Guest Name Jo Ann Wagner
Homepage URL:
From: New Castle PA
Comments: It's great to not feel alone w/ Graves.I was diagnosed in August 1995. I remember thinking, WOW I am 27 & I am haing some kind of nervous break down, noone understood what I was going through, the physical & the mental tricks that this disease was playing on me. Fnall I was acting a bit loud at work (thank god I worked at a hospital) when a Dr. asked me to have a seat & please take a drink of water as she felt my throat. She told me that I should go have my thyroid checked, so I did with in3 days I was sent to the Clevland Clinic where they diagnosed me w/ Graves desease & better yet in thyroid storm. Their were 3 Dr. looking at me, poking me, & questioning me,needless to say I was pretty scared & freaked out. Early the next morning they did the radeoactive iodine on me. It was time to start the waiting game, I felt like a basket ball inside, one minute I feel fine then tired & depressed Then hyper & anxouse (the worse). For several months my mediction was messed up causing me to go nuts, I remember walking out of church crying telling my uncle that I couldn't do this anymore that I just wanted to die, it would be easier. He told me a few great wrods "God doesn't give you anything that you can not handle" I did a ton of thinking after that & praying. After that 1st year of what I called hell, I finally began to feel somewhat normal & realizing that the way I felt (mostly tired, sour stomach) was going to be normal for me, & I realized that that was OK, I can do this. It has over 3years & I have been on Levothroid, my dose has only needed increased once. (Even though I wish they could do thyriod transplants) I just got married I've never been happier & I never felt better. Thank god for my uncles famouse words....
Sign Time: February 20 1999 at 01:39:14

Guest Name Eva Mendoza
Homepage URL:
From: Pecos, Tx
Comments: I am very pleased to find some place where I can go to read storys of other people who suffer from graves disease. Sometimes I feel as if I am alone fighting this scarey disease.
Sign Time: February 19 1999 at 14:28:47

Guest Name Suzin Curtis
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From: I live in Texas
Comments: I am still going through testing for a Thyroid condition. I am eagerly awaiting the results. I have all but three of the symptoms of Hyperthyroidism...but I am hopeful, there will be good news.
Sign Time: February 18 1999 at 23:22:13

Guest Name LINDA PARKER
Homepage URL:
From: MACON,GEORGIA
Comments: MY SILENT SCREAMS.HI I"M LINDA FROM GEORGIA. I FOUND OUT THAT I HAD GRAVES DISEASE IN 1996.MY DEAR AUNT IS THE ONE THAT NOTICE THE GOITER ON MY NECK,AND STARTED ASKING ME ALL SORTS OF QUESTIONS. WHEN I GOT THROUGH ANSWERING ALL OF THEM, HER WORDS TO ME WAS GO SEE MY DOCTOR, I DID AND SURE ENOUGH ,I HAVE GRAVES DISEASE.FROM THEN TO NOW I JUST WANT TO SCREAM. BOTH MY DOCTORS DO THEIR REGULAR ROUTINE OF TEST AND SAY SEE YOU IN TWO MONTHS.I WISH I COULD FIND OUT SOME ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS.MAYBE YOU COULD HELP ME. 1.HOW TO FIND A ENDROCOGNOLIGST IN GEORGIA THAT DEALS WITH GRAVES DISEASE. 2.WHAT DOES [IN THE ACTIVE STAGE]MEANS 3.WHY DO I WANT TO SCREAM? 4DOES THIS ROLLER COASTER EVER STOP? 5.IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN"T WORK BECUASE THEY HAVE DOUBLE VISION? IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW COULD HELP,PLEASE E-MAIL. P.S. ALSO HOW CAN YOU GET YOUR HUSBAND TO UNDERSTAND,SINCE HE IS NEVER SICK ABOUT THIS DISEASE AND TO REALIZE THAT YOU CAN"T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERANT MOODS THAT COME OUT OF YOU. IS THERE A DOCTOR THAT YOU CAN TALK TO ON THE NET. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU MAY GIVE. LINDA
Sign Time: February 17 1999 at 21:51:08

Guest Name Rinda Elliott
Homepage URL:
From:
Comments: Hi! I just wanted to say thanks for these nice pages on Graves. I've been living with Graves for four years and can't believe I never thought to look it up on the net. Pages like yours go a long way to help people who think they're the only ones dealing with this diseases. Thanks again. :)
Sign Time: February 17 1999 at 15:00:24

Guest Name Lauren Heiser
Homepage URL:
From: San Diego, CA
Comments: I am 18 years old, and was diagnosed with Graves Disease a few months ago. 3 weeks after I went on Tapazol, I had an allergic reaction to the drug. I then went onto PTU, and got really sick with tonsislidis about a week after I started taking that drug. I have had to drop out of Stanford University for a quarter of my freshman year (which I never thought in a million years would happen), which has honestly been the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Is there anyone who has had a similar reaction to the thyroid medications, and/or is there anyone who is around my age (18-ish), who has also been diagnosed with the disease? Please feel free to contact me if you have any information or just want
Sign Time: February 16 1999 at 19:26:56

Guest Name Victoria Porath
Homepage URL:
From: Erie, PA
Comments: I was diagnosed with hyperthryoidism in January of 1996, even though I had no symtoms so I thought. The doctor recommended RAI so I did it. That gave me all the crazy symptoms and it wasn't until my pulse hit 168 that I went to the ER and ended up on heart medicine. Then I got the bulging eyes and my doctor "thought" maybe I had Graves. I switched doctor's immediately and am now taking Synthroid at a good level. I had a healthy baby boy last year and since then my thryoid seems to be very under control, even my eyes are much better. When I think back to the beginning and how crazy I thought I was getting, at least now I know what it was from. Good luck to you and everyone else. If you're not happy with your doctor or think you're not geting results - definitely switch to an endocronologist immediately!
Sign Time: February 15 1999 at 10:08:45

Guest Name Donna DeStefano Favalora
Homepage URL:
From: Atioch, CA
Comments: I was diagnosed with Graves in August 1995. At that time I had lost a significant amount of weight, was barely able to walk due to weakness in my leg muscles, could not sleep, was constantly overheated and was going to the bathroom constantly. I thought I was loosing my mind and could not get through a single daily task without a great deal of frustration. I had no patience with my family or friends. When I went to the doctor, I was diagnosed immediately and upon much consideration, decided on the treatment of radioactive iodine. At that time my TSH was .0001. I had the treatment in November of 1995 and since that time my levels continue to fluctuate. Currently I an not on any tyroid replacement hormones because my blood test results are not quite low enough. I have gained 30 lbs. since treatment and as you can imagine, that does not make me feel great. The most important book I found is called "The Thyroid Sourcebook", by M. Sara Rosenthal. It has been invaluable to me and I have passed it on to the several people I know who have been diagnosed with thyroid disease. Take Care and God bless you all.
Sign Time: February 14 1999 at 22:03:12

Guest Name Donna DeStefano Favalora
Homepage URL:
From:
Comments: I have Graves Disease and wanted to learn more about it and other people's experiences. Can you help me?
Sign Time: February 14 1999 at 21:46:24

Guest Name Dorothy Goldstein
Homepage URL:
From: South Florida
Comments: Love your page. have hypothroidism from hashimotos. Thyroid removed in 12/85. Been a Yo-yo ever since. I do understand your problems. Finally found a great endocrinologist but he moved. Unfortunately most doctors don't take my complaints seriously 7 say it is stress, menopause, etc. I also have a husband with Altzheimers. Makes things harder. Love yout site, Good luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sign Time: February 12 1999 at 21:03:56