Hi all of my DIY friends!
I haven't been on here in a while because we started working on our house remodel. Then I got sick. Dizzy, short of breath, so very tired, palpitations, losing weight fast, couldn't sleep, and other symptoms. I couldn't walk to the restroom without being out of breath and exhausted, & would have to sit down & rest 1/2 way thru doing dishes, & taking me all day long to cook one meal because I had no energy or stamina...none, ALL not at all like me.
I am not one to go to a doctor if I can avoid it and take care of whatever with over the counter meds. But I couldn't take it anymore. I finally gave up and went to my PCP. First test she did was a blood oxygen level, it was 74. She ordered me on oxygen 24/7, and several inhalers. She did blood tests of course to check other things.
Results of initial blood tests revealed I am Hyperthyroid, & my Calcium is also high. The blood test thyroid levels were very high so that became priority. She then ordered a thyroid scan with uptake and a heart echo. The thyroid scan test my uptake was 92.5% (normal is 30%).
Confirmed...I have dangerously high thyroid levels, my heart rate is going nuts, hand tremors, hair falling out.
I have been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism Graves Disease. Graves disease is a autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. I am now under the care of a Endocrinologist, Cardiologist, and Ophthalmologist. Endo for the thyroid, Cardo because my heart rate spiked at 248 one day and this disease can damage the heart, Optho because the Graves Disease part of it can attack the eyes with whats commonly termed as Thyroid Eye Disease.
I am also seeing a Pulmonary doctor because they found thru the Heart Echo test that I also have Moderate Pulmonary Hypertension. I have COPD and Thyroid Disease which they seem to think caused the PH. I'll have to have more tests done for the PH later.
I am on bed rest, no strenuous activity, avoid heat (real funny doc... I live in Texas! thank goodness it is wintertime right now), avoid stress, home oxygen 24/7, and bunch of meds including a beta blocker to help control my high heart rate and hand tremors. Before the beta blocker my resting heart rate was going up to 140, with the one spike of 200+.
The immediate goal is to get my thyroid levels down as fast as possible and try to avoid a Thyroid Storm. There are three treatment options; antithyroid meds & beta blockers, Radioactive Iodine (RAI) to kill the thyroid gland, or surgery to remove it. The RAI my Endo says she can't think about right now because my levels are dangerously high and must come down before she can attempt that. If she did it now it could cause the high amt of thyroid hormones to "dump" into my body and could throw me into a Thyroid Storm, which can be fatal. I agree, lets not do that right now then.
My thyroid gland is enlarged and affecting my vocal cords, I sound like I have a bad case of laryngitis. They won't say if my vocal cords will be permanently like this & damaged or not, too early to determine. The third option of surgery to remove the thyroid gland isn't an option right now because it is too enlarged.
The house remodel has been stopped (for now). I can't do anything to help Chris (my hubby), and I don't need the construction dust agitating my lungs, nor the noise. And too, we are scared to use the money right now worried about what might come next with my health. I haven't cooked a thing in weeks.
Chris is very supportive & taking very good care of me & doing everything on top of his demanding job. He brings something home to eat for dinner, or cooks us up something quick. I soooo miss cooking, so ready to sling some flour up in here again! I go back to see my Cardiologist for 24hr holter monitor tests results tomorrow.
2012 isn't looking like a good year so far.
The year is still early though, I'm trying to keep a positive attitude that my medical team will get all of this licked and I will be back to my old self again soon.
Sorry for the long post. I miss everyone, and wanted to stop in to say hello. I'll try to stop by as often as I can.
ps: I will most likely have a boat load of DIY supplies I'll need to part with soon. As soon as I am able to do anything besides go to doctors apptmts. I will post here when I can do it. It is a LOT of flavorings, and other diy supplies.
I haven't been on here in a while because we started working on our house remodel. Then I got sick. Dizzy, short of breath, so very tired, palpitations, losing weight fast, couldn't sleep, and other symptoms. I couldn't walk to the restroom without being out of breath and exhausted, & would have to sit down & rest 1/2 way thru doing dishes, & taking me all day long to cook one meal because I had no energy or stamina...none, ALL not at all like me.
