[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Success stories with RadioIodine treatment? #1169601

Thank you to all who posted. I think it’s really important to hear positive results to RAI (even though my case is different from others on this site, as you point out). It’s such an important decision when choosing RAI or considering surgery or medication. I avoided RAI for a long time because of fears. Sometimes the best thing to do is confront the fear directly and sort out the values of cure and risk. Four weeks post RAI, my TSH levels are at .24 so the radioactivity is still doing its job; I’m half way away from normal levels. I feel fine. Still a bit hyper but nothing dramatic or intrusive. I wish everyone an easy ride!

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Success stories with RadioIodine treatment? #1169596

I’m surprised that in a month’s time, no one has posted any success stories about radio iodine treatment. My initial RAI treatment went well three weeks ago. I didn’t have any real side effects: just mild headache and some fatigue but this was so transient, I even hesitate to mention it. I’m disappointed that people who have had this treatment with positive results haven’t posted. I know I certainly need to hear that this is a successful and doable treatment. Anyone considering RAI needs to hear positive and encouraging experiences. So far, I have to say my experience has been good regarding side effects. Time will tell about healing and lab test results. Please, if you have a good experience with RAI and would recommend it, please post. Thanks!

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Acupuncture/Chinese Herbs #1062645

For Angelace:

Yes, I can say that the acupuncture/Chinese herbs had some positive effects for a period of time for me and I was encouraged. But down the road, my TSH numbers dropped again and I could not get them back up. Possibly what happened was my body responded initially to healing but the thyroid disease seemed to be more powerful. So, now, I decided to go for the RAI treatment for a cure and I am 3 weeks post RAI as I write this. The treatment went very well; other than a mild headache and a little fatigue, no real side effects to complain about. I’m seeing my Endo next week to review blood test results so I’m don’t know the full results yet and might not for several weeks. But, your comments about positive thinking is critical to any type of healing; and I do believe that prayer is powerful. I chose RAI because, as scary as ingesting radioactivity is, radio iodine is uranium salts. And didn’t God make uranium too when he formed the earth? And yes, it’s toxic at certain levels, but medical science has been able to learn how to use it with minimum risks and just a capsule can and does produce healing. I would say to your sister, to consider alternative medicine but to also consider what medical science has to offer as well. Best of health to all. HonestBabe

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Why avoid radiation treatment/thyroid removal? #1061088

I just decided to do RAI and am post-RAI three days since the treatment (I have hyperthyroidism due to toxic nodules; no Grave disease) and it was real struggle to make this choice. Initially, the treatment has gone well and besides some mild fatigue and a mild headache, I’ve been feeling fine. Time will tell how things progress. I was terrified of RAI; read all the pros and cons. Who doesn’t think ‘radiation’ isn’t a scary word? I avoided RAI, thinking it was the enemy, the destroyer, the bad guy. I tried the natural approaches (including acupuncture and Chinese herbs, which helped temporarily). When I looked into what radio iodine really is, I learned it is a fission of uranium atoms. "Uranium" really scared me even more, but it’s quite an amazing material if you look deeper into its origin. Uranium, the heaviest atom in nature, only forms inside exploding supernovas (star explosion) and resides in the earth crust, space and other planets. And if my science information is correct, it was formed billions of years ago. Its half-life is 4.5 billion years so it quite long lasting. Scientists say we likely have about 12% left of the original amount of uranium formed inside our earth and only half of that 12% will be decayed over the next 4.5 billion years (that is if we don’t use up too much for fuel). Anyway, I did find comfort in knowing that I could take something to heal me that the universe naturally created (or God created, if you are inclined to believe, which I am) somewhere in the beginning of time. The decision to choose RAI for me became crystal clear. If we could move beyond the fears and trust nature (trust God), remain positive, opportunities for healing may arise. So, today, my perception is that I have a little bit of God’s starlight radiating through my body to heal me. Thinking of it this way feels like a lovely place to be at the moment.

I’d say to all who are struggling with these types of decisions, find strength to look deeply into the options with an open mind and heart. HonestBabe.

