[Bobbi]

#1175981

Shaylee–

As thyroid cells die out, they release any stored hormone they contain. This causes us to be more hyper than normal for a while after RAI. So anxiety and palpitations are not uncommon. The thing to try to keep in mind is that the most potent form of thyroid hormone has a half-life of less than one day, so it’s effects dissipate fairly quickly. T4, which has aslightly longer half-life (about one week), takes a bit longer. But the damaged thyroid cells are not making “new” hormone, so, again, the effects of the released hormone are limited in time.

I do hope you are feeling better soon.

[shaylee43]

#1175982

Thanks for telling me about atenolol I will ask on Wednesday. Thanks for the bit about windex too. I’m very sore in the neck today, I wrapped some presents but I just feel wiped out. Thanks for all the great info. Thankfully the anxiety comes on in waves and I just have to wait it out, I’ve been calling my mom she’s good at talking and taking my mind off of things.

I’m keeping my chin up, it’s just gotta get better. Thank you guys again.

[shaylee43]

#1175983

Day 7 Post RAI:
I hope you guys had a great Christmas! I’ve had a little bit of nausea lingering and the neck soreness but I’m happy to report no more anxiety or palpitations. It may be too early to say but I feel very relaxed and not so much like I’m racing around everywhere, could this be the new “normal”?

I’m kinda just waiting for the other shoe to drop because I’ve heard that at about two weeks post RAI is when you really feel bad, what have your experiences been?

[Kimberly]

#1175984

@shaylee43 – Hopefully, you will get some responses from others who have chosen RAI as their treatment option, but I suspect that every patient’s experience will be a little different.

SO glad to hear, though, that the palps have stopped and you are feeling more relaxed!

[shaylee43]

#1175985

Day 12:

Thanks, for the reply. I’ve had a few great days that made me realize just how bad I felt all the time. I’ve also had a few bad days that remind me how much Graves sucks. But I’m so thankful I’m on the road to feeling better. Oddly enough the last few days my thyroid has been very sore so I’m expecting to be a bit more symptomatic the next few days. All in all I’m still happy I did the RAI.

Happy New Year to you all!

[Kimberly]

#1175986

Thanks for the positive update – Happy New Year to you as well!

[StacyA]

#1175987

How are you feeling? Thanks for this dialog.. I never knew or imagined any of this.. just thought you took a pill and hid for a while. Never knew you felt sick this way. Wow. Stay strong. And best of luck for a new healthy year.

[shaylee43]

#1175988

I’m 3 weeks post RAI, I’ve had more good days than bad days and I will be going to the doctor in another 3 weeks to get labs done. Today is pretty bad, my whole body feels like I was beat with a rolling pin last night. As bad as it may be I feel like we are all troopers for getting out of bed and dragging our butts to work even when we feel bad. I just can’t believe I lived like that for so long! I’m trying to plan a wedding, which is stressful but feeling great is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

[Kimberly]

#1175989

@shaylee – If you continue to feel poorly, it’s worth it to call your doc’s office to see if you can get a quicker set of labs. It usually takes a *minimum* of a few weeks for RAI to do its work, but better to double-check your labs rather than continue to feel miserable! Hopefully, tomorrow will be a good day…but keep this in mind, just in case.

[shaylee43]

#1175990

Thanks for the tip, I was kind of thinking of calling because my throat/neck has been more sore than anytime previously. I will keep you all posted.

[shaylee43]

#1175991

Woohoo! I just received my 6-week Post RAI labs….drumroll

Total T4: 4.5. (4-11)
TSH: .89. (.500-4.5)
Free T4: .07. (.8-1.5)

So my endo has put me on 50mcg 1 pill in morning on an empty stomach.

I feel pretty fabulous and I’m glad I didn’t go hypo before getting put on meds.

I still have no regrets, I’ve been able to start exercise again which has been great for stress relief. I’m just worried about going hypo but for now I will enjoy the normalcy. Thanks to all of you on here, this has been an incredible and supportive forum to be a part of. Hugs!

[Kimberly]

#1175992

So glad to hear you are feeling great – thanks for the positive report!

We can’t interpret labs here, but I’m guessing that the T4 number was .7 instead of .07. You probably wouldn’t be feeling this well with almost no T4!

Wishing you success as you continue on with this journey!

[MLK]

#1175993

My condition was mild. I took methimazole 5 mg. for 2 years, and everything was fine. After 2 months off the pills, the lab test was fine. However, 4 months later without pills, the lab test was below normal again. My doctor suggested RAI, but I didn’t want to. I’m afraid after RAI, I might become hypo. He said I could take the pills again if I prefer, but the problem is when I am off the pills, my condition won’t stay normal. Any suggestions?

What is the risk of having RAI?

[shaylee43]

#1175994

You’re right it is .70 I was excited. Thanks again!

[Kimberly]

#1175995

@shaylee43 – No worries!

@MLK – The “Treatment Options” thread has a couple of great resources that go through the pros and cons of each of the three treatment options (surgery, anti-thyroid drugs, RAI). That would be a good place to start as you get ready to make a decision. You *would* require replacement hormone for life after RAI or surgery, but the goal is to tweak the dosage of the replacement hormone to keep your levels in the normal range and to get you to feeling well again.

The latest medical guidance (the second link in the “Treatment Options” thread) actually recommends antibody testing (TRAb) prior to withdrawal of anti-thyroid drugs. It is possible for the meds to keep thyroid hormone levels in check, even with antibodies raging. However, with high antibody levels, withdrawing the drugs will usually lead to a recurrence of hyperthyroidism. Just a thought in case you do decide to pursue another round of ATDs. Take care!

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