Distinguishing between post-partum blues and Grave¡Çs symptoms.

[Guest guest]

Yes, there was a period about 5 to 6 months after delivery and before

I was diagnosed with Grave¡Çs that we, my husband and I, thought that

everything was post-partum. I did have some wild emotional swings

after delivery, day two bursting out in tears when my husband came to

visit later than I had expected, and later at home just crying for no

reason at a gorgeous meal my mother-in-law had prepared.

Almost from the first week I was home, I was surprised by my lack of

being able to deal with a newborn. I attributed it to being an older

mom and having had my career and life in order and this was

impossible to continue after having a baby. But now I realize this

may have been the Grave¡Çs returning. Just before I was diagnosed, I

could not even pick up my baby I was so weak!

I think I was also in denial when my Grave¡Çs symptoms started to

become full blown. I was so happy about losing weight after having

gained 18 kilos during pregnancy. My husband once looked at my body

and said, ¡ÆIt looks like your sick.¡Ç I totally blocked out his

comment. Then in the middle of one of my rages, he calmly said,

¡Æ, it¡Ç like your sick.¡Ç That caught my attention. I realized

that I really could be ill and that it maybe wasn¡Çt HIM causing all

the trouble.

I checked out the files on this site, found the symptoms list and

printed it for both my reference and my husbands. We had a shorter

list from the doctor, so the longer list is very useful.

Yes, my husband is, as in the example above, very patient. Yesterday

I followed a link from this site to the letter to spouses and

family. I read it with my husband and we discussed how this disease

causes many divorces. I happy that we have good communication, but I

think he needs to vent more sometimes. I¡Çll let him know abou your

offer to email him. Thank you very much for the support!

Jemima worte:

> Your husband is probably in a slightly better position than I was

> when my husband was diagnosed. I had no knowledge of what to

expect

> and didn't realise it would/could affect his whole being. I feel a

> mixture of guilt (for not understanding fully) and anger (for not

> being given any support/advice for all these years) Eventually I

had

> to research this myself and was horrified in what I found. I can

> imagine many relationships have fallen apart with the strain of

both

> having and living with graves..as I said knowledge is power and

your

> husband has at least the opportunity for knowledge.

> That said..he must find it extrememly difficult living with a lady

> who not only has Graves but has not long given birth. I kind of

know

> when my husband is having a 'Graves moment' so try to ignore it but

> your husband doesn't really know whether it is the Graves or the

post-

> baby blues..if you know what I mean. I'm sure you must wonder

> yourself. Our emotions are all over the place anyway after giving

> birth so it must be doubly difficult for you to determine your own

> feelings at times..

> Patience is the key...and it sounds to me as if he has that already

> so your're one of the lucky ones :-) My husband is presently on

> 400mg PTU plus beta blockers so he is nice and calm..

> If your husband needs a listening ear and wants to e mail me

> privately I am more than happy to be of some support if I can..to

> either of you..

>

> Take care

> Kisses for the baby

> Jemima