[adenure]

in reply to: Thyroid Regeneration #1178369

Amen, smtucker!

[adenure]

in reply to: Finally Diagnosed with Graves’ Disease #1178471

Ah tact. Some people have none. :rolleyes: If I were her, I’d ditch him! What a jerk. Anyway… no, you’re not going to get fat! Yes, it is true that if you go hypothyroid and it’s not controlled/ monitored with medication adjusting, then yes, you could gain weight from being hypothyroid. But, if you get labs regularly (every 6 weeks or so) and keep your thyroid hormone level in the normal range, eat healthy, and exercise, you should be fine. I think that some people struggle more than others with weight on methimazole or post RAI or post surgery, but not everyone does. I am 8 months post surgery (I was on methimazole for 7 weeks before I had the surgery) and I haven’t gained any weight. I’m at my normal weight- 120 lbs, 5′ 4″. Truth be told, I was 126 lbs. before getting sick with Graves. When I was hyperthyroid I slipped down to 113 lbs., but am now at a healthy weight of 120. I eat healthy 95% of the time and work out (30 min. of cardio) 4-5 days a week. So, tell the loud mouth that he’s going to have a fat lip if he doesn’t learn to shut his trap. Just kidding- but, that was pretty rude.

[adenure]

in reply to: Thyroid Regeneration #1178365

Okay last question… for someone who regrows a thyroid, would it make sense to do RAI with the idea of killing the gland off so it can’t grow back?

[adenure]

in reply to: Thyroid Regeneration #1178364

Grew down her throat? What happened? Was she able to breathe, eat & drink? Did she have that problem before she had the first surgery?

[adenure]

in reply to: Thyroid Regeneration #1178363

Nancy,

Did those 3 people have total thyroidectomies? Why does this happen? Does anything cause it or are there circumstances where it would be more likely to happen? It seems odd that a total thyroidectomy would regenerate yet leaving part of the thyroid would die out and not regenerate? Is that right? I guess I worry a little bc I’m one of those who can’t take the ATD’s due to liver issues- so the last thing I want is my thyroid to grow back. Did the 3 people you know have another surgery? Were they Graves patients?

[adenure]

in reply to: Made decision for surgery #1178442

I had water, juice, soup, relatively mushy stuff for 2 days. After that, I ate everything. I only needed Advil for pain, so it wasn’t that bad. Definitely take the first sips carefully- coordinate it. I almost choked on my 1st drink at the hospital! You have to go slowly bc your swallowing won’t be normal for a day or 2. Nothing terrible, just the body healing. I drank lots of water to flush the anesthesia out.

Sleep upright for 3 nights to help with drainage; then I slept with my head slightly elevated (2 pillows) after that for awhile. I took Tums (calcium carbonate) 1000 mg 4 times a day the 1st week, 3 times a day the 2nd week, and twice a day the 3rd week while my parathyroids healed (inflamed- not damaged). It’s a good precaution. Tums won’t hurt you and it can help you avoid having your calcium levels get too low. I was able to shower after 24 hours, but I waited 48 to be cautious.

I started Synthroid (brand) on day 2 after surgery and had labs 6 weeks later. Upped from 100 mcg (starting dose) to 112 mcg. I’ve been at that dose since. It took 2 months on the right dose though to feel better even though my numbers were good 2 weeks into the dose.

[adenure]

in reply to: Made decision for surgery #1178439

Amy,

Too funny! My only 3 surgeries were a C-section, sinus surgery, and a TT.

[adenure]

in reply to: Diagnosed this week, finding only negative info #1178415

Hi!

I chose surgery (8 months ago) after being on methimazole for 7 weeks. I had to stop the meds. bc it was causing my liver enzymes to escalate quite a bit. So, I opted for surgery. The methimazole got my thyroid levels normal in that time and I did start to feel better about 2 weeks on the meds. I was on 5 mg. daily. I chose surgery bc I wasn’t comfortable with radiation, I have a family that I didn’t want to be away from, and I wanted to continue breastfeeding. I also was nervous about TED, so I wanted to avoid anything that could possibly contribute to any eye issues. I didn’t want to wait for my thyroid to die or have a dead gland inside me. Again, some of my reasons were valid (like being away from my family and wanting to continue breastfeeding) and some were just me being the way I am (wanting things to be done quickly, not wanting something dead inside me, worrying about TED).

