Posted by Snowie on October 14, 2000, at 19:24:22
In reply to Anxiety or Hyperthyroidism ?, posted by GLYN on October 12, 2000, at 19:13:34
Glyn,
Lycaste may be correct. My brother-in-law developed Graves' Disease many years ago. He outwardly began to lose weight, and he appeared nervous and extremely irritable. When we remarked about his rapid weight loss, he barked back that he had been exercising, which was causing him to lose weight. He became unusually critical (that wasn't his normal personality). My sister thought he didn't love her anymore since this man with a previous strong sex drive soon had no interest in sex. Finally, when he was trembling and could barely walk (he had lost from 180 lbs. [his normal weight is about 160 lbs. which is probably why it took us so long to realize just how sick he was] to a skeletal 135 lbs. in what I recall was about five to six months), he agreed to go to the emergency room where he was correctly diagnosed with Graves' Disease. His doctors chose to operate, which was for the best since he had a slow-growing thyroid cancer (which was incidental to the Graves' Disease).
Here's more info about Graves' Disease. Don't wait too long to get help. My brother-in-law saw his regular doctors throughout his illness and they attributed his problems to his sinuses. Unfortunately, his illness developed to the stage where he will forever have Bette Davis eyes.
Here's more info about Graves' Disease. Best of luck.
http://www.clark.net/pub/tfa/brochure/brochure-graves.html
Snowie
> Hi,
>
> I recently had what I would describe as a nervous breakdown (not a term anybody seems to use anymore but I mean it as a rapid onset/escalation of anxiety symptoms which provoke further anxiety symptoms in an ever decreasing vicious circle and soon spirals into all out state of being consumed with anxiety).
>
> My Doc has given me the antidepressant Citalopram which made me 10 times worse for a week and then much better. However, I still suffer from a constant "lower level" anxiety and other symptoms which I am beginning to wonder may actualy be hytperthyroidism. Some persistant symptoms:
>
> High temperature and sweating
> Loose stools
> Anxiety and excessive worry
> Hand and head tremor and twitchy neck
> Headaches
> Heart Palpitations
> Pulse rate at a constant 100 beat a minute at rest (usually around 70)
> Sensitivity to light ( I wear shades on gloomy days like some wannabe rock star)
>
> WHat I was wondering is does anybody know if its possible to confuse anxiety and Hyperthyroidism ? I mean, can the anxiety symptoms it cause become panic attacks and agoraphobia (if the trauma of the anxiety causes them). Has anybody ever been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism when they first thought they had an anxiety disorder? I think I will aks the doctor for a check - or am I a total hypochrondriac on top of everything else?
>
> By the way, what medications are there to control anxiety? I cant have beta blockers because I'm asthmatic, I refuse to take anti-psychotics because I beleive they are a bit of an overkill and they make me scared of the implications and my Doc refuses to prescribe Benzos as he says this will only add to my problems and I'll become addicted. Any other options anybody has heard of?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Glyn (Slowly turning into Woody Allen)
poster:Snowie
thread:46225
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46366.html