Swelling in thyroid area before and after RAI for graves

[Ladyrumrunner]

Hello, I was Dx with graves July 2010. I had issues with methmizole allergic reactions. I wanted surgery but was told RAI was the only option. I had RAI in nov 2010. Eye issues started to exasterbate ?sp? With in 3 days of RAI I lost my night vision and started the ugly course of the swollen eye puffy under eyes doublemvision hell. I am currently on solumedrol infusions trying to save the vision in my right eye.

I was complaining to the endo befoe RAI and after RAI that there was a swelling in my throat that was causing pain in the thyroid area. Chocking sensation. Food gets stuck. I have noticed that on the solumedrol thatnthe swelling and pain goes away for a day or two then starts to come back and raise it's ugly head. I finally took a picture of it at it's largest point and showed it to the gp. He said something about thyroid Titus and or ridsuals from the RAI? whe. I saw the dr the thyroid was only slightly swollen because I had just had 500 mg of solumedrol 54 hrs abfore walking in to his office. When he say the photo there was no denying I am having a issue. He called in another dr from his office to feel around and he could fell the swelling and lump on the right that feels like a lymph noid swelling.

Was told be for the RAI that the glad would shrink to nothing . They did an ultrasound and said that my thyroid was of normal size. Im so confused. When the swelling starts nothing over the counter takes the pain away. I was give lorazepam and a for get about it pill and norco for the pain. I am tired of masking the issue and want reall answers. Any suggestion.

[Ladyrumrunner]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I was euthroid with in 10 days and my tsp was 79.3 within 4 weeks after that. They gave me 20mci nov 5th 2010. On Jan 5th they started me on 1/2 of the .25 synthroid. I finally mad it to .88. With issues with each increase and no sign of feeling well tsp was 5.5 and ft4 was 1.09 they tried to increase me to the .100 but my body was accepting the in crease I had a disconnect my brain eyes and body all worked however they were not working together. It was a weird situation. I took my self back to .88 then tried to increase a week later with the same results. Went to a different dr and requested armour. I started out with 1 grain no issues and I was increased after 2 weeks to 1 1/4 grain where I have been now for 2 weeks. I have no more brain fog and I have more energy.

Does thyroidtitus go away, or are there times that is just lingers and never does go away? I was told that the RAI souls shrink the thyroid to a minute size like a raisen waiting for that day.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis) can occur after RAI and is relieved by steroids.  Usually this resolves within a few months.  You still have intermittent symptoms.  Did you become hypothyroid after RAI?  If not, you may be at risk for persistent hyperthyroidism.  Also - some of these symptoms may be aggravated by acid reflux (even without classic heartburn symptoms) - try over-the-counter zantac, pepcid or prilosec and ask you doctor about this possibility.

Ultimately, thyroidectomy may be needed if the thyroid is clearly swelling and causing compressive symptoms....