[TammyB]

in reply to: Need links explaining Grave’s and symptoms #1171612

Really sorry to hear of your troubles at work. You know I can understand 100% what you are going through. Not to be a downer, but some people, even with the facts in their hands just don’t care. My director was very knowledgeble on GD, she and I discussed tx options several times. I guess business is business and jerks are jerks! Sorry I must have a bit of pent up anger today. Don’t give up though. By the way thanks for the prayers and encouragement, I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well.

[TammyB]

in reply to: New for forum, diagnosed with Graves and Hyperactive thyroid #1171571

Hello and welcome, several things in your post sounded so familar to me so I can relate where you are at right now. As has already been mentioned please do not put off treatment. I know first hand where that can lead, for me it was in the hospital in heart failure. I don’t want to say that to scare you and I had other medical issues as well that most likely helped push me into the heart failure. I was very up and down and hard to regulate on the Methimazole so I did end up having the RAI tx done last August. As for the actual physical part of taking the RAI it was nothing. Leading up to the RAI I was taken off meds for 2-3wks prior. Had to have all the uptake scans and ultrasounds repeated and met with the radiologist to discuss the importance of following the instructions afterwards. Things like maintaining a certain distance away from people for a few days, separate eating utensils, keeping laundry separate. Just little things like that to reduce exposure to others. For me I also had to be off work about 10 days-which is longer than most need to be. At the time was working with babies or around pregnant women and just did not want any potential exposure at all. The actual day of tx went to the nuclear med dept, was given a vial with 2 capsules in it and told to put them directly into my mouth (not in my hand first) and to drink a whole glass of water afterwards. That was it, no pain, no problems swallowing out of there in maybe 5 min. Have to say the only thing that really bothered me was that there were so many people (maybe 5 or 6) in the room just watching me do this (I suppose this was a security thing-making sure I did not run off with the vial like some mad woman). Went home, curled up with a book, my laptop and the remote and that was it.
I realize this seems kind of long and rambling (which I’m good at) but this time it was intentional. When I first heard of RAI-I had no idea and was scared out of my mind. Hearing radioactive, I was thinking like cancer radiation therapy. Was worried about burns on my neck, the pain-things that did not apply to this at all. Hope this may be of some help.

[TammyB]

in reply to: Pregnancy and PTU / 17 weeks #1171578

Just wanted to say Hi and congratulations. I was dx about 2yrs ago and my last “baby” will be 21yrs in 2 days, so I don’t have any personal experience to give. However on one of my previous post (I believe it was about Adverse effects of Methimazole) Alexis had responded with some great info on taking ATDs during pregnancy/nursing. Might be of some interest to you. Sounds like you are following your md’s advice and are being monitored appropriately and have a healthly lifestyle with a good support system -so keep up the good work. Remember in just +/- 23wks you will be looking down at the most beautiful gift in the world and would go through these times all over again in a heartbeat. You must keep us posted and I will keep you in my prayers.

[TammyB]

in reply to: Maintaining employment while dealing with Graves Dz #1171456

Thanks again for all the great info I keep getting from everyone. It has been so very helpful. As far as applying for disability goes- I just read about a job posting for a position I feel would be good for me. It’s for 30-35hrs a wk, no weekends and physically I don’t think it would be too stressful. Best of all it would be working for the county so I know the benefits would be there. Qualifications are for a 2yr degree (I have my BSN) and 1-2yrs maternal/child exp preferred (I have 15yrs) So I am going to see what happens with that first. I have to admit I am a little afraid because if it doesn’t work out I am not sure if I can handle any more rejection. I know I need to try though. So please wish me luck and maybe even a quick mention in your prayers if you don’t mind.
As for the ADA claim that is the hard one and as I mentioned the 180days are getiing very close. I know IL is an At Will state and when I applied for unemployment it was denied stating I was fired due to intentional misconduct on my behalf. During the interview they were reading me statements that I had never heard and mostly untrue or straight out lies. At that point I just shut up, rolled over and played dead because I did not know what to say. How do you call one of the largest employers in city a liar (esp in a city with record breaking unemployment rates). Anyway I am afraid of that happening again. I have however kept all write ups (for abscences and c/o “misconduct”) along with copies of MD excuses (even though per my Director those don’t matter), old schedules to show who and if I was working with anyone else at the time, pay stubs to show how many hours I was working and more. As the saying goes I may be dumb but I am not stupid…will keep you posted.

