[Ski]

#1062857

Hi there,

I’m so glad you’re feeling better! It’s most likely the result of a drop in your overall thyroid hormone levels, and oh doesn’t it feel good to feel good a little? ” title=”Very Happy” />

Now, the questions!

"Crashing" into hypo typically requires at least six weeks’ time, because that’s how long it takes for all of the excess thyroid hormone to leave your system before you can feel the effect of no longer creating thyroid hormone. It’s usually at least six weeks before the first labs are done, so that’s pretty normal. If you feel AWFUL prior to that, feel free to ask your doctor to have your labs done. It’s not unheard of that it happens earlier, just very rare.

One thing you should know is that somewhere around two weeks, some patients experience a short period of EXTRA hyper symptoms, due to the thyroid cells releasing the hormone they’ve been storing. IF it happens, it’s usually a couple of days, and can be alleviated by beta blockers, with the doctor’s permission.

As far as where you stand with Graves’, you’ve got that just about right ~ once the thyroid condition is "handled" and your thyroid hormone levels are regulated through replacement hormone, the other conditions we can be faced with are TED and pretibial myxedema (nasty rash on the shins). Some of us continue to feel some type of mental effects, but that’s not been quantified as definitely "Graves’" ~ it may be the aftermath of hyperthyroidism, or some other effect that just hasn’t been scientifically measured yet, but I know many GD patients who say they continue to have some issues with memory, and other emotional issues. FAR less pronounced than while they were hyperthyroid, but seemingly lingering.

It has been discovered that autoimmune disease requires a specific genetic defect, before the autoimmune disease can develop in a patient. So, once you have an autoimmune disease, it’s proven that you have that genetic defect, and you may end up with another autoimmune disease. It’s slightly more likely, once you have one, to get another.

I hope this helps! Do let us know how you’re progressing!

[DHood]

#1018131

So I am 11 days post RAI and I am actually physically beginning to feel 37 again rather than 87. It’s little things really…I can get up from my chair at work and not feel like every muscle in my whole body hurts. I can go the whole night without getting up to go to the bathroom….I don’t drip with sweat just getting ready in the morning…and my appetite seems to be tapering off a bit. I honestly can’t tell you if it’s the RAI, the beta-blockers or what that’s making me feel better since everything happened so closely together…but I can also say I had no idea how bad I felt until I started feeling better.

That being said, I’ve read a lot about people sorta crashing into hypo. Is that normal? Do most people do that or will my endo watch things closely enough that we can prevent that? I go back Feb. 14 for my new labs..should I ask to have labs drawn again in two weeks? three? four? I guess I just don’t know enough to know.

Other than that, I also am a little confused on the whole Graves thing in general after this. So we’ve treated the major side effect of Graves but now…other than eye problems…what else can I expect? How will this be any different then just being hypo now? Am I at risk for other autoimmune diseases because I have this one?

Thanks in advance for any info!!

[Bobbi]

#1062858

It is terrific news to hear that you are feeling better.

[lammie]

#1062859

Hi there

I’ve been searching a lot online about RAI because it’s been 13 days since I’ve had RAI and I’m so glad I found this forum because everything I have read is helping me understand everything I’m feeling. I have GD for 2 years now and I have always remained hyper (only once did i go underactive), and I think my specialist sometimes doesn’t know what he’s doing! It’s very frustrating! It was funny in the beginning because after you find out you have this, everything made sense – like how I would get hot easily, bulging eyes etc (however I am one of the few who didn’t get ANY weight loss). (I’m 27 yo)

So I finally decided to do RAI because I am struggling so bad with being hyper. My anxiety is getting out of control and now that small things trigger it, I find it so hard to control. I catch the bus and I get anxious, we have these toolbox sessions at work and you stand in an area listening to a speaker and I get anxious, when there are awards being announced I get TRIPLE anxious (since I’m hoping I don’t get an award since I"m freaking out!).

So on my annual leave I was able to get my RAI and get into isolation. It wasn’t too bad for me because I just slept in the spare room and used the 2nd toilet & bathroom. I was wondering why I was peeing so much though like twice during my sleep then another 2 in the morning before I even ate breakfast. But I read somewhere on this forum that you pee heaps to get it all out. So the amount has reduced now. Anyways I was going to go back to work on the 11th day (tues) and on sunday I felt anxiety and I was like oh my god I can’t go to work with this again! So on monday I went to my doctor to get anxiety pills (Deralin) so I think it’s worked but not fully as I still feel anxious. I hate the waiting games!

Also, when I bought Deralin it looked kind of familiar and I realised I used to take these when I first got diagnosed but my specialist told me to stop taking these. Little did I know it was to help my anxiety. So I am so furious with my specialist! I can deal with everything else but the anxiety is what I struggle with the most.

Just thought I would share my story…

[PattiMeg]

#1062860

Hi there – I am 10 days post RAI and I am SO GLAD I found this site. The whole process has been so overwhelming for me. I am a 55 YO woman who has been extremely healthy my whole life, a long distance cyclist and avid exerciser. Never took anything but vitamins. But this GD has turned my world upside down. Doctor started me on methimazole but my white blood count dropped really low so had to go off. Boy I really resisted the RAI but talked to a good frined who is a doc and she said absolutely, do it…apparently she has alot of patients with GD and they have a really hard time managing the disease on ATD’s. I am on the beta blockers, and hydroxyzine for itching (the itching is unbearable)..lorazapem for anxiety. It’s hard for me to admit that I need the anti-anxiety med but otherwise I would crawl out of my skin…
Thank you all for listening, this site will be such a resource for me as I try to heal my body and heart from this traumatic event..sounds like you can get better and live a good life! I am holding onto that tightly.

[Ski]

#1062861

Welcome! I’m so glad you found us! You can definitely look forward to regaining your health ~ it does take time, but at least you are confident of a good outcome, that’s good to know. ” title=”Very Happy” /> Make use of the search engine, we’ve got a real treasure trove of information here, good factual information as well as anecdotal stuff and a mountain of emotional support, because we have ALL been there. ” title=”Wink” /> Please let us know how your journey is going along the way!

[Author]

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