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Acupuncture/Chinese Herbs #1062642

Here’s my update with Chinese herbs and acupuncture. Yes, the treatments did help me, but I was not able to sustain the improvement. I don’t have Graves, I have hyperthyroidism due to toxic nodules. I was on Chinese herbs and acupuncture treatment for 2 months and my TSH jumped from .03 to .45. Everybody was elated and even my endo was impressed, saying that this was not a ‘typical bounce.’ But 8 weeks later on same treatment, I dropped down to .05. My acupuncturist doubled the herb formula, thinking I needed more to recover. Ten weeks later, my TSH level went up from .05 to .10. What a disappointment! When I stopped the herbs, I dropped so low the lab couldn’t measure it. So, yes, the acupuncture/herbs do have an affect and can help, but for me the improvement didn’t last. The herbs are designed to dissolve the nodules but maybe mine are just too stubborn and need something more powerful. But I’m glad I explored it even if the end result wasn’t what I expected. I learned so much through the experience. Now I’m facing the choice of surgery or RAI for results. I’ve done all the research and consultations. So, … as they say, ‘tomorrow comes the song.’

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Insomia relief? #1061195

Hi Mike,
Re your insomnia. I listen to quieting music before sleep time; maybe some camomile tea. Ocean waves is a good repetitive rhythm that brings all my energies down a notch and with hyperthyroidism, every notch counts. Watching ocean waves on a DVD or VCR tape (yeah, I still have a VCR) is really good because it focuses the eye and the mind and hearing on relaxing and after 20 minutes, the eyelids drop and you’re off. On those nights that I’m really keyed up, I take some passion flower and lemon balm, but to be safe, check with your doctor or a naturalist to see if herbs like this are okay for your condition. Here’s a CD that has music that creates ‘stillness’ and it really works. "Sounds of Stillness" by Sounds True (Onespirit.com) I absolutely love it! All the best.

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Success stories with RadioIodine treatment? #1169595

Kimberly, FYI, I have researched it and am completely aware of the risks and benefits from lots of sources, including clinical trials. I didn’t ask for statistics from studies; I asked for personal experiences. Because perceptions and attitudes are so vital to healing, I want to go forward with this treatment with positive thoughts, successful perceptions, and a strong mind. Fear about negative outcomes will only weaken my resolve and that’s why I asked for successful stories. We are more than just physical bodies, more than this disease. I expect that the facilitators would be able to address more than statistics when offering advice.

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Success stories with RadioIodine treatment? #1169593

This is for Kimberly, online facilitator:

Regarding this 5% of hyperthyroid patients that get Graves after RAI. I just spoke to my endo (who has a large thriving practice) and he said that he’s never seen that happen in his patients. He also pointed out that this 5% was "reported" in NEJM but no other studies confirm the 5%, so one single study is not all that significant.

The subject of my post is "SUCCESS" stories with RAI. Did you think your post was a success story? Your comment was actually quite negative and presented like a scare tactic. It’s irresponsible to shoot out thin statistics without some disclosure of the protocols of the study. Professionals know this. You didn’t even site the issue of NEJM.

It looks to me like you were not advising me at all. Very disappointed in you, Kimberly.

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Success stories with RadioIodine treatment? #1169591

Kimberly, can you tell me which issue this article is in for the New England Journal of Medicine? Thanks.

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Success stories with RadioIodine treatment? #1169590

Kimberly,
Well this is disturbing and upsetting information. 5% sounds significant. I’ll have to ask my endo about it. Over the next few days, I have to decide if I prefer RAI or surgery. The surgeon has told me that he would remove one lobe of the thyroid and MAYBE my body can handle functioning normally with just the other lobe. It’s a 50/50 chance. I don’t know what I’m going to do given the risk of surgery and risk of vocal chord damage during surgery.

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: How long is too long on Methimazole? #1061116

I’d like to hear more about long term methimazole use for hyperthyroidism. My doctor doesn’t recommend it for my situation because it doesn’t cure … only treats the symptoms and he doesn’t like the side effects. He says curing this at the source is the long term answer. My mom is on methimazole for 4 years (she’s 91 years old). So does anybody have a clue about long term methimazole, like longer than 5 or 6 years? Is it recommended for long term use? Any reliable medical data on it?

