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Grave's and Crohn's Disease??

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Thyroid Disorders
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Posted 1/29/2012 7:57 AM (GMT -7)
Does anyone else on here suffer from Crohn's and Grave's (or any thyroid) Disease?? I've had Grave's disease for about 9 years and was diagnosed with Crohn's alittle over a year ago.  In August of 2011, I quit my job because I felt I could no longer work. I would have 'personal accidents' about once a week and was getting to the point where lifting the smallest box was a strain on me. I am currently not on any medications because I got to the point where I'd take my pills and within 30 mins I was in the bathroom expelling them in one way or another. Due to lack of income, I haven't been to the doctor since Sept. 2011. I am now down to 90lbs (was 110 in Sept.). My local Social Service just granted me with Medicaid - due to lack of income. I'm going to try to get back in to see my doctor. I'm so depressed and irritable that it is causing problems with my family now. I don't want to take a bunch of pills. Any suggestions on what to say to my dr. when I go see him??
Posted 1/29/2012 8:16 AM (GMT -7)
Ezie, welcome to HealingWell. First, it isn't uncommon to have both IBD (Crohn's or UC) along with thyroid disease. All autoimmune diseases, and it's been known for decades that having one autoimmune makes you more likely to get another.

I agree that a thorough medical evaluation is in order. Your weight loss could be caused by Crohn's, but if you're hyerthyroid from the Graves that would contribute to rapid weight loss. What therapy were you on prior to last August? What sort of symptoms now?

To help in sorting out the thyroid vs. Crohn's symptoms, you may want to review the "Thyroid Basics" thread on this forum (near the top of the listing).
Posted 1/29/2012 8:45 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you for responding...

For my thyroid, I was on 50mg of PTU daily...
They were still trying to regulate my Crohn's meds... after several different treatments, none seemed to be reacting well.

Currently, I'm having alot of emotional problems - crying for no reason, yelling at my loved ones for no reason, finding that the simplest daily tasks are unbareable and almost impossible for me to complete. My legs and stomach cramp so badly at times that I have to curl up in a ball - no matter where I am (standing or sitting). I hate leaving my house because I fear that I'll be walking through a store and the pain will send me to my knees. Or that I may not make it to the bathroom in time. I used to have the fullest head of hair in the surrounding 3 states - so my stylist would say... now, it is so thin that you can see my scalp in some spots. I can't even bring myself to get a hair trim because I don't want to lose anymore hair.
I know I'm not the only one in the world with these problems but it makes me feel so isolated at times.
Posted 2/13/2012 5:00 PM (GMT -7)
Hi,
I have Graves Disease, my Aunt has hashimotos disease and my cousin has crohns disease... i feel like it is too coincidental that we all have an autoimmune disorder, but iv been told it doesnt necessarily get passed down in genetics, is that true?
Another Aunty we believe has Munchenhausen syndrome,(because i was so sick and got sympathy from my extended family) she is encouraging her teenager daughter to believe she has graves disease because she 'is lazy' and I take offense to this because there is nothing wrong with her, and i was alittle more then just lazy.. i couldnt walk, couldnt pick things up, couldnt cook or shop without fainting, wasnt coherent, kept throwing up.. had tremors, heart pulpitations, would just pass out... terrible emotional problems and alienated myself from my husband and friends... the usual suspects..
Sorry... was half a question, half a venting rant..
Posted 2/26/2012 7:32 PM (GMT -7)
50 mg. iPTU a day is a pretty modest starting dose for active Graves. The ideal is to start you on the highest appropriate dose and gradually reduce (possibly the first dose reduction will be dramatic) and wean you off the meds; this process can take one to two years.

As for the Crohn's we have that in my family too (I'm the thyroid patient) and I'm kind of a newbie on that. I will throw out checking out www.breakingtheviciouscycle.com . I don't know about the science but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence indicating it's worth a try. good luck!
Posted 2/28/2012 9:21 AM (GMT -7)
Yes, I have had thyroid problems since my twenties, was then diagnosed with Hashimotto's Thyroid. In '03 I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease after years of misdiagnosis. This past February I was put in the hospital as I was very ill. Found I had a large hardened nodule on thyroid and my thyroid was "dead". Had total thyroidectomy in August. I take 200 mcg of synthroid a day and am still not adjusting well to the change. I have/had both hypo and hypr-thyroidism since surgery and also hypocalcemia.

My advise is journal EVERYTHING, whether on a computer or in a written journal. Write how you feel each day, the meds you took how you felt after them. To many times when we go to the doctor they are so rushed with patients and we never get a chance to tell them everything going on in our lives. Journal each day. I have a typed document on my computer the first few pages contain my diagnosed diseases or ailments, current meds and dosages and all my doctors names and address, then I have my past medical surgical history and family history, after that is my daily log of how I feel.

I can print off the first few pages when I go to a doctor or hospital and this saves time when they ask all the questions on what you are on, how are you feeling it is all there. I wise person here on this board posted to that journaling how your life is and how you feel will be of help if you file for Social Security, it helps you as it shows just what you have to endure on a daily basis.

And just to let you know you are not alone...I am here for you, you need a friend just let me know, I know the pain of what you are going thru both physically and mentally.

God bless you and keep you well.

Hugggzzzz Anne
Posted 3/12/2012 1:27 PM (GMT -7)
I had Graves, treated it with radioactive iodine and became hypothyroid in 2000 or 2001. Dx with UC in 2009.
Posted 3/22/2012 2:08 AM (GMT -7)
I have Crohn's and also thyroid cancer.

A lot of your symptoms sound like Crohn's. The bathroom issues, leg and stomach pain, hair issues...those are all symptoms of Crohn's. What have your Crohn's symptoms been like in the past?

As far as your Crohn's goes, you are doing yourself more harm than good by being off meds. I completely understand that there may be a financial issue, but when a flare up of Crohn's, there is very little good in not being on medication. Even when you are asymptomatic, your intestines are being damaged from severe inflammation. For example, and this is being ON MEDS, I haven't had to use my normal bowels in over a year because I have an ileostomy. In that time, my rectum has completely scarred over in damaged tissue. To put it very bluntly and picture-wise, If you wanted to put a finger up my butt, you would not be even able to find the hole to it. I'm not trying to scare you, just to help you realize how dangerous Crohn's can be.

I wish you the best with everything. We are all here to support you!
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