Experiencing Tremors & Severe Depression!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/20/00 6:31:09 PM Eastern Standard Time,

barbaree@... writes:

<< So you have decided against the radiation therapy? I have been taking

Atenolol (beta blocker) for a week and it isn't working at all. It sounds

like a beta blocker has helped several people feel better, I wonder why it

is not working for me. >>

e,

I haven't totally decided against the Radiation. I would like to see if the

medication will work, before the radiation is a thought. I am taking

Propanlol, and it started working within a couple of days. It could be that

Atenolol just isnt' a good one for you. Propanolol is a generic of Inderal,

maybe check with your dr to see if they can change it for you!?!? You need to

start feeling better soon......I know I had to too, with a 6 month old around

Keep in touch!

Jewls

[Guest guest]

Hello,

My name is e and I am new to the list. I was diagnosed with

Grave's disease a couple of days ago. Has anyone else in the group

experienced tremors in their hands and legs? I am so weak I can not

climb one flight of stairs. I am also out of breath. I have also been

having emotional outbursts that I can't seem to control. Is it all

in my head? The doctor (neurologist) told me that Graves' disease

is probably the reason why I have been so upset. I was going to a

neurologist because I thought I had essential tremors (which is in my

family),but it turns out that my thyroid gland is going wacko! I have

an appointment with an endocrinologist tommorrow. My mother died

when I was young, and my dad confirmed that she had her thyroid gland

removed and also that her eyes bulged out (indicative of Grave's

disease). From what I have read, drug therapy is not effective.

Does anyone out there have symptoms like these?

e

[Guest guest]

>>Your experiences are very familiar to me, and I'm sure to the rest of the

group.

Very familiar! You're not at all alone.

>Your doctor should explain your various treatment options once they have

full diagnosed you. I am on a drug called PTU. There are also options

involving radioactive iodine and sometimes surgery. I urge you to really

research all these options before agreeing to any one of them, especially

the latter two.

My doctor also put me on PTU (supresses the hormones in the thyroid), and

Propranolol (a beta blocker) which eliminated the shaking immediately, and

is working well on the emotional upheavals. She suggested (insisted?) we

try the drugs first, before resorting to the Radioactive Iodine treatment or

sugery. Let me second 's urging for you to make sure you doctor tells

you all the options! The medication has worked for me, a great deal. And

quickly. It was such a relief.

And try not to worry! It does get better.

Kari

>My name is e and I am new to the list. I was diagnosed with

>Grave's disease a couple of days ago. Has anyone else in the group

>experienced tremors in their hands and legs? I am so weak I can not

>climb one flight of stairs. I am also out of breath. I have also been

>having emotional outbursts that I can't seem to control. Is it all

>in my head? The doctor (neurologist) told me that Graves' disease

>is probably the reason why I have been so upset. I was going to a

>neurologist because I thought I had essential tremors (which is in my

>family),but it turns out that my thyroid gland is going wacko! I have

>an appointment with an endocrinologist tommorrow. My mother died

>when I was young, and my dad confirmed that she had her thyroid gland

>removed and also that her eyes bulged out (indicative of Grave's

>disease). From what I have read, drug therapy is not effective.

>

>Does anyone out there have symptoms like these?

>

>e

>

>

>

>

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>-------------------------------------

>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.

>----------------------------------------

>

>

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-------------------------------------

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intended to replace expert medical care.

Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

----------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Jewls,

So you have decided against the radiation therapy? I have been taking

Atenolol (beta blocker) for a week and it isn't working at all. It sounds

like a beta blocker has helped several people feel better, I wonder why it

is not working for me.

e

Re: Experiencing Tremors & Severe Depression!

> From: Freedoverc@...

