[susandemarco]

in reply to: Hi!! New Here #1067829

Hi Stacy,
Let me tell you a little about myself, because my story is a long one. I am 62 years of age and was diagnosed twenty years ago. I was on and off of
PTU since then. The first time I took it for about eighteen months and went into remission for about seven years then it came back. The second time
again about eighteen months, but my remission only lasted about three years. After that each time I took the PTU remission was shorter and shorter. This
last time only two months. Now I am back on it again and had blood work last week and the dr. said I am still hyper. I think I am ready to through in the
towel and do the RAI, in fact I am waiting right now for the doctor to call me back.

I think I will take the meds until after the holidays, and then the RAI. I am just concerned about the period of time that I have to stay in isolation, as I
have eight grandchildren and I babysit for them quite often. So that is my story, and that is why I have been following your story and Lacey’s.

Thanks for listening and I appreciate any information you can give me.

Thanks and God Bless,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Hi!! New Here #1067825

Hi Stacy,
Thank you for getting back to me, and it couldn’t have been better timing. Today I received the results of my last blood work from last week,
and I am still in the Graves Disease range, and my endo said she could either higher my dosage or go for a thyroid scan and then the RAI.

I think I am at the point of having the RAI, but I think I would like to wait until after the holidays.

I have come to terms with the weight gain, as long as when I get stablized I will be able to lose it.

I appreciate your information, and if at all possible keep me posted.

Thanks again,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Hi!! New Here #1067822

Hi Stacy,
I am considering having the RAI soon and am wondering, after you had it and went hypo did you gain much weight. And if you did, once you
were on the synthroid did you start losing soon after you started it.
Thank you for any information.
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: rai and BB #1068125

Hi,
Just wondering if there are any long term repercussions from the RAI. Does the radio active material cause any problems in future
years with any other part of the body. I would appreciate an answer from someone who had RAI for GD within the last fifteen years.

Thanks,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Sickofgraves…3 months on Tapazole and getting better #1068228

Hi,
I have been doing the meds, PTU, on and off for twenty years, and have been low maintaince of 50mgs a day for about six months. I would like
to stay on low dose to control it.

I would like to know where you received the information about the Graves Disease diet.

I would appreciate any information you have on that.

Thank you and feel well,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Weigh-in (just for fun) #1068752

Hi Kimberly,
Thank you for answering so quickly. It makes me feel so good to hear someone say they feel the same way that I do.

Exactly what you said is the way that I feel, unless I have issues with WBC and Liver I think I will stay on the meds. LIke I said
before, I have been on an off for all these years with no problems, and I think as long as you have your levels checked, and you
know what symptons to look out for everything will be ok.

Thanks again for your input, as it makes me feel I am not the only one who feels this way.

God Bless,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Weigh-in (just for fun) #1068749

Hi Kimberly,
I am currently on PTU and have been on and off for twenty years when I was diagnosed.

Yes I am being monitored and I have an appointment with my endo 10/7. She will then check my levels.
I really do not think I am going hypo, as I am at my normal weight of 114. I have been feeling pretty
well, but I am always worried about the side effects of the medication, even though, thank God, I have
never had a problem. When I see my doctor next month we will have this discussion.

Are you considering staying on the meds rather than having RAI?

Thank you for your input, as this is a very hard decision to make.

Take care and stay well,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Weigh-in (just for fun) #1068745

Hi,
I was wondering how long you have been on the anti-thyroid medication and when you were diagnosed
with hyper-active thyroid.

I was diagnosed twenty years ago, and chose to take the meds rather than the RAI. I have been on
and off since then. Right now I am on 50mgs a day to maintain it. Are you still taking it to maintain, it
and if so what is your dose.

Thank you for any information you may give me.

Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Weigh-in (just for fun) #1068740

Hi Elf,

Thank you for answering my questions so quickly. I really appreciate all the information. I always thought as far as the eye problems I was home free,
but I guess with this disease you just never know.

Thank you again and God Bless,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Weigh-in (just for fun) #1068738

Hi again,
Thank you for all of you information it really helps. What I would like to ask you is if you had eye problems from your thyroid before the RAI?
I myself have not in all the years of being on and off of PTU. I am just wondering if that comes from the RAI treatment. There are so many
side effects that I have been reading about from the RAI on this site. I am so confused, but another part of me feels it would be better
than having to constantly worry if I am going hyper again.

Again I thank you for sharing all of your information about this disease with me.

I realize there are a lot of people out there with a lot of worse problems, so I guess we are blessed to have something that we can take care of
if we could make the decision.

Thank you and all the best to you.

God Bless,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Weigh-in (just for fun) #1068736

Hi Elf,
Thank you for your answer, I reallyappreciate it. How are you feeling health wise after having RAI. Any input would be appreciated.

I hope all is well.

Thanks again,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: Weigh-in (just for fun) #1068734

Hi everyone,

I have been on and off ATD’s for twenty years. Right now I am on 50mg of PTU to try to maintain my levels. I have an appoinment with
my endo October 7 and I am seriously considering asking about the RAI because I am so tired of always worrying about going hyper again
and the side effects of the meds. I did not gain weight while I was on the meds or when I was in remission. I am just wondering after you
do the RAI therapy, and go hypo and then are put on synthroid if you will be able to get back to your normal weight.

I would appreciate hearing from someone who had the RAI a few years ago and how they are doing with their weight now.

Thank you,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: At a crossroad, want your opinion, please. #1068628

Dear Ciona,
I an 62 years of age and found out I had GD twenty years ago. I went on PTU for eighteen months and
went into remission for about seven years. It then returned and went back onto PTU for another
eighteen months, and went back into remission only for it to return again in three years. This happened
a few more times up until this time.

I am now on 20 mgs. of PtU daily indefinely. Right now I feel I am in the same boat as you as far as
making a decision to get the RAI, as I am concerned about the possible problems with my liver and
white blood count, however I am tired of worrying about it.

The only thing I can tell you is that I do not think anyone is ever sure about which way to go. One day
I feel one way and the next day I feel differently.

I am sorry that I do not have the magic answer,as I do not think there is one. I think you just have to wake
up one morning with your mind made up and just not look back.

Best of luck to you, and I will let you know what I decide.

Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: the rai is working:-) #1070057

Dear Hopeful.

You mentioned that you have taken RAI and there are other members in your family that are hypothyroid. I am trying to find out about
weight gain with this disease. I am currently taking PTU, and doing very well on it, however it is always in the back of my mind about
the side effect to the liver. My endo suggested the RAI, but has not pushed it. So as of now I am taking 50 milligrams of the PTU.

I was diagnosed with GD twenty years ago and always went on the PTU but now my remission time is getting shorter and shorter. I feel that
sooner or later I am going to have to make the decision to have the RAI.

To be honest the reason I am skepticle about taking it is because I feel that once I go HYpo, I will not have control of my weight.

If you have any input on this please write back.

Thanks,
Susan

[susandemarco]

in reply to: RAI or NO…What is Your Opinion!!…HELP! #1070826

Hi,
I am pretty new at using the computer, and in one of your answers Ski you mentioned a web sit
RAI positive results, could you please explain to me where I type it in.

Thanks Again,
Sue

[Author]

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