[WendySue]

in reply to: Taking ATD’s, Low potassium, low chloride, high BP & HR #1170687

Shirley, I am asking if anyone has experienced numbers such as this while hyPER and is it possible to develop Renal Tubular Acidosis if you have dx of Graves Disease.

From what I read online a renin test is used, I thought my numbers and symptoms might match this, and do not know if it is temporary, will go away when I am not hyPER.

Thanks for any and all insight.

[WendySue]

in reply to: Taking ATD’s, Low potassium, low chloride, high BP & HR #1170685

Thanks for the replies, I am looking at the lab results, the last test the lab flagged potassium low, chloride low, calcium high and plasma renin high, TSH low.

Since I began this journey, I have never had this many numbers in the abnormal zone, my BP was normal to low and suddenly it is high.

I contacted my Endo and GP to ask what is going on, and flat out asked if I was experiencing RTA renal tubular acidosis. The response I got from the Endo office was that the doctor said no, if I wished to move my appointment up from April to discuss it, I could. I said no, I would keep my appointment.

I am just concerned about this and am trying to my best through education, diet and exercise to get my numbers in balance.

Thanks for the responses.

[WendySue]

in reply to: Taking ATD’s, Low potassium, low chloride, high BP & HR #1170682

Good morning and thank you both for your replies to my post.

My most recent T3 uptake: 29, T4:9.4, Free T4: 2.7 with TSH .07, six weeks prior to this my numbers were T3 uptake:30, T4: 7.6 and Free T4: 2.3 with a TSH .05.

I was on 10mg of tapazole, now 15mg. I am most concerned though about the recent number swings in my potassium to below normal, chloride to below normal with calcium and renin in the high. From what I have been able to piece together online, hyperthyroidism can lead to RTA.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I am concerned about my kidneys, does anyone know if having my thryoid removed would resolve this matter or is it one of those things that happens because my body is more prone to it because of Graves, like those who develop TED?

Thanks for your thoughts, advice and opinions.

[WendySue]

in reply to: How do you deal with the emotional stresses? #1169689

I am a professional photographer, was diagnosed with Graves in May 2011, after suffering with a multitude of symptoms for almost 2 years.

I like to use a softball hitting trainer to manage my stress. Metal pole, with a long string with a softball attached to one end. If you hit the ball with a bat correctly it swings back at you so you can hit the ball again, and again. Great exercise to help bring back muscles that have been compromised when hyper.

Using the bat to bash my frustrations is a positive way I am dealing with all that irks me. Beats screaming inside my head which often leads to making my ears ring. ” title=”Wink” />

[WendySue]

in reply to: New Member of the Graves Club #1061978

snelsen wrote:Hi Wendy Sue, I suggest you check with your doc before you use only sea salt. We need iodized salt in moderation. I am pretty sure that to avoid it completely, is not a good idea. Although you may get enough from other sources. The facilitators can weigh on this one, too.
Shirley

Hi Shirley!

Thank you for the advice, I will double check with my doctor, I believe I am getting idodized salt from other food sources, but you are right, I should confirm.

Every 7 weeks I do get blood work done for my endo, which often includes a complete CBC.

I would love to know what the facilitators have learned at any conferences, reports and articles as well.

Thanks!!

[WendySue]

in reply to: New Member of the Graves Club #1061976

Update 10-18-2011

Went to the Endo today, I am hyper again, was down to 10mg Methimazole, my TSH is .05 and T3, Free is 4.5, doc increased my dose to 20mg of Methimazole and 25 mg of lopressor to bring down my resting heart rate, it has gone up to 127 bpm this weekend.

Hair has been falling out again, started about 3 weeks ago, muscles and joints sore, skin is pretty dry on my face, my hair is very dry and difficult to manage.

Have been sleeping a bit more, but not feeling rested, have gotten 6-10 hours in and had other weeks where 2-3 was the avg.

I have modified my diet, no table salt, if I really feel the need to add salt, I have been using sea salt, sparingly. Reduced my carbs, and am eating more whole foods. Lemon water is my drink.

Doc and I spoke about the possibility that I may not go into remission, my thyroid is enlarged. RAI or Surgery may be in my future. At the moment we are sticking to the ATD’s.

Thank you all for your support and advice.

[WendySue]

in reply to: Insomia relief? #1061224

"Dragon552":3lnm0n3m wrote:

To Mike and others that have posted here,

My name is Gordon and I have been dealing with GD since aprox 1986 and really ran through the mill with some doctors about it at the start, but that is all in the past. When they finaly found my problem my TSH level was at 5.9 and they tried to correct it with radiation they did the proceedure twice and really did a job on the thyroid glad. So yes I take that little pill every morning like a good little boy. I have been dealing with the insomnia, the bulging eyes, the extreme light sensitivity, blurred vision, and double vision ( which is fun seeing 4 lanes on a 2 lane highway ), so I can relate to what a lot of what you people are dealing with. But I have found one recurring statement if most of your backgrounds that for some reason is reversed to my own case that I can’t figure out why so far… the excessive sweeting for me is mainly while I am sleeping and more so if I use sponge type pillows or anything more than a cotton sheet to cover with, or if the temp hits 86 degrees or higher, for some reason if the temp drops down to about 76 or lower I feel as if I am freezing all the time.

