Re: Re: Q about meds and RA issues

[Guest guest]

I have been tested for my thyroid tons of times this past year by a few doctors

and nothing has come of it. One doctor said I have sleep apnea. Sorry not sure

how to spell it. He wanted me tested. So far I never went but I truely don't

think I have it. I know what it is and I'm sure it is not that. This came from

the same doctor that asked if I have been having back pain for a long time. He

never once looked at my chart because if he did he would have seen I have a bad

back with lots of issues and diagnoses.

I know something is wrong with me and I can't put my finger on it.

Thanks for responding,

Cheli

----- Reply message -----

From: " OKD " <Cofade_2000@...>

Date: Fri, Mar 4, 2011 2:06 pm

Subject: [ ] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

< >

[Guest guest]

Hi Group,

I received a call from my Rheumatoligist and he said I need to come back for

more blood work. My calcium level (11.4) was high and he wanted further testing

of my parathyroid. I looked this up on the web and I have so many symptoms of

Hyperthyroidism. Has anybody dealt with this? I feel just like Cheli, that I

know there is something else wrong with me besides RA (as if that wasn't

enough). A little scared right now.

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: " HLHSINFO@... " <hlhsinfo@...>

OKD <Cofade_2000@...>;

Sent: Sat, March 5, 2011 8:04:32 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

I have been tested for my thyroid tons of times this past year by a few doctors

and nothing has come of it. One doctor said I have sleep apnea. Sorry not sure

how to spell it. He wanted me tested. So far I never went but I truely don't

think I have it. I know what it is and I'm sure it is not that. This came from

the same doctor that asked if I have been having back pain for a long time. He

never once looked at my chart because if he did he would have seen I have a bad

back with lots of issues and diagnoses.

I know something is wrong with me and I can't put my finger on it.

Thanks for responding,

Cheli

[Guest guest]

I have the symptoms of graves disease but after intensive testing I do not have

it, or as my endocrinologist said ... yet. I read quite a bit about it oline and

it scared me too.  Since it is another auto immune disorder I'm not surpized

that I might get it.  It seems that once you get one there's no telling what

else will pop up.  I'm sorry to hear that you may have it and I hope you

don't.  There's quite a bit of information re the treatments for this disorder

online and the various benefits and risks of the various treatments.  Good

luck.

 

ladeyangll

From: Heidi Kimball <hkimball48@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

Date: Monday, March 7, 2011, 10:06 AM

 

Hi Group,

I received a call from my Rheumatoligist and he said I need to come back for

more blood work. My calcium level (11.4) was high and he wanted further testing

of my parathyroid. I looked this up on the web and I have so many symptoms of

Hyperthyroidism. Has anybody dealt with this? I feel just like Cheli, that I

know there is something else wrong with me besides RA (as if that wasn't

enough). A little scared right now.

Heidi in Denver

[Guest guest]

I have Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism), have had it for at least 10 - 12 years

now. Before I was diagnoised I was at my gynecologist appt and I told the Dr

that my hands trembled all the time, so she had me hold them out, palms down,

and she put a piece of paper over one of them which fell off due to the

trembling. She said then she thought it was Graves and sent me to an

endocrinologist. He confirmed the diagnosis and they gave me a radiation pill

which killed off my thyroid and I've been on meds ever since. Started with

levo-thyroxine but that didn't work (as it is the generic of synthroid I thought

it would be fine but the endo told me that generics are not always exactly like

the original drugs) so I went on synthroid and my numbers have been good ever

since. I do have a bit of the bug eye thing but not too bad, I see the endo

yearly (started with more times but have cut down since my numbers are stable)

for blood work and see the eye Dr a couple times per year and she measures how

much my eyes are bugging - has remained stable for years too so she told me

that would probably be how they stay (can't wear contacts anymore). One change

I noticed, I was going strong on about 4 hours of sleep per night, I mean I was

out every night (training dogs) and trialing every weekend, it was great! After

my treatment and I was back to 'normal' I needed more sleep, just like everyone

else. I miss being able to get a lot done . . . . :-(

So all I do now is take a small white pill at night and I'm doing fine. Don't

worry, wait for the test results and if it is Graves they'll treat it. It never

goes away, but it can be controlled. The biggest worry for me was my eyes, I

read so much about how buggy they can get, but once you start treatment that

should stop its progression. I do have very dry eyes though.

