to: Anastrozole (Arimidex) affecting TSH level #1183173

The best person to ask is a pharmacist. The docs have pretty much turned over patient education about medications to the pharmacist. Having said that, I imagine your docs would have mentioned something to you of a known interaction, for both meds are common for women to take at the same time.

I take Arimdex, too, have taken it for 14 years (Stage 3B) I do not think there is any relationship. I have taken them both for so long. I think at one time I checked with pharmacy and they said no interactions. I have had no negative issues.

However, all the time, we are getting older,too. That is another variable.
Your current TSH (did they also do a T4?) can be a reason for your hypo symptoms. Was there an increase in your levothyroxine after you got that lab?

Your eye symptoms may be a mild TED, but again, I am just another Graves/TEd person, who is mostly telling you the things that I have experienced.

Here is a link that states no interaction.

http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/arimidex-with-levothyroxine-206-94-1463-0.html

Have a conversation with a pharmacist about this, and ask whoever is prescribing your thyroid med if they plan to increase the dose.
Shirley

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in reply to: Puzzling Symptoms? #1183127

connypie, I worry about the validity of vision therapy. TED is tED. THe eye muscles are sclerosed, big and fat, they do not contract and expand as they should. They just can’t DO IT. Since you are paying out of pocket, I am hoping you can explore this, and perhaps Kimberly knows something.

Another discouraging thing I have to say is that, while, your eyes are changing all the time, it is not the time go get glasses. I was told the polar opposite of what you are doing. Don’t waste your money. They may be fine for a week, then your eyes will change again (during TED) I sure hope this is NOT the case for you, and that they really help you.

Hoping Kimberly will jump in with her knowledge about vision therapy
Shirley

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in reply to: Puzzling Symptoms? #1183114

quick reply by me, so you get one before you see doc. As you can see below, I have been there,and done it all. The thyroid labs may be of academic interest to someone, but TED (thyroid eye disease) has a life all its’ own. Biggest thing is to treat the symptoms, dry eyes, patch one eye, see an eye doc WHO IS VERY VERY FAMILIAR WITH TED. I went to a neuro ophthalmologist, cause they really GET IT usually, have the right stuff to test eyes, staff is familiar.

Don’t know which doc you are seeing on monday, and I am addressing only your eyes, double vision. The endo won’t be treating that,and won’t want to.
Double vision made me crazy. Doc will not think you are crazy. Mention double vision first.

Other stuff, I will respond to later, don’t know the ranges of your labs, you are right about symptoms for hypo and hyper. Probably a super good physical is in order, too?

Anxiety is tough. Sometimes goes with thyroid stuff. If you have antibodies, you have ’em. Does not help with your SYMPTOMS. Thyroiditis should be ruled out by somebody.
gotta go to bed.
It does sound like you have TED, though, so get a diagnosis, use eye drops eye lubricant, read others posts, cover one eye to read or even to drive if you are seeing two of all, or don’t drive. I did, had an accident.
shirley

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in reply to: Please Read – Bulletin Board Coverage Through 10/6 #1183110

Kimberly, best wishes to you. Maybe you will feel well when you get home, and read books, relax, and get something done that you never have time to do!!!
Shirley

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in reply to: My teenager can’t handle meds. RAI or Sx #1183107

Just a beginning post, I have to leave so I will write more later. I realize your daughter is married, and apparently she is conflicted because her husband has, or is worried about, keloids. There are many variables that contribute to that, and they are rare because of the small sutures used. General surgeons who perform thyroidectomies are very good at what they do. Also, it is really not my business to say this, but this is your daughter’s decision, and I think she should do her research, move ahead and get the surgery. It IS much faster recovery. I had a thyroidectomy, was back doing everything in a month.

I can’t speak for RAI, other than I know you have to stay away from people for a few days. Personal experiences from others, are really helpful, so I hope several people write about their experiences.

Most important is that your daughter make decisions about her own body, and not do “oughts and shoulds” based on what others think, in any area of her life. But that is only my thought on this subject.

I will send a PM later, give you my email, address, and take a photo of my neck on my iPhone so you and your daughter, and maybe her husband, will look at it. IF I can find the incision, it is basically invisible.
Shirley, another Graves person.

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in reply to: Importance of TSH #1183101

i really don’t know the implications of a high TSH. But my understanding was that the chances of increased cardiac issues, especially a fib, occurred when the TSH was SUPPRESSED, not elevated. And also osteopenia and osteoporosis. Plus, with suppressed TSH, if the heart rate is super fast, with or without elevated BP, that is a concern.

I hope he gives you a good explanation of the physiology of it all. Kimberly had info that i did not know

It is a big puzzle with the other labs being in range. **Are you taking Synthroid, or one of the levothyroxines? Maybe you need more. Just do not know.

I certainly see why you are questioning all of this. Makes no sense.
Shirley

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in reply to: poor eye muscle control,part of graves? #1183091

Probably is TED, and probably you are in the active phase, your eyes are changing. I am speaking from my own experience.
You should see a neuro -ophthalmologist, if you can, and/or go to the eye doc familiar with graves. Yes, this is puzzling, since it is the eye doc you have seen all this time, so she knows your history. Is she AN OPTOMETRIST, or an ophthalmologist??? Optometrists should not treat or do any TED surgery. I imagine if an ophthalmologist, oculofacial surgeon, and/or pediatric ophthalmologist, propose surgery for medical reasons, (when you are ready for surgery) your insurance will most likely cover it. Just thinking this is likely.
I would like to be wrong.
Specifically, yes, “poor eye muscle control” IS thyroid eye disease. Unless strabismus in a little kid.
But, remember, I’m just another one of us!
Shirley

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in reply to: Graves’ and TED – Status update #1183067

