[ely2009]

#1070036

YIPPEE!!

It’s so rewarding to finally see progress on paper and more importantly, FEEL it!!

[Hopeful23]

#1019202

Well my bloodwork numbers are as follows. T4=4.8 before radiation they were 1.2 My TSH =.1 and before it was. 005. I know im still reading borderline hyper but im just borderline and he told me TSH lags behind anyhow. Im off my beta blocker. My muscle strength is alot better. My tremors are history. So its enough improvements to see a light. I still struggle but its getting better a lil every week….

[runlacie]

#1070037

HOORAY! I’m thinking I may go straight to the rai route and this is excellent news, Hopeful! How many weeks has it been since you had your treatment???

[ewmb]

#1070038

Great to hear. I am also noticing symptoms are abating. I will have blood work again in about three weeks. I hope to see a change for my tsh too. How are plans going for your return to school? Have you found a place to live etc..

ewmb

[vintagegreen]

#1070039

hopeful, I’m so happy for you. I pray your recovery continues to uneventful (as far as symptoms go) and that RAI completely works for you. I’ve just started taking PTU, so I don’t know if it’s working yet.

I know my endo is pushing RAI, but I kinda want to see how I progress before I kill it off. I’m also unsure about RAI because of what I’ve read about how people feel afterward.

Keep us updated!

[Ski]

#1070040

Congratulations!
It’s sure a long road, but SO gratifying when you see improvement!
I’m so happy for you!

[Hopeful23]

#1070041

Thanks for all the love and support:)

Runlacie, As of Tuesday I am now in week 7. It was NOT EASY, but as it seems non of the treatments are easy with GD. Some people just react different. I am lucky from what i have read though as far as the RAI. It really IS NOT BAD. I mean I felt bad but thats because my levels WERE CRAZY. I was in TS area since I have been diagnosed. I was blessed not to go into TS. I think for me it was MY SAFETY NET. It was less invasive and it didn’t come with the risks of internal bleeding, vocal cord damage, parathyroid damage, calcium deficiency etc. That to me was enough to say okay "It may be radiation and it may not work but its what I am confident with and its what I think is right for me right now at this moment in my disease and treatment". Like I said I did NOT respond well to the ATD’s so I had no other option and I was not about to just Deal with it as I have heard others do. I am 24 and ready to have my life back. I still suffer from mood swings, anxiety, panic and fatigue but its at a level that I can ‘TOLERATE’ now 7 weeks ago, It was so bad I couldn’t tolerate it. That just shows me how much I really am improving. I really hope whatever treatment option you choose works for you and you are happy with it. I am not here to pressure or persuade. I just want to say that RAI is not what you read or hear about. I am the biggest hypochondriac/ anxiety&panic attack waiting to happen so if I can do RAI and make it through mentally. Im sure anyone with doubts about RAI can too. Like I said its up to YOU and your DR to cover all options and safety precautions however I don’t think you would be disappointed in RAI if it goes as mine did…. Hang in there and I am here for any questions support or just a <<<HUG>>

Love
Hopeful23
Krystal xoxox

[Hopeful23]

#1070042

vintagegreen wrote:hopeful, I’m so happy for you. I pray your recovery continues to uneventful (as far as symptoms go) and that RAI completely works for you. I’ve just started taking PTU, so I don’t know if it’s working yet.

I know my endo is pushing RAI, but I kinda want to see how I progress before I kill it off. I’m also unsure about RAI because of what I’ve read about how people feel afterward.

Keep us updated!

From what I hear Endo’s like to do that. It’s easy and they really only see you for blood work after your dose. I however didn’t have that "Endo". He said to me I recommend TT and I was like okay lets do it. When I went in for my consultation I said OHHHHH HE DOUBLE HOCKEY STICK NOOOOO. I literally called the office as i was exiting the surgeons office saying no way no way no way set me up for RAI. I had to be on the meds I didn’t react to lol to get my levels in a safe zone. I was off two weeks before the RAI and just took my atenolol (beta blocker). Now the rest is day by day. I wish you the best of luck on this crazy roller coaster ride. Its a hard decision but if you have any uncertainty/doubts or feel that gut feeling when you pick a treatment cause its what you think is quick then don’t do it. I chose the TT at first cause it seemed more simpler and quicker and thats what i wanted. I wanted to wake up the next day and be healed Ernest Angly syle LOL. I however just had a feeling that, that was not what I was supposed to do so I didn’t. You will know whats right for you. Your instincts will let you know. Try PTU and if it puts you in remission thats awesome if it doesn’t at least you know you tried ” title=”Smile” /> Do what you feel makes you confident and happy. The Dr is just there to get you to the point of good health. You however are there living the dreadful emotions,fears,and frustrations. Only you can decide whats best for you treatment wise. As long as its safe for you of course. STAY STRONG…. I PROMISE IT GETS BETTER ” title=”Smile” />

[runlacie]

#1070043

Hopeful- I’m also a huge hypochondriac and have suffered tremendously from anxiety. lol, this disease sure doesn’t help, huh? When I first went to my family doctor with the symptoms and then my bloodwork came back and he told me I was hyper, I was actually happy because that meant I was not going crazy after all!

