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Confused and Frustrated with Graves

Posted , 5 users are following.

Rain523
Rain523

I was diagnosis with Graves in October, 2015.  I recently had surgery for my shoulder in June, 2015 everything was fine, no issues with any of my blood work up to this point.  I weighed myself in July and was very upset because of the weight gain from surgery, then one day decided to step on the scale I was 15 lbs light, very happy figured I started working again as well as started a third job, running around so I was happy but a family member insisted I get checked out and that is when I was diagnosised with Graves.  Since then I have gained all the weight back and I am extremely unhappy.  I am on 15 mg of methimzole a day.  I have been on weight watchers for the past 5 weeks lost a total of 3 lbs keep losing and gaining the same weight.  Don't know what to do.  On top of all of this I thought I was in peri menopause but after 12 months got my period and the I am back to counting again.  It just stinks!!!

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • linda187
    linda187 Rain523

    Posted

    Stress can trigger Graves and it sounds as though you have been through a very stressful time recently.  I found for me that while Methimazole blocked the excessive thyroid hormone, it did not raise my TSH for 2 years.  Then I read a research paper by an Italian Endocrinologist about the benefits of Graves patients taking L-Carnitine so I added that, plus vitamin D which most of us are deficient in and Magnesium.  Then I tried Acetyl-L-Carnitine and it really raised my TSH.  I started feeling better once I added the supplements and was able to lower my Methimazole dose considerably.
  • evergreen
    evergreen Rain523

    Posted

    So many people have shoulder problems and then get diagnosed as hyperthyroid. I too had a shoullder op last year. Worked really well and then pain came back and diagnosed hyper. I hope you get your weight sorted out. I have ony been on the anti thyroid drugs for two weeks and so my weight hasn't changed but I guess I have the weight gain to come.
    • christine57219
      christine57219 evergreen

      Posted

      I've been on Levo Thyroxine and Carbimazole for 3 years and haven't re-gained the weight I lost prior to diagnosis.  I lost around 22 lbs and only put back on 3 or 4 lbs when I first started taking the medication.  I look horrendous, skin and bone and no muscles anywhere !  I wish I could put some weight on, I would look better as I was very slim to begin with, so at my age (61) weight loss hasn't done me any favours whatsoever, aged me by about 10 years sad
    • evergreen
      evergreen christine57219

      Posted

      You poor thing. Being really skinny certainly adds wrinckles because your skin cannot adapt to the weight loss. I too look older since dropping weight. I was always slim and then got diagnosed with depression 5 years ago. I was put on mirtazapine eventually and gained 20 pounds but it masked my thyroid symptoms (depression was actually caused by being hyper). Since coming off I have dropped 27 pounds. I don't look too bad (I am 5'10" and weigh 9st 7 (133 pounds)) but still a bit too thin really. I woulldn't mind gaining a few pounds to look healthier, but don't want to gain too much.
  • michelle60449
    michelle60449 Rain523

    Posted

    I certainly sympathize with you. I was diagnosed with Graves in November 2015. I'm on 10mg methimazile and had a series of steroid pulse therapy to aid with inflammation around my eyes. Since I gained 40lbs of weight and no matter how much I diet and exercise the stays there. I have all these beutiful clothes hanging in my closet that I cant even wear. Just know that your not alone in your struggle. We are here to support each other.  Take care
    • Rain523
      Rain523 michelle60449

      Posted

      Since I was diagnosed my TSH was low but now within normal range, my T3 & T4 were high for only one month, my second round of blood test everything is within normal limits.  I go back next week.  I am hoping they can lower my dose.  I am a person who does not enjoys having to take medication.  I understand if it is needed for health reason but just don't like it.  I also have Crohn's disease which is another auto immune condition and I do everything in my power not to be on medication for that.  

       

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