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Avatar universal

Someone tell me im ok!!!

My Dr found I had overactive thyroid. So I went to an endo today who says I have graves disease. I'm scared to death and don't want to die. My family Dr says it will kill me!!! I'm scared of this diagnosis! Ive been prescribed a medication. But I'm scared to take it. I'm so scared and have noone to talk to. Please someone help me. I have kids and grandkids and don't want to leave them. (
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Avatar universal
I know how shocking it is to be diagnosed with something new and if you are hyper, then that just ads to your anxiety level on top. Just learn to breathe, exhale slowly, eat more fiber, and I agree about calling your dr if constipation gets too bad. you should be going once a day to the bathroom not to get constipated according to my experience which you may have to take Metamucil or something but call your dr if doesn't work. I was borderline high for years and then went hypo at menopause so it is not the end of the world. Just eat healthy and don't try to run or exercise until the dr says your thyroid is back to normal with the meds would be my advice. Keep a log of how you are feeling so when you go back to dr, you can remember questions to ask because a diagnosis can be quite overwhelming  at first.
Just focus on the needs, not wants, and take it one day at a time and learn patience is going to help you the most. Be patient with yourself.
Learn you don't have to be superwoman, or perfect, and this is time for you to balance your life and take it one day at a time. Remember to slow down,breathe and exhale when you feel anxiety coming on.
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Avatar universal
Thanks Barb. I look back at some of my older posts and wow I needed slapped. Lol. But I do feel more at ease these days. Thank you for all your support.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
You do have a sense of humor...lol    Here's to anxiety.... many of us have been there and many of us could go back there at any time... hang on; you're doing well since you first came here...
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Avatar universal
Yes that's probably true also. I'm a very anxious person in the first place so if I get any sort of health issue I freak. I tend to be paranoid about my health. So having the eco and ekg both turn out normal then I'll just assume its my anxiety. Lol. God bless good ole anxiety.
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Avatar universal
I'd add that your body has probably compensated somewhat for your thyroid hormones being too high. So as your levels go back down to normal, your body has to re-adjust.
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Avatar universal
Ok ty.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Glad to hear that the methimazole is working for you.  If you haven't changed your diet or anything, the med could be lowering your thyroid levels enough to cause you to go hypo.  One of the main symptoms of hypo is constipation.

If it gets worse, you should contact your doctor and ask for new blood work.  Make sure you get Free T3 and Free T4, along with TSH.  

If your blood pressure and heart rate are stable, I'm going to guess the chest discomfort may be caused by worry/fear.  Relax a few minutes, take some deep breaths, then go do something to have fun and take your mind off your health.  

As always, you're the only one who knows exactly how you feel, so if, at any time, you deem it necessary, don't hesitate to call your doctor.
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Avatar universal
So I've been on my methimazole for like 9 days now. Going good so far. But my question is I may be constipated and having chest discomfort. Not sure but kinda worried. I had a heart eco 2 weeks ago and everything was normal. So what I'm curious about is could the meds cause constipation or is it maybe the graves causing the chest discomfort? I'm sure if your too constipated it'll push up on your chest. Please if anybody has any help let me know. Thank you so much.
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much. I appreciate all your kind words. I'm so confused about the whole illness but I'll get through it. Especially with the support of y'all. Just gotta get over the poor me stage. That's really what I think is the main problem. Im weak but that's mostly it. My pulse stays good. Blood pressure good. Just my darned mind going into overdrive. Again ty all for your help.
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Avatar universal
As far as overdoing it ...I would say just do the activities of daily living as you tolerate them--but do not exercise till your thyroid is under control and also do not overdo--for instance this is not the time (for you) to start Spring cleaning. Much depends on how hyperthyroid you are and how severe your symptoms are.  Working is good as long as you have a job where you are able to tolerate the activity.  I myself was not able to work since I had such severe symptoms--I had to take a leave of absence till my symptoms were better controlled--for me that was 5 weeks.  If you can work then do so--believe me I would have if I could have. You will get on track.  I can understand being scared because I know I with my severe symptoms I was quite scared.  Like Barb said try not to dwell on the illness--take your medicine.  If it helps you to do a daily journal of how you feel and your symptoms.. do that... it helped me and also to keep track of things so when the doctor asked me if I was still having any symptoms I didn't have to remember every symptom I just looked back in my journal and there it was.  I also got a pill box because some days I couldn't remember if I had  taken my pill or not--days run together and life goes on and sometimes we are in a rush and truly forget --not good to forget your med--lol or rather not lol Now with a pill container that has each day of the week ..if the pill is gone then I know I took it.  You're lucky you only take you pill once a day--I have to take mine twice a day. You can also set an alarm on your phone to remind you if you need that.  Like Barb says live life--don't dwell on your illness.  Don't let your illness own you.
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Avatar universal
Lol ty Barb. I needed that. I'm actually laughing. That feels nice.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
LOL   I warned you about Dr Google... it's fine to go ahead and read to learn about your condition, but you have to make sure you're reading/learning from reputable sites.  

