[Ski]

#1068304

Sadly, too many patients experience exactly this kind of treatment. One of our goals is to find those patients and "school ’em" before they’re forced into a treatment they may not have chosen (given the options), but unfortunately too many people are programmed to accept what the doctor says and do it. Lucky for you, you’ve been doing your research, and you know you have choices!

At this point, you have a confirmed diagnosis, so YOU know the choices of treatment, and YOU can direct things from here on out. If I were you, I’d be in the process of finding a new doctor, but in the meantime hopefully you can use this one to help you start along the road you’d prefer for treatment. Just tell the doctor that you know you have choices, and you’ve decided to XXX (whatever you’ve chosen). If it’s ATDs, then you need him to prescribe one. If it’s surgery, then you’d appreciate a suggestion for a thyroid surgeon. If you have chosen RAI as your preferred treatment, go for it through this doctor. The after care can easily be handled with your NEW endo, once you find them. Keep in mind that endocrinologists are ALL very busy doctors, and if they haven’t had much experience with Graves’ patients, they do NOT know the mistake they make by trying to railroad us. Probably won’t make it twice. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[debrahaller]

#1018987

Hi everyone,
I had the uptake on September 3, I got a voicemail from the doctor today September 9 he said you have graves please call my office asap to schedule rai do it on a thusday and you will be fine on Monday. I spoke to this man 1 time for exactly 6 minutes he told me to hold my hand out and he said you have graves you need rai and by the way you are going to gain weight afterwards. So I called him back and said is there no other treatments out there how bad am I? No other treatments schedule the treatment. Is this man that good or what? Did anyone else have this bad bedside manner for an endo?
Thanks Deb

[debrahaller]

#1068305

Ski,
Thank you very much for the feedback my regular doctor made me an appt. for my second opinion but it was for November I called her this morning and told her I wanted to hear options she fit me in on Friday morning. I mean if I have to do something right away if I want to go on meds for a while till I decide should I not have that option? I just met a women last week and her brother had his thyroid taken out a year ago and he has to get rai next week. This is the kind of stuff I need to hear from a doctor and get under control myself so I can make a right decision for myself.
Deb

[Kimberly]

#1068306

Hi Deb – Yes, starting off with ATDs while you make a final choice is absolutely an option. However, you will want to have your doctor run regular blood tests to check your liver function and your White Blood Cell count, as these can occasionally be impacted by the use of ATDs. The good news is that stopping or reducing the meds usually reverses the issue.

All 3 treatment options have pros and cons, so you are doing the right thing to do your own research.

Best of luck!

EDIT: Sounds like you already got things figured out…that’s what I get for reading the oldest posts first!

[mamabear]

#1068307

Deb, all to well do some of us know of dr’s who do this. I will "try" to be short with my post but as most know I don’t really do that well LOL…

Long story before this so I’ll cut it short…
I wasn’t feeling well for a long time but didn’t have ins. and well we all know how that goes.

Nov 2000 i had the flu, never had anything like in my life. It was that horrible!

By Feb 2001 I felt my pulse at waking time was 80-90 again didn’t seem abnormal but it didn’t seem normal for me. I felt my heart coming out of my chest.
Went to dr. a week later, this dr. took my blood and waited two weeks to call me and tell me that I have Graves disease. (i had ins. so I was able to go at this point)

Got an appt. right away with an Endo who told me I have graves and HAD to have RAI asap in order to get pregnant fast(i wanted to start having more kids with my new husband).

Went to Radiologist who would perform the RAI and he said "get a 2nd opinion before you do this".

So we did and this dr. said you have mild graves lets try PTU and well there were things in between that but it helped and I’m glad that I went with my gut.

That first Endo was just a jerk and he even said that I was doing the wrong thing with getting a 2nd opinion. Little did he know I’d be where I am today in remission with my thyriod still in tact. lol

Getting RAI isn’t the worst thing in the world, but knowing your options is priceless! And that should be a decision you and your dr. make together once he tells you all of your options. Telling you RAI is the only thing is NOT good bedside manners at all.

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