Wellness

[nj]

Hi! My cousin was recently diagnosed with Graves disease anyone have experience with illness and what advice i can give her. She is in her 50s and just concerned about this.

Any advice would be helpful! Thanks, Nancy from MA

[Hooty]

I had Graves Disease when I was diagnosed with hyper-active thyroid. I had it removed and now I am hypo!

Best thing would goggle it, didn't the Dr. explain it to her?

[nj]

Thank you for replying. My cousin is seeing an endo dr. but I was interested in real life experiences so I appreciate your response.

I hope you are well and healthy!

Thanks, Nancy from MA

[sophiamarie]

I believe Barbara Bush had Graves Disease while George Sr. was still in office. I don't remember what her symptoms were but I'll bet they're on Google...... HTH

[sienna123]

I have had Graves Disease for about 20 years. It is nothing to take lightly. I too had a hyperactive thyroid. Thyroid was destroyed by a radioactive pill. Been on synthroid but have the dosage changed quite often, Blood work done last week showed I had very little thyroid function, dosage was increased, now it's wait and see. I have some double and blurry vision. Stay tired, hair loss, weak nails. Your thyroid controls everything in your body, take it seriously.

[grandma r]

I have had Graves for years. It was badly misdiagnosed for a long time. By the time it was finally caught my eyesight was badly compromised. I had the radioactive treatment as well. After that I needed radiation to try and shrink the swelling and scar tissue behind my eyes. That was not successful and I wound up have 3 surgeries on each eye. Fortunately I am able to see. This is nothing to fool around with. Your thyroid controls everything. Your cousin should get as much info from reliable websites and pay attention to her body. From my experience I would tell her to listen to her body and be her own advocate. As someone else said, my Synthroid dose gets changed a lot too. Again, listen to your body. After a while you will know what dose helps and what doesn't. She should never be afraid to speak up. I wish her all the best.

[sfnative]

nj,

I don't have Graves' disease, but a long time friend was diagnosed after she had had it for over 20 years. Unfortunately, she belonged to a popular HMO system that isn't very proactive in really taking a good clinical look at their patients - just wellness programs.

Well, she finally decided to dig into her wallet and go to an Internist who then, after labs, sent her to an Endocrinologist. It was here that she was diagnosed with Graves' disease.

The thing that really bothered her, aside from sleeping issues, were the boney disfigurements in her face. Shortly after the diagnosis she had plastic surgery and, Oh my,! but she just look great. It was also recommended that she see an orthodontist, as the disease had taken a toll on the alignment of her teeth.

I wish your cousin well and hope that she receives excellent advice, care and treatment.

[gazelle77]

On 9/21/2014 sophiamarie said:

I believe Barbara Bush had Graves Disease while George Sr. was still in office. I don't remember what her symptoms were but I'll bet they're on Google...... HTH

It makes your eyes bug out...Barbara Bush had this issue

[violann]

Since I started "the Thyroid Wars" under the care of the nastiest doctor in the world, I've never been officialy told whether I have GD OR NOT, BUT i've always figured that if you're diagnosed and/or in treatment and feeling well, it doesn't make too much difference WHAT you call it, and I have a few names of which webbie would definitely NOT approve.