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My Graves was diagnosed after a double hernia repair recovery was moving along not so well, just back in August. I have had a lot of tests, RAI Uptake Scan, ultrasound, cardiac workups, etc. I also have the antibodies for both Graves and Hashimoto’s disease, so keeping my levels right in the middle with no symptoms is proving to be tough work. I have had my methimazole adjusted often and am taking Atenolol for the racing heart, which has subsided, along with the tremors. I rarely sleep well, yet am exhausted all the time, am either sweating or freezing, have gained over 20 lbs in the last 4 months, have a dry, rash on my face, and am now getting terrible joint pains and headaches, plus my moods are not my own anymore. My Endocrinologist has recommended a TT, unless I want to fight the battle of balancing my meds with my levels, which after just 5 months is not boding well with me. The RAI treatment isn’t much of an option because my scan showed my thyroid only retaining 17%, which evidently is a low number, and would require a large dose of the RAI, which my doctor isn’t terribly comfortable with. So…fight the med battle or go for the TT. I am certainly leaning toward surgery, but it makes me nervous. Has anyone had difficulty maintaining their levels after surgery on Synthroid? Any other thoughts would be extremely helpful. I am a single mom and need to regain my health again for both me and my son.
Thanks,
SaraHello and welcome! We do have several regular members here who have chosen surgery as their treatment option and are wonderful about sharing their experiences and giving support. Hopefully, they will jump in here, but this forum also has a search function (in the top right-hand corner of the screen), so you can run a search for “thyroidectomy”, “surgery”, etc. to read their stories. You do have to be logged in to use the search function. This is also an informative site regarding thyroid surgery:
(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).
http://endocrinediseases.org/thyroid/surgery.shtml
Wishing you all the best as you make this difficult decision!
The TT was the best decision I made regarding my thyroid. It helped choosing a specialist surgeon I trusted and felt comfortable with. I especially felt good when other doctors said they’d choose the surgeon, if they needed the surgery too. So if you go this route, find one you really like.
Thank you. I have found a good surgeon, one that I certainly trust and he said if I was him, he would opt for the surgery and get ready to move on with my life and the next stage of thyroid (or non-thyroid) stuff.
Sara
I had a TT last October after battling Graves since 2005 with MMI. I feel much better after the TT and would do it again in a second. In fact I felt better when I was in recovery. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.
Thank you DIY It looks like it is the route I really need to take. The more I am finding out, the more convinced I am. Your input helps tremendously.
Sara
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