Cindy Lloyd - 02/24/98 16:39:13
My URL:http://www.ctaz.com/~candl
My Email:candl@ctaz.com
Where are you from?: Golden Valley AZ
How did you find these pages?: Internet Search
Are you a regular visitor here?: now we are
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: yes

Comments:
Thank's for putting the information on your web-site. Cindy just found out that she has Graves and we need to learn all we can about it. Thank you and God be with you Rick & Cindy Lloyd

Sue Ann Stottlemyer - 02/24/98 01:04:09
My Email:jalom@msn.com
Where are you from?: Towson, MD
How did you find these pages?: Yahoo search
Are you a regular visitor here?: First time
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: Yes

Comments:
In the past few months, I have found myself in the deeps of a depression that has seem to become familiar to me approximately every two years. It is as if I know exactly what to expect throughout a two year time frame that seems to circle time and time again. However, this time I had found myself more depressed than I had been in past episodes, but this time I had developed a new friendship with someone that seem to never give up on me and think that I was crazy. Just recently she suggested that I go to my doctor and ask about being put on an anti-depressant for the depression that I have been feeling. I feel that I should do this because I almost lost this friendship because of my mood swings and such. However, a thought reoccurred to me about being diagnosed in Jan.1997 with Graves Disease. At first, I denied the diagnosis and wanted nothing to do with what the doctors were saying. I had lost over fifty pounds in three-four months and my heart rate was 120 beats per minute at rest. However, I had struggled to lose this weight just as I had many times before this, about every two years. It had always been an issue to me with my weight and I had done everything that you could imagine to get there. At first it would be hard losing the weight and then it would just seem to drop off like the drop of a hat. Anyways, my endo told me that I had to stop exercising and dieting or I would become the next Karen Carpenter, but yet he keep saying that my disease did not have anything to do with my eating disorder or that it had anything to do with the diet pills that I had taken from the health store, which contained kelp in it. I just didn't understand the whole situation and my endo didn't seem to want to explain it to me either. Within the first month of taking PTU, I gained 17pounds back and thought that I was absolutely going to go nuts. My endo just keep saying that things would begin to get better. So for the next nine months I would continue to take PTU and eventually my doses would be lowered. I never truly believe my diagnosis because noone in my family had ever had any problems with their thyroid and so I was really confused and really believed that it had something to do with the dieting issues that I had and the diet pills that I had taken. So in October, I stopped taking the medication and stopped going to my endo. I have keep a close eye on my pulse and weight to make sure that I do not begin to find myself becoming hyper again. At first, things seemed to be going really good, but then emotionally things began to fall apart again. Finally, I found that I had pushed the only friend that really seemed to want to listen to my craziness away. Luckily for myself, my friend refused to allow me to push her away. So in the past few days I was contemplating calling my doctor to see about an anti-depressant because I feel that I owe that to my friend and I guess to myself, but then I got to thinking about the Graves disease and thought that I would look up info on my computer, which I have been ignoring for really the past year since my diagnosis. When I found your web sit, I still found myself disbelieving that this is what I was really dealing with and not knowing if the answers could be found here. I read many of the other Guest book entries and saw many things that I saw familiar with myself, however I did not notice anyone talking about the disbelief of their diagnosis. To be honest, I am not sure what to believe, but when I look back on my life of twenty-eight years I see how my life could be explained by my disease. I guess the real reason that I question having Graves disease is because with all the problems that I have had in the past I tend to think that it is that that keeps pulling me down, but yet then I think about what all I have done to try to get out of this place of silence and lonliness. I guess the reason I really write is because I was just curious to know if it is normal to deny such a disease that would seem to explain everything that has seemed crazy in my life, but yet I found it so hard to accept also. As I read the stories of everyone, I see the pain that is involved emotionally even after accepting the disease and how it seems that it will never go away! I am just wondering if it is worth accepting and trying to do something about it, but yet afraid that if I ignore it that I will find myself at a point that is too late to do anything about it. Right now I am in a situation that I do not have insurance and I am attending college to finish my degree. The only relief that I have found for myself emotionally is writing a book about my life and have managed to accomplish a great deal in that area. I know that I need to do something, but just not sure exactly what it is that I really need to do!! I have enjoyed having the ability to read about others and will continue to check back and see what others have to say. I just wish that I could find some answers for I am really tired of pushing the ones that I care about the most further and further away from me. Thanks for making this available to others for I think as time passes that I will begin to see and accept that I am not alone in this battle and that I am not crazy!! Thanks to all of you who share your stories.

