[Anonymous July 3, 1998 at 12:48 am Post count: 93172]

#1050378

Hi, I’m new here. Is there a cure for Graves’ Disease?

I had been treated with RAI 22 yr.s ago for post partum Graves, I have been on armour ever since. However, I have never experienced optimal health or well being on any of the supplements I have tried. About two yrs ago I symptoms began to escalate, about 7 months ago I was experiencing about 21 hypo. and 5 hyper symptoms. The high blood pressure frightened me and I reduced my meds and switched doctors. I am now taking synthroid and do feel much improved, especially the mental functions, I am grateful. However, I still do not feel well. I am concerned that my kidneys are effected by these vital supplements and I am again having high blood pressure. Is there a cure for Graves’ Disease. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks a million, avak

[Anonymous July 3, 1998 at 10:55 am Post count: 93172]

#1149114

to date there is no cure….they can treat the symptoms but no cure..i
think you do go in and out of remission….i am sorry that after 22 years
you are still not yourself…i was counting on the ten yr mark for my goal
Maybe with your recent hypo bout that it has brought back memmories..
Tell me after all this time….are there more good days than bad??
What are your worst symptoms remaining?? Are you in or over menopause???
and….after 22 yrs…tell me what tsh do you feel best at?? Hey thanks for
letting me pick your brain!!!!

[Anonymous July 24, 2000 at 12:23 am Post count: 93172]

#1149115

Everyone, thank you for all of the information, I guess I really need to think about this.

I thought that if I had the Radiation treatment, via drinking it, that once the thyroid soaked up the radiation, it was slowly killed, and I no longer would by hyperthyroid and gd. Am I wrong?

[Anonymous July 24, 2000 at 1:30 am Post count: 93172]

#1149116

Well, you’re right and wrong. RAI does slowly kill off the thyroid. However, you still have Graves Disease. Graves Disease is an autoimmune disorder that is a cause of hyperthyroidism and thyroid eye disease. However, by removing the thyroid doesn’t mean that the Graves Disease goes away. You will always have it as there is no cure.

Diane

[Anonymous July 24, 2000 at 10:22 am Post count: 93172]

#1149117

We all disagree over this issue all the time. I think whether you think you are “cured” or not depends upon how you define “cure”. We will always have the antibodies, it is true. In the sense of getting rid of the cause of our problems, there is no cure. For the majority of us, normal thyroid function will not be restored. And for those of us who go into remission, there will always be the probability that the thyroid will run amok again. BUT — and to me it is a huge “but” — for me, the problem was being sick. I was so horridly sick. And I am not sick any longer. It doesn’t matter to me that I have to take thyroid supplement every day. It is one and a half pills a day. A lot of people I know take about more vitamins than that in a day. When I was sick, I couldn’t walk up a flight of steps. Last week, I hiked for four hours, in the mountains, going between 9000′ and 8300′. Next week, I am going white-water rafting, for six days, through the Grand Canyon. I can do what I want, physically. I feel terrific. To me, that spells c.u.r.e. in every way that is important.
Bobbi — NGDF Asst. Online Facilitator

[Anonymous July 24, 2000 at 11:21 pm Post count: 93172]

#1149118

WOW, I’m impressed and looking forward to the days you just described Bobby. There is hope around one of these corners :>)
Have fun!!
I’ll be thinking of you and all the clean, fresh water spraying you as you go along….and the smell of the crisp clean air. Wow, I can almost smell it now.
have a great time…..
Looking forward to brighter days:)

[Anonymous September 14, 2000 at 10:17 am Post count: 93172]

#1149119

Hi All:

the last time i spoke with my doctor he told me that RAI was my cure??
from what i’ve been reading here there is NO cure right? or am i completely confused? I thought this was something one had forever. Can someone clarify this for me?

Thanks,

Hope

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