Here is my advice: read, read, read up on this disease. Luckily, you
have access to the Internet, which is one excellent resource. In
addition to the bulletin board here, there are many informative web
pages on the Internet that you can find using various search engines.
The more you know, the more comfortable you will eventually feel that
you are making the right decisions for you within the context of
available treatments.
Also, you may find good information in the medical books section of
your bookstore. Look for the books for medical students and
professionals, not the ones for patients. They’re expensive but have
more and more detailed information. One way to avoid some of that
expense is to read the pertinent sections in the store if you can’t
afford the book. Conveniently, there are usually several medical
dictionaries in the same section.
A medical school library would have books like this if you happen
to be near one.
(An aside for those with eye problems: I saw a book called “Care of
the Patient in Surgery” the other day that discussed eye surgery in
great detail. Again, one of the textbooks for medical students that
might be worth checking out.)
Also, if at all possible find a doctor who is happy to answer your
questions, to discuss your condition, and to do any research that may
be needed to keep up with the latest treatments. This is especially
important because you don’t have access to a specialist where you live.
Graves’ disease is a condition that can have dramatic or subtle
symptoms; it is complex. It takes a while to understand the disease
and the available treatments, so don’t feel bad if it takes a while
for the information to sink in enough for you to feel comfortable.
I am slightly surprised that your doctor didn’t prescribe a beta
blocker for the increased heart rate, but perhaps it was so slight that
he or she felt comfortable waiting for you to see the endocrinologist
without doing that.
Most importantly, don’t ignore the disease just because you haven’t had
many symptoms. As you can probably tell from the stories of many
people on this board, the symptoms will get worse if the Graves’ goes
untreated. Also, how bad the disease gets before treatment could affect
your chances of remission using an anti-thyroid drug.
The one nice thing about Graves’ is that, as long as you don’t have a
problem taking an anti-thyroid and don’t have a goiter that’s big
enough to be a problem, you can start out taking an anti-thyroid and
decide later whether you want to go with one of the other alternatives.
From my reading, the best chance of remission with an anti-thyroid
seems to be about 50-60% chance if you are willing and able to take
the drug for two or more years.
I hope this information is helpful. Best of luck to you.
