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  • Anonymous
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    Post count: 93172

    Betty, since my levels have not budged since RAI in March, I am seriously thinking about having the thyroid out instead of doing RAI again (and again and again?). Please let us know how things are going. I’m sure I am not the only one on this board thinking this way or wanting more info on the procedure and follow-up. Thanks for your input.

    Anonymous
    Participant
    Post count: 93172

    I have to tell you that it took almost 1 year after RAI for my levels to start really declining. They dropped a little shortly after the treatment, but I was still considered hyper. After everyone (including the doctors)thought I had received the maximum benefit, my levels started to drop. I thought it was perfect at the time, because I wasn’t dangerously hyper anymore, and still didn’t have to take any medication. Anyway, I would like to remind you that your levels can still change, even though it has been a long time since your RAI. If you start feeling sluggish, moody, brain dead, etc. call your doctor.

    Anonymous
    Participant
    Post count: 93172

    Last Friday I had a sub-total thyroidectomy after suffering with GD
    for over a year. Feeling soooo much better already. The jitteriness
    and panicky feelings are gone and for the first time, I am feeling
    normal again. Anyone thinking of having this operation, please
    contact me and I will be happy to discuss it with you.

    Anonymous
    Participant
    Post count: 93172

    Joanne, sorry to hear you have not reached full benefit from RAI.
    Hopefully, soon, you will feel much better.

    As far as my progress, its been a week now since my thyroidectomy
    and I have to say I am feeling much better. I have been taking
    calcium supplements (as a preventive measure) to aid my parathyroids
    in recovering from being ‘stunned’ by the surgery. No problems
    there. I am amazed when I look in the mirror and my neck looks
    so small where before it looked like I had a turtleneck sweater
    on all the time. And, when you’re only 110 pounds like me, you
    look really funny with a neck that resembles a football linebacker.

    Anyway, my jitteriness and tremors are gone. My whole body feels
    so calm. Its amazing. I think my hormone levels are dropping more
    and more each day and my doctor will soon start the synthroid
    replacement. But, if things only continue to GET BETTER from here,
    then I am glad I had the surgery. My surgeon took 95% of the
    thyroid (only left enough to connect to my main artery), so for
    the most part, I am thyroid-less. I am very anxious to begin the
    replacement therapy to get back to ‘normal’ (although its been
    so long since I’ve felt ‘normal’, I won’t recognize it for a while
    I’m sure!)

    Good luck with whatever you decide, but it boils down to this for
    me: If I had to choose again, would I choose surgery? YOU BET.

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