Help please re racing heart/high BP

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb,

I'm sorry you've been having such a rough time. Being threatened with RAI

just adds insult to injury, as they say. As I'm trying to convince my endo.

the better way to decide when to stop the meds is when the antibody levels

have come down. Given that there are both blocking and stimulating TSH

receptor antibodies, being euthyroid is not enough.

It seems that have become more hyper, but since you've only been on the

increased dose for a week, you might wait and see if the symptoms decrease

and your heart settles down. Sometimes an appropriate change in the hyper

direction brings on temporary hyper symptoms, which should only last a few

days. Can you take a low dose of the Inderol on a more regular basis? I

understand these beta blockers should be increased and decreased gradually.

In any case, there should be no trouble in taking a low dose to help your

heart in the short term.

Have you tried stress reduction techniques to help heal your immune system?

I'm still working on these and hoping I've done enough to get into remission

by the time my drs. decree it.My Graves' showed up (at least in it's first

pronounced hyper stage) about 18 months after my father's death. My mother

who seems to be tougher than I am but misses him terribly, developed

irritable bowel syndrome. She has benefited greatly from acupuncture and a

good psychotherapist. In my case my partner became disabled just as I got

sick so the last year has been one of trying to support the family until he

could work again, and there's been inadequate time for yoga etc., though I

try to remember to breath. Still, that's one line of remedy that requires no

prescription.

Let us know how you adjust to the new dose--and if you can change doctors

somehow?

Best wishes,

B.

>

> Hi, all!

>

> I am in Australia and have been lurking for quite some time. I am

> now at my wits end and need some help, please.

>

> I was first diagnosed with GD in July, 1999 during the final months

> of my husband's terminal illness (he died in September 1999). At

> that time my lab results were:

>

> TSH < 0.04 (0.5 - 4.5)

> FT4 84 (10 - 20)

> FT3 >30.0 (3.5 - 6.0)

>

> TSH RECPT ABS 42 (0 - 5

> Anti-TPO Abs 970 (0 - 35)

>

> I was then put on a twelve month course of Carbimazole (and a

> shorter course of Inderal - also B & R at one stage) which

> stabilised my levels, and I came off all medication.

>

> Alas, in August 2002, despite regular monitoring, the rotten thing

> returned and at that time my results were:

>

> TSH < 0.04 (0.5 - 4.5)

> FT4 50 (10 - 20)

> FT3 17 (3.5 - 6.0)

>

> Again I was put on Carbimazole and Inderal but with the dire warning

> that I was unlikely to achieve permanent remission and, after twelve

> months, would have to consider RAI (no, thanks!)

>

> Since then, after a bit of medication adjustment, my levels have

> been steady and I was travelling along quite nicely (or, so I

> thought!)

>

> In May, 2003 my levels were:

>

> TSH 3.4 (0.5 - 4.5)

> FT4 16 (10 - 20_

> FT3 4.5 (3.5 - 6.0)

>

> At that time I was on 5mg Carbimazole once per day, and because I

> was feeling a bit sluggish, I reduced it to 2.5mg once per day

> (telling my Endo after the event). My levels changed to:

>

> July August Sept Oct 27th 2003

> TSH 2.7 2.9 2.5 2.2 (0.5 - 4.5)

> FT4 19 20 20 19 (10 - 20)

> FT3 4.6 4.5 4.7 5.2 (3.5 - 6.0)

>

> About two months ago, my hair started to shed again, my skin rashes

> flared up and my muscles (esp. backs of legs) started to ache. I

> was sure that my thyroid was out of whack, hence the regular tests

> above (I am very lucky that I can get them done any time). However,

> everything still seems to be in the normal range. I decided to add

> another 2.5mg Carbimazole per day anyway, and now take that dose

> twice a day (total 5mg per day) which I have been doing for about a

> week. Also, over the past week or so I have had several unpleasant

> episodes of high BP (up to 185/116) and pulse rate up to 133. On a

> couple of occasions I have taken 40mg Inderal which seems to have

> slowed things down. I am prone to anxiety and panic attacks anyway,

> and these episodes tend to trigger them, which trigger the fast

> heart rate etc. and so it goes on. I seem to be caught in this

> frightening circle and don't know what to do. I am very reluctant

> to return to the Endo as I know he will try to push me into RAI or

> surgery which I am not ready for. (Luckily I have enough

> prescriptions for about twelve months worth of Carbimazole and want

> to Keep trying that, but I'm not sure about the dosage). I have

> tried the recommended dietary changes and supplements. Please could

> someone advise me as to what might be going on (my levels are okay

> but my symptoms seem to be hyper?), and what should I do about it

> i.e. what dose of Carbimazole should I try and for how long, and

> then what adjustment?

>

> I am very sorry about the length of this post but thought that the

> more info I could give the better. ANY advice would be gratefully

> received. Please help if you can. Thank you.

>

> Deb in Oz