Spinal muscular atrophy - throat swollen, can't sleep, wheezy & gasping for air, should I see doctor

usually a panel shows anemia, creatines-disolving cells that show kidney problems for one, increased white blood cells that show infection, and all sorts of things. Specifically ask about your thyroid screen. I've had many panels that didn't include a thyroid screen. I'm sure that your doctor that-but ask about it to reduce your anxiety. In this day and age-2011-my thyroid went wacko-and I had a young doctor that was treating the symptoms of my thyroid troubles-but not adjusting my thyroid dosage-we were arguing and Finally-the lab high lighted that I was out of range. I'm in a system-and I was able to use that to escape to a good doctor. He began treating my thyroid and I got lots better from those problems. Fast beating heart-pounding- high blood pressure-nervous-sleeping problems-anxious. About every 10 years my thyroid decides to produce less or like that time-to start producing a lot. It's a wonder that I didn't have heart damage from that.

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Then because the the first doctor was such an idiot-and hormones made me so anxious-I was scared of my new doctor and nurse. I have other problems but my thyroid and blood pressure is in order. Also, have you requested that the lab send you copies of your lab work-I do and keep it. It helps to have your own records-WebMD helps you to read the the test results. Would you believe the idiot doctor put down in the chart that I was in kidney failure? When I saw my new doctor, he made me ID myself-because kidney trouble is one thing that I don't have trouble with.

You've done the best thing by getting in to see the Dr. Unfortunately this sometimes means you have to hurry up and wait... sucks, huh? I had my thyroid problems diagnosed a few years ago and, yes, having your thyroid levels off can make you feel very sick and tired too. At one point my thyroid felt like a huge lump at the bottom of my neck and was visible from the outside. Felt like I was swallowing past a rock. Just required an adjustment of my meds and one again all was well. If your thyroid is the problem, it usually is fixed by taking a pill a day and periodic blood work to check your levels. If the doc says that your lungs sound clear and you're moving air, then that's a good thing! Your blood work may come back showing you have a bit of an infection or not - part of the hurry up and wait thing. Could be your anxiety is making you feel a little breathless at times too. You're right, another sleep study might be a good step.

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My dad had to wear the mask at night too and he didn't like it at all either! But you can get used to anything if you have to, right? I honestly think at this point the best thing you can do is to try and remain calm, know that you've got the dr working on your case and just try to relax - easy for me to say! If you feel worse, or your breathing starts troubling you, then go ahead and haul a** into the er, no harm in that. You can always come back here and post an update. As you've probably already noticed, one of us is usually always around to talk too and we're glad to do it anytime! These are some of the kindest, most supportive people that you'll find anywhere. Try and enjoy the weekend and please keep us posted.
Lisa

Musicrock,
I would definately ask to talk to the dr. that could prescribe you some anxiety med. When I was first diagnosed with anxiety & panic attacks mine were not nearly that bad. But due to alot of stress that hit me all at once they got much worse. But when I first started having the beginnings of just some of the symptoms the dr. prescribed me Xanax to take if I started getting that nervous feeling & the med would work fairly fast & I would feel better. But the dr. that would give you these meds would talk to you & decide if they think you need some.

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As far as the Bipap which is what I was on it helped by taking the mask off as I am very claustophobic. But then I had to have my tonsils & that flap in the middle part of your throat I forget what it is called..lol . But once all of that was removed & I lost some weight I did another study & it showed the apnea was resolved.. Thank goodness.. But one way to have the apnea to go away is to lose weight I was told. Anyways I hope the Dr. is able to give you some kind of answers soon, Kathy

Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to overactivity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The thyroid gland is an important organ of the endocrine system. It is located in the front of the neck just below the voice box. This gland releases the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which control body metabolism. Controlling metabolism is critical for regulating mood, weight, and mental and physical energy levels.

If the body makes too much thyroid hormone, the condition is called hyperthyroidism. (An underactive thyroid leads to hypothyroidism.)

Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is caused by an abnormal immune system response that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormones. Graves disease is most common in women over age 20. However, the disorder may occur at any age and may affect men as well.

Symptoms

Anxiety

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Breast enlargement in men (possible)

Difficulty concentrating

Double vision

Eyeballs that stick out (exophthalmos)

Eye irritation and tearing

Fatigue

Frequent bowel movements

Goiter (possible)

Heat intolerance

Increased appetite

Increased sweating

Insomnia

Menstrual irregularities in women

Muscle weakness

Nervousness

Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations or arrhythmia)

Restlessness and difficulty sleeping

Shortness of breath with exertion

Tremor

Weight loss (rarely, weight gain)

Signs and tests

Physical examination shows an increased heart rate. Examination of the neck may show that the thyroid gland is enlarged (goiter).

Other tests include:

Blood tests to measure levels of TSH, T3, and free T4

Radioactive iodine uptake

This disease may also affect the following test results:

Orbit CT scan or ultrasound

Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI)

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody

Anti-TSH receptor antibody

Treatment

The purpose of treatment is to control the overactivity of the thyroid gland. Beta-blockers such as propranolol are often used to treat symptoms of rapid heart rate, sweating, and anxiety until the hyperthyroidism is controlled. Hyperthyroidism is treated with one or more of the following:

Antithyroid medications

Radioactive iodine

Surgery

If you have radiation and surgery, you will need to take replacement thyroid hormones for the rest of your life, because these treatments destroy or remove the gland.

Some of the eye problems related to Graves disease usually improve when hyperthyroidism is treated with medications, radiation, or surgery. Radioactive iodine can sometimes make eye problems worse. Eye problems are worse in people who smoke, even after the hyperthyroidism is cured.

Sometimes prednisone (a steroid medication that suppresses the immune system) is needed to reduce eye irritation and swelling.

You may need to tape your eyes closed at night to prevent drying. Sunglasses and eyedrops may reduce eye irritation. Rarely, surgery or radiation therapy (different from radioactive iodine) may be needed to return the eyes to their normal position.

Expectations (prognosis)

Graves disease often responds well to treatment. However, thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine usually will cause hypothyroidism. Without getting the correct dose of thyroid hormone replacement, hypothyroidism can lead to:

Depression

Mental and physical sluggishness

Weight gain

Antithyroid medications can also have serious side effects.

Complications

Complications from surgery, including:

Hoarseness from damage to the nerve leading to the voice box

Low calcium levels from damage to the parathyroid glands (located near the thyroid gland)

Scarring of the neck

Eye problems (called Graves ophthalmopathy or exophthalmos)

Heart-related complications, including:

Rapid heart rate

Congestive heart failure (especially in the elderly)

Atrial fibrillation

Thyroid crisis (thyrotoxic storm), a severe worsening of overactive thyroid gland symptoms

Increased risk for osteoporosis, if hyperthyroidism is present for a long time

Complications related to thyroid hormone replacement

If too little hormone is given, fatigue, weight gain, high cholesterol, depression, physical sluggishness, and other symptoms of hypothyroidism can occur

If too much hormone is given, symptoms of hyperthyroidism will return

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of Graves disease. Also call if your eye problems or general symptoms get worse (or do not improve) with treatment.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism with:

Decrease in consciousness

Fever

Rapid, irregular heartbeat

References

1. AACE Thyroid Task Force. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists medical guidelines for clinical practice for the evaluation and treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Endocr Pract. 2002;8(6). 2. Davies TF, Larsen PR. Thyrotoxicosis. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 11. 3. Ladenson P, Kim M. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: