[Ski]

#1065593

Thanks for the kind words! It definitely feeds MY soul to help. This is SO difficult to get your head around, especially when you’re sick, and it affects so many parts of your life that it seems overwhelming. I’m so glad we’re able to give you a hand.

As for the 20-30% figure, that refers ONLY to the percentage of people who achieve a true remission using ATDs. A true remission means that, after you’ve taken the medication for some period of time (typically 1-2 years), you are able to stop taking the medication and remain at normal thyroid hormone levels for at least one year. That is a TALL order. The medication definitely works to lower thyroid hormone levels and maintain them, and the most recent news indicates that longterm maintenance at a very low dose has very few risks, so even if you try for remission and fail, you are still able to go back on ATDs, typically, and use them for maintenance instead. It IS your choice, and if you go for RAI, that’ll get you healthy too. Just wanted to point out that the low percentage of success is a little misleading.

[Ewenme]

#1065594

So for a true remission to occur I would have to be ‘euthyroid’ for a year without meds. If I have to take ATD’s forever I guess it’s not a big deal. I will either have to take them or Synthroid the rest of my life, I know. So far I have been tolerating the ATD’s ok. I’ve read about the nasty side effects, but my husband tells me all the meds he takes have them, too. You stated low dose long term ATD’s have been proven safe, which is good to know. I know that ATD’s are commonly used in Europe where RAI is not used at all. My doctor is European, and I wonder if that is why he promotes this method.
Yes, this disease does change lots of things and even my ability to wear contacts again makes me feel that my life will return to ‘normal’ (however, normal is a setting on the drier they say ” title=”Wink” /> again.
Thanks, Ski!
Joy

[Ewenme]

#1018542

Happened almost a week ago. He thinks I am a good candidate for attempting remission with ATD’s and instructed me to keep taking the 15 mg prescribed by my GP. I have read that this is successful only 20 to 30 percent of the time, and expressed my concern to the Doc. He assured me that this was a valid option for my case. In a way, would just as soon do the RAI and get it over with, and he said he would let me do that if I insisted. I am opting for his plan, since he is the doctor. Husband agrees this is a good plan. We’ll see.

I posted before a topic called ‘thyroid hair’ and got some good ideas to try natural hair dye (have some coming in the mail this week) and also suggestion to try a different type of contact specifically for dry eyes. I am using a trial pair right now and they seem to working well.Thanks to the folks who suggested those things (the post was lost so I don’t know who you were anymore). That’s why I love this board.

"Promise me you’ll always remember; you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." (Christopher Robin to Pooh)

Joy

[mamabear]

#1065595

Ewenme, here is the post Thyroid Hair

I am euthyroid for almost 3 years now! 34 months to be exact! I have a thread called Tips and tricks for hair/skin/mental health Peronally I dyed my hair so much as a teenager, then at 24 stopped only to stupidly try again when I was 34 and did it for a year and well regretted it. It was fun but not worth it at all. it’s been a year since I have done it and I have very long hair! So i look funny, since about 6inches of it is naturally and the rest isn’t. But I have a big pair and will go out with just about any look! LOL Make-up or not, jeans pearls and no makeup, garden discustingly muddy jeans, a tshirt and hair in a bun and full makeup on…you name it I do it and I can get away with it because I don’t care what anyone sees. Regardless of my clothes I am still only me, whether I look like a knock out to my husband or not when we go out by ourselves is the only thing I worry about. and even then it doesn’t take much to please him or myself when I leave.

My hair will remain natural the rest of my life. I want to keep it long (well once a month I complain about it but we all know why that is lol)… but I have damanged it due to kids playing it with chlorine from the pool last year which I didn’t know what happened but oh well. Once it’s back to its healthy self I will continue to keep it that way. I have been in remission for a while and want my hair to look healthy as well. I wish I was gray, I know one day I will be, I’m almost 37 and only have had a few but one day it will be AW-SUM!!!! I love that look of naturally gray hair and you would be surprised at how many think it’s sexy!!!

I have heard of natural color as well, never looked into it due to not wanting to do it anymore. Have fun with it, if it works for you. keeping your hair healthy whether you use product in it or not is key. look at the tips section and see if any can help you out.

Have fun! and please don’t fear trying for remission, it can happen!!!! If it doesn’t you can always opt for what you want.

[Ewenme]

#1065596

I was hoping someone like you would reply and report success in achieving remission. How long were you on ATD’s before this occurred, and how often do you get tested now to make sure all is well?
Joy

[Author]

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