Take care,

PJ

From: Heidi Kimball <hkimball48@... <mailto:hkimball48%40> >

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

Hi Group,

I received a call from my Rheumatoligist and he said I need to come back for

more blood work. My calcium level (11.4) was high and he wanted further testing

of my parathyroid. I looked this up on the web and I have so many symptoms of

Hyperthyroidism. Has anybody dealt with this? I feel just like Cheli, that I

know there is something else wrong with me besides RA (as if that wasn't

enough). A little scared right now.

Heidi in Denver

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

I hope you get checked out and that you are OK. Try not to worry.

I do have Graves' disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism).

Not an MD

On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 9:06 AM, Heidi Kimball <hkimball48@...> wrote:

> Hi Group,

>

> I received a call from my Rheumatoligist and he said I need to come back for

> more blood work.  My calcium level (11.4) was high and he wanted further

testing

> of my parathyroid.  I looked this up on the web and I have so many symptoms of

> Hyperthyroidism. Has anybody dealt with this?  I feel just like Cheli, that I

> know there is something else wrong with me besides RA (as if that wasn't

> enough).  A little scared right now.

>

>

> Heidi in Denver

[Guest guest]

,

I have an appointment on April 1, 2010. Coincidentally, my blood pressure had

always been good until June 2010 and all of a sudden it sky rocketed. He

prescribed Enalapril to bring my blood pressure down (159/95 vs. 120/80 all my

life). I've often wondered why my BP changed without any reason. Is this one of

the symptoms? What is Graves Disease and I'm sorry you have it. Thanks for your

support!!

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: <Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@...>

Sent: Tue, March 8, 2011 7:04:08 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

Heidi,

I hope you get checked out and that you are OK. Try not to worry.

I do have Graves' disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism).

Not an MD

[Guest guest]

PJ,

Thanks for your response. I have noticed my eye sight has changed a lot

lately. I wear glasses, but the prescription is less than a year old and I know

mine has changed. My eyes are very dry, also. I haven't been able to sleep for

more than 30 min to an hour at a time. Needless to say I'm very tired all the

time. I'm not sure why I'm waking so often, probably has to do with Night

Sweats. Are Night sweats a side effect of RA or Methotrexate?? I'm post

menopausal and think I shouldn't be suffering from these anymore. I tried

Estroven, thinking this would help, but it hasn't. I can't take any Hormones

because of family history of different Cancers. Did you have RA prior to Graves

disease? Wishing you well and no pain. Thanks!!

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: Patti Yuswak <WhtBC10@...>

Sent: Tue, March 8, 2011 6:59:13 AM

Subject: RE: [ ] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

I have Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism), have had it for at least 10 - 12 years

now. Before I was diagnoised I was at my gynecologist appt and I told the Dr

that my hands trembled all the time, so she had me hold them out, palms down,

and she put a piece of paper over one of them which fell off due to the

trembling. She said then she thought it was Graves and sent me to an

endocrinologist. He confirmed the diagnosis and they gave me a radiation pill

which killed off my thyroid and I've been on meds ever since. Started with

levo-thyroxine but that didn't work (as it is the generic of synthroid I thought

it would be fine but the endo told me that generics are not always exactly like

the original drugs) so I went on synthroid and my numbers have been good ever

since. I do have a bit of the bug eye thing but not too bad, I see the endo

yearly (started with more times but have cut down since my numbers are stable)

for blood work and see the eye Dr a couple times per year and she measures how

much my eyes are bugging - has remained stable for years too so she told me

that would probably be how they stay (can't wear contacts anymore). One change

I noticed, I was going strong on about 4 hours of sleep per night, I mean I was

out every night (training dogs) and trialing every weekend, it was great! After

my treatment and I was back to 'normal' I needed more sleep, just like everyone

else. I miss being able to get a lot done . . . . :-(

So all I do now is take a small white pill at night and I'm doing fine. Don't

worry, wait for the test results and if it is Graves they'll treat it. It never

goes away, but it can be controlled. The biggest worry for me was my eyes, I

read so much about how buggy they can get, but once you start treatment that

should stop its progression. I do have very dry eyes though.

Take care,

PJ

[Guest guest]

Thank you, I will keep the group posted. If I have it, I'll deal with it like

everything else. I worried though as I lost my medical insurance when I lost my

job. Trying very hard now to find one, but it's been difficult. There is so much

that I can't do anymore that I could before. I have to weed through job

postings and get pretty excited when I find one and then it will say must be

able life, stand, etc. I'm working with DVR (Division of Vocational

Rehabilitation) and I hope they can help me find something. I will do anything

at this point. My unemployment runs out on June 1, 2011, so I don't have much

time. I have applied for a lot of jobs, but get the obligatory e-mail saying

thanks but no thanks. Take care!!

