[Anonymous August 27, 1997 at 4:59 pm Post count: 93172]

#1157642

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 August 27, 1997 at 5:53 pm Post count: 93172]

#1157643

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 August 27, 1997 at 6:06 pm Post count: 93172]

#1054015

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 August 29, 1997 at 10:37 am Post count: 93172]

#1157644

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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