Mary Shomon's Book "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism" Published This Week
I'm happy to announce the publication of my latest book, Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know. The book was just released this week, published by HarperCollins. The book is the latest in the series of "Living Well..." books that started with my first book, Living Well With Hypothyroidism, which was first published in 2000, and reissued in a 2nd edition in March of 2005.Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism focuses on conventional and alternative approaches to diagnosis, treatment and management of these complex and often overlooked conditions. In addition to coverage of all the traditional medical treatments -- antithyroid therapy, radioactive iodine, surgery -- the book also features a holistic/nutritional/supplement-based approach to treatment of non-acute hyperthyroidism. The book also discusses specific problems, including thyroid eye disease, hyperthyroidism and fertility, hyperthyroidism during pregnancy, hyperthyroidism in newborns and children, the impact of hyperthyroidism on mental health, and ultimately, lifelong hypothyroidism, which is the usual result after hyperthyroidism treatment. A comprehensive Resources appendix features books, websites, organizations, and experts that can provide further information and help.
For more information on the new book, see:
- Home Page -- "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism"
- Press Release from HarperCollins Announcing "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism"
- Table of Contents -- "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism"
- Read a Chapter of "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism"
- Graves' Disease & Hyperthyroidism: Risks, Signs & Symptoms Checklist
Comments
Dear Mary, I have been getting your newsletter for quite a long time. My youngest daughter, Lindsay, has been diagnosed with Graves Disease at the age of 13. She is now 18. She is still fighting a battle. We finally have found a great doctor, Zachary Kaye! He personally calls to discuss test results- hard to believe in this day and age. We have been through the gamit. Before Lindsay turned 18 we could not find a pediatric endocrinologist that wanted to take our insurance or a regular endo that was willin to take her as a patient. It would take too much space to tell you all of the horror stories. I think that we need to address those patients with Graves or Hyperthyroidism that are under 18.
My 19 year old daughter has not been taking her medication for Graves disease for a year now. She refuses to do so. Can I do anything legally to get her to a doctor? She was diagnosed as a 12 year old. I am feeling hopeless and frustrated. She needs the meds to be stable. She is acting irrationally.What recouse do I have? My sister feels I should insist she be treated or else leave my home. Would that be tough love or just cruelty?Any advice would be apprciated. Thank you. Resa Nilson
Hello Mary. Thank you for the wonderful book, Living well with Graves disease and what your Dr doesnt tell you. (I just finished it) I was diagnosed with graves disease 11 months ago and have had my thyroid ablated. I am still trying to get at my optimal Thyroid level. I still have many symtoms, etc. My concern is that when I go in for my lab work (about every 8-12 weeks) my Doctors office never calls with results or changes in Rx. THey mail everything to me. Even a new Rx and when to return. WOW. I feel so disconnected. I called once and told the Dr many symptoms that I was having, some I thought were concerning to my, and she told me not to worry, your body is going through many changes right now. Should I search out another endcrinologist (even though there are very few in my area) or continue with her. I have also considered just going to my GP, however, in your book, it said if you have Graves disease you should see a Endocrinologist. THANK YOU. Michelle
PS. Will I ever feel “normal again”
I was diagnosed with Graves Disease at the age of 61 by my husband who is a doctor. He, along with an endicronologist, pushed and pushed me to get my thyroid radiated and I did, much to my better judgment. I feel okay now, at age 64, but I have weight issues which I never had before, and now I have to take synthroid the rest of my life. I wish I had waited it out and tried other alternatives before the irradiation. Just venting.
Having graves disease has killed my confidence. I have protruding eyes so I rarely look people in the eye. Is there anything that will releive my facial distortion? Will my eyes ever go back to normal?
I have read all your comments and feel for you! I too have Grave’s Disease and it is NOT a death sentence. If your Dr can’t take the time to call and talk to you find another Dr ASAP! Be careful what you read online some has been very misleading. We all have different degrees & symptoms. Find a Dr who is willing to listen. Find or start a support group in your area. This is an incredibly stressful disease and we all need support. Ms Shomon seems very knowledgeable & has helped me. There is another book out there that really put things into focus for me, The Thyroid Solution – I think it was written by Rhidna Aren, MD. The most important thing to remember NO ONE knows your body better than you do!Make sure you get all the options available and you make the final decision in your treatment plan. The emotional turmoil of this disease can be devastating, it affects your relationships – personal & professional. Breathing technics, yoga, Tai Chi & diet are helpful. ALCOHOL, NICOTINE & CAFFEINE are detrimental to those of us suffering. I wish you all luck in improving the quality of you life! Newport Beach, CA – Rose
I was diagnosed with Graves in October, 2005. I had RIA in early November of that year, and have been doing pretty well. I’ve always been active and healthy and at 51, I still plan to stay that way. I’ve been pretty stable with a combo of 75s and 88’s, but suddenly, I’m pretty tired lately on that combo (and I’ve gained a couple of pounds) and my last blood test said I was “low”, so I want to go back on the 88s. This is not a horrible situation, thyroid disease is actually pretty common-especially in the eastern Great Lake area where I live. I don’t let it change my life. I’m active, I work full time, run, walk, roller blade, and do all the other things I did before. I just take my pill a day, get my blood tests and keep tabs on how I feel, etc. There are worse things than this. I guess I’m pretty lucky – but I had to have the RAI as my symptoms were so bad. I’m grateful for this support site. We need all the help we can get. Don’t know what causes this though – they say it might be the toxicity from the Great Lakes, stress (I’ve had a stressful marriage) – whatever, but it did happen. Like I said, there are worse things.
Help I have a student with Graves Disease diagnosed at a very young age. She is 9 years old, very emotional (agitated easily, controlling, angry, physically agressive in others faces, poking angrily at them, point in students faces). Then she cries. Help!
i was dignose a few months ago when i started to get tired and losing weight did a blood test my tyroid was 88 percent very high i,m taking medication right now but it does not seem to help i,m feeling the same way i dont want to die because of this disease please help me ,