[Ski]

#1068231

Well, one day is certainly too early to be feeling better ~ unfortunately, one week, or even one month, is too early to be feeling completely better. The excess thyroid hormone that was causing you such trouble before the RAI takes up to six weeks just to flush out of your bloodstream, so you may feel slight improvements between now and then, but definitely not "all better." Some people do experience tenderness in their neck, and that’s usually responsive to an over-the-counter pain reliever, whichever you prefer. The pain shouldn’t last long.

Now that you’ve had RAI, it’s not possible to go back and "undo it," so try to remember that it WILL return you to health, but (like all treatment choices for Graves’) it takes time.

There may be a point, about two weeks out, when you feel even more hyper, for a few days. It’s wise to get in touch with your doctor ahead of that and talk about it ~ some patients get through it with slightly higher doses of beta blockers, but you need to discuss the process, how and when the doctor would advise doing that. It happens because the thyroid cells that are being destroyed have been storing thyroid hormone, so that stored hormone gets "dumped" into our bloodstream all at once and can cause this effect. Since more cells are dying all the time, it’s typically just a few days’ worth of symptoms, then there are too few cells to cause the hyper feelings any more.

EVERYTHING about Graves’ takes time. It took time for you to become ill. It took time for the symptoms to build up to the point that you went to see a doctor. It took time before you got the right diagnosis, and it took more time before you were treated. Now it’s going to take time to go back down that road, it doesn’t happen overnight. In addition to that, some of the damage that is done while we are hyper takes even longer to resolve, because it requires us to get back to normal thyroid hormone levels *and stay there* before the healing can begin. That is definitely months away, for you. We all hated it, believe me, but it’s just something you have to go through to get well. I guarantee it’s worth it. You WILL get well. Keep visiting and asking questions, we’ll get you through!

[ewmb]

#1068232

Hi,
I had RAI about 4 and a half months ago and even thought it’s been hard I am glad that I did it. I asked lots of questions here and got great answers. You can click on my name on the post listings and you’ll get to see all the things that I’ve asked or written back to other people in regards to RAI. I started taking my hormone replacement about 2 weeks ago. It’s all a process that can be very frustrating but it’s worth it to get healthier again and have a better quality of life. Go ahead and cry and get upset now if you need to. It really helped me to just get out the feelings instead of holding them in. You can take OTC pain relievers for the sore throat and neck. Drink, drink, drink and suck on something or chew gum a lot. It will make things easier in a few days. You made a good choice. Don’t second guess yourself now. You will get better.

Hope you feel better tomorrow. Take it easy on yourself and don’t push too hard for the next week or so. Change for the better is coming. Keep thinking that.

ewmb

[mama_44]

#1018975

I HAD MY RAI DONE YESTERDAY, WHEN WILL I START FEELING BETTER? I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TIME. I’M VERY INPATIENT. I GOT UP TODAY AND MY HEARTBEAT WAS REALLY FAST, HAVE’NT FELT LIKE THAT FOR AWHILE. MY NECK REALLY HURTS AND IS SWOLLEN SO BAD, VERY TENDER. I’M THINKING I WISH I WOULD OF NOT GOT RAI. I KNOW I’LL FEEL BETTER SOON. IF ANYONE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH, KAREN

[runlacie]

#1068233

Hi mama! My endo just reminded me yesterday that Graves’ disease is an exercise in patience. I’m not patient, so it’s been rough. Sounds like you are that way, too. I would say that I gradually started feeling better somewhere around the 2 week mark. It wasn’t straight down, though- there were still some times that I felt very hyper. But a gradual downward trend- I actually tracked my heart rate- after that. Kind of like rolling hills down a roller coaster. Overall down, with some little ups in between. I had rai on 7/20 and my t3 and t4 were normal by 8/20. tsh still low. I am sure that I’m hypo now, but don’t have labs until Monday. I hope you will feel some differences soon- you’ll be all happy the first time you feel cold again! This board is great support and just hanging out here with my Graves’ family did a lot for my soul and making me feel better, so stick around and keep us posted, ok?

[mama_44]

#1068234

I am feeling somewhat better right now, since i took a BB. I called my doctor and he put me on propanolol 20mgs 4 x a day. Thank you all for your replies, Karen ” title=”Wink” />

[Author]

Posts