Guest Name: Kathy
Homepage URL:
From: Rhode Island
Comments: Hi, I guess this also sounds so familiar. I have always been very active, children, husband, job etc. Over the past few months I knew something was wrong. In December I went to my Gyn. Dr., as usual I was very nervous, but he seemed to notice that I was unusually fidgety. He had me swallow water, that was a bit nerveracking. But he did order a TSH test, well what do you think, my levels were very high, I then went for repeat blood work and still they were high. I went to see an Endocrinologist, he is supposed to be the best in RI, again more blood work, back to consult with him, he said I had all the symptons of GD, but that I would have to go for an uptake and scan. I did go that week, it was actuallly not bad, it sounded worse. I then after a couple of days received a call from my Dr. it was confirmed that I had GD. I was then put on tapazole-3 X a day. It has been 1 wk. I do beleive I am feeling a bit better. My heart rate is still not normal, but the only way I can describe it, is that I am coming slowy out of a shell. Next week I go for blood work to check my levels. I must say ask all the questions you can and one must feel comfortable with your doctor. Believe me, I do not like this any more than you do, I am acutually very into being healthy. I had to stop doing wieghts, and also letting up on aerobics. But if all goes well I plan on returning to everything. I also asked my dr. if there were alternatives, he did not recommend this as this could be rather dangerous. I must also mention in my case, I had blood work done in Nov. and it was fine, my thyroid went haywire from Nov. to present. Good Luck, to all my friends. Hope to hear from all of you.Great to know that there are others to talk to with the same problems.
Sign Time: May 08 1999 at 16:07:47

Guest Name Stacy Ernst
Homepage URL:
From: Kansas City
Comments: Hi! I'm glad to know about you all and will hopefully be a frequent visitor to this locale. I have suspected thyroid trouble for a while and asked my wonderful OB-GYN (more OB, actually, since I had 3 beautiful boys in 3 recent years!) to order a thyroid test. The results were so wacky, they re-took them a week later. Still goofy. Since coinciding with a sinus infection, they decided to wait 3 months and try again. I'm going next week for an "uptake and a scan" (whatever they are?) They suspect Graves Disease. Hope all is well with you. Thanks for listening!
Sign Time: May 07 1999 at 15:14:50

Guest Name Un J. Lee
Homepage URL:
From: Gaithersburg, Maryland
Comments: I had a little episode yesterday that took me to the hospital ER. All my life, I've been an "emotional" person. As far back as I can recall, I was always "too hot" and sweat easily. I've always had dry, scaly, itchy skin. Plus my eyesight has been going downhill. I went from 20/20 vision to 20/50 in less than 2 years. Recently, I've been on some birthcontrol pills and have been having hot flashes and emotional outbursts, but I've ALWAYS had mood swing problems with birthcontrol pills. And I won't even begin telling you about PMS! I've always believed my metabolism was unusually slow. My body temperature and blood pressure has always been unusually low. I've experienced weird weakness in the legs, but had an "out-of-the-ordinary" spell yesterday morning, on my way out of the elevator at work, which forced me to stop and grab the wall for support. That same day, I was sitting at my computer, and all of a sudden had a chest pain. I grabbed my chest and felt my heart flutter like crazy. After a few deep breaths, I felt better, but very very dizzy and weak. This has NEVER happened to me before, so needless to say, it scared the crap out of me. I called my HMO and went to the hospital. Of course (as usual) they found nothing wrong with me. They checked my arterial gases (through my wrist ---OUCH!!!!!), which of course caused me to hyperventilate. They took an EKG, which of course was normal. Overall, someone my age (25) is too young to have heart problems! Although all the doctors think I'm a hypochondriac, I am finally getting my thyroid checked this weekend. I hope it will explain some of these things. I'm not just crazy! I know my body and I know something is wrong. Let's keep our fingers crossed and reach some closure!
Sign Time: May 07 1999 at 11:20:39

Guest Name Jon Blackburn
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From: Lexington, KY
Comments: I have known for about two months now that I have graves. I have been taking PTU's for about a month, and I am feeling better. When I found out about my levels I was amazed. Does the T3,T4,&TSH have any indication of how long you have had the problem. Does the Goiter alone offer any indication. I am 24 now, and I first noticed a goiter over 5-6 yrs. ago. I have had symptoms for about 2yrs. Is this abnormal?
Sign Time: May 05 1999 at 01:08:43

Guest Name Danielle Brown
Homepage URL:
From: Worland, WY
Comments: I was sick all my life while I was growing up. I joined the US Navy and began to get even sicker. I had so many health problems that I thought there was no way it could be caused by Graves Disease. It took the doctors forever to figure out what was wrong with me. Turns out, I have graves disease. I just turned 22 last month. Just what I wanted.
Sign Time: May 04 1999 at 17:07:14

Guest Name Cathy Schneider
Homepage URL:
From: Oil City PA
Comments: Hi there I am just trying to get some info on this my sisters sister-in-law  was just diagnosed and you see she started about 10 yrs ago and no one thought it was Graves therefore she has now gotten about 80% of all the symptoms. I am sure she has a long road to travel may anyone who reads this keep her in your prayers and I will do the same for you.Be you Friend or family or individual may god bless you all By the way her name is DEBRA thanks again
Sign Time: May 04 1999 at 16:59:32

Guest Name Kathy
Homepage URL:
From: Rhode Island
Comments: Hi Margaret, No,you are not alone! I got the results of my thyroid scan last night, it did confirm that I have GD. I am taking tapazole, 3 tablets, at first I thought how depressing, as I never take any medication, but then I thought of the outcome if I did not. I suppose we need to make the best of it and think positive. You can do it! Look at me I lost my job, but I will not let that get me down. It sure is great to talk to everyone here, I do not feel so all alone, hope to hear from you .
Sign Time: May 04 1999 at 11:38:19

Guest Name Margaret Day
Homepage URL:
From: Montgomery, AL
Comments: What a relief to find out that others have the same problems. I was diagnosed two months ago with GD, given PTU and had radioactive iodine two weeks ago. It is a real effort to move on a consistent basis but what other choice do you have? Dr. Says my TSH is normal and doesn't understand why I am having heart racing - says I shouldn't be doing that. there is so much I don't understand but will keep reading everybody else and maybe will learn.
Sign Time: May 03 1999 at 14:28:34

Guest Name Kathy
Homepage URL:
From: Rhode Island
Comments: Today I lost my job due to GD. Per the doctor I was ordered to take one week out. On that note, my boss left a message on my machine stating she had replaced me. Well what should I do, I suppose I must move on with a positive attitude. I think that is what we all need to do. I also have a husband and two children. I do need to work but I feel everything happens for a reason. Hope to hear from Laura. Have a great day, stop and smell the roses and also hug someone very close to you.
Sign Time: May 03 1999 at 12:27:15

Guest Name Kathy
Homepage URL:
From: Rhode Island
Comments: Hi Laura, I also have chidlren and a husband. I
Sign Time: May 03 1999 at 12:19:34