[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Weight Gain – Oh NO!!! #1068890

Hi All,

Four months ago I tried the radical diet pills to help me to lose some kilos. It was a total waste of time. I barely ate for two months and lost a total of 1.5kg. Just thought I’d let you know. I’ve been stable (on the higher end of the ‘normal’ range) for a year and a half….if this doesnt work neither will dieting. Back to the specialists and see what they have to say about it.

White light and love to you all

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Being hypo and bloating #1066004

Hi All,

I’ve been reading all the questions and answers relating to fluid retention and feeling quite confused. I had RAI two and a half years ago, went severely hypo and gained 35 kilos along with the bloating and fluid retention. I have been at the correct levels for over a year and a half now and all of a sudden can no longer wear my rings on my fingers, put on my old shoes for long and have achilles tendonitis in both ankles (caused by fluid around the tendon) very painful. My doctor has now referred me back to the specialist (endo) as he feels further investigation is needed.

I havent been offered diuretics and wonder if this is only a short term fix? Can one take these for prolonged periods? And does it take the fluid out of the tissue itself? And does it reduce the TED swelling? Also, I read we shouldnt be taking our vitamins etc with our thyroxine tabs. Does this mess with absorbtion?

I hope you can help me as I’m at my wits end. I know not all of the weight I’ve gained is fat, thats another issue, getting the weight off has been impossible even with extreme methods I’ve been unsuccessful (and I’m told I’m at the higher end of the normal range!). I’ve had all the stomach disorder tests (ie coeliacs etc) and nothing has appeared to be abnormal. I have a bloated abdominal area that wont budge. I feel and look 5 months pregnant all of the time….Heeeeelp!

Looking forward to some answers….thanks in advance!

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Weigh-in (just for fun) #1068785

Hi All,

Just thought I’d pop back in to let you know that taking diet pills to lose the weight doesnt work…..well it didnt work for me! I lost a total of 2kgs over two and a half months! I’ve decided that the weight will come off its supposed to at some stage and I’m not pushing myself anymore….I’ve bought new clothes to suit my size and if it comes off so be it, if not, too bad. My TSH is up (TS4 a little high my doc tells me but nothing to stress over) and he said I could reduce my meds but I’ve decided I’m happy at this level so see what happens. I’m active but still no change in the weight or fitness levels really.

I hope others have found losing the weight/inflammation easier than I have and if so, share it with us all!

Take care,
Wolfmother

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Weight Gain – Oh NO!!! #1068889

Hi All,

I hope this isnt too depressing, but it is interesting. I became so miserable and uncomfortable with my weight gain of approx 21kgs 18 months after RAI – each month I’d go up between 2 or 5 kgs it seemed whilst on diet shakes and eating increadibly well most of the time – extremely depressing for me ” title=”Sad” />

I succumbed to the extreme -appetite suppresants! I’ve been taking these for 7 weeks now, eating like a pauper – I weighed in on the fourth week and had only lost 1.5kgs (whilst hyper I’d lose up to 5kgs a week -this was before I realised I was ill with severe hyperthyroidism – and these pills are a no no for this condition), on the other hand I’ve lost 20cm from my bust, waist and hips and I can actually do strenous work around the house without exhausting myself. I dont sleep through the day as much as I was and feel alot better in myself.

Of course, my real concern is the long term effects. When I stop will I end up putting on much more than I started off with?? Who knows. My body isnt reacting the same way to any diet methods anymore. I feel as though my metabolism is out to get me no matter what I do This is a drastic method I agree, but I was becoming so depressed I no longer wanted to go out anywhere. To me, this whole thing is an experiment and I’ll keep you posted as to how I progress, but as you can already see I’m not really progressing, I may be staving off further weight gain only and the drug is making me feel better thus, I do more activity – this could be the only positive in all this….time will tell.

Good luck everyone.
Love and Light to you.

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: ovulation hormones and bad day #1070495

I have noticed that I’m unusually cranky, short tempered and ill when I’m ovulating. My PMS has been horrible since Graves came on the scene along with much heavier periods than before. not fair hey!

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Abdominal cramps with methimazole #1070445

My abdominal cramps occurred after RAI and up to 6 months into raising my thyroxine doses. As I got closer to stabilising they slowly ceased. I know what you’re going through. The pain is so intense you cant move out of the position your in to release it and even when you try moving it seems to get worse. I’ve never experienced severe cramping like this before – I thought one of my organs had torn it was so painful. I found it happened mostly when I tried to get up from a sitting position.

I hope by the time you get this they’ve gone for good!

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Video about Graves’ Disease #1071709

WOW HOW COOL!! Just saw your youtube video! You’ve captured it all in art, what a fantastic piece of work! Not only are you able to verbalise it all you’ve managed to put it into pictures – well done!

