[Theresa]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed GD – Having a hard time accepting it #1169668

Thanks Lavender (and Kim With the stress lately, I definately am having symptoms again. I did call the endo., and she told me to give it more time. Unless things get to where they are worse than they originally were, she wants to wait the 8 weeks until increasing the dose of meds. Fine with me.

I do take a B12 supplement, but it’s not from the chiro. Just a over the counter I pick up at the drug store. I’ll check into the one you mentioned. As far as constipation, it is rarely a problem. It’s the other way more often :o. I do do a ground flaxseed everyday, and calcium and magnesium supplement (have been doing that way before Graves) which the endo. has the list.

Thanks again girls…always learning The sun is shining here today. Everything is always better when the sun is shining isn’t it??

[Theresa]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed GD – Having a hard time accepting it #1169665

Thanks Kim. He was a great dog and will be missed by our family.

I’m pretty sure i’m not hypo…I still have too many signs of being hyper. The joint pain isn’t totally new, it was there before I was diagnosed…but it is worse than it was some days. I will call and mention it to the endo in case she thinks I need labs before the 8 weeks she originally mentioned.

[Theresa]

in reply to: Getting Through this.. #1170058

You will quickly learn no one will take care of your medical needs like you will. Learn as much as you can. Doctors offices will tell you what you need to do, and you have to follow through and make sure it gets done (as far as tests, follow ups, etc.).

I’ll give you a example. My Dad has been a brittle diabetic and heart patient since he has been in his 40’s. He is now 70, and a mess. The latest is he had to have his foot removed due to gangrene. We have to take him to the hospital 6 hrs a day everyday for IV antibiotic infusions and HBOT treatment. To make a long story short, he is on warfarin, and has been on it for years. Since this latest challenge, we can’t seem to get his INR under control. Every week for years he has gone to have his blood checked, but now isn’t well enough to drive (or keep it all straight). He is at the hospital 6 hours a day! Do you think they have been checking his INR? Nope. I thought of it Monday and called to confirm it was done last week. Nope. They checked it yesterday, and it was 6.7! It should be 2. He could have easily had internal bleeding. I called the doctors office (same doctor that follows his INR and knows the situation and is responsible for writing the order) and was told it is the families responsibility to make sure it gets checked! Are you kidding me? Ugg.

I normally love this office, but it goes to show you no one will keep it straight and care as much as you do. Ask questions, and again, learn as much as you can about your health care. Even the best doctors drop the ball.

[Theresa]

in reply to: How long before I feel better? #1170204

Thats great news Here’s to hoping you continue on that path!

I’m feeling pretty good today too…I have no excuse to not get on the treadmill

[Theresa]

in reply to: Getting Through this.. #1170056

Supermom – Although i’m new to Graves myself, i’ve been in and out of hospitals/doctors offices/testing facilities more than I care to. Not for me – for family members. One thing I learned early on, is every time I have a test (if its at a hospital or doctors office) – request a copy before you leave. This includes x rays, ultra sounds, MRI’s, etc. etc. If you need them down the line, you have them (more than likely, you will). When I had my uptake scan and ultrasound done recently, I have the copies to take with me if I decide to go to Mayo or whereever for another opinion. When you have labs drawn, automatically request a copy to be sent to you. I have had some that will send them directly, and others won’t. I usually have the results sent to my GP along with the endo., because my GP knows me well and will automatically send them to me When you are dealing with a illness, the last thing we need is more stress, and having to chase around for test and lab results.

Your endo should have given you the order to have labs drawn before your second visit. IMO, he/she dropped the ball there. In fact, if he/she is going to order labs often (which he/she probably is), see if he/she will give you a standing order, or a order without a date so you can just write it in. Mine does this The week before your appointment, go get your labs drawn, request a copy, I usually review them myself before my appointment in case I have my own questions, and then bring a copy with you.

[Theresa]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed GD – Having a hard time accepting it #1169663

First and foremost, thanks for your responses.

Just checking in to give a update. I did see a endo. who has seen many Graves patients, and she was terrific. She explained my options (which I pretty much knew from all of you ), and I decided to try the methimazole. She put me on what she explained as a low dose to start (10 mg. 1xday) I’m just finishing the 4th week. The doc said it takes time to work, so to give it a good 8 weeks. I am re-scheduled to see her and have labs re-drawn at the end of the 8 week period. Meds may be adjusted at that point. I “think” it’s working? I have days I feel like my old self…and days that I think – uh oh, it’s not working. One symptom I do have that is getting worse, but still manageable, is on and off joint pain. It’s so strange. One day I will have a hard time holding a coffee cup because my wrists hurt so bad (both – more of a sharp shooting pain), and a day later, nothing. They are fine more than not. I thought that was more a symptom of hypo? I have definately noticed that when under a lot of stress (I have 2 adult kids still living at home in jr. college, and a teenager, am taking care of my sick father, and found a lump on my furry friend (dog) on thursday, took him to the vet friday, they did a needle aspiration with results to be in Monday. He died on Sunday, just 3 days later. I found out he had mast cell cancer. Life can be so stressful…how do you stop that? That night, for the first time in a while, I felt my heart pounding in my ears and was shaky. ugg. Much better today

[Theresa]

in reply to: How long before I feel better? #1170202

Safirary – I was also diagnosed the end of December. Fortunately, my symptoms weren’t bad because probably caught early…I was diagnosed by routine bloodwork (the symptoms I had I just attributed to getting older and stress). I went to the endo., and I chose to go the meds route. She put me on 10 mg. 1x day (methimazole), and said unless something changes, wouldn’t check my blood again for 7 – 8 weeks…because it would take that long. How long did your doc have you on it before checking again? I don’t know which is right…i’ll keep you posted in a few more weeks. Now that I know the signs, I still am getting hyperthyroid symptoms now and then, mainly on days i’m stressed. I’ve got to say, all in all, I am feeling better…but then again, could be the time of the month

[Theresa]

in reply to: Newly diagnosed GD – Having a hard time accepting it #1169660

Thanks Bobbi – I really appreciate your input. I have made appt. with the endo. to see what the next step is.

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