[irishfam]

in reply to: Not going to do radiation or surgery…am I a minority? #1066561

Hi, I too opted not to do RAI or surgery, my goal being remission. I too, looking back, bounced in and out of remission. I was not diagnosed until I was so hyper, I was off the charts. (looking back, I was hyper for years). I think what happened was (and may be happening with you) is that I would go into hyper for a bit, and my body was able to bounce back into remission, until one day it just couldn’t. I did PTU for 4 years and achieved remission for a year, then started going into low thyroid. My doctor explained that this is the natural progression of the disease is that eventually, most all people in remission will eventually be low thyroid, as the function of the disease, is the antibodies will attack the thyroid until it achieves it’s goal of killing it off. If you don’t mind taking your time, and hoping to be part of that small population who can actually achieve remission and stay there, why not try for it, as long as you are staying healthy and taking care of yourself. Good Luck.

[irishfam]

in reply to: Afraid of RAI #1066429

I too was afraid of RAI. When I was going through my hyper faze, my life was much like yours. Husband, kids, one who was going through heart issues, and ended up with heart surgery. My goal was getting into remission. I was on the PTU for 4 years, slowly weaning down until I was able to go off of the meds. I was in remission for a year. Then started sliding the opposite direction. I am now in low thyroid for the last year. The doctor explained to me the goal of the auto immune disease (Graves) is to keep attacking the thyroid until it eventually destroys it. Some people, a small population of Graves disease patients can achieve remission and stay there. My aunt has. I unfortunately did not. RAI basically just bypasses the attempt of remission, and the roller coaster ride of possibly not making it. The ony thing that would also worry me, is, it is my understanding you have to be off all meds for something like 10 days before the RAI procedure, and it’s possible to go into a thyroid storm in the interim. So having lived through this, I would say, relax, don’t stress, do your research, and find the best path for you. One that you are comfortable with and know there are people out there who understand, you are not alone.

[irishfam]

in reply to: Graves vs Hashimoto’s how do they know? #1070206

Oh shoot, I should have mentioned that I was DX 6 years ago, and achieved remission 2 years ago…sheesh, that helps make more sense of what I just posted.

[irishfam]

in reply to: Graves vs Hashimoto’s how do they know? #1070205

Graves disease and Hashimotos have different antibodies. With Hashi the antibodies are Thyroglobulin, and with Graves, it’s the Peroxidase antibodies. That’s how they determine which one you have. A few select people can have both and flip flop between the 2 diseases. The natural progression with Hashi is, you usually start out hyper and usually end up hypo. With Graves, you are hyper, and they usually talk you in to RAI, with many of the medical profession not discussing remission. Which is achievable. My aunt has been in remission for a good 30 years. They also don’t tell you, that the disease can do so much damage to the thyroid, that a lot of people (I have read anywhere from 30-50%) with GD will end up hypo somewhere down the line anyway. Good luck, with whichever choice you make.

[irishfam]

in reply to: New User – just diagnosed with GD on 6/8/09 : ( #1069360

Hi Mike, yes it can take a while to feel better. I was diagnosed with GD 6 years ago, and had ALL the symptoms. They put me on propylthiouracil, no beta blockers, so it probably took me a little longer to start feeling the effects. You really have to pay attention to what you are feeling, and micromanage your progress. I too, was "off the charts" having been misdiagnosed for a long time. I come from a smaller area where GD is not seen often and not enough people in the medical field who understand it. I opted not to be radiated and shot for remission, which I achieved 2 years ago. What a lot of the medical profession don’t like to discuss, is remission. So I suggest, getting online, and reading all you can about the disease, and your options. I am still learning now 6 years later, and understand a lot about it. I have even taught some of the medical profession here in my town a few things..So go figure. Hang in there…Learn, learn, learn. Good luck.

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