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Hi Shortstack,
For me RAI was my choice over surgery. At the time of diagnosis my first endo told me it was to severe to even try to use the ATD’s. If I knew then what I know now I definately would have tried them first. But of the two options open to me I chose RAI…the thought of anyone being in the vicinity of my voice box and vocal chords terrified me…I could not imagine life without being able to talk!!! LOL.When you have a good endo though, they will watch you closely, and if you learn the symptoms of going hypo and call them at the first sign of going hypo they will do your blood work and start you on your replacement hormone sooner. But don’t wait until the ‘next appointment’ to find out if you are going hypo…*I* was doing that until I got so weak I couldn’t get out of bed and that is when hubby called endo who ordered bloodwork ‘stat’. I had seen her 2 1/2 weeks before and all numbers were still showing me way hyper so when I went hypo I did a nosedive right into it…and I hadn’t had the education of learning the symptoms at that time (’96) that I had now to know or understand what was happening.
Probably the main reason that an endo wants you to go at least a ‘little’ hypo is because hypo is much easier to treat than hyper.
BTW welcome to the BB. Use it and everyone on here…just throw all your questions out here, someone will answer them, and if they don’t get answered the first time…ask again
Your not alone in this, that is one of the great things about this place…we all have been down this road and what a difference it makes to have company. At least that is how I felt when I found this place. It helped me to overcome a deep depression, reading others stories helped me to see how this disease was affecting my behavior, if hubby tried to tell me I just thought he was picking on me and I would get snappy right back at him. How he has hung in here with me for so long is beyond my comprehension, but he has. And with all the learning I have been doing, it sure has made a big difference in my attitude at home too. So we all know when those times come up (and they do) and I am screaming like a banshee, it isn’t me, it is this disease. I am happy to say that those uncontrolable times are a lot less frequent now, I am actually humane a lot of the time. Albeit a tired one, muscle aches, bouncing from hypo to hyper etc. but I have enough GOOD hours to show me the light at the end of the tunnel.Now I have been rambling long enough, sorry
It does happen though and occassionly I even make sense. So again welcome here and ask ask ask…and read read read. Education IS power.
*HUGZ* to you.
JodyHi again,
Don’t apologize for asking questions and please don’t ever feel you would bother me for too many of them. I have only been visiting this BB for a very short time compared to some. I can’t even begin to describe what it has done for me (and my husband). If I can possibly give something back for all the knowledge and net-friends I have recieved here, then by golly, I WILL!!! So just ask away
If you click on my name at a post I have sent, you will see a profile. I have tried to explain what life has been like since diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. It’s a long and complicated story, like most people with GD.
I have been hyperthyroid for at least the last 9 yrs. I found out I had GD last Aug. Was so glad someone finally found a NAME for all the crap I had been through…until I started reading about it…WOW!!! (still thankful for the diagnosis though) I had a subtotal thyroidectomy on 3/22/00. Last endo visit I was in the *high-normal* range. Now, I do believe my body is telling me I am definately going hypo. I see endo again in a week. (the only reason I have not called to complain about my suspitions) So, as for how my treatment is going…still not real sure. Just like most other issues with GD.
You said you were having bad experiences with endo’s? Does GP mean General Practioner? If it does, I encourage you to at least try to seek another endo. GD can be very complicated and with my own experience in just visiting a GP, I don’t feel they have near as much knowledge or understanding about the issues of thyroid disease. I feel much more comfortable be treated by someone that *specializes* in this area. Just something you might want to think about.
In your first post you mentioned physical limitations? What type of limitations are you experiencing? The usual with GD? Have you been treated with ATD’s the whole time of diagnosis? If they aren’t making you feel better then my guess is you need to keep searching for a dr that will listen to you and your symptoms. Have your levels been in your labs *normal* range?(being on the ATD’s) You will find many people on this BB that have had the same trouble with drs and meds not being adjusted to their symptoms. That was definately my case for most of the 9 yrs I took ATD’s. I just wasn’t educated enough to know it!!
OK–I’ve rambled enough. Just wanted to give you some things to think about. If you have not already read about GD, I strongly encourage you to gather a list of material from the BB home page and snuggle up on the couch. Educating yourself will make things somewhat easier to cope with and also help you to know what kinds of ?’s to be asking your dr.
Once again, feel free to ask any ?. There is usually someone out there with some kind of answer.
Missy
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