[mvk]

in reply to: Can a thyroid “regenerate”? #1171631

Hi Pat,

My circumstances are a bit odd but both my endo and the nuclear med dr. when I had my RAI told me that it was possible for my thyroid to regenerate because I had most of the disease on my right side of the thyroid. When you looked at the scan it was black on the right side and enlarged and the other side looked fairly normal. Hope this info helps. My guess is “yes”!

mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: RAI coming up…what to expect?? #1172554

Good Morning,

Good luck on your RAI treatment. I had mine on 4/23 so I am two months post. I received a 28 mCi dosage for ablation. I definitely got more hyper after and I think I probably am still border hyper now. My labs a month after weren’t great and I’ll have a blood draw this next week and am hoping for improvement. The endo says it is way early. I am 62 years old and this is the first time in my life I have ever been sick so to say the least I am overwhelmed with this disease. I care for my granddaughters everyday so I had to stay away from them for 9 days. I am assuming this was because I had a fairly good dose from what I see on the forum. That was really hard for all of us. I feel fairly well. I am off my betablocker now and much less muscle pain(which was a big problem for me). Still not exercising per doctor’s request. Tremor is much better. Sometimes none in fact but still slight most of the time. I still in the mode of “I hope this works!”. My eyes are gritty but look OK . I am using the preservative free drops everyday several times a day. I had an eye exam in February so they have a baseline if things change. That’s about all I can think of.

Best Wishes,
mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: Latest labs #1172532

Muscle cramps were my first symptoms and of course I didn’t put anything together till a couple months later when the heart palpitations started. I am a little over 2 months post RAI and some days I still have muscle cramps in my legs but it is not as bad and not consistent for weeks. I did stretches faithfully for weeks and it did make it feel better but it took a long time for it to go away. I’m going to have my second set of labs next week and hope they look a bit better. I am off my betablocker for the most part now. I weaned myself after my last doctor visit and have only had to take it once since. It is amazing how much more aware of my body I am. The things I used to ignore, I am much more conscious of now. I’m eating bananas as well. I have NEVER been a banana person but I’m getting better and drink lots of water. The doctor told me no Curves yet. I was disappointed but I listened. It doesn’t take much to get my heart rate up these days. I just hope that part gets better soon so I can exercise again. I also had my cholesterol done for my PCP last month and my HDL’s were down 20 points. I’m sure it is lack of vigorous exercise but for now “it is what it is”. Good luck!
mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: Successful Thyroidectomy! #1172496

Great news Alexis. You have been in my mind and on my prayer list. Take it easy for a few days. It sounds like everything went splendidly.

Mary

[mvk]

in reply to: TSH Testing Only Once Stabilized Post RAI #1172137

Dear Beach 45,

I’m with you. I’m not sure at all I would do the RAI a second time. There has to be something to be said about all the restrictions after you do this procedure. I hope we both don’t have to make this decision. Hopefully in a short time we will be able to say this RAI worked. Until then, I am thankful I can talk to you about it online. I cut my betablocker down to .25 mg /once a day yesterday and so far, so good. In a week, I am supposed to stop it altogether. It makes me nervous but I will do it if I am stable.
I, too, am having anxiety at times over stupid things but I guess we just need to breathe!

mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: TSH Testing Only Once Stabilized Post RAI #1172135

Dear Beach45,

You and I are almost on the same track post RAI. I too am very concerned about my first labs. My free T4 was down (good!) but my TSH was .001 and in March was .002. I know it’s too early to be fretting but I can’t help it! I am getting labs again at the end of June. I’d love to hear from someone’s experience in this post RAI time. How long is this going to take to change? I know every one is different. Am I totally jumping the gun on this? I really do feel better. Less muscle pain, less heart palpitations for sure. Tremor seems less and less as well. I am taking those as good signs. Hang in there.

mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: One month Post RAI #1171953

Thank you for your replies. Every bit of encouragement helps. I went to the doctor this morning and I am improving slowly but surely. My T4 is now 2.1 (was 3.6) -range is 0.8-1.8 and my TSH is now 0.01 (was 0.02) still way too low. She said the TSH is the last to react to RAI. I have to do labs in one month or sooner if symptomatic and see her in two months. She also said I need a sonogram in Sept./Oct. to check the nodules, lowered my betablocker and if that works, I can go off it. The only thing negative she said is no vigorous exercise for one more month but I can walk. She seems to think everything is going OK for now. I am 5 weeks post RAI and still think I made the right decision for someone my age – 62 years young next week! Hope everyone is feeling good today.

mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: Sorry, but I need to vent! #1171809