Come on, buck up, because thyroid disease is not for wimps and chickens... lol
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Avatar universal
Ok. Thank you. I've really got to figure out how to stay off Google. Ugghhh I wish I wasn't such a chicken. Lol
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
What do you mean you're afraid of overdoing it?  Overdoing what?  Most of us go through our thyroid issues with no constraints.  It's unlikely that your doctor is going to tell you to curtail activity, unless you have some other condition that warrants it, because, typically, thyroid doesn't.

Fatigue often causes people to be less active.
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Avatar universal
Im scared. I guess I've just read so much about people overdoing it. My Dr doesn't know enough yet to tell me how much I can or can't do. So I'm just worried about overdoing it I guess. Its all so new to me.
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
It's not necessarily a matter of being strong; it's a matter of not letting an illness take over your life.  You need to control the illness, not the other way around.

If you're moping and pitying yourself, you need to get out and do things that you enjoy to take your mind off your illness.  You said you have a 3-yr old?  Take him/her to the park, play some games, go for a nature walk, etc.

For me, not going work and not caring for my Auntie were, simply, not options.  We needed my paycheck and Auntie had no one else to care for her.
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Avatar universal
Oh Barb I wish I could be that strong. I really want to be. My coping skills are pretty much none! I seem to mope alot and pity myself and worry. I can't stop. So I'm praying for this medicine to kick in and help me out a bit. Thank you again for chatting with me
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Some people simply don't handle another person's illness very well; your BF might be one of those.  My husband didn't/doesn't really understand my hypothyroidism either and it wasn't easy working through it, but once my symptoms began to abate, and I don't feel horrible all the time, it's much easier.  I'm sure it will be for you, too.

Of course, you don't need the extra stress right now, but there really is life after thyroid, so rather than concentrating on how sick you are, try not to let it take over your life (I know - easy for me to say).   While we, with hypothyroidism are at the opposite end of the spectrum from those with hyperthyroidism, many of the symptoms apply to both, so we can honestly say that we've "been there, done that".  

When I was at my very sickest, I worked every day, and cared for my 90+ yr old aunt, who lived an hour+ away from me.  She had dementia and most of the time didn't even realize I was sick, nor did my husband because I went on with my day to day routine.
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Avatar universal
I've told him everything. He says he just doesn't understand it and can't deal with it right now. Still wants to be together and says he loves me. But I don't know anymore. I don't think I need the extra stress right now. But yes I'm taking my meds correctly. Its been 4 days now. So wish me luck. Thanks.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I know you've been pretty upset lately about being diagnosed; I hope you're calming down now and taking the med that was prescribed for you.  

Many people don't understand thyroid issues and they don't realize how horrible one can feel when either hypo or hyper.  

Have you tried to sit down and talk calmly with your BF about your disease and what it does to you?  Or maybe even print a couple of articles about it for him to read, so he'll understand.  

If he's not willing to make an effort to understand what's happening, maybe he's not right for you, but by the same token, you have to explain it calmly and clearly to him.  

If you're taking the methimazole as prescribed, your symptoms should start subsiding pretty soon; if they don't, you need to call your doctor and tell her/him.  
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Avatar universal
So I'm not sure what to do. My bf isn't understanding my disease at all. Gets mad because I don't feel good. Isn't very supportive at all. Is working all the time just to stay away from the house. I don't want to lose him but I don't know what to do. Any advice would help.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Well, there you go; some good news.  You'll get it all under control.

Hope the methimazole is helping some.
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Avatar universal
I had graves disease when I was 23, I still worked full time & raised my son who was 1yr old back then.

It has been almost 21yrs, and no problems, still alive and living life...No issues.
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Avatar universal
I'm so pleased right now. I just got the results of my heart eco and its normal! Praise God!!! Now to conquer this thyroid issue! Hope you're all doing well today.
Helpful - 0
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