Recently I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, now I can’t say too much on it as I don’t know the ins and outs as it is very new to me and were still in the stages of getting everything under control and taking action.
What I do know is it turned my world on it head and I won’t lie had/has me in a depression like state as it means my life from here on in wont be like it used to.
For me it started with my anxiety getting the worst its ever been, followed by heart palpitations and hight BPM. Not long after that I described how I was feeling like menopause. So I felt hot always, cramps, tremors, irregular periods and then there was my constant toilet issue, which drove me completely bonkers.
Now I have an eye that is starting to bulge and my eyesight is quite blurry and hard to see at any sort of distance at the best of times (need to go and get my eyes tested again apparently).
Graves’ Disease was taking over my life and I am too stubborn to do so, so was at war with my body.
WHAT IS GRAVES’?The thyroid gland, located in front of your neck just below the voice box (larynx) produces two hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) that regulate body metabolism. With Graves' disease, the immune system makes antibodies that attack to the thyroid cells and stimulate the thyroid to make more amount of thyroid hormone than your body needs. This results in hyperthyroidism.
Patients with Graves' disease may have some of the common symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty in sleeping, fatigue, muscle weakness, nervousness, hand tremors, frequent bowel movements, increased appetite, rapid and irregular heartbeat, weight loss, goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), and change in menstrual cycles, and breast enlargement in men. Graves' disease can also cause eye changes such as inflammation, swelling of the tissues around the eyes, and bulging of one or both eyeballs. This condition is called Graves’ ophthalmopathy. Rarely, there may be thickening and reddening of the skin over the shins known as pretibial myxedema. This skin problem is not serious and is usually painless. ‘
My Doctor said to me that I could not get pregnant under any circumstances, as it is extremely dangerous both on Mum and bub. So TTC went straight out the window and did affect a lot of things.
Second, no working out or strenuous exercise… Anyone that knows me knows that I live and
breathe the active lifestyle. So this for me was like a challenge and I would push and push until I had no push. Nine times out of ten my heart rate was at 100% max… And even passed out three times and tremors to the point I couldn’t walk. One day after pump I admitted defeat and gave into my body and told myself from there on in I would put my health first as I have two kids who depend on me- and keeping this up I would surely kill myself.
My condition came out of absolutely nowhere with no warning what so ever and I had no idea what was wrong and put it all down to my anxiety- as the Western Hospital did. Had they have tested my thyroid they would have discovered I was actually having a crash (or storm).
Graves' disease is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones (hyperthyroidism). It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body's immune system acts against its own healthy cells and tissues. The disorder may occur at any age, but women over age 20 are most commonly affected.I wasn’t gaining weight and although active wasn’t going overboard and absolutely shredding the weight. I found out this was my first sign and this has been happening since the start of next year.
So as I learn more and whatever else comes with Graves’ Disease I will be sure to keep you all updated, but for now I wont be defeated and will always work around an obstacle.
Erin xxx
