Guest guest Posted August 23, 2001 Report Share Posted August 23, 2001 I'm not sure how the group works< so if I break the rules or do things in the wrong way, please tell me. I don't have Graves Disease but my adopted sister Rosie does. She doesn't have internet access, so I hoped it would be ok for me to join and ask you her questions and take your answers back to her. Let me know if this is not alright with the group. She is not very well at the moment. She thinks her Doctor may have her on the wrong medicines or the wrong dose. I think she needs a different doctor, because she seems to have real trouble talking about even things like that with him, and he seems to treat her like she's simple-minded. How do you find out who is both good and nice? Also, how do you think a friend/relative can be best use to someone suffering from this thing. She gets really moody and easily upset and I don't know whether to stop bothering her or to try to distract her or to encourage her to talk about how it is for her. What do you think? Thankyou Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2001 Report Share Posted August 23, 2001 Hello Jane. Personally, I think it is wonderful when a family member takes this much interest. Welcome. You'll find good information here. From my own experience, I think it can be most frustrating not to have a doc you can talk with which is why I am on my 3rd endocrinologist since this Feb when I was diagnosed. How you find one? One way is to check out the Top Docs bulletin board at http://forums.about.com/ab-thyroiddrs/start/ She can also ask the National Graves Disease Foundation for names of physicians in her area who specialize in Graves. They do not recommend but instead just offer the names and contact information as information. Once you have those names, call and speak with the docs nurse or the doc. That's what I did. You get to know them first hand before you see them. Why don't you ask her how she wants you to communicate her when she is in those moods? I think each of us deals with this somewhat differently. Again Jane, welcome. -- dx hyperT/Graves Feb 2001; (treatment Toprol Xl and PTU) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2001 Report Share Posted August 23, 2001 Hi Jane, Welcome to the group. What a wonderful sister you are. It would probably be helpful if you learned all you could about your sister's disorder. It's important that she knows her symptoms are real, and not all in her head. When she's fatigued or irritable or depressed, realize it's the disease at work. There are many self-care routines, like dietary changes and stress reduction, that help in reducing symptoms. Perhaps you can help her in this area. Visit my web site at http://daisyelaine_co.tripod.com/gravesdisease/ I also have a number of articles on www.suite101.com that you can find by doing a search on graves disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2001 Report Share Posted August 23, 2001 Hi Jane, Welcome to the group. There are no rules except for no spamming and no slamming other members. It is for people with Graves Disease and their friends and family who want to learn about the disease, to learn how to live with Graves and hopefully help people take charge of their health care. When was Rosie diagnosed with Graves? What kind of treatment is she on? Suggest to her that she get copies of ALL her lab work, it can be shared with group and Elaine , can help her to understand them. The more one learns about this disease, the easier it is to understand what is going on with ones body and to understand that much of it is temporary and with the right help we can feel better again. Though there is no cure for Graves, many on ATD's (antithyroid drugs) achieve remission. If she is not comfortable with her dr. she should, by all means, find a new one. I have fired 2 before finding the one I have now, one whom I trust and respect. She listens when I ask questions, bring up suggestions, and even when she may not agree with what I would like to try, she will give me enough rope to do so. I found her on Shomons site at about.com. The web address for the dr. find by state is http://thyroid.about.com/library/weekly/bldoc1.htm These drs. are recommended by patients, many who have searched long and hard to find the right endo/dr. to work with them on their thyroid. Read the archives, long about message 3700 or in that vicinity there is a list of symptoms put together by Terry ding broken up into each factor we may go through; Hyper, Hypo and Eyes. Ask any questions, get her on your computer whenever possible. For me the greatest help in feeling better was knowing I was not alone in this disease...then learning all I can learn. Give her support, know when she talks about how badly she is feeling, she isn't making it up, and if she feels her treatment is not correct, it may well not be ... she knows her own body better than anyone else. Again welcome to the group, and tell Rosie welcome...we do understand! Jody _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2001 Report Share Posted August 26, 2001 Welcome to the group Jane. It is wonderful that you can come in place of your sister and pass on info. It is important that she understands her blood tests and meds. What are they at present? Most of us with GD go through times where we are terribly moody and difficult. The best you can do is what you seem to be doing - supporting her, finding out info and letting her know you understand and love her. Try not to push her too hard and let her guide the conversation - if she wants to talk - talk if she doesn't - don't. Look forward to hearing more from you - take care Cheers Caroline janegraynz@... wrote: > I'm not sure how the group works< so if I break the rules or do > things in the wrong way, please tell me. I don't have Graves > Disease but my adopted sister Rosie does. She doesn't have > internet access, so I hoped it would be ok for me to join and ask > you her questions and take your answers back to her. Let me > know if this is not alright with the group. She is not very well at > the moment. She thinks her Doctor may have her on the wrong > medicines or the wrong dose. I think she needs a different > doctor, because she seems to have real trouble talking about > even things like that with him, and he seems to treat her like > she's simple-minded. How do you find out who is both good and > nice? > Also, how do you think a friend/relative can be best use to > someone suffering from this thing. She gets really moody and > easily upset and I don't know whether to stop bothering her or to > try to distract her or to encourage her to talk about how it is for > her. What do you think? > > Thankyou > Jane > > > ------------------------------------- > The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. > Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. > ---------------------------------------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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