I am not one to go to a doctor if I can avoid it and take care of whatever with over the counter meds. But I couldn't take it anymore. I finally gave up and went to my PCP. First test she did was a blood oxygen level, it was 74. She ordered me on oxygen 24/7, and several inhalers. She did blood tests of course to check other things.
Results of initial blood tests revealed I am Hyperthyroid, & my Calcium is also high. The blood test thyroid levels were very high so that became priority. She then ordered a thyroid scan with uptake and a heart echo. The thyroid scan test my uptake was 92.5% (normal is 30%).
Confirmed...I have dangerously high thyroid levels, my heart rate is going nuts, hand tremors, hair falling out.
I have been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism Graves Disease. Graves disease is a autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. I am now under the care of a Endocrinologist, Cardiologist, and Ophthalmologist. Endo for the thyroid, Cardo because my heart rate spiked at 248 one day and this disease can damage the heart, Optho because the Graves Disease part of it can attack the eyes with whats commonly termed as Thyroid Eye Disease.
I am also seeing a Pulmonary doctor because they found thru the Heart Echo test that I also have Moderate Pulmonary Hypertension. I have COPD and Thyroid Disease which they seem to think caused the PH. I'll have to have more tests done for the PH later.
I am on bed rest, no strenuous activity, avoid heat (real funny doc... I live in Texas! thank goodness it is wintertime right now), avoid stress, home oxygen 24/7, and bunch of meds including a beta blocker to help control my high heart rate and hand tremors. Before the beta blocker my resting heart rate was going up to 140, with the one spike of 200+.
The immediate goal is to get my thyroid levels down as fast as possible and try to avoid a Thyroid Storm. There are three treatment options; antithyroid meds & beta blockers, Radioactive Iodine (RAI) to kill the thyroid gland, or surgery to remove it. The RAI my Endo says she can't think about right now because my levels are dangerously high and must come down before she can attempt that. If she did it now it could cause the high amt of thyroid hormones to "dump" into my body and could throw me into a Thyroid Storm, which can be fatal. I agree, lets not do that right now then.
My thyroid gland is enlarged and affecting my vocal cords, I sound like I have a bad case of laryngitis. They won't say if my vocal cords will be permanently like this & damaged or not, too early to determine. The third option of surgery to remove the thyroid gland isn't an option right now because it is too enlarged.
The house remodel has been stopped (for now). I can't do anything to help Chris (my hubby), and I don't need the construction dust agitating my lungs, nor the noise. And too, we are scared to use the money right now worried about what might come next with my health. I haven't cooked a thing in weeks.
Chris is very supportive & taking very good care of me & doing everything on top of his demanding job. He brings something home to eat for dinner, or cooks us up something quick. I soooo miss cooking, so ready to sling some flour up in here again! I go back to see my Cardiologist for 24hr holter monitor tests results tomorrow. 2012 isn't looking like a good year so far.
The year is still early though, I'm trying to keep a positive attitude that my medical team will get all of this licked and I will be back to my old self again soon. Sorry for the long post. I miss everyone, and wanted to stop in to say hello. I'll try to stop by as often as I can.
ps: I will most likely have a boat load of DIY supplies I'll need to part with soon. As soon as I am able to do anything besides go to doctors apptmts. I will post here when I can do it. It is a LOT of flavorings, and other diy supplies.
KIDDING! On a very solomn note,,,,"Silver & Gold have I none...but such as I have.....rise and be blessed in JESUS name, Amen. And..Jesus said"Go thy way..YOUR(Rena your faith)has made you whole"Mark 10:52KJV. Rena,even when it looks the darkest, I pray you find comfort and encouragment in that we walk by faith, not by sight, sound or words. I pray peace and comfort be on you and yours in this time of trials and needs. May God bless & strengthen you, Rena. Can you see me in the vapehaze?
That's been scheduled and my test results apptmt rescheduled. 
