can extreme stress bring on graves

[frian]

I,v had graves for nearly 2 years prior to being diagnosed I went through extreme stress and trauma for a long time, could this have triggered graves i came through the extreme trauma but now i,m stressed coping with Graves

[nightingale-56]

I would say Yes, frian. My Graves started after a long period of stress. I really think though that stress is the 'straw that breaks the camels back', as I had auto-immune signs from the age of 9 with Raynauds beginning to show. After tablets for this I did not have any more bouts of Raynauds, but have always been a chilly mortal.

[frian in reply to nightingale-56]

J_bee I also have had Raynauds for many years due to auto immune probs, I agree that my underlying immune system was responsible for my thyroid going full tilt wheni was going through this prolonged period of stress ( it was very extreme ) and it took a long time to learn to cope the doctors don't seem to accept this but we know how we felt under stress and now trying to control it is a prob itself

[Rush2112 in reply to frian]

I'm sure it does I had auto immune symptoms sine a child but they kept coming and going then 2 years ago my husband nearly died I had to have op on my jaw followed by my daughter being hospitalised wit her lupus

Graves symptoms started when all the drama calmed down I wonder if all the excess adrenaline triggered it

[Fruitandnutcase]

In my case I think I would probably say yes although for years and years I knew I had 'something' wrong. For a start I never seemed to be able to regulate my body temperature. I looked at into sorts of autoimmune conditions, Lupus etc but knew it wasn't that. I was even tested to see if I was hypo - I was always on the 'chunky' side and found it very hard to lose weight - but I was told then I was actually 'borderline hyperactive'. Unfortunately my thyroid was never checked again. If only I had been. I've had IBS for many years and that was definitely brought on by stress, I know exactly what triggered it.

In the year leading up to being diagnosed with Graves I had had a couple of ongoing and very stressful events , not death or divorce but horrible and upsetting nonetheless. Then I was found to have Graves so, yes, stress could be a cause but on the other hand perhaps it was the fact I had undiagnosed Graves that triggered the stressful events in the first place. I have to admit I got really intolerant and grumpy when I was at my worst so it's hard to which came first.

When I was diagnosed I decided to relax as much as I could and to be a bit selfish and do as little as I could around the house (easy for me, I'm semi retired with no kids at home) I only did things I wanted to do not things I had to do or ought to do. I was very kind to myself in general. I rested a lot, ate good food, took vitamins, CoQ10, C, D, B12 (B12 was in range but very low) I kept going to my exercise class and my pilates but cut back on the effort I put into it, I really just went to keep in touch with the nice people who went there.

One of the hardest things I found was that most people didn't seem to realise what an awful thing Graves was and how really awful I was feeling. Probably because I looked ok. I had lost a huge amount of weight and was really slim so of course I looked ok. I always put one A&E up because it was bad enough feeling rubbish, I didn't want to have to see myself looking awful every time I passed a mirror as well.

My first post on here was 'will I ever feel normal again?' And with advice and support from the lovely people on this site and time, yes, I do. Good luck anyway, hope you feel better soon

[faith63]

I bet stress can! Severe stress will weaken the immune system. I believe that is what brought on my Hashimoto.

[glo42]

I was diagnosed overactive thyroid at a time when my husband was dangerously ill in hospital for several weeks and my stress levels seemed off the ricta scale. So I do personally think that ongoing high stress can be a trigger when our own immune system is struggling so much. I hope that you will feel better soon on this roller coaster ride that we all have to cope with each day. Remember to be kind to yourself and listen to your own body too. Take it easy, sending a gentle hug right now. xx

[Nicky74]

I would say yes for me also, very stress for a long while. I’ve always been quite good on stress, I get the job done and liked the buzz of being on the edge. Now however I hate stress, I still have a stressful job but I don’t get a buzz, I get heart palpitations and a lot more anxiety.

As I can’t change my job yet (I’m always looking) I have to find time to meditate to do some yoga and get outside for walks. A few small changes like this have helped with my overall health and my mood.

I’ve had my thyroid removed 18 months ago, and trying to find my new normal.