So it was Graves

In rec.aviation.piloting cjcampbell wrote:
To whomever suggested that my atrial fibrillation might be a sign of a
thyroid condition, thanks. As it turned out, it is Graves disease,
something that the FAA can work with.

According to the "Thyroid misdiagnosed as mental disorder" message
thread in alt.support.thyroid, Graves is capable of precipitating
other symptoms.

Yeah. Some of them can kill you, apparently. They ran a pretty
thorough set of tests. Mine is considered to be 'mild.' I would hate
to see what a serious case is like.


CJ,

I was diagnosed with Graves about 10 years ago... a very high pulse
rate was detected during my FAA medical, and they deferred me. I went
with RAI, and it took a year or two before I completely stabilized on
175 mcg of synthroid. Now, I'm just checked once a year.

If I remember right, it took me about 3-4 months to get my medical
back, after my deferral. Now, I just put "175 mcg synthroid - no
change" on my medical form, and I haven't had an issue with any AME.

--- Jay


--

Jay Masino "Home is where My critters are"
http://www.JayMasino.com
http://www.OceanCityAirport.com
http://www.oc-Adolfos.com

On Sep 5, 4:58 am, (Jay Masino) wrote:
In rec.aviation.piloting cjcampbell wrote:

To whomever suggested that my atrial fibrillation might be a sign of a
thyroid condition, thanks. As it turned out, it is Graves disease,
something that the FAA can work with.

According to the "Thyroid misdiagnosed as mental disorder" message
thread in alt.support.thyroid, Graves is capable of precipitating
other symptoms.

Yeah. Some of them can kill you, apparently. They ran a pretty
thorough set of tests. Mine is considered to be 'mild.' I would hate
to see what a serious case is like.

CJ,

I was diagnosed with Graves about 10 years ago... a very high pulse
rate was detected during my FAA medical, and they deferred me. I went
with RAI, and it took a year or two before I completely stabilized on
175 mcg of synthroid. Now, I'm just checked once a year.

If I remember right, it took me about 3-4 months to get my medical
back, after my deferral. Now, I just put "175 mcg synthroid - no
change" on my medical form, and I haven't had an issue with any AME.


That is mostly what I am hearing as well -- and I do not even have the
extremely high pulse rate.

On Sep 1, 10:09 pm, Richard Riley wrote:
On Sat, 01 Sep 2007 11:32:58 -0700, cjcampbell



wrote:
On Sep 1, 7:01 am, Larry Dighera wrote:
On Fri, 31 Aug 2007 07:48:38 -0700, cjcampbell
wrote in
. com:

To whomever suggested that my atrial fibrillation might be a sign of a
thyroid condition, thanks. As it turned out, it is Graves disease,
something that the FAA can work with.

According to the "Thyroid misdiagnosed as mental disorder" message
thread in alt.support.thyroid, Graves is capable of precipitating
other symptoms.

Yeah. Some of them can kill you, apparently. They ran a pretty
thorough set of tests. Mine is considered to be 'mild.' I would hate
to see what a serious case is like.

http://vodkapundit.com/archives/008895.php

Yeah, I can relate to a lot of that, except for the weight loss. The
appetite, though -- that sure is annoying. As is the muscle loss.

Still, it is not as if it incapacitated me. The treatment does leave
me short of breath and aggravates my asthma, but it is not severe
enough to force me to use an inhaler -- I just cough a little more.
The most dangerous thing is the medication can cause you to suddenly
stop producing white blood cells, which makes even a sore throat or a
cold a medical emergency. Fortunately, that side effect is extremely
rare.

I don't know what test he took where 180 was considered 'normal.' I do
know that some of my tests were either 'indeterminate' or just barely
hyperthyroid, while others were way off the chart. The working theory
is that either it is trying to cure itself or the thyroid might be
transitioning to a hypothyroid state. There are so many weird things
they really don't seem to know, like what causes it in the first place.

"cjcampbell" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Sep 1, 10:09 pm, Richard Riley wrote:
On Sat, 01 Sep 2007 11:32:58 -0700, cjcampbell
http://vodkapundit.com/archives/008895.php

Yeah, I can relate to a lot of that, except for the weight loss. The
appetite, though -- that sure is annoying. As is the muscle loss.

Still, it is not as if it incapacitated me. The treatment does leave
me short of breath and aggravates my asthma, but it is not severe
enough to force me to use an inhaler -- I just cough a little more.
The most dangerous thing is the medication can cause you to suddenly
stop producing white blood cells, which makes even a sore throat or a
cold a medical emergency. Fortunately, that side effect is extremely
rare.

I don't know what test he took where 180 was considered 'normal.' I do
know that some of my tests were either 'indeterminate' or just barely
hyperthyroid, while others were way off the chart. The working theory
is that either it is trying to cure itself or the thyroid might be
transitioning to a hypothyroid state. There are so many weird things
they really don't seem to know, like what causes it in the first place.


That blog made it sound life threatening but that usually isn't the case.
From my experience I would suggest you give drug treatment a try for at
least a couple of years. Both surgery and RAI have risks. I went with RAI as
mine was severe but it has had effects that I was not warned about.
Regular blood tests are needed every 6 - 8 weeks until levels stabilise.
That could take several months.
Educate yourself. Find a doctor or endocrinologist that knows the answers to
your questions or is willing to consider your own research.
For a good explanation of all things thyroid by doctors for doctors try
http://www.thyroidmanager.org/thyroidbook.htm

Indications are that the condition is probably not permanent and might
even go away on its own.

Glad to hear it CJ.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Hi Chris

Well it looks as though the eagle will still be waddling
Good news - you must be very relieved.
We are all thinking of you,

Take care

Tony


--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE

On Sep 2, 8:46 pm, tony roberts wrote:
Hi Chris

Well it looks as though the eagle will still be waddling
Good news - you must be very relieved.
We are all thinking of you,

Take care

Thanks. Now if only I could get my computer back. I busted the
ExpressCard slot on my MacBook Pro and it has been in the shop for
more than week waiting on parts. Using Google Groups in the meantime
is about as much fun as sticking burning toothpicks under my
fingernails...

cjcampbell wrote:
On Sep 2, 8:46 pm, tony roberts wrote:
Hi Chris

Well it looks as though the eagle will still be waddling
Good news - you must be very relieved.
We are all thinking of you,

Take care

Thanks. Now if only I could get my computer back. I busted the
ExpressCard slot on my MacBook Pro and it has been in the shop for
more than week waiting on parts. Using Google Groups in the meantime
is about as much fun as sticking burning toothpicks under my
fingernails...

To Mr. Campbell: But don't the toothpicks take away the other pain?

cjcampbell wrote:


One symptom of Graves is increased irritability which, thankfully, has
not been bothering me. Seems to bother everybody else, though. :-)

LMAO...classic

--
Message posted via http://www.aviationkb.com

"cjcampbell" wrote in message
ups.com...

Indications are that the condition is probably not permanent and might
even go away on its own.

Best wishes and happy landings.