Guest guest Posted July 9, 2002 Report Share Posted July 9, 2002 Hi ! Welcome to the group! Ask away! You will find lots of very helpful information here! Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2002 Report Share Posted July 9, 2002 I have had the palpatations in my neck area and also under my breast/right side. Same thing with my gp and also the tech when i had the scan, go figure. I' m just waiting this out for awhile. Zelinski wrote: I guess I did not mention in my original post that my GP wanted me to get the RAI as soon as he diagnosed the graves disease. I asked him about the ATDs and he said that a side effect taking that treatment route is a low white blood cell count which would be worse than the graves disease. Needless to say he scared me into not taking that route right away! I told him that I did not like the idea of killing off part of my thyroid, and would prefer to take the least aggressive form of treatment to start with. I have had issues with controlling my blood pressure the last few years, it tends to run high 140/90 is normal for me. He ruled out pheochromacytoma ( a tumor of the adrenal gland) before putting me on the beta blocker. One my symptoms has been like a palpitation (feeling my heart racing) but in my throat area. Has anyone else had that symptom? I get it in my chest also but more often in my throat area. The beta blocker has stopped that from happening most of the time although it does still happen a few times a day for a short duration. I do not think that I have the eye problems yet. I do not have any protrusion although I have been getting a pain off and on in my right eye and wateriness. I am having surgery tomorrow to have an unrelated lump in my breast removed. At least I think it is unrelated After that I plan on looking for an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid treatment. If anyone is from the Chicago, Illinois area and knows of good one please let me know. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2002 Report Share Posted July 9, 2002 Hi , Try this site to find a doctor. Patients recommend doctors here, the more referrals the greater the chance of finding a good one. It doesn't work for everyone, some have had problems with doctors listed on the site, but for me it was a wonderful place. I found my 3rd, and current endo here, who is not allowed to die or retire before I do ;-) http://thyroid.about.com/library/weekly/bldoc1.htm As for the white count, it is rare for this to happen, I can't remember the exact percent, but it is in Elaines Graves Disease book. Doctors who don't have a clue for properly monitoring us on atd's generally use this as a scare tactic into RAI, which is more convenient for them <sigh> Before starting on atd's, a liver panel and white blood cell count is in order. If a doctor doesn't order them, insist on them before starting the pills...and get copies of your labs so you can have the results handy when you need them. Graves Disease can affect these labs on it's own without being on atd's, that is why it is very important to have the tests before starting them. Take care, Jody > I guess I did not mention in my original post that my GP wanted me to get the RAI as soon as he diagnosed the graves disease. I asked him about the ATDs and he said that a side effect taking that treatment route is a low white blood cell count which would be worse than the graves disease. Needless to say he scared me into not taking that route right away! I told him that I did not like the idea of killing off part of my thyroid, and would prefer to take the least aggressive form of treatment to start with. I have had issues with controlling my blood pressure the last few years, it tends to run high 140/90 is normal for me. He ruled out pheochromacytoma ( a tumor of the adrenal gland) before putting me on the beta blocker. One my symptoms has been like a palpitation (feeling my heart racing) but in my throat area. Has anyone else had that symptom? I get it in my chest also but more often in my throat area. The beta blocker has stopped that from happening most of the time although it does still happen a few times a day for a short duration. I do not think that I have the eye problems yet. I do not have any protrusion although I have been getting a pain off and on in my right eye and wateriness. I am having surgery tomorrow to have an unrelated lump in my breast removed. At least I think it is unrelated After that I plan on looking for an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid treatment. If anyone is from the Chicago, Illinois area and knows of good one please let me know. > > - > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2002 Report Share Posted July 10, 2002 Zelinski wrote: > > I guess I did not mention in my original post that my GP wanted me to get the RAI as soon as he diagnosed the graves disease. I asked him about the ATDs and he said that a side effect taking that treatment route is a low white blood cell count which would be worse than the graves disease. Well you can scare anyone with the worst symptoms of a treatment, did he mention RAI causes cancer of the thyroid and intestine, can worsen or provokes Grave's eye disease, and