Opinions plesae...

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Opinions plesae...
6
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 2:13pm

Hi.  OK, as some know I was diagnosed hyper/graves.   With low tsh, non existent at this point, high t3, slightly high t4.   I took the uptake test, which determined positive for hyperthyroid...etc.   I just take a beta blocked right now b/c I am allergic to antithyroid meds, don't want to take the RAI and I am getting surgery. 
My symptoms are:


sweating/hot all of the time,  frequent bowel movements, insomnia, no periods, mood swings, shaking, fast heartbeat (last night in bed it was 140!) pounding heart, muscle weakness,  hair loss,   nervousness, breathlessness.  Moderate weight loss, but I gain it back b/c I eat like crazy.  I guess thats it, may have missed something.


Now I know the net is full of good and bad. You have to tkae things with a grain of salt sometimes.  Now, with this said, someone on a different board said:  I should stop the beta blockers.  Do not do anything to my thyroid, and I need to start taking thyroid meds like armour.  That I probably just have an adrenal problem.  I then asked them why I would have a positive uptake test if it were adrenals. She didn't know what the uptake test was.  


Does anyone have an opinion on this?  I know there are adrenal problems. I know there are osteopaths out there, but aren't they kinda like a chiropractor? I mean, like some swear by them and others think they are a waste of time and money. Also, why should I believe this person on the net and not my endocrinologist who went to medical school etc?   I know not all docs are good but come on.  After all of the tests, etc, he is actually making a mistake and its not my thyroid at all?  I could see if my tests were barely "bad" with no symptoms, but they aren't. they aren't absolutely terrible either.   I think this all started in March or so...I just caught it early.  All of this thyroid stuff is confusing enough and this being throw in is just - ugh.  I just get angry and annoyed. (partially b/c of my thyroid problem makes getting mad easy) 


Thanks everyone....


April

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2004
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 8:43pm
First of all, osteopaths (who have D.O. after their names) have pretty much the same training as M.D.s. (My cardiologist is a D.O.). Second, do NOT stop taking the beta blockers. From what I understand, one of the possible complications of Graves' disease is dangerously high blood pressure. Third, armour is for people who don't have enough thyroid hormone, not for people who have too much.

Too be blunt about it, I would say the person who posted that message you saw is full of an unladaylike word beginning with S.

Diane

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 8:50pm

Hello...

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2004
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 12:24am
Please be careful and stay on those beta blockers. Actually it sounds like you'd benefit from a little higher dose, but i am not a dr., just a hyper patient for the last 6 years.I've fooled around myself and quit the beta blockers, not good. Missed lots of school and work, had lots of probs. I now have high blood pressure. I nearly passed out on several occasions. I certainly wouldn't even think of taking amour. I think it would certainly be extremely dangerous. Have you heard of a thyroid storm??? This disease can kill you if you take stimulants of any kind, and extra thyroid included. I know a lady personally that has hyper and was trying to lose weight by taking thyroid and herbal diet pills, along with a decongestant for her allergies. She had a heart attack at age 34 and died. This was just about a year ago. She had kids that she left behind. Very tragic.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 5:21pm
Hi April - I've seen other boards that give extremely specific advice on medications - and I think that's dangerous. And ridiculous. Not only are these people not doctors, this stuff is extrememly complex. Plus, they dispense these medication recommendations as if you're actually in charge of prescribing your own medication!!! They might say, "Take a few more grains of this, cut out that." You're absolutely right not to trust that kind of advice and I hope that anyone reading this board NEVER stops taking their meds or makes any adjustments on their meds without their doctor's recommendation. It's extrememly dangerous. For goodness sake - your taking the meds and your heart rate was at 140!!! What would happen if you just stopped them? It makes no sense.

Why not call your endo and talk to him or her about your symptoms and see what they say? I'm really glad you questioned that advice!! Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 5:43pm

Hi!


I feel exactly how you do!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Fri, 10-29-2004 - 3:15pm
No problem!! People come and go on these sites all the time, too. They're really open to anything! So I think it's smart of you to be so discerning. I hate to think of all the people who might not be. Cathy :)