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...

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Endocrine System
/ Graves' Disease Support Group

Wife has Graves Disease

deleted_user
deleted_user
My wife had her thyroid radiated as a treatment to the Graves disease and is now going through a horrible rollercoaster of emotions. I have tried to educate myself on the disease and be supprtive but this can be difficult during bouts of depression. We used to have a wonderful marriage complete with a beautiful 2 year old boy. Obviously this is putting a great strain on the both of us. I love her and support her very much and would like to know how long it took most people to get the levels back to normal and felt like thier old selves.

Thanks for any info you can provide.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm sorry to hear about the rollercoaster! I myself am starting the rollercoaster after having RAI. How long ago did she have it done?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think its wonderful that your researching so you can know what she's going through. This whole Graves Disease seems to be a rollercoaster no matter which option you choose.
deleted_user
deleted_user
She had the procedure at the end of August. The rollercoaster started about 1 week later.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I do know that it could take a couple months or even longer. Has she gone hypo yet? Or still having a little hyper and hypo mixed together. That's what I'm having now, extreme fatigue and then bursts of energy with palpitations. Does she have a endo that is staying on top of everything? Has she been having blood work done? I would defanitly talk with your endo and see what he thinks. Just know that everything will get better it just might take a little time! Hang in there!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
First of all, I KNOW it's grueling to deal w/a spouse who has GD. I admire that you are reaching out. My husband deals w/me (I have GD - diagnosed 2/01. It was extremely difficult for him to suddenly have a wife w/little to no energy. I used to be like the Energizer Bunny. A book I HIGHLY recommend is "Living Well With Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism" by Mary Shomon (amazon.com). It has a great section on Graves Disease info for spouses about how to deal with and help deal with this disease. It helped my husband to read about it because too often I was too overwhelmed, tired, ill to voice MY frustration with his frustration. I just didn't have it in me to make him feel better...and was afraid he would leave me when I needed him most. Forward 6 years later, and I am doing super well (we just completed a 2000 mile motorcycle trip to Canada-so life together does return. Thank God my husband hung in there, because I really needed him too and now, I want him more than ever!
As for words to comfort your wife - keep it simple as in: "I'm sorry you don't feel well", "Why don't you take a nap, rest etc.", "Ill order pizza, vacuum etc." This shows you are willing to let her heal and takes the guilt away from her being sick but not looking sick. Most people show immediate sympathy if one is diagnosed with cancer, etc. But because Graves is relatively an unknown, it's hard to find support amongst your peers.
(We had been married 5+ years when I was diagnosed.)
Please,hang in there - she needs you.
I'll remember both of you in my prayers.

Please read my bio on how a nutritional cleanse speeded up my recovery from RAI.
Warmly,
Bel
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