[ewmb]

#1065875

Hi,
I finally did RAI, my first choice, after a long battle with this disease. You can read old posts from me and others who did RAI or TT around the time I did by looking for my posts with my sign in ewmb. There is lots of information here so read, read, read. Then you’ll be armed with information to make a choice that’s right for you.

ewmb

[kristi7877]

#1065876

Hello. I was in the same boat. I was diagnosed with Graves back in April of 2007 and after going into remission twice and then all the ups and downs I was ready to be done with it. After doing my research and weighing the pros and cons of each and listening to the success stories of each with different people and looking at my own situation the best option for me was a TT. I happen to chose the TT due to the fact that I am 32yrs old and my husband and I are planning for children and didnt want to wait the 6-12 month time period to plan for children. I also have TED and I have read conflicting stories that RAI could effect the eyes even more, that was a risk I didnt want to take and I didnt want to be one of these people who had to have it done all over again (I believe thats rare though but with my luck thats what would happen)! I had my TT on March 1 and for my first surgery it was a walk in the park with zero complications. They tell you you can have a parathyroid clipped or a vocal cord clipped as well but with an experienced surgeon the chances of that happening are less than 1%. My surgeon was terrific! I spent the night in the hospital as I had a drain in the neck. The pain was very minimal and extremely tolerable, it felt like I had a sore throat. To close the wound it was stitched from the inside and then some sort of adhesive placed on it with Sterile Strips covering it which fell off two weeks later on their own. Two days after the surgery I felt unbelievable! Completely normal, I wasn’t jittery or anxiety ridden like I had been, no palpitations and my eyes felt incredible! I could of taken two weeks off but it wasn’t warranted for me personally, I went back that following Tuesday. I am extremely happy and content with my decision to do the TT and have zero regrets. I started 125mg of levoxyl and its been a month now and still feeling great! At first I got some flack from a friend who had the RAI with zero complications from that and shes doing great too, she just thought I was a hypocondriac and over analyzed what could happen with RAI. I just told her that I was happy that she had a great experience with the RAI as most people do but personally I wasn’t comfortable.

I wish you luck on your decision, my advice is to do your research and do what you feel is best for you and your health.

Take Care, Kristi ” title=”Smile” />

[graciehere]

#1065877

Thanks for sharing Kristi!! After all that I’ve read, im really leaning toward the TT. So glad to hear yours went so well with quick recovery. Im just so ready to get my life back!

Sheila

[snelsen]

#1065878

I had a thyroidectomy. I was totally happy with my decision. One thing I liked a lot was the relatively instant gratification I got from the surgery. I found the recovery easy. I lived in Iowa City at the time. There is a university hospital, it was easy to find a surgeon who was familiar with the procedure. Usually you can get good referrals from docs in your area. I think the facilitators on this site also referenced a website to find a surgeon.
Shirley

[Bobbi]

#1065879

Some folks are given a choice, graciehere, but for others, their doctors will strongly recommend one treatment over another. There are medically sound reasons why some folks should not do TT as opposed to RAI, and vice versa. Try to keep an open mind. Make a list of the reasons pro and con for each of the options. Talk with your doctor about any medical conditions particular to YOU that would weigh in on one side or another, or make one riskier than the other. I know it isn’t easy to do this, but it must be your choice, done in consultation with your own doctor.

Good luck.

[graciehere]

#1018589

Hi Everyone,

I was diagnosed a year ago with Graves disease and Hashimoto’s disease as well. I’ve been on methimazole and occasionally also take a beta blocker as well. My levels are either high or low all the time. I’m tired of dealing with the symptoms and am weighing my options now for further treatment. Would love to hear from some people who’ve had both RAI and TT. Any info would be much appreciated! ” title=”Smile” /> Sheila

[mamabear]

#1065880

no advice as I didn’t have either but wanted to say welcome and good luck either way and let us know, keep us posted!

[hyperm]

#1065881

Hi,

I had a TT in July last year. Best decision I have ever made with regards to my health. It did take me some time to come within "normal" ranges, but I had thyrotoxicosis at the time of surgery so perhaps that is why I took longer than most people on the board to come with in range.

Now I feel the benefit and am so proud of myself for going through with the op. I don’t know much about RAI so can’t give an opinion on that but would definitely recommend TT!

Good luck with your decision xxx

[carlydm]

#1065882

I had surgery in Feb 2006 and feel that it was the best choice for me and I would do it again if I had to rather than doing RAI.

Carla

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