Someone tell me im ok!!!

[Lisathelost]

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. (

[Lisathelost]

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

[Barb135]

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.

[Lisathelost]

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.

[Barb135]

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.

[Lisathelost]

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

[Barb135]

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.