[TammyB]

in reply to: first steps for eyes #1171528

Unfortunately I really don’t have any knowledge to share but I am right with you when it comes to the nervousness or even fear with what may be yet to come. I am more and more disapointed with the lack of info I have received from my MDs. I know they can’t explain every little detail but I realize how uninformed I have been. I had just assumed (I know the saying:)) that after the RAI I would likely be hypo and on hormones. Did not realize the stats on still being affected with the eye dz afterwards esp, if you are a smoker. I last had my eyes checked about a year ago from regular optometrist because of some off and on blurry vision (but was on meds for other health probs that I knew caused this) I did tell her about the GD and she said the muscles in my eyes looked good- not sure if that was good enough for a start or not. Did get some glasses for being mildly farsighted but until recently I would rarely wear them. I have noticed since the RAI that my eyes have been more puffy than normal and the pain, headaches and sensitivity to light a definite problem. I have thought about searching for a specialist since I know that are none locally. I figure I could make an appt and if the job/insurance thing doesn’t change could always reschedule. I figure it can’t hurt to get your foot in the door. Better to be proactive with your concerns than sorry when it comes to something as precious as your health. I know look who’s talking. Anyway, sorry again for the rambling I really am rather quiet in person. Goodnight to anyone who may still be awake.

[TammyB]

in reply to: A different adverse effect of Methimazole? #1171521

Wow, thanks again Alexis and thanks to you Shirley. I have been learning so much this stormy and gloomy weekend. I think I have learned more this weekend then the whole time I have been dx with GD and nursing school (this has been a little while back though) combined. Out of the 3 MDs I have seen, never heard any mention of this med at all. It is almost embarrassing to admit I am a nurse but I have never had any experiences with this dz at all and I just can’t believe it! In my own defense my main position has always been in Peds and some mother/baby. The info about pregnancy and breastfeeding is of great interest to me and suprised again that I have never come across this before. Thanks again ladies I’m sure I will have more questions to come.

[TammyB]

in reply to: A different adverse effect of Methimazole? #1171518

Thanks for your responses Bobbi and Alexis. Had another quick question that I had intended to add but my son called and needed some TLC. As he was walking to his apartment from campus the tornado sirens were going off. Having been through a tornado hitting our neighborhood about 15yrs ago, we tend to be a little freaked out when we hear the sirens. Sorry for the rambling. Anyway, I see PTU mentioned a lot and I have never heard of it. I have gathered from reading other post that it is an older ATD that can have severe effects on the liver. Is PTU abbreviated for the name? Is it more commonly used in just certain areas? Just curious.

[TammyB]

in reply to: Maintaining employment while dealing with Graves Dz #1171450

Hello and thanks for reading my post. I have been seriously thinking about any action that I might be able to take. That is what led me to this site to begin with and now I am glad I found it. Problem is that I was fired on 11/23/12 and I only have 180 days (from what I have read) to file a complaint per the Americans with Disabilities Act website. That is why I said I only want people to be honest and not try to just make me feel better (looking back I think this may have made me sound unfriendly). Anyway I have always been a passive type of person- did not want to cause any conflict and I am sure this did not do me any good when it came to dealing with my ex ENT doctor or my employer. Funny how I never had a problem being an advocate for my pts. If I was caring for a pt in my situation, I would have definitely had a talk with them and let them know they can’t just ignore the situation and helped them sort things out and develop a plan. Just was not able to do this for myself even though I knew better. Back to my current problem- does anyone know if having Grave’s dz is consider a legitiment disbility. I feel that it is, although I may be a little bias on my own behalf. I am really torn up about this. This is not about monitary gain- just want my pride back. I truely felt humiliated and worthless with how this all happened. As I stated before I really loved my job and would have done or given anything to keep my job and not be thrown out the back door like a bag of trash. I have had no desire or confidence to even look for a new job- even though I desperately need to since I have 2 children in college and have nothing coming in at the moment. Has anyone one had any similar experiences? Would love to hear from you. Thanks again catstuart7 for responding to my post. Oh I did check into COBRA benifits and it would of cost me just under $2000/mo to keep my same level of health insurance for me and my family. This was not anywhere close to an option for me but I do appreciate the suggestion.

[TammyB]

in reply to: Maintaining employment while dealing with Graves Dz #1171449

Thanks for your response Kimberly. I wish I had found this site 2yrs ago, seems like a lot of good support from many people. I have researched and read many medical books and sites but you don’t get any true info on the emotional impact of this dz. Most people have no clue untill they have been there themselves. Hope to post again soon- and maybe have some insight that could help others. Thanks again, Tammy

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