Graves' Disease Support Group
Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...
Hi All,
I am going in search of an endo/md that understands and works with Graves patients rather then - they are the dr do what I say.... ah hmmm,
Anyway, when I first started this journey I was told by a dr that autoimmune disease was autoimmune disease and it didn't matter if it was graves or hashis or what it was.
From being here and with Elaine Moore - I understand it quite differently that Graves is different and that's where there are philosophical differences on how to treat it - agree or disagree? If I need to change my thinking, I am all ears to hear what you have to say. My rational is there are different antibody tests for each and you don't treat them the same medically so how can they be considered the same except both are a disease of the autoimmune system. Please help me clarify how I look at this as I move forward - it will help me as the correct questions before working with the next medical person.
Thanks so much - you are all a blessing.
Cindee
I am going in search of an endo/md that understands and works with Graves patients rather then - they are the dr do what I say.... ah hmmm,
Anyway, when I first started this journey I was told by a dr that autoimmune disease was autoimmune disease and it didn't matter if it was graves or hashis or what it was.
From being here and with Elaine Moore - I understand it quite differently that Graves is different and that's where there are philosophical differences on how to treat it - agree or disagree? If I need to change my thinking, I am all ears to hear what you have to say. My rational is there are different antibody tests for each and you don't treat them the same medically so how can they be considered the same except both are a disease of the autoimmune system. Please help me clarify how I look at this as I move forward - it will help me as the correct questions before working with the next medical person.
Thanks so much - you are all a blessing.
Cindee
Both my Endo's told be I could never achieve remission and that in order to live a happy healthy life I needed to have RAI. I am living proof that even the worse flare ups can be tamed. Not only did I have a thyroid storm I also had an acute case of TED. Our thyroids and eye's do heal with time and effort. Some take longer than others but it does happen. Just like TED...it eventually rights itself. We have had many members here do just that. Our success rate for remission is quite high...but...not all are able to achieve it because there symptoms and labs are just to hard to stabilize and they opt for ablation.
I think of all the different kind of autoimmune disease there are out there...I'm happy that I got this one. It is treatable where many others aren't. Big Hugs...Kathy
I think because of having five autoimmune diseases, it's harder for me to find the balance of keeping all the antibodies as stabled as possible. I will work on one area and another will get out of whack. But I understand the triggers and try to keep things as balanced as I can.
I can say that my antibodies are low due to now taking the LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone). I've noticed small and steady improvements with all the AID (autoimmune diseases) as time goes on.
I recently had dental work about two months ago, my thyroid antibodies went up from the stress, now I am back down after having to bump up slightly on the ATD.
I don't know if this answers your questions some what in addition to what dairy wrote?
{{{hugs}}}
Thanks again all of you!
Cindee