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Video about Graves’ Disease #1071708

WOW! You said it all and yes I did have tears after reading certain lines. And, thankyou for addressing the mental health aspect. I was one of the unlucky ones that developed a series of psychosis attacks, it took two admissions to two different mental hospitals for them to diagnose me with Graves!!! I’m no longer on pychotropic meds as my thyroid has been ‘stabilised’ (well for the time being, touch wood). I think its time the psychiatrists did some serious reading and research too! They really didnt have much of a clue in regards to my disorder and in the finish misdiagnosed me. It took my General Practitioner one look to see I wasnt psychotic and no longer needed the medications that the psychiatrists wanted me to take for a lifetime!!!

In some ways it was easier dealing with the physical limitations of Graves (which were extreme for me), I found the mental health side so embarrassing, demeaning and isolating. I’m still coming to terms with these hospitalisations…I still feel great anger towards the medicos who misdiagnosed me on first contact. This did untold damage to me, my children, my partner and my family. I lost two jobs and moved house twice whilst in the thyrotoxic state and finished up on the other side of the city – as far away from my family and friends as I could get – I too isolated myself. I realise now that this was a big mistake – but given that all my life was to become over the coming two years (and still ongoing) it was a blessing for them – they didnt have to listen to me moan about Graves and my non-existent life.

Thankyou for expressing so much in that post, I appreciate you sharing with us! And, thanks for listening to me moan – at least I’m in the right circle to be doing it!!! LOL

Where can I access this video? Is this on youtube? I’ll have a look anyway until you reply.

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Weight gain during Graves disease #1071005

Hi All. Thankyou for your replies. I have been to the doctor about this just last week. The bloated, pregnant look and feel. I dont have constipation at all, in fact I only ever have loose bowel movements which is why I’m concerned. I was reading a book last week about thyroid and the increased chances of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Candida throughout the body, Addisons Disease, Celiac among other nasties which is what prompted me to go back to the GP for further testing. He’s testing for these and alongside another full thyroid count. I feel as though I’ve slipped back into hypo these past few weeks, tiredness, slight dizzyness, lethargy and a feeling of being unwell most of the time.

When I was severly hypo after RAI I had all of the symptoms of myexodeama (spelling?), this can cause thickening of the skin, severe coldness which can lead to hypothermia, slow heart beat, severe swelling of face, torso, hands and feet and even death if symptoms worsen. I was brushed off by the endocrinologist treating me. I, unlike many on this site suffered from psychosis when I was hyper, so my treatment (synthroid meds) was administered extremely slowly in case of another attack. This makes me at a higher risk of contracting/developing further complications like Addisons etc. according to the book I was reading.

Anyway, I’m hoping to get to the bottom of it next week when I see my GP again. I’ll be sure to let you all know what the outcome is and hopefully help someone else on this site.

Thankyou all again for your support! ” title=”Very Happy” />
PS. I’m from Australia, we dont have a site anything like the one your running! Its fantastic, I’ve referred others to it as its the best on the net! Keep up the good work.

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Weight gain during Graves disease #1071001

I’ve put on over 25 kilos after having RAI. My stomach is so uncomfortable most of the time, its so similar to being pregnant, my stomach is hard and rounded just like when pregnant. Most of all the weight gain has gone to my stomach! My eating habits havent changed and I’m not losing any weight, in fact I may have put on more weight! Too afraid to check the scales! I’ve been stabilised for the past 3 months which may be a little early to be expecting any changes. I’ve been through the buying fat clothes thing, I’ve put away all of my old clothes so I dont become upset each time I look for something to wear. I have a collection of tracksuits which are the only clothes I feel comfortable in now.

Is anyone else experiencing the same feeling of being bloated with a hard stomach which pushes up into the ribs? Its just like pregnancy, there’s no other way of describing this feeling. All of the weight just accumulates in the stomach area.

[Wolfmother]

in reply to: Post-RAI – when do I start feeling better? #1075547

I’ve been told all the same things by my endo relating to weight, word for word which is uncanny. I dont know what happens either. I had my RAI in November 2007 and I’ve put on more than ten kilos since starting thyroxine. My levels are close to normal but not quite there yet so I’m still hypothyroid.

Do you find you just want to sleep all of the time? I’m sleeping fitfully at night and soundly if I have a nap through the day while the kids are at school. These naps can be up to three hours which make me feel very guilty! I feel fat and lazy despite feeling legitimately sick which has led to a mild depression.

From what I understand we are all different and this can take some time to get ‘okay’…..but over time (a lifetime) meds still need to be monitored and the dosage will be adjusted accordingly.

Good luck with your replys

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