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: Angll Nyte <ladeyangllfree@...>

Sent: Mon, March 7, 2011 6:29:14 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

I have the symptoms of graves disease but after intensive testing I do not have

it, or as my endocrinologist said ... yet. I read quite a bit about it oline and

it scared me too. Since it is another auto immune disorder I'm not surpized

that I might get it. It seems that once you get one there's no telling what

else will pop up. I'm sorry to hear that you may have it and I hope you don't.

There's quite a bit of information re the treatments for this disorder online

and the various benefits and risks of the various treatments. Good luck.

ladeyangll

[Guest guest]

Heidi, Do you take Arava and if so did you start it just prior to your BP

elevating? I have never had high BP and within a couple of weeks of starting

it my BP went up from about 110/60 to 150/90. I could not walk up one flight

of steps without my heart racing and getting SOB and dizzy. Needless to say

when I realized what was going on arava was stopped and BP started going down

almost immediately but took 6 weeks to get back down to my normal.

________________________________

From: Heidi Kimball <hkimball48@...>

Sent: Tue, March 8, 2011 8:42:47 AM

Subject: Re: [RA-SHeidiUPPORT] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

,

I have an appointment on April 1, 2010. Coincidentally, my blood pressure had

always been good until June 2010 and all of a sudden it sky rocketed. He

prescribed Enalapril to bring my blood pressure down (159/95 vs. 120/80 all my

life). I've often wondered why my BP changed without any reason. Is this one of

the symptoms? What is Graves Disease and I'm sorry you have it. Thanks for your

support!!

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: <Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@...>

Sent: Tue, March 8, 2011 7:04:08 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

Heidi,

I hope you get checked out and that you are OK. Try not to worry.

I do have Graves' disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism).

Not an MD

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

I use Systane Ultra for my dry eyes and it works really well. My eye Dr

wrote me a scrip for Restasis (sp?) but I haven't had to use it since the

systane does the trick for me.

I was never tired before I was treated for Graves, but that may be different

for each person. I remember I couldn't sit still, had to always be doing

something.

I was only diagnosed with Graves last summer (about July 2010), but the Dr

thought I'd had it for about a year, when my feet started feeling funny. So

I had the Graves way before the RA.

I haven't had any night sweats. I'm just going into menopause (is that

pre-menopausal?) but so far I've been ok (knock wood!).

Let us know how your appt goes. Wishing you well!

PJ

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Heidi Kimball

Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2011 8:52 AM

PJ,

Thanks for your response. I have noticed my eye sight has changed a lot

lately. I wear glasses, but the prescription is less than a year old and I

know

mine has changed. My eyes are very dry, also. I haven't been able to sleep

for

more than 30 min to an hour at a time. Needless to say I'm very tired all

the

time. I'm not sure why I'm waking so often, probably has to do with Night

Sweats. Are Night sweats a side effect of RA or Methotrexate?? I'm post

menopausal and think I shouldn't be suffering from these anymore. I tried

Estroven, thinking this would help, but it hasn't. I can't take any Hormones

because of family history of different Cancers. Did you have RA prior to

Graves

disease? Wishing you well and no pain. Thanks!!

Heidi in Denver

[Guest guest]

,

No, however, I was taking Cimzia until June 2010. My BP hasn't returned to

normal since then. I'm not certain if there is any correlation to this drug.

The Cimzia didn't help and my Rheumatoligist is reluctant to try any of the

others as this one did nothing for me. He's discussed infusion therapy, but

without insurance it's out of the question.

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: Boyd <lindagb52@...>

Sent: Tue, March 8, 2011 8:58:10 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Q about meds and RA issues

Heidi, Do you take Arava and if so did you start it just prior to your BP

elevating? I have never had high BP and within a couple of weeks of starting

it my BP went up from about 110/60 to 150/90. I could not walk up one flight

of steps without my heart racing and getting SOB and dizzy. Needless to say

when I realized what was going on arava was stopped and BP started going down

almost immediately but took 6 weeks to get back down to my normal.

[Guest guest]

I blamed Arava for the increase in my BP, too.

Sue

On Mar 8, 2011, at 10:58 AM, Boyd wrote:

> Heidi, Do you take Arava and if so did you start it just prior to

> your BP

> elevating? I have never had high BP and within a couple of weeks

> of starting

> it my BP went up from about 110/60 to 150/90. I could not walk

> up one flight

> of steps without my heart racing and getting SOB and dizzy.

> Needless to say

> when I realized what was going on arava was stopped and BP started

> going down

> almost immediately but took 6 weeks to get back down to my normal.

>