has a poor record with strokes and heart attacks? Even if RAI works (often two doses are required) you have a 86% chance of lifelong hypothyroidism, 60%+ of patients being treated with the conventional treatment for hypothyroidism report that not all symptoms are resolved. So with RAI you seem to be voting for a better that 50% chance of lifelong symptoms of hypothyroidism. The doctors aren't mad (well not completely), hypothyroidism is easier to treat, but you could well end up with two diseases instead of one, as RAI doesn't resolve the antibodies causing Grave's which might decide to attack your eyes at anytime. Giving you Graves eye disease and hypothyroid symptoms to contend with. If we just go on the worst results of treatments we wouldn't take any medication, apart from homeopathy (at 200cc dilution it is just water - trust me on that). What is important is risk versus benefits - yes ATD are linked to some very nasty side effects, including one that can even necessitate a liver transplant. But most of nastiest side effects are incredibly rare and usually give you plenty of hints something bad is happening in the first few months of treatment. > One my symptoms has been like a palpitation (feeling my heart racing) but in my throat area. Has anyone else had that symptom? Okay a wush wush sound in a goiter (swollen thyroid), with heart beat, is a classic Grave's disease symptom, indeed one textbook claims this symptom is unique to Grave's disease! This would tend to confirm the diagnosis Try the drugs unless there is some specific reason for you not to. The usual one is pregnancy or planning to get pregnant, where many doctors recommend surgical treatment as it avoids the risks to offspring of both the RAI and ATD, although the antithyroid drug PTU is consider relatively safe for use in pregnancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2002 Report Share Posted July 10, 2002 Hi and all the other new members I may have missed, Welcome to the group. To me graves disease was an emotional roller coaster that was hard to understand. Then I found this support group not long after buying my first computer. I've learned so much since joining this group, but more important there are others out there that feel the same way I do. I'm not alone. I've not only learned a lot, but I learn something new each time a new member joins. There's so much information here. Debbie R. 5.5 yrs. on ATDs (antithyroid drugs) my levels have tested normal for 24 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2002 Report Share Posted July 10, 2002 Hi Mike, Welcome to this group! We do have a few male members here, though some are just quiet. But I'm sure Simon will jump in soon, and he has wonderful posts in the archives. >>>I was wondering if anyone else out there has Grave's with normal thyroid function. I have all the occular symptons, and I do tend to flush very easily, but my RAI test shows normal thyroid function.<<< This does happen, I just haven't heard of it often but have read about it. Ask your doctor to run the thyroid autoantibodies panel including the TSI, which is probably going to be elevated since you already have signs of the eye disease. Be insistent to get all of your antibodies testing done. Chances are that down the road you will end up with full blown graves if I am remembing my reading correctly. I will suggest you get Graves Disease; A Practical Guide by Elaine , I know it does discuss this situation in her book as well as every other aspect of graves disease and will give you a heads up now, rather than later, if it should turn out you end up with graves. Get copies of all of your labs, these will be extemely beneficial for you as you make your journey, even if it never gets past the eye stage, which I hope is the case for you. Take care, keep reading, keep asking questions, and again, welcome to the group, Jody _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2002 Report Share Posted July 11, 2002 Hi Mike, Wow, we had a lot of new people today. I hope you are not feeling left out. Here is a link you may find useful. You may even want to print this one out. :-) http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/graves_disease/62032 We did have someone recently... in the last month or two, with euthyroid Graves' , the same as you. Perhaps you can find those posts in the archives ? Does anyone here remember the name of that person? That would help Mike. The part I remember was for the gal to keep a close check on her thyroid levels forever, as it 'could' turn into a thyroid problem, and this way it is caught early, when it is much easier to treat. You will also find many stories of our eye disease in the archives and our tips on taking care of our eyes. -Pam L - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 In a message dated 1/26/03 11:10:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, grammarho@... writes: > . Yet, I've read about women getting pregnant sooner > and having healthy pregnancies Dear Kim, Please remember that there are no follow-up studies on the children born to post-WLS women who have gotten pregnant before their one-year anniversary. Yes, those babies are born healthy according to the