Wendy C - 02/23/98 07:46:54
My Email:1976SPG@aol.com
Where are you from?: Washington, state
How did you find these pages?: Yahoo
Are you a regular visitor here?: When, I can.
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: Yes, Graves Disease

Comments:
Hi Sue, I think your page is great!. I'm 22, and have Graves Disease I have not been treated, yet. But I plan too soon. I just wanted to let everyone know that Graves Disease is Very Complicated and Scary for us that do battle with disease daily, and hourly. I have high blood preasure, becuase of the disease. I have started to stutter, I have extreamly bad sleeping habbits, i cant eat even though i am starving. And worst of all i cant take care of my kids, anymore.......I am Very SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE!!!!!LUV EN

- 02/22/98 01:10:28
My Email:mombair@yahoo.com
Where are you from?: AVON NY
Are you a regular visitor here?: first time
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: yes

Comments:
I WOULD LIKE TO FIND INFORMATION ON THIS DISEASE

Stefanie - 02/20/98 03:54:17
My Email:tdpinnow@idcnet.com
Where are you from?: Jefferson, WI
How did you find these pages?: Yahoo search
Are you a regular visitor here?: no
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: yes,Graves' and hyperthyroidism

Comments:
My name is Stefanie, I'm fifteen years old, and was diagnosed with Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism about two years ago. They have been hard. The worst part for me is not being able to concentrate in school. Also, my heart rate was over 120 beats a minute when I was sleeping, so I can't do sports. I've always been into swimming, and haven't been able to join the High School swim team that I've been looking forward to since kindergarden. I recently had the radioablation done, and am hoping for the best. If I'm lucky, I'll be back in sports by fall. It's good to know that other people have had the same problems, and that what I have is treatable. I know I still have a long road to travel, so wish me luck. I really enjoyed your site, thank you for the time and effort you put into it.

Charlie Brown - 02/19/98 21:07:27
My Email:crb3@gte.net
Where are you from?: Duarte, California
How did you find these pages?: Yahoo search
Are you a regular visitor here?: Daily
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: Yes

Comments:
Glad to find your page. Diagnosed GD Jan 6 98. Helped explain some physical problems last 2 years including tremors, muscle weakness (particularly legs), joint pain, then significant weight loss last Nov. & Dec. No eye problems at this time. Found details of your "War" informative. I've learned tons more more about the problem from the net than from my doctor, who is a good guy but needs to learn how to communicate. Based on your info and from the Graves BB, it appears my situation was caught early and is not severe at the moment. After just six weeks of treatment tremors are gone and I'm starting to gain weight again. Any rate, keep posting your progress, and I'll keep checking in. Tx. Chas.

Delana - 02/19/98 18:19:32
My Email:hunterw@lcc.net
Where are you from?: Lufkin,Tx.
How did you find these pages?: yahoo
Are you a regular visitor here?: will be NOW !
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: yepp :(
Any new links I should add?: no

Comments:
Hello,,I'm really in deep shock right now ! I've been through a very hard time in the last year or two, just the way all of you have . I've been to the Dr. for BAD anxiety and panic attacks, out of control mood wings for along time and was sent home w/ Xanax told me it was stress ! Well, really bad things starting happening Could not sleep @ nights ,hot flashes from hell, Migraine headaches,my feet are Num and now all my hair is falling out a peacun size knot in my neck,my heart is coming out through my chest and alot of wieght loss . SO get this, I went to my hair dresser and had a good ol' talk about my hair falling out like this, the more I told her all the same things I told that Dr. she told me to go right back up there and demand blood work done on my thyroid !! And well I did so.Two days ago I got a call from the Dr.'s office saying I have a very Heperthyroid and to go to the hosp. next week for more testing,,,,,And that is all they have said.I'm soooo scared right now ,don't know what to think !! All i know is what I've learned from you all and I want to thank you for all the time and info you've put here .If only the Dr.'s had the time and care to sit down talk and relate like hairdressers we all could have not had to deal w/ this as long as we have !!! I still do not really understand all that is going to happen to me,I guess that is the shock I'm in right now ! thank you again and mybe I'll find out my T3 and T4 count soon !?! Iam so glad I'm not a NUT after all !! By the way I do have to say my husband and my 4yr. old son are the most understanding angels in the world !!!!