>

> In a message dated 3/20/00 4:06:07 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> shen@... writes:

>

> << If you check the group's archives

> for the last two weeks, especially posts from members to Jewls, you will

> get a lot of information and advice regarding treatment options from some

> very knowledgeable people. You will also see links to other

informational

> web sites. >>

>

> Boy that's for sure! e, make sure you check everything out! I was

> just gonna go in to my endo and have the radioactive treatment done, UNTIL

I

> found the group and started reading information. I too, was like you, out

of

> breath, out of energy, shaking terribly....my dr put me on a beta blocker

> that helped considerably, although in the last couple of days, I've been

> feeling really shakey again. Anyway, make sure you do your research

before

> you go through with any treatments!

>

> Good Luck!

> Jewls

>

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> -------------------------------------

> 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.

> ----------------------------------------

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>From: barbaree@...

>

>

>My name is e and I am new to the list. I was diagnosed with

>Grave's disease a couple of days ago. Has anyone else in the group

>experienced tremors in their hands and legs? I am so weak I can not

>climb one flight of stairs. I am also out of breath. I have also been

>having emotional outbursts that I can't seem to control. Is it all

>in my head? The doctor (neurologist) told me that Graves' disease

>is probably the reason why I have been so upset. I was going to a

>neurologist because I thought I had essential tremors (which is in my

>family),but it turns out that my thyroid gland is going wacko! I have

>an appointment with an endocrinologist tommorrow. My mother died

>when I was young, and my dad confirmed that she had her thyroid gland

>removed and also that her eyes bulged out (indicative of Grave's

>disease). From what I have read, drug therapy is not effective.

>

>Does anyone out there have symptoms like these?

>

>e

>

Hi e,

Welcome here!.

Most of us very well know how week you feel.

As other fellow members have told you, try to do some search through the

archives, there are very good posts with helpful information.

More on RAI can be found around oct.10th, or 11th, 1999, several messages

addressed to Josie. You can also find more information at the links below.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. There are many sage gravesians'

here, willing to care ald help.

Hopefully you will feel better in a forthnight after the thyroid blockers

start getting rid of the symptoms. Time to research so that you can take

informed decisions.

Best wishes.

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[Guest guest]

How true the symptoms. In 93-94 I was going through the same thing

and it was nerve racking at best. I would sit and the old legs would

shake like they were in a typhoon; the same with my hands. The doctor

would place a tissue on my hands to watch it shake off when I thought

they were pretty steady.

The second part of your message is so true about thinking you were

loosing your mind. When I was finally diagnosed and treated (eventually

I opted for RAI and have loved it) this all subsided. Every now and then

when the meds must be adjusted it seems a little hectic but nothing like

then. By the way my middle child looked at me and said he was happy I

was ill because he thought I was loosing my mind.

Hang in there and follow the doctor's guidance. Also, make sure you

are part of the treatment - tell him/her you want to be actively

involved in your treatment.

Terry Stone

1 of the Few Males Here

(at least it seems like it most of the time)

[Guest guest]

Drug therapy (PTU) has been very effective in my case. I am in my second

bout with Graves and still refusing to undergo RAI and hope for a second

remission.

Yes, I did have severe weakness in the thighs, and serious hand tremors

*before* the PTU took effect. I could not rise easily from a chair, had

little stamina, and found it difficult to handle fine motor skill needs

(check writing, etc.). I have an endo that would prefer that I undergo RAI,

but an HMO gatekeeper who is willing to back my resistance to the idea.

My first bout was in 91 and lasted a year; my second did not occur until 98

and symptoms are greatly diminished at this time. I am on three PTU a day.

Hang in there, usually medication will help you feel better.

Elaine

Researching Bohemian Surnames

S L E P I C K A and H R U S K A

Experiencing Tremors & Severe Depression!

> From: barbaree@...

