If anyone else has had an experience with this, let me know how you're handling this!

So, I think it was a year ago, when I started this journey from Colrectal Surgical visit with 2 different surgeons, with one finding and the other one not finding an anal fissure, but identifying a horrendous case of pruritis ani. As I described the itch from hell before on another thread, I found relief by doing several things --diet, more sleep, and using calmoseptine and then finding more relief with Pranicure.

However, I was still having stomach problems, and more bowel movements than normal, and this awful cycle of pruritis ani continues. So I got a physical, and the blood tests didn't come out normal. Flash forward: I was referred to an endocrinologist, and got more blood tests, along with a 2-day radioactive iodine reuptake test and imaging session, and here I am: Hyperthyroidism.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. 20 years ago, they found 2 small nodules on my thyroid. They biopsied them and all was pronounced benign. I forgot about them.
They figure I've had it for at least 2 decades, and Graves Disease is responsible for a lot of symptoms, which includes frequent bowel movements. So it's the root cause of my pruritis ani, my indigestion, and an inability to digest several different foods, my overall feelings of malaise and nervousness at times. In fact, looking back, I can see times when I was clearly very sick with Graves disease, including all my vision problems and now --yeah, I'm definitely sliding down the scale a bit each month.

So... my advice? No one in my family was ever diagnosed with Graves Disease, but in retrospect, there's a good chance my late sister had it. So if there is a history of thyroid issues in your family --get checked out. But also, get a thorough physical from your family physician at least once a year (I was negligent on this. I had been to specialists, but no one did a comprehensive blood panel until I demanded a physical!).
There is effective treatment. I'll find out what my course of treatment will be next week once all the results come in. ore than likely, I will end up losing my thyroid, which is pumping too much thyroid hormone into my body and making me sick. I'll be on synthroid forever.

And, don't forget to hug yourself once in awhile.

Glad that the doctors managed to figure out what was wrong and that you will be getting treatment. Good luck and do let us know how you're doing. Hope you start to feel better very soon

You must feel a lot of relief finally have an answer! I've heard of Graves but only in name. I don't know the first thing about it. As long as your doctors do that's all that matters. Hopefully you can finally get some treatment that works.

Hi Everyone, Wow, it's been a long time.
I've had a long path, and last fall, it even involved abandoning the first group of Endocrinologists (who were very unorganized, and had a staff that was disrespectful and lazy), and seeking out much much better ones who work at a research university. Immediately, they assessed my situation, and as of this summer, my Graves Disease was in remission! Yay!

They also referred me to an Ocularplastic Opthmalogist, who specialises in Thyroid Eye Disease. Lo and behold, I have it, which is not good news at all. Though one can be in remission with Graves Disease with the thyroid gland in the neck, the Graves antibodies like to inhabit the spaces behind the eyes, where, they are literally untouchable. So I'm having vision issues, and have to start EBRT (Radiation Therapy) to reduce the inflammation of the tissues and muscles around my eyes. I will probably be sick, and lose my eyelashes! Oh WELL. Right now, we are awaiting authorization from the insurance company, and we are hoping to find an EBRT center close enough to my house that I can either Uber to on the days my husband works (I have to go 10 days in a row), or have a friend drive me. If not, I will have to arrange expensive medical transport to get me back and forth outside of the place I live.

I have a hard time reading, a difficult time seeing due to mechanical strabismus, and I've stopped driving.
On the other hand, I'm working with a personal trainer to lose weight! Whoo hoooo!!!!

But it is a reminder to everyone to get a complete blood panel done. My pruritis ani was caused because of undiagnosed Graves Disease, which causes an increased number of bowel movements, hence, irritation in the area. I wish I had better news, but we'll see how it goes. I hope everyone's bums are better than they were before.