Re: OK, now I'm getting depressed...

[Guest guest]

Camille, if you do decide to have the party, let us know what time to be

there and what to bring. We will do our best to cheer you up. I wish

Debs were here and not in the hospital, because she really knows how to

throw a party - beautiful cabana boys, fun games (like " Dunk the

Doctor " ), refreshments (as meds will allow), and food of all sorts.

Postpartum thyroid disorders are fairly common (around 5 - 7% of all

mothers) and many cases will resolve on their own (there is hope!).

Graves' disease made it to the news in a big way a few years ago when

both Barbara and (senior) Bush were diagnosed with it less than

two years apart. Graves' disease is the most common form of

hyperthyroidism.

Did your doctor test you for thyroid antibodies? Or were the more

standard thyroid tests abnormal?

Here are a few links about postpartum thyroid disorders and,

specifically, Graves' disease:

" Pregnancy Related and Postpartum Thyroid Disorders " from Suite101.com:

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/9630/94210

" Thyroid Problems After Pregnancy " from Shomon at

Thyroid.About.com:

http://thyroid.about.com/library/weekly/aa121900a.htm

From the American Thyroid Association, " Graves' Disease " :

http://www.thyroid.org/resources/patients/brochures/graves_disease.html

" Frequently Asked Questions about Graves' Disease " from the National

Graves' Disease Foundation:

http://www.ngdf.org/faq.htm

" Graves' Disease " from emedicine.com:

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic929.htm

[ ] OK, now I'm getting depressed...

> Hi all,

> Hope everyone is doing well....Over here, I think I'm gearing up for

> a 'pity party.' I just spoke with my Dr., who recently got my labs

> from the rheumatologist, and he thinks I have Graves' disease. Yet

> another condition I've never heard of until someone tells me I have

> it! It took a bit of time, and processing, (with a lot of help from

> this wonderful group!), but I was finally feeling pretty good about

> the RA diagnosis--like I could handle it and get on with my life as a

> new mom. And then, there goes my thyroid! This Graves' thing might

> not be a huge deal, but it's just making me question my whole body--

> what IS WRONG with me?! I feel like I haven't been the same since I

> had my baby--haven't been able to get healthy. Most days I know I am

> so INCREDIBLY blessed, and I am so grateful, but tonight, with this

> new issue, I'm just beginning to lose it, and feel sorry for myself.

> I'm sure it will pass, I just needed to vent for a minute. You are

> all such amazing souls, and most of you have been through SOOO much

> more than me, I thank you very much for listening...Hope everyone has

> a peaceful and pain-free night.

> Camille.