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Acupuncture/Chinese Herbs #1062638

For San70: ElectroAcupuncture is traditional Chinese acupuncture but with the added energy of an very mild electric current attached to some of the needles (in my case, over the thyroid area but only on the surface of the skin; not deep at all). I’ve had acupuncture without the electrical stimulation as well. The value, I’m told, is that electro enhances your own electrical impulses for faster more effective healing. Chinese medicine works with the body’s natural energies for rebalancing and stimulation of healing energies within the body. It’s not painful at all. In fact, I have to say, I almost like it. Feels like a slight tingling. The Chinese herbs are a combination of about ten different herbs designed to dissolve the nodules, and I take those (mixed with hot water) every day like a tea. I also take Lemon Balm (at night for sleeping), which is supposed to be good for thyroid function. I’m going for more tests in April and will post my final results. My Endo doc is flipping out that I had such a jump in my TSH numbers, and he’s very curious to see the end results of the Chinese treatments. I decided to try Chinese medicine as a test before moving forward with traditional Western treatments. But you must also understand that my symptoms were mild and my hyperthyroidism is caused by hot nodules and not Grave’s disease, so this has bought me some time to explore options. Good Luck, San70, whatever path you choose. And I will add that prayer is an important part of my daily health. All the best, HonestBabe.

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Acupuncture/Chinese Herbs #1062633

Bobbi has some valid points about these studies. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has to run better trials. Yes, doctors must look to real scientific evidence for direction in treating disease. But I’m not a doctor; I function as a patient. I’m looking for an indication or possibility that this treatment might work for me. Yes, it’s taking a risk of failure but also a chance for success too. The fact that my TSH rose (not just floated) from .02 to .45 in 9 weeks of TCM treatment is very significant to me. And this was significant to my Endo too; he was very pleased with T3 and T4 levels. Something dramatic is going on. I gained some weight back and let me tell you there’s nothing false about that. My TSH numbers went as follows: In 2010, May through November(6 months) TSH decreased from .11 to .09 to .03 to .02 … Nine weeks later on TCM , at Februay test I’m at .45. The reality for me is that I’m on my way to normal thyroid levels; my body is changing; symptoms fading away. The only way this could be more real to me is when I go for my ultrasound and they find my nodules reduced in size … or completely gone. HonestBabe.

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Acupuncture/Chinese Herbs #1062631

Hi Kimberly,
Yes, my T3 and T4 have always been normal. Yes, my diagnosis was NOT Grave’s disease. Yes, subclinical. My symptoms were fairly mild and this gave me time to look for options (surgery was one of them as well). I was not suggesting to anyone to abandon their traditional medical treatments. I’m suggesting that there may be options ‘outside of the box,’ as they say. It has become clear to me that Western doctors are not the only ones with answers for healing. Integrative Medicine that combines Western and Eastern treatments can be very effective. There are some published studies on PubMed that are interesting to read (Preliminary study on Chinese Herb induced apoptosis of thyrocytes in Graves’ disease http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11783196 ; Chinese Herbal Medicines for Hyperthyroidism http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17443591 ). While these clinical studies have some problems in protocols etc., still leave many questions, and may not be as conclusive as we’d like, they are not without merit. The more we learn, the healthier we become, East or West. HonestBabe.

[HonestBabe]

in reply to: Do any natural/alternative treatments work? #1063330

For Snelsen, thanks for your comment. Yes the goal is to raise the TSH levels. And for Kimberly, in November test my FreeT4 was .79 (within normal range of .71-1.85) and Free T3 was 335 (within normal range of 230-420). Both of these dropped slightly since mid October test, but I was ALWAYS, since May, within normal T3 and T4 ranges. My hyperthyroidism is due to the toxic nodules. I’m told by two Endos that these nodules can shrink. And if they do, my TSH levels should improve. At Columbia Univer Medical Center, Dept of Surgery, they claim on their Web site that "one third to one half of all thyroid nodules shrink spontaneously without medication." They don’t really know for sure why some nodules shrink and others do not. Kimberly, I’m on a beta blocker because of mild palpitations that occur once in a while. No racing heart. I check my pulse during any palps and I’m usually 83 to 85 bpm, which is normal. Ocassionally I’ll hit 86 or 87 but never over 100 which would be racing. Please understand, I’m not promoting anything here and certainly would never suggest to anyone to go alternative vs. traditional medicine. I’m just sharing my experience. I’m under the direct care of an excellent Endo and being treated by an outstanding M.D. who is doing the electro-acupuncture/chinese herbs. Thanks to all. HonestBabe

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