[Stephster]

in reply to: First lab results back – can’t interpret them #1064232

Hi guys

Not first time – found you all about 4 weeks ago, and am very grateful I did.

Long story short. I have been having symptoms since about January, in February my GP diagnosed me with anxiety/depression. In retrospect my symptoms got worse and worse, until my hair was falling out, I had diarrheoa, severe palpitations, racing heart, severe sweating, etc. The only thing was I was GAINING weight.
Anyway, went on holiday and doctor there diagnosed me straight away with severe hyperthyroidism, with free T3 and T4 very elevated and TSH < 0.01.
I since saw an endocrinologist approx 4 weeks ago, and was put on 40mg carbimazole and beta blockers. Went back to see him last week. My bloods have now come back as free thyroxine as 11.4 pmol/L ad TSH remains below 0.01. No antibodies. Have been on 20mg carbimazole for about 1 week now. Synptoms MUCH better, no more palpitations, although I am still SO hot and hungry all the time. 10lb weight gain in 3 weeks – aaargh…..

Really trying to remain positive about getting better, and then dieting again, but I only lost most of my babyweight recently ” title=”Sad” />.

[Stephster]

in reply to: Itchiness and funny eyes #1064320

P.s. on an unrelated but in retrospect funny note. I already wound up in the Minor Injuries unit of my hospital last night. My little boy pulled over the standard lamp which hit me on the head at high velocity, whilst I was trying to have a quiet cup of coffee on the sofa.
I have a lovely bruise, but not otherwise no harm done – the standard lamp, however, is beyond repair !

[Stephster]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed and only the internet for information #1064502

Well I decided today that I may be chubby but that shouldn’t let that hold me back anymore. I am going to concentrate on getting healthy and then on getting thinner again.
So I have been and gone blonder, and bought some nice clothes rather than waiting to fit back into my old ones !
I also took my little boy for a nice walk in the English countryside, and met my friend for a cream tea ” title=”Smile” />.
I am still a little self conscious when out in public at how sweaty and hot I get. Everyone else was walking round wearing jackets today, and there was me in a vest top still looking flushed. I think the being permanently hot is one of the most annoying symptoms. I have got paranoid and started carrying round deodorant with me everywhere I go. In retrospect this was one of my first noticeable symptoms – I have always felt the cold and am a Raynaud’s sufferer !
Incidentally, does anyone feel more clumsy since being diagnosed ? I am forever tripping over things, knocking things over, dropping things. My memory is also terrible and I have become somewhat scatty. Being a teacher, I noticed about 3/4 year ago that I was forgetting what I was saying, or searching for a word whilst talking. Is this the ‘brain fog’ that others have been talking about ? I just put it down to being tired and stressed before.
Also, do people’s symptoms get worse when stressed. I had a pretty stressful day on Tuesday, and my muscle aches/pains came back with a vengeance ?
Wish I could make the conference. The dates are right as it falls into my half term, but sadly it would cost too much ! It would be good to meet up with others.

[Stephster]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed and only the internet for information #1064500

Thank you for all the info – it’s really helpful to have some input from other people who have experienced this illness either directly or indirectly.
I have decided to cut back on the coffee, as I think giving up completely would make me far too crabby !
Glad to have found you guys and to be part of this forum:).

Steph

[Stephster]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed and only the internet for information #1064494

Hi again everyone

Thank you for being so welcoming !

I am feeling a lot more positive today, as I feel I am starting to take some positive action, and also having found this forum really helps.

I got my husband to read the FAQ section last night, so that he has a better understanding to. I think it can be quite hard for family and friends to really understand what it is like – and I imagine I have been a little hard to live with over the past 6 months !

I have a question for you guys. In Europe it is usual for doctors to treat with anti thyroid drugs for 18 months to see if remission can be achieved . My doc says this happens in about 50% of cases. Apparently if this doesn’t happen I can try drugs for another 18 months, but of course there is always the danger of side effects, or radio active iodine. I understand that in the States, doctors are more likely to advocate RAI or removal earlier on, using the drugs to stabilise first. Is this correct ? Also, what are the advantages/disadvantages of each approach – speaking from personal experience .

Also on a more trivial note. I love coffee, and have really tried to cut down since my diagnosis. Would there be any benefit in cutting it out completely ? If there is, I will, reluctantly.
Did anyone else crave chocolate and other sweet things ? I am usually more of a savoury person, but have been really craving it. My diet has always been pretty healthy, but these cravings have been a feature now for about 6 months, especially at night. I actually wake up and raid the fridge.
What kind of exercise can I do ? Is body pump too much ? How high can my heart rate go ?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but the consultant hasn’t been that helpful.

Thanks

Steph

[Stephster]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed and only the internet for information #1064491

Thanks Kimberly ” title=”Smile” />.

We live slap bang in the middle of the UK, about 90 miles north of London. It’s only 1 hour on the train.

I only stumbled on this site by accident, but have been doing lots of catching up on the bulletin board already. It’s good to know that others have my symptoms/concerns. It sort of hit me last week, that yes I am actually ill and that I have a condition – I have actually given myself ‘permission’ to be ill now and am no longer pushing myself all the time. I have always been one of those get up and go, get things done sort of people, and have tried to maintain that even whilst feeling terrible. I had the urge to just keep going as ‘normal’.
I am no longer worrying so much about getting back to the gym ( not been for a few months ) and not fitting into my clothes.

I took the step of letting my friends know, just to explain why I have been so unsociable and irritable of late. Today I went to see Personnel at work to talk things through with them. I am a teacher ( 16-19 year olds ), and the job is stressful. I don’t need the extra stress of my line manager going mad, because I need to go for blood tests or am not at my best !

I feel like I am getting things back under control ! Thanks for letting me talk this out ” title=”Very Happy” />

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