Everyone is different, so do the research (with primary sources and reputable sources). Stay away from the horror stories- I sure read way too many of those and cried way too many nights, freaked out. Then, go with your gut as long as your doctor feels you are a good candidate for the treatment you choose. My doctor didn’t want me to choose surgery; he thought RAI was safer, a “no brainer” as he put it, BUT he did support me in my choice for surgery. So, that was good. Finding a very experienced surgeon in thyroidectomies is very important.

[adenure]

in reply to: Made decision for surgery #1178434

Yay! Congratulations to you! Making a decision is a big deal and you will be on the path to being well soon! That’s great!

[adenure]

in reply to: Thyroid Regeneration #1178360

What does calcitonin have to do with my TSH? Just wondering.

[adenure]

in reply to: Milk #1178407

I have milk in my cereal and haven’t had any issues. I don’t think the amount of calcium in milk is enough to cause an issue. I wait an hour or 2 before eating though (usually) after I take Synthroid (as opposed to just 30 min.).

[adenure]

in reply to: Thyroid Regeneration #1178355

Also, if a thyroid were to regenerate, would it happen within a certain time span? Like within a year or something? My surgeon took 99% of my thyroid. I guess an ultrasound would confirm it. I ask bc even though my free T4 and T3 are normal, my TSH has gone from 1.6 to 0.29 in 3 months. I don’t know- just wondering.

[adenure]

in reply to: Graves solution for pregnancy? #1178306

I think Kimberly and I were posting at the same time- hee hee!

[adenure]

in reply to: Graves solution for pregnancy? #1178305

Hi!

I agree with your doctor. If you want to have another baby as quickly as possible (and you’re not going to stay on methimazole or PTU), then you need to choose surgery. Methimazole is NOT safe for the 1st trimester (when all the organs and bodily systems are devleoping). It is okay for the 2nd and 3rd trimesters though. PTU is preferred for pregnancy. It sounds like you’re going to choose between RAI and surgery though. Once you have surgery, you should wait to conceive until your thyroid levels and your Synthroid dose is stable for a few months so as to have a healthy pregnancy. I was stable 2 months after surgery. I needed one dose increase 6 weeks after surgery. My levels were stable 2 weeks after that. I’ve been on the same dose for 6 plus months now and am doing well.

RAI, on the other hand, will take longer. It will take some time for your thyroid to actually “die out” so to speak. Also, once you’re hypo, you’ll have to go through the same process of getting your Synthroid dose correct. On top of that, people who have RAI are supposed to wait 6 months to 1 year to conceive following RAI because of the radiation risk to the baby. So, I would opt for surgery if conceiving sooner than later is your goal.

I had surgery for many reasons. I was breastfeeding (still am), and didn’t want to be away from my family. I also wanted to be “done with it” so to speak. I didn’t want a “dead” gland in my body and I was nervous about possible TED implications with RAI. Also, just wanted to avoid radiation.

I am happy I had surgery; it was a very good decision for me. The most important thing is to find a surgeon who is very experienced and does a lot of thyroidectomies with a low if any complication rate. Good luck!

[adenure]

in reply to: how to not obsess about GD and TED – any advice? #1178247

Hmmm…

Well, my obsession now is that every time I feel poorly or an ache or a pain, I automatically think, “It’s the Synthroid! I should be on Armour (natural pig hormone instead of Synthetic)!” Seriously, I’ve had a sore toe (arthritic) and aches and pains lately, and all I can think of is the horror stories of Synthroid causing arthritis and every other terrible thing that those who take the pig hormone say. Now maybe they’re right; I don’t know. But, a lot of people do well with Synthroid (I keep telling myself this). But, yeah, I get it. I automatically think my thyroid issues are to blame for every little thing even though my numbers are in range, and, for the most part, I feel pretty good.

As far as they eyes, it’s in the back of my head (the though of TED that is).

What do I do not to obsess? Having 4 children and homeschooling helps! Hee hee! I also do what Kimberly suggested- I’ll watch a fun show (Hell’s Kitchen or Dance Moms are my faves) at the end of the day. Go get a massage sometimes- all these things help.

I don’t end up in tears anymore, but that is because I’m finally done with hyperthyroidism- no more methimazole, no more worrying about going hyper, surgery has leveled my emotions out and made me back to normal in that regard. Thank goodness! But, I hear you. It’s hard.

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