Cheryl W. - 02/19/98 02:45:07
My Email:jwells@network-one.com
Where are you from?: Mississippis
How did you find these pages?: searching Yahoo for graves disesase
Are you a regular visitor here?: will be now
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: just rececntly diagnosed

Comments:
For 3 years or longer I was convinced I was going plum out of my skull. Everything seemed to be falling apart; my job, my health, my marriage, my life. Getting up in the morning became the biggest and most challenging thing I had to do. That eventually cost me my job. My husband and my children became convinced that I had simply turned into a fat, lazy, slob who had absolutely no interest in taking care of the house or of them they couldn't understand that the will was there but the capability was not. Between the depression, the constant muscle and joint pain, the headaches the no enery the constant erractic heart beat and racing heart, the diarreaha everyday and numerous other symptoms, I felt that my life was over and everyone would be better off if I simply disappeared into the woodwork never to return. I was convinced that no one would ever understand what I was going through until I read your story. I found it two days after I was diagnosed with Graves Disease(and I had to push and prod my Dr. to get him to even do a Thyroid test on me) now I am seeing a wonderful endocronologist and am on tapazole and will be having surgery in March. The radioactive iodine is not an option for me since I am iodine allergic. Thank you so much for your story it made me realize so much and opened many eyes around here especially my husbands. Thank you again.

Nicole Wright - 02/18/98 22:28:31
My Email:wright72@primenet.com
Where are you from?: Flagstaff, AZ.
How did you find these pages?: random search
Are you a regular visitor here?: am now
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: yes

Comments:
I e-mailed you with my comments...great page!!!

GiaMari Fish - 02/18/98 17:09:57
My Email:giafish@ies.iec-energy.com
Where are you from?: Cedar Rapids, IA
How did you find these pages?: Referenced Graves Disease on Yahoo
Are you a regular visitor here?: No, but I am now
Do you have Graves' Disease or related?: Possibly

Comments:
Dear Sue, I recently went to my OB-GYN due to some major mood swings that I have been experiencing. My friends and family told me that I was having Post Pardum. (My daughter was born in October.) When I went in to see my Dr. the first thing he said was what medication (Prozac, etc.) I could be put on for this mood swing, or I could see a counselor for Post Pardum. After speaking with me for about 45 minutes he came to the conclusion that I wasn't bad enough for medication or therapy but I did need to start exercising for 20 minutes a day three times a week to reduce stress. I figured that was that, but just as I was getting ready to leave he checked my throat. Not being a Dr. I had no idea what this was about. I figured he was checking for flu symptoms since it was going around. His next comment took me by surprise. He said he was going to check my Thyroid. I asked why and he proceeded to tell me about it. I am still a little unclear on how this affects me but he said he would be more specific after my test came back. Well, I had the blood drawn and my thyroid was low, (hyperthyroid). Now I have to go back in on Monday to have my Free T4 and my T3 tested. I asked what this was all about and he (Dr.) told me he was looking into Graves Disease because I have a lot of the symptoms. I won't know for sure until the middle of next week what the outcome is but in the mean time it is nice to know that this is not the end of my world. I have been on edge since all of this started and that was just added to what I was already feeling. I do not have any major physical symptoms other than muscle weakness, but the emotional and mental symptoms are terrible. I lose my temper at the drop of a hat and the next minute I am falling apart. It was a major relief to know that this can be fixed. Your story is making what comes next for me very easy and I am forever grateful. My daughter means the world to me and to lose control even for a second takes that time away from her. I hope you keep updating so I can keep reading and hoping and enjoying your progress. Thank you for the wonderful inspiration!!! Sincerely, GiaMari Fish