[Anonymous August 22, 1997 at 3:36 pm Post count: 93172]

#1157807

Dear Laura, when people say they are scheduled for things interacting with ones decison process seems a bit like talking to friend about whether or not they should get married when they have already sent out the announcements….
But assuming that you are truly asking those questions more than rhetorically, and not just for a yes to what you are doing, I’ll take the risk and share a few thoughts.
Although it is true that statistically having had GD for 5 years may reduce your chances of a remission while being protected from your thryoid by anti-thyroid drugs, it doesn’t make it impossible. A doctor is in a hard position, they hate to “fail”. If you were, however willing to try the ATDs, knowing it isn’t for sure, (neither is RAI, by the way) your doctor might be very willing to accompany you.
Rai is not a guarentee against reoccurance during pregnancy either. If you relapsed you could go on PTU during Pregnancy, but you couldn’t have more RAI at that time. A number of successful pregnancies showed up in the survey. I know how old we can start to feel when we get into the “9” numbers of any decade…but you do have time.
Whatever you decide, I think it is important that you feel at peace about it. We are all different and each of the treatments have success stories…I hope yours will be one of the best. Whatever you decide I am sure that everyone here will be caring and interested in hearing about your progress. Trusting you wanted the full spectrum of responses even at this late hour…Jeannette

[Anonymous August 22, 1997 at 3:54 pm Post count: 93172]

#1157808

Laura,

I was diagnosed with GD in early 1994 and my endocrinologist strongly
encouraged RAI as my thyroid was considered grossly overactive.
I decided to try ATD instead. Since that time I have been in and out
of remission. At the present time, I typically maintain normal blood
levels with 15-25mg per week. I have had virtually no side effects in
3.5 years. Your situation may be different given that you are female and
I am male so child bearing issues don’t concern me obviously.
I personally am holding out for better, less invasive ways to treat the
thyroid; so for me, long term use of the ATD is the way to go for now.
There are some preliminary stats that indicate a higher incidence of
the eye problems post RAI. Just be very open to your options.

Best of luck,

James

[Anonymous August 22, 1997 at 6:07 pm Post count: 93172]

#1054082

Hi everyone!

I was diagnosed in July and have been reading the BB for a few weeks.
I have gotten so much valuable information from this board! Every time
I see my endo, I’m armed with more questions for her.

I’m scheduled for an RAI next week and am fairly nervous about it. My
endo recommends this option because she thinks I’ve had Graves for a
pretty long time (I’ve seen pics of myself five years ago with a goiter)
and my age (29). She thinks it will be more difficult to reach
remission because of the length of time I’ve had the disease, and she
thinks because of my age and the possiblity of having children in the
future that coming out of remission while pregnant could cause another
host of issues. Does this sound right? I show no signs of eye problems
but after all I’ve read, the RAI makes me nervous.

Thanks for any input!

Oh – quick message to Ceebee. You may want to check with your endo
about epinephrine. I get allergy shots monthly, and my endo said it
was fine to continue, but to avoid epinephrine and other adrenaline
shots, because they increase your heart rate and metabolism. That could
be dangerous for folks with Graves. Please check with your Dr.!

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