Anyone Else Have Graves Disease?

Hey R. my name is K. I'm sorry to hear about your graves disease. I don't know how bad yours is but I can tell you my story.. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and graves disease in 96' I was only 18 years old, away from home in the NAVY and very scared but I got through it. I went undiagnosed for many months. I had symtoms like bulging eyes, trembling, diarrhea, and a lot of anxiety. I was very miserable during that time but when I was finally diagnosed they recommended that I do the rarioactive iodine tratment beacuse it is easier to control a hypothyroid than a hyperthyroid. So I did it and didn't have any problems with the treatment, but they didn't put me on a high enough dose of synthroid afterwards and I blew up (no literally). I put on a lot of weight and was miserable all over again. Everthing in my body slowed way down. It took quite a while before they got my throid regulted but they finally did. And as my thyroid leveled out I lost the weight. I'm almost certain had I of not been in the military my situation would have been a lot different. I don't think I had the best of care... It has been 10 years now and I'm quite healthy. I still have to have my thyroid checked every year and I take synthroid every day. If you would like to talk more you can email me at ____@____.com
Take care of yourself, it will get better.
God bless,
K.

Hi R.,
Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time with your health. I don't have graves, but I have a couple friends who do. I met them through my business. You asked if there were other options out there. I'm happy to say there are. Actually, I'm in a business that is built around products that are helping people with this and other health issues. The products are outstanding, and the business is incredible too. If you are really looking for help, I'd be glad to give you more info. Just let me know. I'm kind of new to this list so I'm not sure if we're allowed to give phone numbers, etc. I think I'll send it seperately in a private message just in case it's not allowed.
D.

R.,

My sister has Grave's Disease. She was diagnosed about 3-4 years ago. It was very difficult for her. She had to have surgery to have her Thyroid removed because of it. It took a long time before she could even have the surgery because all her "levels" had to be exact, & her eyes bulged out quite a bit which gave us all a scare. Her main concern was that she could lose her eye sight down the road. Now, she's on meds & is doing great. She hasn't been sick in about 2 years. She still has to get her levels checked like every 3 months which are sometimes high, but other than that, she's great.

R..
I don't have Graves Disease but worked with a girl who just found out she has it. She is no longer here but she had the raidoactive treatment and had to be out of work for a week b/c she could not be around people esp pregnant women. She seemed to do fine and came back to work after a week. Her eye looked a bit puffy but she felt ok afterward and when she came back to work! I can find out more information if you would like as I have her email address at home! She had a lot of issues that she didn't know why and then after much testing, she found out she had Graves Disease! Good luck and i'll see if I can get more information!

R. -

I was diagnosed with Graves disease when my first daughter was almost 2 (I was 27). My mother had it about the same length of time after I was born. Both instances cleared on their own with time. I lost a lot of weight, but started really watching what I ate - changed my eating habits for the better. Other than the weight loss, the mood swings were my biggest problem. I took a low dose anti-anxiety med as needed until I felt like I was in control again. I had a biopsy - which I will NEVER EVER EVER do again. It was worse than any pain of childbirth. I'm one to take a wait-and-see when it comes to disease remedies - only taking Rx meds for symptoms, and am fighting rheumatoid arthritis naturally. The idea of starting lifelong meds or surgery for disease that they really aren't sure about the causes for .. that doesn't sit well with me personally. Graves was very frightening (the name of it doesn't help), but what was good about it was that it made me slow down and regroup life. It prompted my better eating habits and made the big diet changes I've made with the RA much easier to bear. You can email me if you'd like to talk about it. I know how scary it can be.
~S.

Dear R.,

I don't have or know much about Graves, but I thought you might want to know you have some famous company fighting along side you. Barbara Bush and Gail Devers are both working to overcome Graves as well. Depending on how old you are you may not remember Gail. Here is a quick story for you.

Gail Devers was diaognoised while training for the Seoul Olympics in 1988. For a while it looked like her dreams of a gold medal were over. The doctors were even worried that they might have to amputate her feet. In 1992, less than 17 months after the doctors had considered amputating she won her first gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the
Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and was named the "World's Fastest Woman." During the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, she repeated her 1992 performance by winning the gold medal in the 100-meter dash, becoming only the second woman to win the prestigious event at two consecutive Olympics. She was also on the gold medal-winning 4x100 meter relay team.

Don't give up these women haven't and neither should you. Keep asking questions and find the treatment that makes the most since to you!