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Welcome to the crowd.
How long does it take to get better following RAI? That varies so much it’s hard to give you numbers. My doctor told me it would take around 6 weeks to start to feel better, but it actually took around three months (and then I went hypo and felt WORSE). Occasionally the RAI doesn’t work and people have a second or rarely even a third treatment.
It’s quite possible you’ll feel worse for awhile. The RAI damage can cause the thyroid to put out even MORE hormone, and it takes a long time for the body to eliminate all the extra.
There are many, many posts on this subject, and if you read back through the old ones you’ll see what a variety of experiences people have. Some people have little trouble at all and coast right along to hypo and onto replacement therapy.
As for weight gain, experiences vary a lot with that too. It’s difficult to get through this without gaining some weight, but I chose to look at it as a temporary part of getting better. You’ll just have to see how your body reacts. For me, it’s been somewhat of a struggle since the adjustment of my thyroid replacement has continued for over 2 1/2 years (the thyroid has continued to die gradually), but still I now only weigh 7-10 pounds more than pre-Graves (I gained 15 more during the hypo phase which I’ve lost). Some people have more trouble than that, and some less.
I hope it goes smoothly for you.
Dianne W
assistant online facilitatorA week ago I was diagnosed with graves. I have been hyper with most of the symptoms. I am now taking medication and no scan yet. My endo says that it is just an expense at this point since they would have to do another one if I decide to take RAI.
I am not at all sure if this is enough or if I should push for the scan eventhough I may not take RAI now.
My appointment is in a month and blood test in three weeks. Any suggestions, I am lost. HELP!Anybody with input for me re:scan. Please look at previous message under just diagnosed with graves.
Ree!
Thank you for your input, I will call my doctor today and find out.I guess every doctor is different. I was given a scan and blood work right away after my diagnosis, but not put on any medication. I haven’t been given any medication yet because my tsh and the results of my uptake and scan weren’t enough to make the doctors want to do anything yet. So, I go back for blood work and another uptake and scan at the end of this month to see if I’ve gone hyper yet. They have discussed doing RAI when I finally become hyper. But, I think I’ve become hyper now because I’ve been so lethargic. It’s so confusing and frustrating. I don’t know what the answer to your question is…but just know you aren’t alone. I was diagnosed in July of this year, so it’s all new to me, too. The people on this board have been great support.
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