Re: Big Problem

[Guest guest]

Laurie,

I wonder on what basis you were diagnosed. Did you have a TSI (thyroid

stimulating immunoglobulin/antibodies) test? It doesn't sound like you are

being treated for the Graves' Disease...are you? If not, you need to start

treatment. Most people here will encourage you to go the medication route

(ATDs, or anti-thyroid drugs like PTU or tapizole) and you may need a beta

blocker to relieve your symptoms, especially if you have heart palpitations.

I was diagnosed about a month ago, and am on an ATD. The medication is the

first line of treatment. Many people here will warn you against RAI

(radioactive iodine), which will destroy your thyroid, and possibly lead to

a host of problems. Most doctors in this country push RAI and make it sound

like no big deal -- I don't buy it. RAI puts you at higher risk of

developing the eye disease, and that is something I'm hoping to avoid, or

at least minimize if it comes. The other alternative is surgery, and that

would be my choice before RAI, but I consider it my last resort.

READ all you can on this illness, especially before making any permanent

decisions (RAI or surgery). A lot of people have success with the

medications, and you can go into remission with this disease.

You should also head over to http://www.mediboard.com and go to the Graves'

Disease board. Read the Thyroid Awareness 101 thread, along with other

informative posts.

You can post your lab results (always keep a copy of your blood work --you

may want to keep them in a binder-- and note how you were feeling the day

it was taken), and people can help you to decipher them.

Best wishes,

At 11:31 PM 7/12/2003 +0000, you wrote:

>hi everyone,

> I have a really serious problem, and I don't know what to do. I

>was diagnosed with graves disease after blood tests that were taken,

>because I went to the doctor because of cronic bowel problems. I

>would eat and immediately have to run to the rest room. That was in

>January that I was diagnosed, and it isn't getting better. I live on

>Kaopectate. Tired of that I can tell you. I've changed my diet to

>include a lot of bran, but it doesn't help. It's interferring with

>my life. I can't go out to dinner because, heaven knows, not every

>one understands diseases and the things that are involved with them.

>Does anyone have any suggestions? I really need help. I would love

>to be able to go out to dinner and not have to wear a sign explaining

>why I have to run to the bathroom. HELP!!!!!!!

>

>Laurie

[Guest guest]

Hi to all:

Isn't it a bit crazy that we have to take one drug to

counteract the unwanted effects of another drug?

<g>

One of the major " so-called " side effects of Lorazepam

(Ativan) is constipation. (Often this is a good thing,

for some people. so for them it would not be " called "

a side effect.)

And for IBS, often all that is needed is a small amount

of Ativan, Valium, Xanax or another " slow-down " drug.

This is best for short term usage, of course, since long

term usage of any of the minor tranquilizers (except

Buspar) will create dependence.

I have been taking Valium for 30+ years daily, and on

the days when I skip a dose, instead of being " regular "

I end up with IBS. For me, it's not anything serious.

As to the relationship with IBS and Graves Disease,

I am not sure that there is any direct correlation.

However, I have noticed that when I am " hyper " I

tend to have IBS...and when I'm " hypo " I tend to be

constipated.

Best,

Ron

> My mom developed IBS two years ago, after my dad died. She

feels the first attack was triggered by taking Paxil. She doesn't

have Graves' but does have other autoimmune problems

including Sjogren's syndrome.

>

> She's had some help from a few remedies and tried many

others without success. What has helped are taking an intestinal

cleanser/fiber product like Metamucil (she's on one from the

health food store); acupuncture and massage (the

accupuncturist says older people in China rub their stomachs,

counterclockwise, 100 times a day); and a small dose of

Lorazipan (spelling?), which I believe is related to Valium and

has a sedative effect on the stomach. She's tried to stop the

Lorazipan but that's what seems to work best.

>

> Best wishes,

> B.

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