A Few Questions...

[Braids]

Hi everybody. I'm 18/19 years old and a college student living away from home. Last week, it was brought to my attention that someone was not right with me and after some bloodwork which was off of the charts, was diagnosed with Graves Disease. Since then, I have noticed a few things that I'd love to have answered and I figured, ask peoplpe who may have had these symptons too.

I've noticed (especially walking down stairs) that my knees feel weak and cushy, and almost like they will give out from under me. I was wondering if anyone else had that as well.

Recently, the right side of the base of my neck has gotten bigger. I know about Graves diesease, but not in the simple terms. Is it just swelling?

Also, I know my mom had asked this (hi mom!), but I have been constantly feeling nauseas and hungry. I almost can't tell the difference. Any foods that help keep you full a little longer?

My last question is this. I've found that my energy level has majorly expanded and I think this is part of Graves (correct me if I'm wrong) but then sometimes, I feel the need to just sleep for a few hours. Any one else?

Thanks!!!!

[GravesLady]

I have Graves' - once Graves' always Graves'.

It could be a nodule and some nodules will grow down into the chest area, so its worth having checked out.  Or it could just be swelling from excess thyroid hormones and return to normal once treated.  Still better to have doctor check it out.  Always better to be safe than sorry.

If I didn't eat when I was hungry which my system was telling me about 30 min. after eating, I would get nauseated, sometimes getting so sick I would have to skip eating and go to bed trying to sleep it off.  If you have a fast metabolism no foods helps keep us full.  I was a bottomless pit and ate like a big.

My energy level was like I could run a 100 miles and back, then turn around and run it again. Actually I was in the midst of stacking 24 cords of fire wood (not all at once but daily), raking the front yard and even the street, call my sister ask her if she needed help stacking her wood (she said no), then I would dance around the house the rest of the day into night. Hey, and I was no young chicken either.  I miss all that energy!

Back then I didn't have the need to sleep all that much.  I might have averaged 5 to 6 hours per night but I always felt as though I had a full and refreshed eight hours.   Now, I average 6 1/2 to 7 hours sleep per night and have to have my cat naps just about daily because the little energy I have now drains me.

We are not all alike nor will we suffer the same issues.  I wish yours to be minimal.

Good luck with your Graves'.

GL

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, a month when various organizations put together informational efforts to help us all learn more about thyroid disease here in the U.S.

January is National Graves Disease Awareness Month
National Graves' Disease Awareness Week 1/7 thr 1/13

[DLA]

Well, I had Graves' and most of the symptoms are very much Graves'.  The unabated appetite, weakness, and definitely a sore and stiff neck, but I don't know about the swelling.  Have heard others on here talk about being hyper active but I was a zombie with it and could do almost nothing but sleep.

The base of your neck?  That is the back, right?  And not the base of your throat.  If it's in the front you would need to have an ultra sound done of your thyroid to see if there is a goiter/nodule or something like that.