apgar scores. However, there are other factors that apgar scores cannot measure such as neurological damage. We are told not to get pregnant until our one-year anniversaries. If it happens sooner, then it happens for a reason. I have read so many postings in the past few months from women who want to get pregnant before their one-year marks. If this is against medical advice, shouldn't someone tell them this instead of saying " Go for it. " Recently, I read the list of FAQs that was compiled for this group. I thought I read that there were no follow-up studies of the children born to post-WLS women who got pregnant before their one-year marks. I am sorry if I misunderstood the information in that FAQ. I am also sorry if I am not understanding the purpose of this group. I don't want to offend anyone with my posting, and I think I already have. Shoshannah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2003 Report Share Posted January 27, 2003 I got pregnant by surprise at 5.5 months postop. While everything is going well with the baby thus far it is not something I would recommend to anyone. I know you are looking for someone to tell you to go for it but I think it is a decision best made with medical professionals. I have heard that if you work really hard on the weight loss and get down close to goal and/or have your weight stabilized that some doctors will give the green-light to start trying to conceive before the one year mark. New Member I know a woman who got pregnant two months post-op, miscarried, then got pregnant again five months post-op and had a healthy baby. I know it can be done. I guess I'm just looking for personal stories and support. This is a hard decision for me to make, whether or not to wait. Rationally, I know waiting is the best choice. However, I'm thinking with my heart not my brain right now. I look forward to talking to all of you. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2003 Report Share Posted February 27, 2003 Welcome Nicky! Dubin Open RNY 2-18-02 down 156lbs Mommy to: born on 1-16-03 ~and~ andra Marie (born still at 36 weeks gestation on 3-14-98) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2003 Report Share Posted February 27, 2003 Nicky, Welcome! I can't help you with the lap band, because I had the lap rny. But as far as being able to conceive after wls, ABSOLUTELY! There are a lot of women with secondary infertility that conceive very easily after wls. I wish you the best, and I have a feeling once you make your decision regarding surgery, you will be on the right track! Good luck! Marcy Wallis lap rny 06/15/00 Mommy to 12/10/02 (post wls) Mommy to Kaitlyn 05/01/94 (pre wls) Wifey to Neil!!! new member Hi everyone my name is Nicky and I'm a 32 yr old extremely overweight mum to a 4 yr old boy. I am in the process of checking out lap ban surgery sometime this year. I am so happy to have found this group as (sorry for you all but good for me )as you will be able to help me out here. The one thing that was putting me off the surgery was TTC or the lack of ability. I wasn't sure if you still could TTC, if that makes sense. With the initial emails I received the FAQ were fantastic that is such a great idea. I am actually suffering from secondary infertility so I'm hoping that the weight loss does help with conceiving again. I do not want to go through anymore fertility treatment I've had enough of it. Anyway I'm babbling. Oh yeah I'm in Australia. Look forward to getting to know you all Take care Nicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2003 Report Share Posted February 27, 2003 Thanks Marcie. I think I really have made up my mind on the surgery I just need to get the ball rolling on it all. I have an appt with the nurse counsellor on the 12th March. It is great to see that there are no extra problems with conceiving. I actually thought that you wouldn't even be able to conceive if you had WLS. So it is such a relief and kind of makes my mind up about it all. Now I really don't have anything stopping me. Anyway thanks again for the welcome Take care Nicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2003 Report Share Posted April 9, 2003 Joanie ~ Congratulations and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2003 Report Share Posted April 9, 2003 Hi Joanie, Welcome to the group and congrats on your pregnancy!!! I had an 8 year old daughter (prior to wls) when I got pregnant with my 4 month old son. So we were kind of in the same boat. I did have the issues of not wanting to gain weight and not fit into my clothes as well, but that went away in time. I am wearing most of my pre pregnancy clothes now, and even if I weren't, my son was worth ALL of it! Best of luck to you!!! Marcy Wallis lap rny 06/15/00 Mommy to 12/10/02 Mommy to Kaitlyn 05/01/94 Wifey to Neil!!! New Member Hi all, I am a new member to this pregnancy group and I'm thrilled to have found you all. Had my WLS almost 2 years ago...lost 160 lbs. Now, I'm pregnant. It's my second pregnancy...our son is 7 years old now. I never could get pregnant after he was born because I was so damn fat! Once the weight came off, no problem! :-) Now, that I really am preg, I'm a little scared at times. But, I talk to