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Hi Sharon!
Welcome! Sounds like you’ve come pretty far on the road already, congratulations.
Typically the intent of the ATDs is to get your thyroid hormone levels under control and see if you are one of the people who can achieve a remission after using them. There is a certain percentage who can (40%, I think that’s the neighborhood), but it usually takes between one and two years on the methimazole to come to a point where you can stop taking the medication and see if remission has occurred for you.
If it doesn’t work in the first try, it’s even rarer on a second try, so you would need to pursue a different treatment.
The ATDs can be extremely valuable because they are the quickest way to normalize your thyroid hormone levels, and that helps your body begin to heal. Once you have reached normal thyroid hormone levels, then you START to heal, so don’t expect that a normal blood test should mean you feel perfect. Still, you should be feeling progressively better from that point forward, and the best thing about that is then you can really look into the facts and circumstances of Graves’ Disease and treatments and evaluate them objectively. When we’re hyperthyroid, it’s very difficult to concentrate or focus, so it’s very helpful to get out of that state.
In the meantime, cut yourself some slack, do only those things that enrich your soul, feed and nurture your inner self. We have found that MOST of us were “Type A” “caregiver” types in our former lives, and we need to learn how to say NO, I CANNOT. It seems like it’d be easy. It’s not. Fight through that and learn how. It’s worth it.
Feel free to ask any other questions you may have, we’re here to help!
~Ski
NGDF Assistant Online FacilitatorHi Sharon! (Yes, I know, little slow on the welcome wagon – still dragging). I was never on medication except Atenolol (what a Godsend). I was one of the ones who chose RAI instead. You will find people who chose all three different routes, there will be positive and negative about all three. Like Ski (think it was Ski – could be Bobbi lol) said, its YOUR choice.
I have had my good days and some bad days. This morning was a good one. Woke up restful but that forgetfulness still gets me. I have to buy another coffee mug because, silly me, I left it on top of my car roof then drove away. Didn’t realize it till I was on the highway looking for my coffee (decaf of course). I used to think Graves’ was a death sentence (tired all the time, just blah on life) and now its like a new begining (ha especially with the memory loss – every day is a new day). I may not have the energy YET to accomplish everything I used to, but I also know there will be a day I will be able too.
Loving life since FINALLY this weight is starting to come off. Still wished I wasnt the 10% that gained weight hyper but oh well. I think alot has to do with the fact my body is starting to normalize and I eat ONLY healthy lately. I noticed if I eat something (starches – love my pasta) that isn’t like fruit and some veggies, I am dragging an hour later. I read all the books listed in the reference here and boy, wonderful reading. Still have questions but I’m going to wait because I am going to get my answers talking face to face at this conference coming up. Moderators, is it alright if I printed out the upcoming Conference details on your main page for my next visit at my endo’s? I want to also post it anywhere I can (might get a lot of Coloradoans there
)Kim
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