[paloma]

#1070467

Hi. Welcome to the forum. I am a 51 yr old woman, just diagnosed in April. Yes, this is a really scary situation. I am NOT any kind of expert, but I do think your doctor is rushing you. This is just based on my experience, but my g.p. hasn’t pushed me to do anything. All she wants is for me to see an endo eventually, and she started me on antithyroid herself. Of course, I have to work within the confines of my insurance. But, if your testing was done (scan, blood, uptake), maybe your levels are really bad. Of course, if you don’t want the RAI, no one can force you to do it. Wait for some more knowledgeable posts here, I’m sure you will get better info on this. In the meantime, hang in there.

[knitlit]

#1070468

This sounds like deja vu. I was feeling good, going wfor a annual physical when they found not only slight TED in left eye but very high thyroid levels, then the thyroid antibodies…I have never been on medications either.

Is your dr. actually scheduling the Radio Iodine Uptake test? or have they already done so? This helps rule out other temporary hyperthyroid issues as well as confirms GD, and if you decide on RAI, it helps them determine the right dose for ablation. When I was researching (I was diagnosed in Feb) I would confuse RAI(ablation) with RAIU (Radio iodine Uptake Test)

Go to your library and read as much as you can on GD and the pros and cons of the 3 treatments. Yes, there are only 3 treatments..but within the ATM and RAI there are combination’s too.

My treatment hasn’t been the same as others on this board it seems, but my GD symptoms have not been the same either, others have had different degrees of symptoms and how they have affected their personal and professional lives. We have all been diagnosed at different progressions of this disease, as well as age of maturity, so that surely has an impact on what the best treatment options are too.

Keep us posted, hang in there, I hope that you are feeling OK otherwise. Educate yourself, Question your dr. on why he recommends a particular treatment, then the decision should be yours. Sounds simple, know it isn’t.

(F.Y.I. similar situation to mine, I thought ATM was going to be the prescribed method, but my Endo recommended RAI, I questioned, I countered his answers with my concerns, he acknowledged that we could go the ATM if that is what I wanted, I reluctantly went with his recommendation, and did RAI a week later. No Problems, I have felt fine through this whole process health wise. He put me on ATM methimazole 2 days after the RAI, I am now on half dose of the methimazole and beta blocker with permission to cease taking the methimazole completely if I start to feel sluggish and cold. They have been checking me every 5-7 weeks)

[knitlit]

#1070469

I just need to add, that finding out I have a "DISEASE" was hard. I was supposed to be the healthy one!

Wrapping my mind around this to put it into context, I was thankful it wasn’t a brain tumor that was making my eye slightly protrude. I lost a beloved sister to BC a year and a half ago. My DH lost a beloved Aunt to ALS.

Now, I feel that being diagnosed w/GD before I did feel bad and have serious complications without treatment is something to be thankful for too.

[Terre]

#1019272

Hello, My name is Terre, I am a 44 year old woman whom has a family history of thyroid issues, me on the other hand has NEVER taken any form of medication in my whole entire life . As of Friday, June 12 I was diagnosed with Graves. I am VERY uneasy as to how the endocrinologist is telling me what I was going to do. I feel as though I have NO choice as to how I want to try and control this disease that is in MY body. Dearly beloved Endocrinologist Dr has scheduled me for a RAI on 25 June and a follow up on 6 Aug . Is there anyone out there that can put me at ease. I am scared and VERY confused as to why, first such a rush…originally he was gong to set me up for a RAI on June 15 and why is it that I am unable to try an anti-thyroid medication first.
Thank you in advance for your encouragement and knowledge.
Terre

[julies]

#1070470

Welcome

I am 44 as well, just found out in May I had Graves, I was on medication, had a bad reaction to it last week, they say three out of 100 have this reaction. I am against any kind of surgery. Once the thyroid is gone it is gone for good. You will have need medication for the rest of your life. That is diffcult for me to think about. I hope you find help and support here, I know I did.
And it is important to educate yourself as much as you can. My endo told me that if I did not treat this I could have a heart attack. I am still looking for information on that.

good luck

Julie

[Anonymous]

#1070471

I am 37 and the word Disease was scary to me too, especially since I have no health insurance. Don’t let the doctor rush you into anything serious. Ask him why he is suggesting something so radical so quick. Can you try the medication?

I have tremmors, memory loss, weight loss (35 lbs…only good side effect of graves), and high bp and heart rate. My doctor has me on Tapozole, Klonopin and an antidepressant. Have been having panic attacks and forgeting where I was going when I was driving. Been taking my medicine as I am supposed to now and things have been mellowing out a little. I still cannot concentrate at all!

The thing my doctor tells me is that Graves Disease sounds really really bad…it is not fatal, it is treatable. If you think your doctor is rushing you, get a second opinion. At least try the meds to see if it levels you out. I am scared if I do RAI I will go hypo and have to deal with a whole new set of problems!!! Either way I am on meds for life…so lets try this first!

This site is nice. Lots of supportive people!

[peadoff28]

#1070472

was diagnosed with graves two months ago still not on meds and was sent to a surgeon today and was told he would not do anything still i was put on meds. so im no longer scared as i am pi**** off that most doctors are clueless as well as the fact that im very confused as to what to do next

[julies]

#1070473

Hi everyone

Just heard from my primary care, I have an appointment for my second opinion on July 16th. I am a little pissed off right now. Friday the on-call endo stopped my medication, had blood Saturday, was told that I would hear something Monday, it is Tuesday, I am feeling a little stressed with out any medication,
this is very scary.

I love this support group because we can learn so much for each other. It is a safe place to say that you are scared.

Thank you,

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Julies

[ely2009]

#1070474

Julies,

Did you call the office to ask for results? I’ve learned to be "pushy" at times. My first endo’s office was less than efficient and i would’ve never heard from them about tests, etc. had I not been thte one to call. To them I was just another patient, but meanwhile – I was un-medicated, anxious, shaky, scared and overwhelmed!

hang in there

Emily

[julies]

#1070475

Emily

No, I will call now, thanks, where is my mind
Is it not great living with Graves!

Julies

[Madame_X]

#1070476

Terre:

Please get a second opinion. See what another endo advises.

I was diagnosed in early November, clear out of the blue. It wasn’t fun.

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