[kingzito]

#1060029

Hi,
I was diagnosed with Graves last August. I went on MMI but developed the roving itch so was switched to PTU. I think it works fine but my Graves swings hypo and the meds get cut back and then I swing hyper… Currently I am on 4 pills AM, 2 at lunch, 4 at dinner because I was swinging hyper again.

I’m considering surgery to have my thyroid removed. My endo really hopes my Graves will go into remission and therefore wants me on the pills longer. He’s not the one taking them but I understand his point. He also recommends the surgery over RAI because I have a mild case of TED. He says there is evidence to support that RAI can have an adverse effect on the eyes if you have TED.
My eye doctor believes my eyes are stable – he’ll measure again in 3 months and if they are, recommends decompression surgery to get rid of the fatty puffs.

At any rate I guess I am most concerned about my liver and the long-term exposure to PTU. I am awaiting results from blood tests on my liver now. I do know Graves has a tendency to inflame the liver as it did with mine pre-diagnosis last summer.

I guess I’m just tired of this condition. And my back hurts.

PS. I also have pretibial myxedema. I’m such a pretty girl…

Any thoughts about surgery as RAI is out for me.

Thanks everyone!

[Gabe]

#1179774

Hi Kinzito and welcome! There are quite a few of us who have recently posted our TT experiences… Me, Cycle, Amy, Alexis, Shirley. To name a few. Amy is 5 weeks since her surgery, Cycle is 2 weeks post TT and I’m 1 week post TT. We’ve all created posts journaling our experiences. Use the search function and you should find all you need.

Best advice…do your own research, learn everything you can about all options, become an active manager of your health team, write down everything, and when you’re having a bad day (or a good one) log in here and share with us. This forum has been extremely supportive and helpful to me…got me thru many, many bad days.

Best wishes,

Karen

[Kimberly]

#1179775

Hello – Karen’s idea is a great one to search through prior posts. Here are a couple of additional resources that will hopefully be of interest:

(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).

American Association of Endocrine Surgeons Patient Site:
http://endocrinediseases.org/thyroid/thyroid_background.shtml

Presentation from Dr. Kevin Brumund of UCSD at GDATF’s 2012 Patient Conference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BfIbnrvmjY

Wishing you all the best as you make this difficult decision!

[Author]

Posts