[vanillasky]

in reply to: Back from Cleveland Clinic…oye! #1177358

@Alexis, thanks for the information. I had massages when I used to go for accupuncture. I suppose I’m weird but I really don’t like people touching me like that. LOL! It actually hurts my back.

@Kimberly, thank you.. You are always great support.

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Back from Cleveland Clinic…oye! #1177355

Hi Shirley, I’ve tried Ambian, Lunesta, and all that garbage Nothing works for more than 3 hours. I might as well just take a Klonopin, not much difference

He mentioned that they would start me on Melatonin / not sure how to spell itl. he thinks that could help my sleep.

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Back from Cleveland Clinic…oye! #1177353

Shirley, I think this is nuts.

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Significant hair loss #1177335

Ladies, whenever I am dealing with hyper or hypo, I notice a ton of hair on the hairbrush. Pretty scarey!

However my hairstylist mentioned “Rogaine for Women.” I’ve yet to purchase this, but he swears by it. He says it definitely will help but you have to use it every day. It will not stop hair loss, but will make your hair grow faster and thicker. I’m going to get some

Hope this helps

Karen

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Disability for Graves ? #1177250

Hi Kathy, I think you definitely have a good chance. I have talked to an attorney about Social Security Disability and he said that Graves’ was one of the things he thought might be accepted.

Most people get turned down the first time so you have to keep trying.

If you can prove you are not able to work because of your eyesight, I think you have a legitimate case.

As for myself, I was denied. I don’t have eye involvement (not yet) and I was refused but try it, you never know. Good luck!

Karen

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Levothyroxine issues? #1176970

Hi Judy, you are not crazy. Or call me crazy Karen. LOL!

Do you think you are hyp0? I mean, if the doctor never changed your meds, maybe your TSH, FT4 and FT3 are not up to par? You shouldn’t be gaining a ton of weight.

As far as the other symptoms, are you maybe perimenopausal? It could be. crying jags and menstrual irregularities are key when we are in that phase.

“They tell you all looks fine,” but some doctors don’t understand that thyroid levels are not just on paper that makes the difference. It’s how we FEEL. You could have a TSH of 5.0 and feel great. Another person could feel very hyp0!

Karen

[vanillasky]

in reply to: psych symptoms #1177109

@jaqeinquotation: I feel you! completely!

I wished we all lived close too then we could have a “Graves’ Re-union.” LOL!

If anyone ever wants to PM me, please feel free. Or if you want, I will give my email address or phone number.

We need to stick together because if it wasn’t for this forum, I would be all alone myself. Nobody I know has Graves’

Karen

[vanillasky]

in reply to: psych symptoms #1177106

I second that. the feelings do trigger the thoughts. what can you do? I feel so lousy, everything is larger than life and then I use my reactive mind!

It’s not nice being around “John Gotti” at this time. LOL! that’s how I feel – like a mobster. I guess being Italian doesn’t help, but there are some people………………..I’ll stop now.

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Is this a thyroid problem or menopause? Opinions please #1177036

thanks Kimberly. I joined Medscape and read the article re: Gabapentin. I had tried this a few years ago and it made me so tired I couldn’t get out of bed. Gyno had me taking 600mg a day!!!!!!!!! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. That’s all I did. Hot flashes were exactly the same.

Also, it is known to be a weight gain drug. Who needs that?

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Is this a thyroid problem or menopause? Opinions please #1177034

Nope, you are not alone. I feel alone because no one in my circles here understands any of this. my mother must have had an easy menopause and never had a thyroid issue. She doesn’t understand any of what I am going through. Very frustrating.

Today was awful! I woke up 2 times last night with a soaked nightgown. I hate that! And during the day, I was on a roll for awhile. I think I had 3 severe ones in the afternoon, that left me down in the dumpers.

Tonight, I’ve had at least 3, (I lose count) and my ice pack is my best friend right now.

Am using Estroven. I’ve taken only 6 pills and I know that’s not very much, but so far, NOTHING IS WORKING. I want to cry.

I am debating about using my transdermal patch, but then I say “what for?” It really doesn’t work for me but I do find less severe night sweats when I have it on.

when does this end? I’m 55 years old and haven’t had a period in over a year. I can’t even remember the last time I had a period. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Is this a thyroid problem or menopause? Opinions please #1177032

Forgot to mention, my FSH is 147.2. It’s off the boards. They indicated “ovarian failure.”

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Is this a thyroid problem or menopause? Opinions please #1177031

@Missgail, the episode you had is very much the way I can describe some of my episodes so you are not alone, I assure you.

Sometimes it seems like once I feel warm/hot, it lasts for hours. I am not exaggerating here. I ate that ice cream in the mall, blew up into flames and you would think it would stop,but it kept on coming. I was miserable. Trying to shop in all the great stores (we were in Buffalo, NY) and they have a great mall there. I get really excited! So I am trying not to lose it, but I felt horrible. Finally, I just had to go and sit down. It didn’t stop until we got into our car and I went home. I do not understand this whole thing!

[vanillasky]

in reply to: psych symptoms #1177099

Hi cat, I don’t know about long term effects, but I think as long as our thyroids are acting whacky, we are out of sorts, as they say.

I do exactly what you do. I am a very impatient person. Can’t stand on line too long. I begin to get bored, hem and haw and want to leave. Couldn’t stand the other day at the cosmetic counter. The girls, to me, couldn’t move fast enough. I started to mumble “maybe I should just go order this online.” Then they came over to help me.

I have Graves’ Rage. I just blow up. Wow! You don’t want to be in the car with me when some idiot cuts me off at the path. “Stay out of my lane or I’ll run you over.” LOL!

I used to think it was just my hot Italian temper, now I know it’s more than that.

[vanillasky]

in reply to: radioactive iodine treatment #1177151

I know it’s difficult to deal with because we all have it, but aside from Tapazole and PTU, you have either the option of RAI or total thyroidectomy,

Sometimes I try to pretend it doesn’t exist and I don’t have Graves’, but the antibody tests unfortunately don’t lie.

My decision thus far is RAI. No picnic, but like you, I don’t like the idea of surgery.

You can’t let a disease like this go because there are so many horrible things that can happen.

One is thyroid storm. That can be fatal. Another is damage to the heart muscle. Marty Feldman, who had Graves’ died at 48 because of a heart attack.

A friend of ours, had Graves’ and ignored the symptoms. It went into thyroid eye disease and now she is legally blind. Please don’t dismiss Graves’. It can be a devastating disease and just not feeling well, (being hyper) is Hell to me. I have just about lost my mind during that state.

Karen

[vanillasky]

in reply to: Well, here goes! #1173578

Hi! I’m so sorry to hear about all those lousy symptoms again! You sound a lot like me only from what I’m told, mine are more menopausal now than ever.

My TSH is 2.39 and I feel rotten. Doctor says it’s my FSH indicating ovarian failure so they assume it’s my menopause.

I know what it’s like to wake up just like someone threw you in a swimming pool. I change my nightgown at least 2x a night.

Hate to say it, but if I were you, I’d go for a TT.

Please let us know how you are doing. You’ve been great support!

Karen

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