Darcy, Sending you positive thoughts and vibes that your results are good.
I had a bad time on the antithyroid drug Methimazole (MMI). That is just me though. In the 20 months on this medication, I gained 20 pounds, went hypothyroid two times and the one time I was too much into hypoland probably because it was 3 months before I got another blood test, I was very depressed, sluggish, could not think, and had so much joint pain throughout my body. I was so puffed up and bloated and I was very uncomfortable. I realize now that it may have been because I was not regulated properly and not tested frequently enough on the medication. The first doctor who diagosed me back in August 2010, warned me it was very difficult to get some people regulated properly with Methimazole and that it takes a lot of blood testing and altering dosages. My last endocrinologist, as I had three so far (one I liked left my area), would not dose me on 2.5 mg as he said if I cannot be regulated on 5 mg dosages up or down, that I had to consider RAI or TT. He said we do not dose on 2.5 increments. By this time I was so disgusted with going up and down hypo, hyper, etc., etc., I decided to go for the RAI early this May. My endocrinologist commented this does not happen to everyone. I had put together an excel spreadsheet from the start in September of 2010, my MMI dosages, my blood work results and my physical changes during the timeframe I was on the different dosages. My doctors, including my endocrinologist, found this very beneficial in my treatment because it showed how up and down I was on this medication. I did exactly what you did eat right, exercise even though I could hardly move, keep stress down, surround myself with positive people, stayed off of certain sites on the Internet that would depress me more, and telling myself that this too shall pass! (It was a struggle keeping stress down as my elderly mother had from December 2010 – January 2012 major medical issues and I am the only daughter and her POA living by her to help out and the stress at times was overbearing.) My internist wanted to put me on antidepressants. I kept telling these doctors I am depressed because my levels are not right for me. Sure enough when my MMI dosage was reduced, about 6 weeks later I felt more myself; no more depression. It has been a constant battle for me and in my area there are not many good endocrinologists who work with thyroid and it is very difficult to switch or to find one to work with you; mine goes by lab values only, not symptoms so forget about me saying certain things about how I feel. I did not care though I still put my physical changes on my excel sheet. I felt better a little hyperthyroid yet I know that too it is not good for my heart or bones. Of course, balance is the key here. Things will get better yet in time. I believe this for myself now having RAI yet I also have seen people go into remission on Methimazole or PTU or whatever antithyroid medication or stay on low doses and maintain levels pretty good with frequent blood work. It just did not work out for me. I found I need a lot of patience with this disease and levels do not change overnight. I am not happy with the fact even going back toward hyperthyroid I have not lost the weight and fearful I’m going to gain more after RAI when I start going toward hypothyroid again. Yet I have to focus on getting well and that this is all just a stepping stone to where I need to be. It will get better because I have seen others get better also in time whether it is remission with antithyroid drugs or post RAI or TT.
Yes one day at a time and it is not always easy yet we will get there.
Best of luck with your results and journey with this disease!
beach
