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in reply to: Beta Blockers – Has anyone been on them long term? #1176311

There are lots of beta blocker choices, so I suggest checking with your doc for another one out of that family. All beta blockers, or any other hypertensive drug, should not be discontinued abruptly, there should be a taper and a gradual weaning, as Bobbi said.
I have read on the boards and also looked it up, but never experienced, the relationship between lipid levels and metoprolol. The beta blocker I take is Coreg, or carvedilol. There are so many of them, so work with your docs to get the right one for you.
Might be a good idea to have one cardiology work up too. Have you considered that?
Were you told by a doc that there is a relationship between a beta blocker and glucose levels? I find that hard to believe. Maybe ask that question again, get clarification.
I don’t think we get addicted or dependent on beta blockers. We are far better off without a fast heart rate and high blood pressure. So many people are on them for years, for that reason.
Shirley

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in reply to: Singers and TT #1176278

It is called the recurrent laryngeal nerve, I believe. I have the dictated description of my thyroidectomy from years ago. What the surgeons do, is identify the structures that need to be noted. Same with an OD for an orbital decompression. THe optic nerve is identified, along with other cranial nerves.
This pretty much is true for most procedures. So, as Bobbi says, a skilled surgeon is needed. Like most things, when you do something all the time, you get really good at it.
Since this is definitely a concern, I would be sure to find a surgeon who does a lot of TT’s, which I am sure you plan to do, and ask him/her directly to direct this concern, and if it has ever been a problem.
Shirley

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in reply to: Singers and TT #1176275

I knew someone a long time ago, who sang, and had a TT. She had not problems. Sometimes, for about a week, there is a little swelling in your neck, the normal stuff that happens with an incision. Goes away fast. CAn’t provide her name, cause I have not kept track of her through the years.
Shirley

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in reply to: why ct scan instead of MRI? #1176260

I had the same two surgeons for my OD. Had a special one, probably like gatorgirly had, right before my OD.
Shirley

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in reply to: why ct scan instead of MRI? #1176258

I have CD’s of my orbital CT scans. They clearly show the enlarged and fibrosed muscles of the eye. And the orbital fat. I have dealt with TED for over 3 years (or is it 3 centuries??) and no MRI has been ordered.
Check with you doc, as Kimberly suggested.
My own experiences suggests that you might be mistaken about orbital CT’s.

Ct’s are ordered with and without contrast. I had mine without.
Shirley

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in reply to: Paralyzed by anxiety #1176222

Graves’ or no Graves’. The treadmill incident would have put me ’round the bend, and I would have felt very stressed about it until I had some answers.
Good job, Amy, and the outcome is great.
I LOVED Les Mis. So glad you liked it a lot, too.
I just got back to Seattle. More later.
Shirley

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in reply to: (Link Removed) #1176230

When I have the time to review it carefully, I’ll PM you with some thoughts.
Well respected is a broad and general term, I think, and from a valid and scientific view, she does not fill the academic standards. But she writes well, and is easy to read, which people like, and that is easy to understand.
Shirley

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in reply to: Creatinine levels elevated…? Thyroxine or kidney failure #1176252

There are routine tests for kidney FUNCTION. I don’t know, she may have said that, not failure. I’d take it easy, call the doc who ordered the tests, there are numerous reasons a creatinine could be elevated. You can/should ask if it is related to Graves’ (i don’t think so) and/or any meds you are taking. ATD’s are more noted for increased liver function labs than kidney.
Shirley

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in reply to: Advice on primary care doctor selection #1176254

I suggest internal med. family practice doc are good however in some places their practice includes OB and peds. The chance of getting an internal
Med doc increase a bit that they will be more familiar with Graves
Good to end up w endo sooner or later to begin

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in reply to: Creatinine levels elevated…? Thyroxine or kidney failure #1176251

First I’d call the doc who ordered the labs to get accurate information This lab one measurement of many that can indicate little without medical guidance
I imagine the caller said or should have said kidney function not failure
Speak to the doc directly try not to worry a lot a out this in the meantime
You need more info from doc And do give more info to the doc.
Shirley

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in reply to: Flying #1176261

Did this happen before Graves’too? Are you just diagnosed?
I am not aware of Any relationship. Nor has it been mentioned by my docs
I am not prone to have headaches.
Shirley

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in reply to: Achy and paranoid… O.O #1176244

Super Very rare.
It’s good to remember that this is the “time of year” to get sniffles, snuffles and flu. There is a very cool map by CDC of the US, showing the pattern of this year’s flu. YOu can look up your state, she how it is moving along. Generally, has hit the east coast and south hard, not so much on the west coast.
And, as Bobbi says, if you get worse, see your primary care doc, give a good history of how you feel and your meds.
Shirley

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in reply to: Paralyzed by anxiety #1176217

Hi Amy, yes, I think calling the customer service folks about the treadmill is a good thing to do. Having said that, dealing with customer service can be VERY frustrating. I hope that turns out ok, and I suspect it will. I suggest you ask about the return policy, for you might even be able to simply exchange it, since a part was missing initially. Hope it goes well.

Hard to separate anxiety re “life” and anxiety re hyper, so good advice by Kimberly to consider asking for labs if you see yourself getting more hyper.
Shirley

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in reply to: Against medical advice?? ugh! #1176195

Stacy, I realize you were thinking through your whole deal in your last post. Free flow of thought written down is a great way to try to synthesize where you are. I do the same thing, it is helpful. It is really a good one, does a great job describing your thought and how you are doing, and how treating this Graves’ thing we all have is frustrating.

Of course, Bobbi is right on in her comment, and I am sure you realize this.

I went through four endocrinologists before I found the right one for me. It is a lifetime relationship, that is for sure. Another thing to consider, is there are no definitive “givens” AT ALL in doses, amount of ATD’s, etc. Same with RAI and same with prescribing thyroid hormone. The docs begin someplace, use as much information as they can, and you and the doc try to make some sense of your symptoms and your labs (this applies to all of us.)

The days are passing fast, so I’d spend them compiling some bullet points for your next appointment, so you can really get optimal use of your time with your doc. Definitely, if your rash gets worse, or you develop more hypo or hyper symptoms, call and report them, being sure it is written in your chart, and asking for a call back if you are really scared or concerned.

I understand your frustration, do share it with your doc, give the relationship another try, and/or consider trying another endo.
Believe me, I have not had a smooth ride with either Graves’ or TED, with the disease processes or with some docs.
Shirley

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in reply to: (Link Removed) #1176226

Hi Stacy,
I wrote a relatively long email about this article, and somehow lost it.
This one will be short.
The person who wrote this article is a medical technologist or medical technician. She is as qualified to write an article like this as I am. And I am not at all qualified.
She worked in a lab, she had Graves’. That’s about it. There is misinformation in this article. Some of it would be absolutely contraindicated and/or harmful in the treatment of Graves’.There are not references, it is far from academic. It is not dated.
If you look at the side bar, there is further evidence which shows that this not a very respectable reference source.
Shirley

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