I just came from my endo-doctor visit, it’s definitely Graves’, and I am going to do the RAI. I don’t want to take the anti-thyroids and worry about side effects. And even if I were lucky enough to have a remission with the pills, I’d constantly worry about if and when I would go hyper again. RAI is less scary to me than surgery, so RAI it is. I was already thinking this would be my therapy choice when I went there today, and after talking to the doctor and her telling me that is what she would do, I’m going ahead with it. Her husband has Graves’ and that’s what he did, too. I’m waiting for them to call and tell me when I get to go. I’ll be away on a long-planned family vacation next week, so it probably won’t happen until I get back.

I won’t be taking any ATD’s in preparation and will only take beta blockers if things get worse. She said I might need the beta blockers after the radiation if I become more symptomatic then. I’m allowed to exercise and continue my walking and core workouts, just no hard running until my HR quits spiking. Hopefully I will be running again by next month! Maybe a fall marathon isn’t out of the question after all??? I’m going to kick this disease’s butt….

[Ski]

#1070044

Atta girl, runlacie. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[ewmb]

#1070045

Good luck with everything runlacie. I too had RAI about two months ago and am happy with the results. I wasn’t on ATD for about 9 months before it. I had been on them before that. I think it might be easier coming down from the RAI if you haven’t been on the ATDs but I don’t really know. Ask any questions you have and I’m sure someone will answer them.

Glad for you that you made a decision. It feels good doesn’t it?

ewmb

[Hopeful23]

#1070046

runlacie,
I can relate to you on that one. CONGRATS ON YOUR DECISION AND KEEEEEEP US POSTED. I am here for you and will give you my phone number if you want it. I am here for any questions. Its going to be worth it all when you start to see a difference going towards the lacie before GD…

<<<HUGS>>>

Krystal

[runlacie]

#1070047

Thanks Krystal, ewmb, and Ski for your kind words! This morning I am wondering if waiting until after vacation is a good idea and wishing there was a way to do this before I leave, but the doctor says with the holiday that it’s not possible and to just take my beta blockers with me and call her if I get in trouble. Maybe I should stay home? Doctor says I have to meet with the radiologist one day and then go another day for the treatment. I wonder if I could meet with him on Monday and then get it over with on Tuesday, we are supposed to leave Tuesday but maybe could push it back a day. It’s an 8 hour drive, would I contaminate the other car passengers? I could have my 7 y/o ride with my Mom instead? Would my husband and 23 y/o DD be okay in the car with me just one day after I take the stuff???

[ewmb]

#1070048

I was told not to ride in a car for more than an hour with others on the first few days after RAI. You would probably feel more comfortable at home. You will have to use a separate toilet facility if possible and flush twice. You will have to use paper dishes or wash yours separately. You may have some sore throat feelings and/or swelling in the first few days. You will have to drink a lot or suck on candy to keep your salivary glands moving. Having gone through it I will say it wasn’t so bad that I wouldn’t do it again but I don’t think I’d want to be in a car for a long time or on vacation. I needed to sleep a lot those first few days. You will also not be able to be close/hug/ sleep with your husband for a few days how long will depend on your dose of i131. If you are going to a cabin or place where you can do all this is might be worth the trouble or it might be better to wait until you get home.

ewmb

[Hopeful23]

#1070049

Yeah,
I was lucky I was an unique case. I was given 14.5 mCi dose which is a pretty good dosage but since my uptake was 98% I was told I didn’t need to be in closed doors. However I still couldn’t hold babies or be around the elderly for more than an hr. I had to eat on paper plates, wash my cloths separately and I couldn’t sleep with my BF for 3 full days. I was NOT tired at all. I didn’t have a soar throat or ANY swelling. I didn’t feel any different till like my 3rd week. Then I felt like crap. I slept and slept and slept. This just goes to show you how it effects everyone so differently. Since you don’t know how you will be effected I would wait cause if you do get the "normal" 3 days after effects you will be soooo miserable and uncomfortable. I would just wait till you came back and enjoy this holiday cause you never know what can happen. You may be on your way down there and be exhausted and sleep the whole time. That would be a bummer ya know. I don’t know. It just seems more common to experience what ewmb did than what I did. I would just PREPARE yourself for the worst and hope for the best. I mean if you feel fine than find something to do around your house or with friends ya know…..

<<<Goodluck>>>

[Author]

Posts