Hi Barb,

I am a new Grave’s patient as well. It is really a hard thing to realize that things are not the same. I, too, have always tried to keep a clean house and have a nice yard but this disease changes your activity level both physically and mentally. A couple of months ago when I found out I had Grave’s I was just plain scared about how awful I felt physically and mentally. I had never been sick before in my life and this was new territory for me. I had RAI three weeks ago tomorrow and have realized this is a long term change in my life and I just can do what I can do everyday and be at peace with it. I do understand where you are at and I think for myself acceptance has helped me. I did manage to get some yardwork accomplished slow but sure and I know I do love to sit in my yard and enjoy the nice spring weather. The house still bothers me. It isn’t anywhere near where I want it to be but it is what it is and I am doing the best I can right now. You can’t do what you use to be able to do. I think that is the bottom line until I get this disease regulated and I understand that may take a long time. Very frustrating for me and I’m hearing for you as well. Until then – just do what you can and take care of yourself.
Best Wishes and Happy Mother’s Day to all.
mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: RAI Questions #1170429

Thank you Bobbi for your encouraging words. Today I have the tremor not only in my right hand but now have added the left as well. There is definitely something going on. I will start taking my pulse and BP again more regularly to make sure I don’t need additional betabreaker dosage right now. I slept a long but restless night because of my muscle pain and still feel tired and overwhelmed. It is what it is and I will get better.

mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: RAI Questions #1170427

Hi,

I had RAI on 4/23/12. Spent the first week isolated and the second week I actually felt mentally better and maybe a bit physically better. Now I am 16 days post RAI and my muscle pain is back full force. Sharp pain in my legs . Really hurts a lot. I seem more tired too. Can someone advise on my symptoms. I really would honestly say I feel worse now than I did a week ago. Is this normal? I wasn’t expecting this turn and would like to know if this up and down process is normal and hopefully will turn the other direction again soon. Thanks for any and all information. I really appreciate it and this forum in so many ways.

mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: Future weight gain? #1171600

Hi Bobbie,

I am curious about the muscle mass returning after treatment. I am 12 days post RAI and am feeling better overall. I still have heart palpitations and am very dependent on my betablocker and still have hand tremors but I am better! My muscle weakness doesn’t seem improved at all. I have been walking a limited amount the past couple of days. Does some of the muscle strength come back on its own or are you saying with lots of exercise we’ll get muscle back? I nanny my granddaughters and lifting the 2 year old is really hard for me right now. My leg strength and arm strength are just gone. I was training for a half marathon when I was diagnosed and was really getting strong and now I just feel so weak. Thanks for your help. I know I’m asking for too much, too soon but would appreciate any info you have.

mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: New for forum, diagnosed with Graves and Hyperactive thyroid #1171572

Welcome to the forum. I was diagnosed with Graves in March and had RAI a week ago. Graves was something I knew nothing about and now know more than I ever wanted to know but it is necessary now. This forum has been a great resource of information for me. Like I said, I am one week post RAI. It hasn’t been bad at all. The last two days I really feel better than I have for a couple of months. I actually feel like I can function a bit better. I will have my first labs in about a month and then have a scheduled appointment with my endocrinologist soon thereafter. I still have a lot of hand tremors and am very dependent on my betablocker for my heart palpitations. That is not getting any better yet. I do feel mentally better and it is a welcomed feeling. Please do something to get better soon. This disease doesn’t just go away unfortunately but now I feel like I am doing something to get it under control. If I were younger (I’m almost 62) I probably would have tried the meds first. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: The Shakes #1171353

Hi,

I have a tremor especially in my right hand. The beta blocker seems to help it a bit but not for long and it doesn’t totally go away. It is frustrating to say the least. I had my dose of RAI this morning about 3 hours ago. I can’t say I feel anything at all and hope that stays the case. The radiologist told me to stay 10 feet away from anyone for the first two days and then 6 feet for the rest of the time. Drink a lot of liquids (even wine!). I’m just glad something is happening to me finally to fix the hyperthyroidism. I probably would have chosen medication if I was younger (I’m almost 62). It is only on the right side of my thyroid and both the radiologist and the endocrinologist have both stated that it is possible that the left side may recover and I won’t be hypo when this is all wrapped up. No promises but possible. I’ll let you all know how the next couple weeks go for me. Best wishes and health to all of you.

mvk

[mvk]

in reply to: New to Graves – struggling with decision – drugs or RAI #1171115

Hi Oberon,

Thank you for letting us know how you are feeling post RAI. I am having my dose tomorrow morning and it is encouraging to hear you are feeling pretty good after yours. I am anxious. These days I can’t distinguish whether it’s the disease process or me! If you feel up to it please keep telling us how you are doing and I will do the same.

Best Wishes!

[mvk]

in reply to: Muscle cramps – Ouch #1171214

This is the first time I am posting on the forum. I have been diagnosed for about a month and will be taking the RAI treatment next week. I am 62 years old and my symptoms started with severe muscle pain in my rear end. First one side and I finally got it under control and then it went to the other side. I was training for a half marathon and just figured that I was accelerating my training schedule too fast. Very painful two months for me and I sympathize with your discomfort. Now I am barely walking at all. The symptom that got me into the doctor were the heart palpitations. She suspected my thyroid right away and I am ever so grateful for her wisdom in diagnosing me so quickly. I started the low iodine diet this week in anticipation of the treatment. Any suggestions for food would be much appreciated. I am learning a lot from these forum discussions. The whole thing is just overwhelming. I am experiencing a lot of anxiety as well. Thank you for all your help.

[Author]

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