Now I have a question for anyone reading this mesage thread…. Has anyone once else had a problem where you seem to be totaly losing sections of your eyesight due to blurriness, or sections of your vision that look like say heat waves raising off a dessert, or even the worst one yet for me right now is the total center of my vision just seems to be missing. I know it sounds strange but if I look directly at say the letter "H" on my keyboard I can still see the letters U and N but everything else on the left side of those keys is totaly non existant to my vision. Looking at my 18.5 LCD monitor I will see maybe at most 2 inches of it on the right hand side and the rest is so blurred you can even make out anything on it including colors. I hate to say this but darn I feel as if I may be going blind and that is a scary thought.[/quote:3lnm0n3m]

Hi Gordon! Sorry to hear about your vision problem, has your ophthalmologist tested you for dry macular degeneration? In my opinion, I would look into this matter ASAP. I have "drusen" or spots on my retina that have multiplied over the years, At the moment, they are not affecting my vision, however I now wear glasses that have 100% protection for UVA and UVB, to help protect my vision, since I began wearing the glasses, the drusen have remained stabled, I get my eyes tested once a year. Here is a link that goes into more detail: http://www.ahaf.org/macular/about/under … forms.html

I also have had bouts of ocular migraines, they last for about 30 minutes, my vision becomes very distorted, I see halos, sparks, lights flashing, I have kept a journal as to when these happen, usually they come in threes, and most recently when I was hypo during the week I had my period, so mine are def related to fluxes in my hormones.

Good luck and best wishes.

[WendySue]

in reply to: Newbie here #1061628

Greetings and welcome from another newbie!

I was recently diagnosed on May 2, 2011 and have been on meds for a month, lopressor, potassium and topazole. This week I am noticing a difference in my symptoms for the better!

Since I am not used to taking meds on a regular basis and my short term memory was not functioning well, I programed my blackberry phone to remind me to take my meds at the scheduled times, as well as placed my meds in one of those pill boxes so I could see if I actually took them. Remembering to bring the pill box with me was a bit of a challenge in the beginning, but I am getting better, I keep another set of all of my meds for the day in a special bag in case I forget or have to stay someplace unexpectedly.

I also purchased a BP machine to track my pressure and a finger pulse machine which is easier to transport when I am on the road so I can monitor my heart rate. For me not being able to control the situation going on inside of my body is very aggravating, so I am attempting to do my best to help the meds help me by following the guidelines on diet, taking my meds at the scheduled time and trying to reduce the stress in my life or how I react to the stress. Sleep was another adjustment, I am attempting to get at least 6 hours if possible, now that the meds are kicking in that goal is getting easier to attain. Before dx I got about 2-3 hours max of sleep per night and didn’t think anything was wrong with that.

I go for my blood work next week and have an appointment with the endo the following week.

Take Care, good luck and best wishes for a speedy remission! These boards have given many of us hope and encouragement, remember, you are not alone.

[WendySue]

in reply to: Ocular Migraines #1061682

Thank you for the response Shirley! My ocular migraines usually happened mid cycle but haven’t had one in over 14 years. The ones this week were more intense, each lasting about 30 minutes. I was never put on meds originally to prevent them, the didn’t continue for very long. Had a series of 3 then another set of three and were gone. I am tracking them in case I have another episode.

I was worried that the eye symptoms were the start of TED.

Thank you for welcoming me to the club, at least we are in good company and a plan of action. Things could be so much worse. Blessed to know finally why I have not been feeling well for quite some time!

Hope you and yours enjoy the holiday weekend!
~Wendy

[WendySue]

in reply to: Symptoms #1061821

Good evening!

By any chance did they check your potassium levels?? I was just recently diagnosed with GD, two weeks ago, I have had high heart rates, palpitations, PVC’s and leg cramps and foot cramps. My potassium level is low, even after the doctor put me on potassium. My new endo double the dose of potassium for me, I am still experiencing the symptoms, although not as severe.
Hope you can find an Endo who can help you feel better quickly!
~Wendy

[WendySue]

in reply to: New Member of the Graves Club #1061974

Hey Dave, welcome to the club! I have heart palpitations and high heart rate. My doc put me on 50mg of Lopressor, twice a day, plus potassium because my level is low. I feel my heart flip and race more at night then during the day, have been on meds for a week, starting to see a slight improvement. I take topazole 10mg 3 times a day. I think it is worth the try to control GD with meds first, before RAI or surgery. Least invasive method first is always my first option.

[WendySue]

in reply to: New Member of the Graves Club #1061971

Thank you for the quick reply Ski! ” title=”Very Happy” /> The HBA1C is a fasting blood test which shows your avg blood glucose # over approximately 3 months. When you are diabetic it is important to keep tight control of your blood glucose, doing a blood test with a meter at any given time is just a snap shot in time, the A1C is more accurate since it is the average overall, not just at that particular moment in time. I have been told to keep the A1C number under 6.0. Above 6.0 would require me to go on meds or insulin, something I wish to avoid at all cost for as long as I can. The Endo informed me my A1C might have gone up because of the GD.

I am not looking forward to the hypo, kinda like being hyper better. My heart does that premature ventricular contraction and makes sleeping difficult, I feel that mainly in the evening but also notice it during the day. Heart rate is dropping but still racing a bit. My legs are not as swollen today as yesterday.

Glad I found the clubhouse, thank you for welcoming me, wish we could all have met under much nicer of circumstances!

Is this a lifelong condition?? I have read about remission and many going out of remission.

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