My Journey With Graves' Disease Part 1

     Its been 2 weeks since my Total Thyroidectomy (TT). Let me tell you how I got here.

History

     My older sister, Jessica and I where checked annually for any abnormalities in thyroid function since we were little. The reason for this is because my mother suffers with HYPOactive thyroid. When I was 12 we found I was slightly HYPO as well. I took a low dosage of Synthroid and within a year I was off the synthroid. I then continued to have my TSH levels checked every year, then every other year and the results continued to say that I was completely healthy. After Jessica had her first baby, Tyson (now 3), she suffered with HYPERthyroidism. She was lucky enough to gain control of her thyroid with medicine, for now anyway. Shes about 4 month pregnant.

The Beginning

     Naturally, when I became pregnant with Caroline I told my OBGYN that I would like to get my bloodwork drawn to check my thyroid. She agreed, and when I was 5 or 6 months pregnant with Caroline I got a call from Dr.Logan's office telling me that my thyroid was INSANELY overactive. Dr L put me on a low dosage of Methimazole and refered me to a specialist at UAB. Honestly, I do not remember the name of the Dr I saw.. or resident.. at the UAB high-risk pregnancy clinic, I just remember what I was told. Which was that my thyroid was out of whack because of my pregnancy and he believed that after I had the baby my thyroid issue would be resolved. He told me to continue the Methimazole. Now, Methimazole is a CLASS D drug so surely you can see where i could have my reservations. A class D drug, according the the FDA, is a drug that has shown evidence of human fetal risk.

The Doubt

     I struggled the first few weeks after I was prescribed this medication with taking it. I didnt want to harm my unborn baby. It wasn't until I talked to Dr.L at my next checkup until I started taking my medication like I was supposed to. She assured me that she would NOT put me on the medication unless she was sure it would help me and the baby. She also explained the medication was going to help Caroline grow and thrive. A few months later this sick momma had a healthy baby girl! I didn't follow up on thyroid blood work after my pregnancy right away. I was busy taking care of a newborn baby! Not to mention I am a first time momma! I wasn't as graceful and I am now as a mother of a 12 month old toddler. That's a joke bby the way.
     When I was pregnant I DID NOT feel like I had a HYPERthyroid problem. If anything I felt like I was HYPO. I was tired ALL the time...and eating ALL of the time.. and gaining 10lbs every month. YEAH. I lost 5 lbs my first trimester then gained 40 lbs my second and third trimester. It wasn't until about 3 months postpartum that I started to NOTICE hyperactive symptoms. I wasn't sleeping but about 5 hours a night. I know, new moms don't get sleep.. blah blah whine whine.. Please keep in mind that my baby has slept 10-12 hours a night since she was 3 months old. My hair was falling out, my b12 was low, joint pains, my heart always racing, my chest hurting, and my blood pressure was high. These are all symptoms of HYPERactive thyroid. Unfortunately I haven't experienced any weight loss (DARN haha).

The Diagnosis

     After my mom and mother-in-law begging me to see a specialist and one ER trip with what I think was a "Thyroid Storm" later...I gave in. That's when I decided to see a specialist. My primary physician refereed me to Dr.Tripp I have heard AWFUL things about Dr. Tripp's bedside manor, However; I have also heard he is the best. I read all these horror stories about people seeing 39857983475493 different specialist and never TRULY getting any answers about there thyroid so I wanted to skip all of that. I started seeing Dr. Trippe in September. Can I just tell you how impressed I am with how thorough he is? I absolutely love him as a doctor. I would recommend him to anyone who is serious about their thyroid disease and doing what is necessary to find comfort.
     It was at my first appointment that he dropped the bomb on me. I have Grave's disease. Not only do I have this disease that effects my overall state of being, but the only medicine that seams to be STABILIZING my levels(not helping) is also KILLING my liver. Radioactive treatment to kill my thyroid was not an option for me because I would have had to be of certain medications for a period of time before the treatment that I couldn't be without. I also wouldn't be able to be around Caroline for a hefty amount of time. So the only other option was a TT.
     At this point I didn't hesitate. It's almost like when you are in labor about 9 cm dilated and you want to scream GET THIS THING OUT OF ME, I had had it. I was ready to feel better and be able to play with Caroline more and go on walks and have ENERGY to perform everyday tasks!

Total Thyroidectomy

     Next thing you know I am at UAB Highlands having Dr.Peter's remove my whole entire thyroid. Which I was told, was as big as a closed fist. Your thyroid is supposed to be about 1/3 that size. Imagine trying to swallow with that big honking think in your throat. I wish I could have seen it.
     As I said earlier, having an overactive thyroid really affects several parts of your body. Because of this, I was not only taking methimazole to control my hormone levels, I was also taking propranolol for palpitations and high blood pressure, b12 for my b12 levels, potassium iodide for surgery prep, and ferrous sulfate for anemia. Now that I think of it, I was nervous about getting my thyroid taken out because I was going to have to take one pill once a day for the rest of my life but thats a heck of a lot better then taking 4 medications everyday 4 times a day. So after my surgery I take 1 synthroid once a day.
     Well, the actual surgery went awesome. I think the worst part was leaving this booger behind, even though I knew she was in WONDERFUL hands with my in-laws.

 

My Mother-in-law sent me this pic after we left. 

Results (So Far)

     After surgery I woke up and was ready to go. It was outpatient surgery so they kept me for a few hours just to make sure i woke up and didn't vomit. The put me on a liquid diet for nausea but I never had that problem. We went to Cracker Barrel as soon as we left. I was feeling pretty good. See:

I didn't feel to different the day after but about three days after I felt subtle changes. Keep in mind I have been hyperactive for OVER a year. I think I forgot how good I was capable of feeling. I had more energy. My pulse started to stabilize. Since my pulse was normal I haven't had to take my propranolol. So I am taking Synthroid and B12. Ill followup with Dr. Tripp in a few weeks. Then Ill find out if we need to change my dosage of Synthroid and hopefully my b12 levels will have improved enough where I wont have to take it anymore!

I am so grateful to have such a great husband, in-laws, and parents to take care of me and support me through this crazy time in my life. Thanks guys! Love y'all.

Sorry this post is EVERYWHERE. Too much information to post at once. More later!