Graves Disease (thyroid) Archives

grave's testimonial -- my long story

Just wanted to write a testimonial about stress/relaxation for grave's disease. I decided to write my whole story so it makes sense. Of course, I feel a bit like knocking on wood, since you never know when a disease like this will come back...

Anyway...I was diagnosed with grave's a little over a year ago. I found out because I was undergoing fertility testing. I'd been tested for fertility in November, and my TSH was 2.1--totally normal. In Nov, they said I was totally healthy, but we had male factor infertillity. I was devastated--was 29 when we found out, and very impatient to have children. In February, we found out my father had a serious form of cancer, and he was in bad shape. Relevant because it added to my stress. I was a total wreck, overemotional, crying all the time. UGH.
My husband and I decided to try ivf, and I went through more tests in March. At that time, my TSH was undetectable. I forget what the T-4 was, but it was way out of wack. So no ivf. I had lost weight and lost my ability to run. Couldn't even run a mile, when I usually ran 3-4 mile a few times a week.
Before I even saw an endocrinologist (it took me several months to get an appointment, by the way, which sucked, because I just had to deal with the grave's disease--low weight, overemotional, etc, with no medication) I did research on the Internet and read all the awful stories about graves and about RAI. Very scary.
So when my endocrinologist pushed RAI, (I went to three and they all said "do RAI") I said "no way." I insisted on medication, was put on tapazole.
I'll spare you the details of the ups and downs on meds, but warn you to get lots of blood test, because I did end up very hypo at one point. Had to really insist on lots of monitoring. I got it after a TSH of 75 at one point.
As far as stress relief, I tried to meditate on my own, and had a hard time concentrating. Started going to yoga at my gym. Loved it. Went three times a week for a hour and a half classes. Also went back to running. It was so exciting to be able to run 2 miles again! Also, tried a really really difficult diet for a while--Eight weeks to health--basically you eat tons of veggies, meat, rice, eggs and that's it. No fruit for eight weeks, no processed food, no dairy. It was really really hard, and I only lasted 5 weeks. Then went back to fruit and whole grain bread and moderate amonts of not so-healthy food (like cheese). But I did improve my diet on a whole. And I think those 5 tough weeks were good for me.
Also came to terms with the infertility problem. Accepted it, learned to be happy without the vision of 3 kids by the time I'm 33. Life doesn't alaways go according to plan, and we have to love what we get, right? We'll try a fertility treatment, and if it doesn't work (honestly, I'm not too hopeful, although my husband is) we'll move on to adoption, which I find incredibly exciting. Particularly international adoption. I can't wait to start that process, but I have to be a bit more patient. Actually started to enjoy the freedom of not having kids :-)
My father is doing well, although I can't say that I've accepted his disease. I basically have a lot of hope in that area.
Never had the eye disease.
Been off meds for a couple of weeks. Thinking about going back on the 2.5 every other day dose because I'm totally paranoid about getting grave's symptoms. My doctor's out of town, so I can't get my latest blood test results for another week... typical.
At any rate, my doctor was pretty surprised by my recovery. She says I'm in remission, and don't need RAI. Feel wonderful. Still go to yoga, exercise, do breathing exercises on my own.
If you've just been diagnosed, good luck, and keep your perspective, and don't do RAI if you can help it. I almost gave in and did surgery at one point. Ended up I didn't need to because I did so well on the drugs.
Dr. Stoll's site was the most encouraging site I'd been to. Life can be normal again!
Thanks for reading my very long story.
Kerry

Re: grave's testimonial -- my long story

Re: grave's testimonial -- my long story