Special 1st Anniversary Update April 1998
April 6, 1998

So, I got the results of my blood work back. Turns out that the "magical dose" of Synthrioid, Your Artificial Friend, has hopefully been found! The results showed that my Free T4 is 1.6 - a very acceptable level. And my TSH is sitting just a tad low at .34. But, since the next lower dose of Synthroid was not enough, I think I'd rather be just a tad hyper than to try to lower the dose and find myself hypo again. Besides, I feel too dang good to argue with my body about this at this point. If I continue to lose weight, I have no doubt that I will be running into problems, but since I know that, I can keep a watchful eye and request the change if and when needed - long before things get out of control.

Now that things are getting where they should be, I though it might be helpful to show you the changes my poor ol' bod has been through since this was discovered.

DATE TSH T4 FREE T4 T3
11/1/96 .03 22.5 3.9 424
11/7/96 .03 No Test 4.49 No Test
12/17/96 .03 14.2 1.6 226
1/16/97 .03 No Test 2.6 No Test
2/21/97 .03 6.3 0.8 98
4/15/97 11.24 8.3 1.0 78
5/27/97 7.97 10.6 1.1 122
7/17/97 9.67 9.8 1.1 70
9/25/97 6.71 No Test 1.2 No Test
3/13/98 .34 No Test 1.6 No Test
Lab #1 Normal .5 - 4.7 4.5 - 12.0 .7 - 1.9 59 - 174
Lab #2 Normal .4 - 4.0 No Rating .071 - 1.85 No Rating

I also thought you might find it interesting to see how these numbers compare to the treatments and medications I was receiving at those times.

DATE MEDICATION DAILY DOSAGE DIAGNOSES
11/1/96 Wellbutrin 150 mg Clinical Depression
11/5/96 Propylthiouracil 300 mg Toxic Multi-Nodular Goiter
11/15/96 Radio-Iodine Treatment - Toxic Multi-Nodular Goiter
11/30/96 Propylthiouracil - Medication Stopped
12/17/96 Triamterene & Hydrochlorothiazide 37.5 mg Water Retention
1/15/97 Wellbutrin Time Release 300 mg Clinical Depression
2/3/97 Hydroxyzine Pamoate Up To 75 mg Insomnia
2/3/97 Ibuprofen 1600 mg Capal Tunnel Syndrome
2/28/97 Wellbutrin - Medication Stopped
3/13/97 Synthroid .125 mg Hypothyroidism
4/20/97 Synthroid .15 mg Hypothyroidism
6/4/97 Xanax Up To .50 mg Anxiety
9/25/97 Synthroid .175 mg Hypothyroidism

If you will note, the original diagnoses was "Toxic Multi-Nodular Goiter". This was made by the GP I was seeing at the time. You should also note that, to my knowledge, I was not being treated for Graves' Disease. This was because by the time I found I had Graves' Disease, I was on the verge of my thyroid dying from the radio-iodine treatment. The only reason I found that I had Graves' Disease was because my niece had access to my records and mentioned it to me. Not my GP, not my endo at the time, nor even the surgeon I was seeing while searching for viable options, thought to tell me!

When she told me about the third week of February 1997, I decided the only way I could be sure I was getting the right treatment was to research this disease and the medications I was taking. Once I started the discovery process, I found that "Wellbutrin" or "Bupropion" in my opionion, is the very worst medication to be on when you are hyperthyroid. This medication not only mimics the problems associated with hyperthyroidism, but it enhances them dramatically. When I should have started feeling some relief in January 1997, the dosage of this medication was doubled. So, even if there had been the chance of feeling a turn for the better, it was missed due to this anti-depressant. And I suffered greatly - not to mention much longer than was necessary.

You might find it interesting to note that not once was I given anything for my racing heart and pulse. My resting pulse rate was 100. My blood pressure was up into the 180's over 90's. I could barely walk from room to room without feeling my heart pounding in my head. I asked on several occasions to at least have some tests done to alleviate my concerns and make sure that my heart was OK. I wasn't even given a physical. At age 44, a physical isn't out of line. In fact, a yearly physical including an EKG is very much in line! I received nothing but blood work. Oh, and of course, the old "gotta do the pap smear" thing!

When I finally insisted on having a complete physical the end of February 1997, not only was it met with disdain, but the GP called me paranoid! I guess she wasn't too pleased that I'd done my home work and took myself off the Wellbutrin. I made three fantastic decisions that month! I got off the bad medicine, dumped the GP, and dumped the endo who not only didn't bother to tell me I had Graves' Disease but who also took absolutely no precautions to protect me from thyroid storm when I had the RAI done. In fact, after the RAI, she told me "it wasn't necessary, but I could continue taking the PTU for a couple weeks if I wanted". In fact I had only taken it for a week before the RAI! I have often wondered if people such as these get their licenses through the mail or from Sears! I honestly can't believe they actually go to college! They don't seem to have enough knowledge to have earned the right to call themselves physicians.

I guess it was just about this time that I decided that since, at that time, there were so very few sites on the Internet that showed the reality of GD, that I might as well go whole-hog and do it myself. So, I set about to learn how to write a couple pages. I was just going to tell my story and warn people to watch for the signs and not wait until it was out of control. The next thing I knew, a couple pages just weren't enough to "tell it like it is" and I found myself writing update after update. It's been mentioned that some of these "updates" are "a bit off the wall". But, if you want to know the truth of the matter, the content of the updates are the reality of this disease. When you read them in order by date, you get to ride the "Waves of Graves" right along with me. Although, I did tone them down, the roller coaster ride still shows.

I also tried to refrain from using the site simply to vent anger - and I was angered and frustrated by the whole situation quite a bit. Although, when it came to "Enough Is Enough", I'd been handed one more piece of physician horse hockey than I could handle. These people just don't get it! Once again, I would like to wish this disease on those who treat it like a "boo-boo" and act like it's just an inconvenience. I know that if they had it, they sure would feel differently, act differently, and have one hell of an awakening! Physician! Heal thyself? Ha! And ptpth ~ ptpth ~

OK! Time to get off the soapbox on physicians! :) I could, and probably should, write a book about the things I've personally been through with Graves'. I've lived with it a very long time, and it's affected every aspect of my life - for over 28 years. I truly believe it first showed it's ugly head when I was pregnant with my son in 1970. And it's helped to ruin some things that, if I'd been able to think clearly, could have been some really great things in my life. But what I have instead are some rotton memories and the chance to start my life over from the ground up. Oh well! After all I've been through, and now that I've managed to adjust to the facts, I know I can manage it. I just wish I hadn't lost all that time that I will never be able to get back. But at least I'm hoping that I'm helping others to regain their lives sooner than they would if I weren't "telling it like it is".

I guess I wlll close for now. My temporary job ended last week, and I plan to take a week off and do a little catching up on my middle-age rest. :) I've lost another 4 pounds and am hoping to fit into something besides elephant pants before the weather gets nice in Ner Yerk. We had some 70 degree days already and I can deal with that! Snow is a four-letter word! :) John took the Vette out for its "Spring Cleaning" last Friday! Ah! The first signs of Spring! :)

Hope y'all enjoy some of the other things I put together for this Anniversary Celebration! I know they're silly! But, as I said in the very first place last year, silly is what I do best! :)

The anniversary link has been transformed. Link to the New Stuff Here! :)

Updates Directory
Click here to link to all the updates since the beginning, March 5, 1997!
Welcome Introduction Checklist Links Chat Room
Personal Stories My Story Over Time Updates Guestbook
E-Greetings Specials The Folks GD Fun E-Mail
Music Resume Site Awards Disclaimer Site Index