[Anonymous]

#1153427

Hi Casie,

I would encourage you to read through all the old posts on this subject. There is a lot of good information on the pros and cons as well as individual results.

I personally am doing well on ATDs and Glynis has informative info on her experiences with ATDs also. However, many others have been unable to tolerate the drugs, or were never offered the option.

My best wishes for your treatment and welcome to the board !

Valerie L.

[Anonymous]

#1153428

Casie,
I’ve been going through the same dilemma. Here’s my perspective after 2 1/2 months on meds:

About 10 days ago I was VERY discouraged. My doctor’s office had called to say that my latest blood test showed everything was in the normal range, but I still felt really crummy. SOME of the symptoms were better, but I still had the hard heartbeat keeping me awake at night, plus several other symptoms. (Naturally, the great metabolism was the first sympton to leave me!)

Glynis gave me some encouraging news at that point about how long it took the meds to work for her. And I feel that the last few days things are improving. I’ve actually gotten close to 6 hours of sleep per night the past 4 nights! I feel human! The whole thing has been very hard up until now because I have two hormonal teenage girls, and the last thing my family needs is a mom whose hormones are off the map. Fortunately, Dad has been a rock! Staying calm, dealing with the hormonal daughters when I can’t take any more, sleeping on the couch so his snoring doesn’t keep me awake.

I think that right now I am GLAD I decided to try the meds route. I think the main reason so many people choose RAI is that there is a much greater success rate. I also think many Graves patients who don’t do the research jump to RAI because (at least in my experience) it is the treatment the physicians push.

[Anonymous]

#1052182

It all depends on how you are feeling on the meds. There are ALOT of us on this BB who have had great success on the medications – no one has been posting much lately because we are all feeling so well, we don’t drop in as often. Several have gone into remission! I was the opposite of you, what I read on the BB made me gladder than glad that I chose the meds over RAI and I still feel pretty satisfied. If I ever go hyper again one day, I would still chose the meds (RAI is going to be my last resort. It’s nice knowing that if things don’t go well, I do have a last choice).

You have to find the treatment that works best for you. Maybe if you are having trouble on meds, RAI or surgery would be best for you. It could be a matter of patience – how long have you been on meds?
It takes 10-14 weeks for your body to rid itself of excess thyroid hormones regardless of what route you take. It’s a case of Rome not being built in a day, a waiting game.

God bless you in your treatment!
Glynis

[Anonymous]

#1153429

My doctor first put me on meds, but i had an allergic reaction to both. So, the only course for me was RAI. I had the RAI treatment in July of 1996, and my thyroid is slowly improving.
All I can tell you, is speak with your doctor. Both routes went well with me. One of the medications caused a reaction in me in only 3 days. The second medication, I was able to take for 3 weeks. Within a week on the second medication, every symptom I had disappeared and I was really feeling like myself. I was sorry that I had to discontinue it.
A month after I had the RAI, my family and I went on vacation to San Francisco. After having months of totally no energy, I was able to walk from Union Square up to Fisherman’s Wharf. If you know anything about S.F., then you know that this is quite a trek. When, I made it, I knew I was on the road to recovery.
My thyroid is not quite back to normal yet, but except for the occassional tiredness I’M back to normal. Good luck to you.
P.S. The only medication I take now is a beta-blocker, to control my heart beat, til the thyroid is back.

[Anonymous]

#1153430

I am very new to this — just finally diagnosed the first of this month. In that time I have read as much as I can on the subject, most importantly, your posts. Thanks for all the information. I have been informed so far that I will not be able to take the meds and should opt for the RAI. I am scared to death of that (although I realize many of you have had great success and am glad for you) and would like to opt for surgery. For some unknown reason, I feel strongly about it. Can’t really explain why. I am seeing an endo at the end of the month and wonder how he will react to my feelings on this subject. Thanks again and I will keep reading for opinions.

[Anonymous]

#1153431

A very good bulletin on this subject is produced by our own foundation.
Just hit the green logo and find the list and directions on how to order
from the NGDF.

[Anonymous]

#1153432

Hello,
I just had my RAI yesterday. I am so far feeling very little in terms of side effects.
I chose RAI because we caught the disease right as it was beginning. Since I have such a strong history of thyroid disease in my family (and other reasons as well) I decided to go with the RAI vs. meds in order to “nip it in the bud” right away. The success rate of RAI was another influential factor, and I also am not concerned with the radiation (I work with it daily so I am comfortable). I am hoping that due to the early nature of my disease that things will be back to normal soon.

[Anonymous]

#1153433

Taking the meds. having no problems. It was a good choice for me to start off. If it doesn’t work to bring my levels to normal, (I’m Hyperactive) then I will try the RAI.

[Author]

Posts