[DebbieLBurton]

#1070791

I was diagnosed in 2001 and received RAI the same year. I have been in remission until just a month ago. I am still waiting for a Thyroid Scan so I don’t know what my nest step is. My girlfriend has been 11 years and she still has had no problems since! It is a personal decision as to whether or not you go that route.

[sickofgraves]

#1019316

I know this website is frequented by those of us like me who are searching for answers and help. But, is there anyone out there who had RAI and was successful after only one RAI treatment and it’s years (or, I guess year) later?

[ewmb]

#1070792

Hi,
I had RAI about three and a half weeks ago so I can’t speak to my success yet. My father had it about 11 years ago and was one of those people who didn’t even go hypothyroid until just a few months ago. His success was spectacular.

ewmb

[Ski]

#1070793

I would’ve had it just once, had the dosing doctor listened to me. Had a second dose that was large enough to be ablative, and I feel great. That was eight years ago.

[azroses2322]

#1070794

I had RAI 2 years ago. I was in thryoid storm prior to RAI and from there everything progressively has gotten better over TIME — it is a long process. I also had severe TED start about a month before the thryoid storm and RAI. Once RAI ablated my thryoid (confirmed by ultrasound) and I got regulated on replacement, it has been a matter of monitoring and adjusting. Correcting the damage to my eyes could not begin until the diseased thryoid was addressed and I got into the cold phase for at least 6 months, so saving my eyes was my urgency to get the thryoid under control — RAI was the quickest and most definitive solution for me — I was on Tapazole, betablockers and nausea meds to help during the process following RAI. I have not regretted it and have not had any problems because of it — so far. I am phsyically still not as strong as a used to be (pre-GD) but it keeps getting better.

[sickofgraves]

#1070795

Thanks for that post. I am going to get my uptake today to see where my thyroid is at. I don’t have an eye problem…yet, or Thyroid Storm. A new friend counseled me that you can see if the GD goes into remission by altenative methods like meds, diet, exercise and changing stressful patterns, but once you do RAI, you can’t go back. Post RAI sounds pretty radical. Also, I have read about struggling with weight post RAI. How are you with that? That can be stressful all on it’s own. Well, I better go off to the hospital for the uptake. Thanks again!

[up2early]

#1070796

5 years post RAI, male at age 49, and feeling GREAT! Took us, my great endo and I, about 8 months to get me on the correct amount of Levoxyl and it has been clear sailing since then. One pill first thing in the am and that is it. I’m honestly in best physical shape in my life, long walks with the dog help with that. Good luck with whatever treatment path you choose, I know I chose the correct path with my treatment for Graves.

[anndrumm58]

#1070797

I had RAI in April 2004 at age 46, started Levoxyl that summer and haven’t given it much thought since. We’ve tinkered with my dose but I have been stable enough that when my endocrinologist moved away I decided to let my internist supervise and it’s working out fine. I did gain about 15 pounds after RAI, but with regular exercise I’m holding the weight steady and haven’t given up hope of losing it. For me the biggest inconvenience is having to wait 2 hours after taking Levoxyl before I can have soy milk on my cereal. (I don’t drink cow’s milk – lactose issues.) Lately I’ve been using rice milk instead if I can’t wait 2 hours. Bottom line, I’d do it the same way all over again and feel grateful that management has been so easy.

[npatterson]

#1070798

I had RAI 22 years ago. One dose. It took a while to get replacement hormone stable, but even that doesn’t seem so long–all this time later. Good luck to you!

[katet]

#1070799

thanks so much for all of these responses! i just had rai on friday and am very hopeful that i’ll be as lucky as all of you. it’s been hard reading about a lot of the negatives so it’s nice to see these positive outcomes!

[Author]

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