[lilstorm92]

in reply to: Thyroidectomy #1173442

Thanks! It makes me feel better knowing other people are going through the same situation…this awful disease. I started taking the S drops this am and didn’t taste that bad with the grape juice. (Thanks for the suggestion) I go to the dr tomorrow to get my vocal cords checked out. Hope you all have a great day!!

[lilstorm92]

in reply to: Tomorrow’s the Big Day! #1172479

Good Luck and I can’t to hear/read about how everything went! (When you feel up to it)

Stephanie

[lilstorm92]

in reply to: Thyroid Surgery #1172345

adenure wrote:

Also… I forgot to mention… we have 4 boys and don’t plan on having more children, but surprises happen. I know that you’re supposed to wait 6 mo- 1 yr. before conceiving after RAI. One can be careful, but you never know. If I got pregnant before that 1 year was over, I would worry. So, Stephanie, I’m not sure if you’re married or planning to have children soon, but that’s something to think about too.

Alexis

Alexis,
I have little 2 boys and I would like to have 1 more but after I get rid of my thyroid. I was diagnosed after my first son was born. Was able to get pregnant while on PTU and went into remission while pregnant. Shortly after delivery Graves came back stronger than ever. Been on PTU ever since and can’t get my levels in a “normal” range. So I decided it’s time…I want to take back control of my own body. (Does that make sense?) I feel so tired and weak all the time. Something has to change. Thanks so much for listening!!

-Stephanie

[lilstorm92]

in reply to: Thyroid Surgery #1172344

PolishTym wrote:

lilstorm92 wrote:

PolishTym wrote:

It was one of the hardest decision I ever had to make, but it was also one of the best. I don’t feel like my ‘old self’ but I feel much better than when hyperthyroid and on methimazole.

Thanks so much for sharing!! Makes me feel a little better. I’m really leaning towards surgery. I just want to be done with my thyroid; it has caused me nothing but trouble.

Can I ask you why you chose surgery instead of RAI?

It was part gut, part head. I never felt comfortable with the RAI, although I respect other people’s preference for it. The thought of adding radioactive chemicals into my body always freaked me a bit.

I’ll be upfront that I don’t have a medical background, but I have a research doctorate that helped me evaluate the findings. I was able to access a number of peer-reviewed research articles, both domestic and foreign, through my university. Maybe I was biased by my gut, but I didn’t find the research supporting RAI over surgery convincing enough to change my position. There were strong arguments out there for surgery over RAI (e.g., RAI’s greater potential for eye problems or worsening eye problems; disagreements over dosing; some foreign organizations were suggesting longer isolation times than the Americans). One foreign study made a side note regarding America’s obsession with cost-saving measures, and the authors suggested this may be a factor in pushing RAI (e.g., cost of surgery; fear of lawsuits). A good amount of the foreign research was supportive of surgery, and the surgeon I chose was one of the domestic researchers.

My surgeon does a lot of procedures yearly–and he only does endocrine surgeries. His office had highly detailed information about the procedure and recovery. I felt very comfortable with him. I would not have allowed one of the local general or ENT surgeons do it, though. If I could not have had this surgeon perform it–he was literally called a “rock star” by other doctors–I might have gone with the RAI.

Thanks so much for sharing. I have the same “gut” feeling. I felt this way for the past 6 years. I did do a lot of research but trying to find an endocrinologist who agrees with surgery instead of RAI was the hard part. I finally found one who referred me to a general surgeon who specializes in endocrine surgery. So I’m kind-of excited to meet with him and see what he has to say. Thanks again!
Where did you have your surgery?

[lilstorm92]

in reply to: Thyroid Surgery #1172339

PolishTym wrote:

It was one of the hardest decision I ever had to make, but it was also one of the best. I don’t feel like my ‘old self’ but I feel much better than when hyperthyroid and on methimazole.

Thanks so much for sharing!! Makes me feel a little better. I’m really leaning towards surgery. I just want to be done with my thyroid; it has caused me nothing but trouble.

Can I ask you why you chose surgery instead of RAI?

[lilstorm92]

in reply to: Thyroid Surgery #1172337

Thanks Shirley and Rebecca! I have been dreading both treatments for so long and now it’s time to make the “Big” decision. I’m feel awful, all the time. I just want this thyroid out so I can go out and enjoy a “normal” life. I haven’t felt normal in a long time so who knows what that feels like. lol!! I wish I would have found this group 7 years ago!! Do you know how many people think I’m dying when I tell them I have Graves or step back like I’m contagious. I find it funny now but 7 years ago I felt so alone. (well besides my hubby, he has been my rock) Thanks so much for listening!! -Stephanie

[lilstorm92]

in reply to: Thyroid Surgery #1172334

Please do…Thanks so much!! -Stephanie

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