Does anyone have GRAVES? what will i be dealing with?

[tisatenn2005]

I had blood work done im tsi 135% so over the 13- by only 5 and my tsh is .33. They are waiting til june to do more tests but doc says more than likely graves. I was hoping for info on what to expect and should i be scared. Because im freaking.

[tm514]

I was diagnosed with Graves a little over 3 years ago, I was treated with anti-thyroid drugs (tapazole) for about 14 months.  The ATD had my hyper symptoms under control within about 2-3 months.  I was pretty far hyper - had ignored symptoms for months, including resting heart rate over 100 most of the time, was so emotional and a nervous wreck.  I chose to have my thyroid removed after that due to the fact that I also developed Graves Eye Disease (only about 5% with Graves thyroid disease develop eye problems, so I hope you are in the 95% who don't).  RAI is the third treatment option, but not recommended for those with eye disease.

An encouraging note - I waited for 4 weeks to see an endo with TSH undetectable (guess that means 0.00) after I was diagnosed.  Try not to worry too much until June (although it is hard to wait when you don't fee well).  If you should develop worsening symptoms, call your doctor.

Hope you feel better soon.  Good Luck.

[stella5349]

I'll share too. - I was Graves in 2003 and it can get out of control if you do not get PTU's for it.

I hyper stormed and was almost in a cardiac arrest at 38yrs old!!  I was bottomed out on my TSH below 0.001 - it was horrible.

Please find a day ot two- three -four whatever it takes to learn about this disease. The only way to really tell Graves is to get a uptake scan and see the results from that.

FInd out all you can - there are many therapies out there do not walk into it as I did - thinking there's only limited options to getting treatment.

[tisatenn2005]

thank you Karen for posting. Howa re you doing now? What has been done for you so far?

[krss60]

     I also have graves. Dx. in Jan.  I was afraid all the time also.  But at least now I know why.  Had the palpatations as well. Other than that no more symptoms for me either.  Just the extreme anxiety. That made me afraid to drive, or go outside my home.   Learn all you can, and take good care of your self.  
God bless
Karen

[tisatenn2005]

Thanks so much for talking to me, I honestly feel better having the knowledge that others are out there with the same problems. Im 28 with a 10 year old girl. Single mom working full time and going to college, so having another stress on me seems to much at times. It means alot for you to take the time to talk to me. Chrystal

[skymax2000]

I have tachycardia and have heart palpitations all the time. Cardiologist said it's annoying but not going to kill me. There are meds to stop the palpitations but I didn't want more drugs.

It's great to be diagnosed though. Atleast it's not an unknown. You'll be fine. Don't stress yourself out.

[tisatenn2005]

I have just been kinda dx i was told to wait til june for more tests to find out if they are still bad. I am only having ocassional palpatations. Otherwise nothing unless my being constantly scared counts. lol. I am worried about what this means am i going to have a sudden heart attack things like that. But no problems with goiters or lumps or eyesight. no rashs or hot colds nothing yet (knock on wood).

[skymax2000]

I have Graves. Hyperthyroid symptoms suck. What are your symptoms? I'm being treated with anti-thyroid med, PTU. I'm also pregnant so I'm super-tired. But before I was pregnant and taking PTU, my TSH was 'normal' and I felt good. Being pregnant made me hyper again.

Don't be scared. Get educated. Keep copies of all your test results.

[AR-10]

The health pages have some good information on Grave's, and on anxiety as well. That would be a good place to start.

You can Google Grave's disease and read for days.

Learning more about what MIGHT be a disease you have should help you to be less frightened and will also teach you what symptoms to keep an eye on, what tests to expect (or ask for), and what questions you need to ask your doctor in June.