>

> Hello,

>

> My name is e and I am new to the list. I was diagnosed with

> Grave's disease a couple of days ago. Has anyone else in the group

> experienced tremors in their hands and legs? I am so weak I can not

> climb one flight of stairs. I am also out of breath. I have also been

> having emotional outbursts that I can't seem to control. Is it all

> in my head? The doctor (neurologist) told me that Graves' disease

> is probably the reason why I have been so upset. I was going to a

> neurologist because I thought I had essential tremors (which is in my

> family),but it turns out that my thyroid gland is going wacko! I have

> an appointment with an endocrinologist tommorrow. My mother died

> when I was young, and my dad confirmed that she had her thyroid gland

> removed and also that her eyes bulged out (indicative of Grave's

> disease). From what I have read, drug therapy is not effective.

>

[Guest guest]

Elaine:

I'm curious to know if you have ever been on lower than 150mg of PTU per

day. I had imagined that if I had to stay on it for a while, I would be at

a very low dosage (50mg). How did you and your doctor established your

current dosage?

[Guest guest]

Elaine,

How long does it take for the PTU do work? The doctor gave me a

beta-blocker but I still feel horrible. Just wondering.

e

Experiencing Tremors & Severe Depression!

>

>

> > From: barbaree@...

> >

> > Hello,

> >

> > My name is e and I am new to the list. I was diagnosed with

> > Grave's disease a couple of days ago. Has anyone else in the group

> > experienced tremors in their hands and legs? I am so weak I can not

> > climb one flight of stairs. I am also out of breath. I have also been

> > having emotional outbursts that I can't seem to control. Is it all

> > in my head? The doctor (neurologist) told me that Graves' disease

> > is probably the reason why I have been so upset. I was going to a

> > neurologist because I thought I had essential tremors (which is in my

> > family),but it turns out that my thyroid gland is going wacko! I have

> > an appointment with an endocrinologist tommorrow. My mother died

> > when I was young, and my dad confirmed that she had her thyroid gland

> > removed and also that her eyes bulged out (indicative of Grave's

> > disease). From what I have read, drug therapy is not effective.

> >

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> DON'T HATE YOUR RATE!

> Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Get rates as low as

> 0.0% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees.

> Apply NOW!

> http://click./1/2120/3/_/585824/_/953619777/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> -------------------------------------

> 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.

> ----------------------------------------

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, in 91, before remission, I was on one PTU per day for about 10 months,

and then went into remission, not erupting again until late 98.

In the current bout with Graves, I have been on 2 and 4 at different times,

and now 3 PTU after recent tests. I am overdue for lab tests at this time

which will reflect the change in dose. I moved from 4 to 3 based on a

telephone conversation with endo in which he asked about tiredness (yes),

sleeping (yes, more), and suggested that I move back in dose. I think this

is because the previous lab figures indicated I was on a cusp for the 3/4

dosing.

The longest duration of PTU dosing this past year has been with 1, 1 and 2 a

day (4 a day).

Elaine

Researching Bohemian Surnames

S L E P I C K A and H R U S K A

Re: Experiencing Tremors & Severe Depression!

>

>

> Elaine:

>

> I'm curious to know if you have ever been on lower than 150mg of PTU per

> day. I had imagined that if I had to stay on it for a while, I would be

at

> a very low dosage (50mg). How did you and your doctor established your

> current dosage?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The muscle wasting and weakness in my thighs and upper arms was a dramatic

change. I went from being almost incapacitated, requiring a cane to rise

from the chair, to being okay!

The tremors took longer to correct as I moved through dosing from 2 to 4 PTU

a day. Even now I watch for tremors as they appear to be my first

noticeable outward sign that I am in difficulty.

Since I am on a calcium blocker (Norvasc) for BP, a beta blocker may not

have been considered in my case. It was never discussed as a possibility in

my treatment.

Elaine

Researching Bohemian Surnames

S L E P I C K A and H R U S K A

Re: Experiencing Tremors & Severe Depression!

>

>

> Elaine,

>

> How long does it take for the PTU do work? The doctor gave me a

> beta-blocker but I still feel horrible. Just wondering.

>

> e