others and they make me feel better. My reasons for being scared are selfish, but they are real. My fears are that I'm going to gain too much weight and then won't be able to get it off. I also feel sad that my clothes are beginning to not fit...the ones that I worked so hard to get into...size 8's! AT any rate, I wanted to be pregnant and I will deal with these feelings when they arise. I'm sure some of you experienced these same feelings?!?! I'm 13 weeks pregnant...due Oct. 12th! Will have an amnio in 3 weeks since I'm 35 years old. Will keep you all posted. Yes, I want to know the sex of the baby!!! :-) ~Joanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2003 Report Share Posted April 10, 2003 Welcome Juli, You are so lucky to be Blessed with another child.You have found the right group to recieve advise,support and wisdom. GOOD LUCK!!!! Sharon_H. TTC #4. 115lbs. WLS215lbs (DOT) > Hi everyone, my name is Juli. I am 6 months post-op and down 90 > Lbs. We just found out 2 days ago we are pregnant with our 3rd > child. My first one since my LAP RNY. We were shocked because we > have been using protection. We did want another one, we were just > going to wait til I was out a year first. I am happy. I really > don't want to gain much weight. I have heard of woman loosing while > pregnant in the beginning then just putting on a few in the later > months. I feel so selfish. At this time I can't hold down a thing. I > have had no problem with food really until now. They told me I > really don't need pre natels because I am on my kids vitamins, > calcium citrate, b-12 shots monthly and they don't want me to have to > many vitamins. The Dr. (ob/gyn) is not worried about my food intake > at this point but it worries me that the baby won't get enough. They > are doing a sonogram on May 7th because we had 2 miscarriages one in > 98 and one last year so I am keeping everything crossed that we get a > heart beat. We never got one last year. My EDD is Nov. 29th. > I am so happy I found this group so I can speak to women that are > going through the same thing as me and I can come for advice. > Juli > LAP RNY 9/25/02 > EDD 11/29/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2003 Report Share Posted April 11, 2003 Welcome, We have a lot of fun in this group. I am currently TTC(trying to conceive).My husband and I also worried about how soon, but after finding this site the worries are gone. I am 21 months post-op and this is my 4th child. Losing all the weight really put my family and marriage in new prospective. We have a 15yr., 10yr.,and a 6 yr., we really were not planning more children, but happiness makes you take different paths in life. I wish you all the luck in getting pregnant. You will find great support, advise, and knowledge in this group. God Bless!! Sharon_H. TTC#4. 115lbs. WLS215lbs (DOT) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2003 Report Share Posted April 11, 2003 Welcome and congrats Juli. I got pregnant at 7 weeks psot-op. Thruought my pregnancy I couldn't tolerate the chewable pre-natal vitamins and I was on 2 flinstones a day and every other day I took 3. I did just fine. Again Best Wishes and Congrats!!! D. Open RNY 2-18-02 down 166lbs Mommy to: born 1-16-03 ~and~ andra Marie (born stillborn at 36 weeks gestation following a car accident on 3-14-98) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2003 Report Share Posted April 14, 2003 Well, first I wouldn't worry until you were confirmed pregnant. Second, I got pregnant at 4.5 months post op and am now 27 weeks PG. Baby is doing fine. You definately won't hear any of that lecturing from this site.....everyone is extremely supportive! So keep us posted. mommy to , 2 yrs old 27 weeks PG, due 7/15/03 > This is my first post. I am 4 mos post op. I have not been able to > reach my surgeon yet and I am freaking out about this. Worried about > his response, my and my baby's health, etc. Thank God for this site. > At least I know I am not the only one. I am 38 yrs old and NOT > expecting another child. But, my 5 yr old son told me we would be > having a baby.??? He is the only reason I went and bought a test in > the first place. I never have periods anymore, and have had only one > since surgery. And...yes we were using protection, etc. I am not > looking forward to all the " you were told not to get pregnant " > lectures. Someone please advise!! Suzy Freeman Mesquite Tx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2003 Report Share Posted April 30, 2003 hi I live in seattle and am 48/m new to this and am very interested in resurfacing. I was wondering like you all if in seattle there is anyone that does this or is dr.vail in s.c the only one. I see alot of you going out of the country to do this but isn't the cost very expensive. Also how long do you have to stay before you can come home. Any help or some one I could call to talk to would be very helpful. Thanks Tug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 Should have a new member in the group... My daughter Laurie (l_ehret). She may just lurk until she reads all the good information. JOlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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