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...
Ugh, I havent been feeling good the last week. I'm not sure if i should call my endo and ask to run my labs early. Do our labs fluctuate week to week? or will it not make much difference unles i wait at least 4 weeks? Last visit, he put me on atenolol 25 mg daily (I opted to take 1/2 a tablet daily)and he increased my PTU to 50 mg daily (i opted to take 37.5 mg daily, divided). The atenolol gave me paranoia so he switched me back to propranolol but that gave me horrible chest pains so I went back on the atenolol but only took 1/2 of 12.5 mg once daily for only a couple days. I have stopped it as of yesterday. I have been EXTREMELY tired the last week, can barely keep my eyes open. I am wondering if I'm going hypo? but my heart is still racing at least once daily, sometimes late at night too... or could it be my levels increased even more? I'm so confused. I just feel like crap. I am even considering the ER tonight if I dont feel much better sooner than later. I'm having slight chest pressure/pain and my heart has raced off and one thru the day but nothing too too serious as in the past. I do have a horrible headache and some dizziness has set in since about mid afternoon... any suggestions????
I remember you being extremely tired on the beta-blockers before....and I also remember you being hyPO.
Have you discussed block and replace therapy with Elaine Moore?
I really don't know what motivated your endo to tell you that you aren't a good candidate.....some docs don't think it helps matters but, so many peeps have been able to stabilize much better on BRT so it makes sense to me that your endo should be at least willing to try.
Just curious - do you have any nodules? I'm wondering if you have a hyper-functioning nodule that might be giving you these spurts of potentially hyper symptoms.
Sheesh....I really wish your endo would try BRT for you - it just seems to make SO much sense with your T3 Toxicosis and sensitivity to beta-blockers.
You remember - right? You take PTU to bring down both your FreeT4 and FreeT3 and then take something like synthroid/levoxyl/levothyroxine, a T4 -only med to keep your FT4 at your "best place".
I dont do labs again til April 2 but at this rate, i may just run my labs a week early... my endo always gives me my lab slips so i have them already. what do you think?
It definitely sounds like you have something viral going on - a fever can certainly cause the heart issues you've been having.
I wouldn't get labs done until you are back to normal - being sick can through things off, for sure.
Maybe, just maybe, when you get better, that will be the end of things.
One of those "wait and see" moments again......
Hope you feel better soon!
I am not aware of any special needs re Graves' patients other than the standard get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and try to eat healthy.
I think you already know to avoid meds that contain decongestants (words that end in "phrine) 'cuz that is stimulating....same thing if you gargle with salt water to help your sore throat - non-iodized (plain) salt
Basically, take good care of yourself and keep doing whatever you've been doing to heal from the Graves'.
Sure hope you feel better soon!