I remember that it was very important for the muscles, swelling, etc, to heal completely from OD, BEFORE HAVING STRABISMUS surgery,and as I recall, I waited 4 months. That combined with post op measurements not changing, too. But I had only one OD for optic nerve issues, and I decided to wait for the other eye. Ended up not doing it, but saw them today, they would like to do the OD even now, but I think I cannot bear risking double vision again,and they cannot guarantee that i could close my eye in sleep…too messed up from failed graft to lower lid.
I’d just ask AGAIN, ask if he would do at 4 months, or even 5? Get some good reasons for that adamantly spoken time line!
Shirley

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in reply to: How about itchy eyelids? #1183072

Nope. I have had LOTS of eye issues, but not this one!
Itching is as bad as pain. Darn, sorry this is happening.
I’m guessing it is not thyroid.
But you also have probably eaten the same for years……..
Shirley

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in reply to: Graves and now period of a fib #1183035

Stacy. (reply to wilson below too) and brondack!
wow. with that opinion, that is confusing and tough!!
IF you have a fib it really is dangerous not to treat it. Once we have it, we HAVE IT.

However, just to be sure I did not miss anything, I re-read your posts, and I did find the “answer” in your first post. You have a DOCUMENTED record of the a fib episode from your stress echo.

So, my next question is,
did the cardiologist read the echo, the written report and the entire recording? And the echo is recording your heart the entire time, so it would pick it up
If he did not, I think this cardiologist is doing a huge disservice to you.

Believe me, I understand where you are coming from! Who wants to go through all this warfarin/lab/business for the rest of your life? Certainly not me! Nor you. I know better, but I have asked, several times, if I can just “forgetaboutit!” No way. Way too risky to have untreated a fib.

I have ONE documented episode of afib also. That’s it. Every echo, EKG (the EKG is a few seconds, and can read it right away) since my initial visit has been totally normal sinus rhythm (known as NSR0 and that means regular rate and rhythm. To complicate the scenario further, some people can “tell” when they are in a fib, some cannot. Most folks notice it.

I suggest if you ever feel this again, go immediately to wherever you can get a stat (immediate) EKG. If an ER or urgent care, or your own primary doc, darn near anyone can “do” an EKG. Or, is the cardiologist the same place where you had the echo?

I wish so much for you that it is only PVT. But I am concerned, and suspect you “do” have afib. How about a consult with the folks who did the original stress test?

I did wear (forgot the name, will find out) a very easy thing to record my heart for a MONTH. It is fairly expensive, and of course, for someone to read a months work of every heart beat, is a lot of work, takes a while to get the results.

@ wilson-if this happens again (wear a watch with a second hand at all times) take you pulse for a full minute, two minutes preferable, count the beats, and also notice if the RATE (beats) is regular. If the RATE is regular but super fast, you may have supra ventricular tachycardia, or perhaps paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia)
Neither as worrisome as a fib.

Then take it again, for at least a minute, notice of the RHYTHM is regular or irregular.
If you can, get an EKG when this is happening, know that is difficult. You might have a Holter monitor prescribed for 48 hours. It is a pain, but cheap and easy way to record all about your heart. It may show nothing, unless you have an episode. You just don’t know.

brondack! super cool re the marathon. Glad you totally recovered from your MI. THAT is a big deal
shirley

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in reply to: Hi I`m a newbie and would really appreciate some advice. #1182981

To Stacy, just a note about diet. I find it totally unrelated to Grave’s. In the U.S, it seems everybody and their brother is deciding they are gluten intolerant. It is a big boon for the grocery stores, that is for sure! this is my totally biased opinion on this subject.
But if you feel better on it, do it, and take some time to figure out what “feel better” means. Cause you have a LOT going on right now!!!!
Best of the best, looking forward to hearing from you again

To Joy
I also have a fib. Also on warfarin. Better to have it treated, than not. But I don’t like it
I think the U.S guidelines for post RAI are a bit less strict, about being around growing kids. But if you can manage the rules they have, then do it. Easy to stay away from pregnant women for 10 days.

Do keep writing! I was a Matron (Bromsgrove, England) for a couple years the year they began admitting girls! THAT was quite an experience!
Shirley

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in reply to: I lower my Levo and my TSH drops even MORE! #1183001

Wow, Sue. This is so very, very weird.
I have a suppressed TSH, regardless of what I do. UNLESS I lower it to 88mcg, then I have gastroparesis, cannot eat, flunked the stomach emptying all day test. We are trying to lower it again, cause I DO have osteoporosis (and got it in my late 50’s,) and I also developed a fib, which is a risk when hyPER> but, I am NOT hyper, if anything absolutely not one symptom of hyper. I have forgotten the T3 and T4, will look up, probably not post until Wednesday. Tomorrow is crazy. On one of my botched lower eyelid surgeries, my lower eyelid is turned IN so eyelashes grow into my eye, is painful, hurts my corner, so i have them yanked out..tomorrow at 0900!

I think you did a good job by calling the office, then doing some moderate meeting halfway! The other thing I have never done before, is to take different mcg on different days. Happy to do that, i set up meds ahead of time. right now, 112 mcg TWTh and 100mcg the other days…..
Shirley

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in reply to: OD is done! #1183059

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! So happy for you.
Shirley

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in reply to: Finally scheduled for OD surgery! #1183047

Hi gatorgirly, it sure has been a long haul for both of us,and others on the forum. I am thinking that the number of muscles they manipulate, which bones they remove, i.e., how many “Walls” they do, relates to the recovery period.
Been a while, I would need to ask about this again. How are you? Job ok?
I don’t know if GDTF will ever have a national conference again, but I sure did love them. If they do, I’ll go wherever it is.
Shirley

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in reply to: 3 year old with graves #1177605

She should be seeing a pediatric neurologist. Can you find on in your area??
Shirley

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