ever get back to normal? It's hard to remember what "normal" was. When I became stable on PTU I was pretty normal...at least from what I can remember...I got better. Then I had a TT, I feel better now than I have since getting graves, though I don't know if it's the same. I'm only a few months out though and I hear it takes months to be 100%, but I definitely feel myself moving in the right direction and I feel that one day this will all be behind me.

I had a RAI, but want to second all that Mandi has said I feel the exact same way as her. Its not all the way better yet but it will. Its been 7 Mos. for me and I have been fighting this thing all the way. I will not be changed I am determined to get back to my life. Which has been happening lately as levels are getting a lot better. It just takes a lot longer then we all have planned unfortunately.
Take care and have hope it will get better.
Takes a good year or more I've heard from others.
kelly

normal....you know for the most part I do feel normal again - it just took time for me, almost 5 years! but I do feel pretty much like myself again, I am not as out going as I was before but I think that had more to do with being a teenager lol! But hang in there you do feel normal again it just takes time especially if you have a 10 month old I'm sure it will just take a bit longer for your body to finish adjusting

Like you said, not only the Graves changes us, but kids and getting older, just LIFE can change us. I too have a 3 year old and a 15 month old, so I know what stress that alone can bring to a couple. I don't think I know one married couple that has stayed the same as when they were first married. And my family is made up of strong long standing marriages. The generation above mine are all past their 35 year mark. I've heard a lot of them joke, even my parents, that if they met their spouse now with the way they are now, they wouldn't even date them let alone marry them. Yes, it's joking, but there is some truth to it. In the beginning, everyone puts their best foot forward, is polite, is sex crazy, lol. Then time goes on and things change. Even before I was diagnosed with Graves, when I was pregnant with my first daughter, my husband always told me I had changed. I wasn't the same, I was bitchier and less fun. Well, we didn't have kids before, we went out every weekend, we did some partying, we have a lot of fun. And we had sex nearly every night. Things change when you bring kids into the picture. And things changed more when Graves was brought into the picture, and it came with another baby. Yes things are different. Husbands have their complaints, but they need to stop and think how we feel on the very same issues. Women don't enjoy rejecting their husbands and having no sex drive. Women don't want to be the nagging bitching wives. Men need to try to understand what it's like on this side of the fence too. They aren't many days I wake up and feel okay let alone great. He feels great all the damn time, he couldn't possibly understand. So yes, I've changed, and he has too. He isn't anywhere near as romantic as he was in the beginning. I don't remember when I last got flowers or a little poem or card for no reason. So we both have changed. To expect someone to stay the same as when they are first married is an unfair and unrealistic expectation to have of anyone.

"For better or worse. For rich or for poor. In sickness and in health."

I too, have found myself worrying about this alot lately. Yes I've only been diagnosed for 3 months now, and been treated with RAI over 2 months ago, but not "normal" yet. I wonder all the time, if is this my life now? I know I've put my fiance' through hell probably for 6 months now.

But through coming here, and finding the right Endocrinologist, I've found that it does take longer than expected sometimes. What else can we do? I guess we are along for the ride. I'm with you though. Know how you feel.

I meant to and forgot to add, that I don't have a sex drive either...because I don't feel the need or don't feel good enough for it. Men need to realize that. But maybe it's because they aren't sexy enough either. They don't put in the effort they used to?

MeeShell said it all! Of course people change in their relationships, it can't be the same as it was in the beginning! How could that be? What with children and the ups and downs they bring, the grandchildren, the aging parents, deaths, loss of friendships. Just think... especially us older ones, the changes we have seen in our relationships through the years, then add Graves or any health problem into the mix and forget it! My hubby has had his share of health problems too, so at least he knows, I was there for him when he really needed it.You have to be positive, I know sometimes it's hard...and above all else,have a sense of humor, believe me this had helped mine and my husband's relationship more than anything! Been married 35 years, and YES we ALL change, for whatever reason, but it can bring you closer too!

I wonder how can a marriage stay the same (whether one is healthy or sick) and not go through the stages of experiencing something new?

At the age that my husband and I are at, he's in his early 50s and I'm in my mid 40s, life wasn't the same as it was about 25 years ago when we first married. We didn't have kids then and did alot of 'fun' stuff. Now we have kids and are experiencing living and doing 'fun' stuff with our kids.

Hubby and I always don't have as much time for each other, but we do try to communicate on other levels that are just as meaningful.

I have to be honest here and say yes life has changed me in the areas of health. If I didn't have the experiences to have the understanding on how to cope with the health problems, I think I would find myself more afraid of living and not learning anything at all. I have the chance to work at being healthy and feel I have done really well in the last few years with handling my health much better than I did in the previous years.

Take care... :-)

Sahm, such a good question. One I can't answer yet. The others have made some good points!!
I know I've changed. My husband even says I have. I've had this disease for years I suspect. One thing I've noticed in the last several days is I'm more calm than I've been in years. My libido is definitely on Hiatis.
Hubby is very patient and understanding. He now knows why I've been so moody for years. I'm so lucky he's stuck it out with me. There were some pretty psychotic outbursts he's had to endure over the years. Nothing worse than word vomit that you have to apologize for later.
On the bright side, I personally think Normal can be a state of mind then body as they seem to coincide. I'm not normal yet but will welcome any sort of normalcy and be grateful. I've been abnormal for so long.
Eat right, take your meds' get your levels checked when feeling off kilter and take supplements. Limit processed foods and eat more healthy. Do all these things and you will help your fragile immune system.

I think the key thing is sticking it out and being there and trying to understand. If you and your hubby can do that, then I believe there is hope. Talk to each other. None of it is easy by any means.

Hi Sahmi,
So many great posts for a good question. The only thing I would like to add is that having this condition has helped me to know my body very well and how to care for it - salad and salmon + salad and salmon + salad and salmon! lol
Maripooo

Salmon should be avoided if you are hyper Maripooo.Salmon contains large amounts of iodine.
As for 'normal', I think we all change over time and this disease not only makes us more aware of our health and others but stronger.
I have had Graves for 5 years and RAI 2 years ago, I feel 100% better than I did but I am a different person from when I was first diagnosed.

I agree with Milko - I feel great (well except for right now I think my levels are off, but it was a year straight of feeling great so it's a step in the right direction!) but I am in no way the same person I was before this, or will I ever be. I dont think I act like most 23 yr olds - going through all my health issues made it so I grew up alot quicker. And while there were times I was so misserable and wanted my old life back, I now think it was probably all for the better.

Hang in there - I think it just takes us all time to find ourselves again - or I should say our new selves :)

Thanks Milko - I thought only shellfish was on the NO list.

Question is were we ever Normal :) But anyways Im 3yrs on Atds I go up and down w/ my levels on ocassion i do see a glimmer of the old me but it normally doesnt last to long. So now what I try to do is except who I am now. Anyone that cares for you knows ur life is a struggle and will except ur good and bad days. Yes they may get irratated with us or frustrated but they will except it for what it is Graves Disease.