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Old 11-21-2008, 07:17 AM
susanjpullen susanjpullen is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 21
15 yr Member
susanjpullen susanjpullen is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 21
15 yr Member
Default Has anyone had a similar experience?

Hi

I'm new to the forum and it looks like its incredibly useful and a positive place to be.

I have Graves Disease, which started with a Thyroid Storm about 3 years ago. I have been using block and replace therapy for about 2 years.

Then in June I started to be clumsy... I tripped up several times and had to change my footwear (I am an English size 5 and now have to wear flat size 8 big comfy Ugg type boots).

My ankles became very swollen and my leg muscles became weaker in my right leg.

I went on holiday to a hot climate in early August and the symptoms became a lot worse. The ankles became extremely swollen, and then I started getting severe cramps in both calves as well as spasms.

I also started getting electric shocks, pins & needles, burning calves (which became ultra sensitive to draughts and cold - feeling like being cut with knives).

It became worse, with the weakness progressing so that I now have to use a walking stick to get upstairs/downstairs, and sometimes when walking on the flat as well.

I also notice that I have problems with my eyes (occasional double vision, but often sore/burning and swollen), my throat tends to swell up but not be painful and I get short of breath. I also have pains in both my arms (they are heavy and achy) as well as brain fog. I am far clumsier nowadays, dropping things, walking into things and missing my mouth (its a big enough target, as they say!). Sometimes when my throat swells up, and my Uvala swells up the only way I can breath is to lie on my back or to walk with my head held back.

I have recently been back to my Thyroid Specialist who has taken me off all meds to see what happens. He diagnosed neuropathy as being present, and was not sure what was causing it but is hoping time will show the cause. Since then the pains have come and gone in intensity, varying from being a consistent 2 on the scale up to attacks of 10.

I've been signed off from work at the moment and am not sure what is causing the peripheral neuropathy.

I went to see my Osteopath today, who I see on a regular basis to prevent back problems (I was born with a mild curvature of the spine, which is very much under control nowadays). He suggested it may be Myasthina Gravis.

I am afraid I will lose my job if I can't get back to work soon (they pay full money for 6 weeks, half for a further 6 weeks and then I don't know what happens - but definitely no pay). They've been very good, but obviously it can't last forever.

Anyone who's had anything similar and has found a way round it, or at least found a definite diagnosis to work with, would be great. Or any tips at all.
I've looked in the stickies and will be booking with a nutritionist so that I can get started on some high strength multi-vits, etc.

Many thanks

Sue
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