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Concerns about RAI
I am concerned about the treatment of RAI. My endocrynologist wants to use RAI to kill my thyroid because it is hyperactive. I cannot take Tapazole because I am allergic to it. My doctor stated to me that I have a unique thyroid problem, one side is dead and the other, as explained to me, has a mind of it's own. My Endo performed a biopsy on me after having done a scan that came back normal, only to discover that when my thyroid was retested it had changed in leaps and bounds and just won't stay put. I hear and read so many terrible things about RAI and the after effects that come along with it. When I got the biopsy results back, my right side showed no signs of cancer, but there was not enough tissue from my left side which has more lumps in it by far and is also the side that is active. I am scared out of my mind and really don't know what choice to make, RAI or Surgery? I was told that RAI is less evasive and that the surgery can come with many risks while being performed. If anyone has any advice to offer please let me know, I have an appointment coming up very soon and I am really not sure what I am walking into. Signed Please Help!!!!!
I am 12 days post RAI....no regrest other than it is slow acting, surgery is quicker, but comes with many more risks as my dr explained to me. Being hyper can be very damaging to your body. I think there is alot of incorrect information on the web regarding RAI...lil dollie's post above is very accurate, and I too belong to the site she posted for you...I believe that cancer isn't a risk until you get over 500 mc1, ,, most graves patients recieve under 20, mine was (17 )......best wishes with whatever you chose..
pam
pam
I did very large dose of RAI on 2-1-2003 to completely kill off my thyroid and I am fine. In my case a couple of weeks of not being too close to anyone, but now that doesn't even seem that bad. Know a woman who had it 30 yrs ago or so and still doing fine.
You'll do great if you choose it. Good luck!
You'll do great if you choose it. Good luck!
I did RAI 11 years ago and I am fine. No regrets.
Good Luck with your decision.
GL
Good Luck with your decision.
GL
Oh, here is the link to the forum I go visit.
http://groups.msn.com/GRAVESDISEASEANDRAI
http://groups.msn.com/GRAVESDISEASEANDRAI
Hi, you will find a lot of negative sites about RAI, but that is only to pretty much push an alternative treatment that they are selling or someone doesn't post the whole truth about it. My endo told me there is no evidence of any cancer being linked to RAI. Stay off of a lot of these sites that talk about RAI. I am having RAI tomorrow morning for my Grave's disease. The only main side effects is hypothyroidism, which is better than being hyper and a sore throat that will subside within a few days, nothing that Tylenol can't handle. People who have Grave's disease (hyperthyroid) get only a small dose. There are people who have had RAI 10 yrs. ago or more and are doing fine. I am sure when you go hypo, you are not going to be 100%, but they will get your levels back to normal and it is a lot better than being hyper and taking antithyroid meds, which are not good to take for long periods of time either.
Think about it, thyroid cancer patients get higher doses of RAI and they do fine as well. Go to reputable sites like webmd. They do not put RAI down. Also there is another forum that I visit regularly that is very good and it is all mostly Grave's patients and people who have already done RAI. They can tell you a lot about it. RAI has been around for 70 or more years and no studies have revealed anything connected to RAI. I was told that a lot of people who are afraid of RAI are comparing this to Chernobyle (spelling probably wrong) and places that were devasted by large amts. of radiation. The radiation they use in this pill is beta and gamma, the same thing used in x-ray machines. There are different isotopes of radiation. After 2 days what is left in your body becomes nonradio active. They use a lot of precautions with RAI because they do not want to prolong any exposure to children or pregnant women since they can be exposed to more x-rays throughout their lifetime. I hope I have helped you some. I am sure someone that knows more about this than me will help you out! Good Luck!
Think about it, thyroid cancer patients get higher doses of RAI and they do fine as well. Go to reputable sites like webmd. They do not put RAI down. Also there is another forum that I visit regularly that is very good and it is all mostly Grave's patients and people who have already done RAI. They can tell you a lot about it. RAI has been around for 70 or more years and no studies have revealed anything connected to RAI. I was told that a lot of people who are afraid of RAI are comparing this to Chernobyle (spelling probably wrong) and places that were devasted by large amts. of radiation. The radiation they use in this pill is beta and gamma, the same thing used in x-ray machines. There are different isotopes of radiation. After 2 days what is left in your body becomes nonradio active. They use a lot of precautions with RAI because they do not want to prolong any exposure to children or pregnant women since they can be exposed to more x-rays throughout their lifetime. I hope I have helped you some. I am sure someone that knows more about this than me will help you out! Good Luck!
I was allergic to both antithyroid meds but doctor lowered dose and now I'm not allergic.
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