I am new here and love comng here to read the post. I am getting ready to have surgery and I have already had my ini tital appt with surgeon and 2 out of 6 required appts. I read the forum everyday and have a notebook full of suggestions and helpful hints from all of you!

I had my appt with nutrionist last week. She says I am not eating enough now but am a prime candidate for surgery. I have to increase my Protein and caloric intake for now. lol...never thought I would hear that.

I had to go to my regular doctor a month ago because I was just feeling lousy. Well, tons of bloodwork and scans and ultrasounds later, I have Graves Disease. Of course, I do. Why can't life be easy? So now I have to see a specialist which in my area the next appt availabe is in August! I went to see my doctor on Friday and was given the diagnosis. While there, I showed him some red splotches on my neck. So I also have Shingles and can't take steroids because of the Graves. Oh, and also that splotch of acne on my face for the past year, that is Rosacea, and guess what, can't take the meds for it because of the Graves.

I am now on metformin because my liver is turning all I eat into fat. The bloodwork showed my sugars just slightly elevated so dr put me on metformin. I have lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks since I started taking it. YEAH!!!

I have 3rd appt with surgeon this week and will tell him about Graves....see what if any problem it causes with my hoping to get surgery before end of year!

I had to cancel the psych appt because of all this other testing so still have to get that set up. My regular dr wants me to change jobs because mine is so stressful...what???!!!??? Yeah, right, doc...if you want to get paid, I don't quit my job! lol....

But, even with all these problems, I am lucky. I have a great job, a very very supportive boyfriend and a great life! Sorry this is post is jumbled, I just needed to get all this out! Feels good to get it out and be able to deal with it!

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Wow, you're dealing with a handful, aren't you! *hugs* It sounds like you're making a great effort to take care of yourself, you're finding out important things about your body, and it's moving slowly forward. I think aiming for surgery by the end of the year is reasonable, and not too accelerated that you won't keep getting frustrated as things change. I don't know anything about Graves disease, so I can't help you there, but I love your outlook in the last paragraph. Vent to us all you want, This is a great place for it!

-Kat

"But, even with all these problems, I am lucky. I have a great job, a very very supportive boyfriend and a great life! Sorry this is post is jumbled, I just needed to get all this out! Feels good to get it out and be able to deal with it!"

@naterbug you have a lot going for you; good job, boyfriend (support), attitude. Stay positive & remember to take one baby-step at a time. Prayers coming your way from Seattle, WA.

Good luck!! It does sound like you've got tons on your plate, but at least you can find the silver lining in it all! (((Hugs)))

Thanks everyone...just writing it out helped me so much but then to get support was even better! After posting, I went to one of my jobs (yes, I have three jobs!). I just clean up the apt building I live in (vacumming, etc) and gave everything a good think through. Even if the Graves sets me back some I am still gonna be able to do this. I am 50 years old and am at the thresh hold of possibly developing more severe problems, diabetes, high blood pressure,etc. It is better if I get surgery as soon as I can to hopefully prevent any of these situations.

Lissa, I want to thank you personally. You are such a big contributor to this forum and are always right on target with your advice and support!