Someone plz read and help me!!!

[noni2009]

I am 26yo and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about 3yrs ago. That was a very dark period in my life because I had been going through all kinds of moodswings and irritability. I was in and out of hospitals and doctor offices, only to be told that I had anxiety. At first I thought I did because I was very stressed out but the way I was acting, I knew that it wasn't my normal self. I really wish that I could explain how hopeless and clueless and sad I felt. Life seemed really cold and dark to me, I became deeply depressed. It seemed like I had no one to turn to.
I remember one day I was sitting down at home on the computer and all of a sudden, my heart started beating so fast. I immediately called 911 because I thought that I was having a heart attack (I didn't know at the time that your heart stops beating if it's a heart attack because I was clueless about what it was) I was scared out of my mind. Anyway, I was taken to the ER and to make a long story short, they was so interested in me taking drugs tests instead of trying to help calm my nerves and fears. From what I remember, my heart beats were about 160. As I now am aware, that's kinda high, but I remember a nurse telling me that day that at my age I could handle it. I remember pulling off those chest stickers and walked out.
If only I had known better, I would have stayed and let them (if they would have) run some thorough tests to see what the problem was, I would probably have saved myself more suffering and feel better today.
So, to fast forward to today. I eventually ended up receiving a RAI 131 scan to confirm hyperthyroid. The results said that after 24 hours, I had an uptake of 83%, which confirmed Graves diseases. I was put on Methimazole, which made me itch all over and become more irritated. I then started taking Benadryl, which made me so tired. My life was a mess. I couldn't function for school or work. I'm telling you, this disease had (and still do)me on some kind of bodily roller coaster.
The doctor that I have been seeing for this condition is not an endocrinologist and had little knowledge of this condition. It's unfortunate that I had no way to see an endocrinologist because my insurance don't cover "specialty" care. However, I'm at the point that I'm willing to go into debt because of my health. Right now, I'm really interested in a natural approach to stopping this dis-ease.
I really hope someone has taken the time to read what I wrote up to this point but if not, I will not stop trying to get to the bottom of what's causing my condition. I know that it doesn't run in my family and so, it had to be something wrong I did internally. I've read that stress could trigger this condition, and it makes me wonder if it's the reason as I was robbed not even a year before my symptoms surfaced. I have also had a root canal done, which have been giving me problems since.
Some info about what medications I taking now is Methamizole 10mg about 4 times a day. My TSH is 0.05, T4 is 8.5, T3 is 0.93--I try to limit meals with too much sodium and drink plenty of water. Oh, and eat more fruits and veggies. I really don't know what else to do besides this.
Someone please give me some kind of advice about what to do, or referrals to holistic, natural doctors that have expertise with this condition. Please!


Here are some of my lab results up to this point:
9-24-2007 TSH ~0.01 (Sadly, my first primary care doctor never told me about an abnormal reading when I was tested prior to this one. She said because of my age, she thought I'd work itself out)
12-27-2007 TSH~0.05, Free T4~1.35
9-04-2009 TSH~0.05, T4~ 8.0, T3~0.93, WBC~ 9.86, RBC~ 5.55, HGB~ 15.1, PLATELET COUNT 252
9-20-2009 TSH~ 0.05, T3~PENDING, T4~ 8.5, GLUCOSE 78

[thyroidian]

hi, you dont have to thank me,and dont feel alone, just say how you feel,i dont know off any good naturopaths in the US, as i live in the UK.
But if i was you i would find yourself a good endocrinologist, one who firstly listens, and who can treat you proper, but you need a good thyroid endo, and not a diabetic specialist,
I do think you need a beta-blocker, to help you with the palpitations, maybe a soon as possible, or you may end up doing more damage than good.
Maybe your GP could prescribe some for you, i had half-inderal, slow release, they worked very good for my tachycardia.
I dont have any faith in doctors anymore, ive been fobbed off to the max.So ive had to do my own homework on this condition. But i know how you feel, when you say you get annoyed with the doctors and nurses, but one thing i say to myself is i would love to give them this disease just for a week, and see how they would feel, especially when asked how they were treated, and how they felt.
But there are just a few dedicated ones out there who want to give people a better quality off life.(but ive never met one).haha
I hope you get sorted soon though, and dont let them stress you out, save you energy to try and get yourself a bit better.
I am always here for you if you want a chat, or a moan, i will try to find out off my naturapath if she reccomends anything.
Keep your chin up and remember youre not alone.
Thyroidian

[noni2009]

Thank you both so much for the advice.
I'm telling you that I feel so alone sometimes. And because of the way doctors and nurses will treat people, including myself, has caused me much anger and sadness. Especially because these are the people we're relying on basically to keep us alive and for them to treat some people the way they do it's scary. And I've realized that some doctors aren't really in their profession to help people but more so to just make a paycheck. The things I've witnessed in doctors' offices and hospitals really changed my outlook in a way that I feel it is crucial for me to get to the root of my thyroid condition, change my lifestyle, and keep myself from having to depend on anyone for the well being of my body.

Do any of you know of good natural, homeopathic doctors in the U.S.? Pointing me in that direction would be appreciated much.
Thanks for your comments. And I wish you both much comfort!!!!

[redheadaussie]

I hate to say it but, Welcome to the Club!
  It is one thing after another for many of us with thyroid disease. It can take a long long time to get diagnosed. Me personally it was well over 15 years, I lost my life, my kids, and my sanity!
  The main thing to know is to be educated! Read everything, learn all you can about your disease. Ask a million questions!  Yes, smilerdeb knows alot about Graves disease.
I personally went to a Naturopath, and his advice really helped me. It is a very involved thing to have thyroid disorder and many things tangent off it. eg; bowel, eyes, joint pain, even hearing problems! So do start to get a pack of information together and ask questions and soon you can be on the road to (sort of) good health!)
Cheers!

[thyroidian]

Well ive read your post, and you sound like ive lived on and off for the last 11 years, ive got graves disease, and i had the same problems, as you, in other words i was fobbed off as having anxiety and depression, even though i had serious tachycardia, were i thought i was having an heart attack.
I have just had my second thyroid surgery, due to this hell off a disease,
I have never had holistic or natural remedy to treat graves, and dont know if there is one?
But i was treated at first with carbimazole, and half-inderal, (beta-blockers)
It took me several trips to my GP,s and the ER, before i got a diagnosis, and the only thing what was on offer was a shrink.Which i think is totally disgusting, when you know your physically poorly,
I know stress causes me many graves symptoms,
I am in touch with a naturalist in the UK, so i will ask if theres anything they recommend, but i think you will need proper medication to treat your graves disease.
Do you have any eye problems,with your graves.
There is a special lady on this forum, called smilerdeb, she is fantastic, and everything you need to know about graves she will help you with.
Smilerdeb was my life line she helped me so much, her knowledge is A1.
I hope your treatment works for you, and maybe your graves will give you a bit off a break.
I think you need a good endo, so you dont have to suffer years, at the hands off someone who doesnt take you seriously.
I wish you well. Let me know how you get on
Thyroidian