RAI or Surgery, do I get a choice in my treatment?

[Lis163]

I have had Graves' disease for nine years now, in and out of remission four or five times.  I am allergic to PTU and Neomercazole and my doctor said that when I see my endocrinologist in a weeks time that he will advise RAI or perhaps surgery.  Would that be whatever suits him I am wondering or what treatment that I would rather select.
I have heard horror stories such as the medicine reaching other tissues, i.e. breasts, ovaries, bowel and thryoid.(Killing of the thyroid to create another disease {I am not too concerned about hypothyroidism} but cancer does bother me).  
I had a blood tests to check my liver, upon my requests, only because I did not like the bruise like effect rashes on my legs and it came back revealing some (how much I am not sure of) damage.
I am anxious of both treatments if I do get to chose.  Personally I would much rather try a holitistic path, unless this is a dangerous way to look into of course.  I know that Graves' causes anxiety, I am quite scared of worried about any of the outcomes as they all seem to have their pros and cons.
I have school aged children also.  I believe you have to stay away from kids if you have the RAI.
Does anybody have any advise.  Is RAI safer than surgery and do I actually have a choice in the matter.

Cheers, Lisa (Australia)

[Lis163]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you but as you could imagine I haven't been feeling too good.
Thank you for your input and advise.  I went to my endocrinologist on Monday and even though I feel as though I may be allergic to PTU he suggested to go back on them because my TSH was completely surpressed and I think the FT4 or FT3 was up to almost 23 or something like that, I believe that may be a moderate condition. He said that if I leave Graves untreated I could end up with heart problems or worse still be at risk for a thyroid storm and we all know what that involves so I went back onto PTU on Monday.  
My heart rate is about 97 beats per minute and he didn't suggest a beta blocker.  I thought that a little strange. But doctors are suppose to know best.
He advises to go ahead with RAI and wants to review me in about 6 weeks time and wants me eurthyroid for the event.  He thought that there may have been some slight swelling on the left side of my thyroid and suggested a nuclear scan.  The last time I had that dye injection I remember feeling it burning throughout my body, fortunately that went away after about 10 minutes or so from memory so I will just have to put up with it.
I have read so much about hypothyroidism and there seems to me to be more symptoms that go with it than an overactive thyroid and there is the risk of being too cold or having too slow a heart rate, diabetes, low progesterone, estergone, fluid retention, weight gain, etc... Where do I stop?
I think that they will have to give me something to calm me down when I eventually have the RAI.  I know that it's a radio active cocktail and that doesn't enthuse me too much to say the least. I am honestly not looking forward to it.
So, how have you been feeling, what symptoms if any have you been experiencing crazychick?  What medications have they put you on and have they got your dose right as yet?  How long did it take you to become hypo thyroid?

Cheers, Lisa

[crazychick101]

hi there, i ave graves diesase and over active thyroids myself i ave now had the surgery to remove the thyroid the surgery was success but the effects after wards r not great to be honest..i onlyhad it done 3 months ago and they r still messing bot with medication cos they can not get it rite so i ave mood swings depression appetite lose weight gain.....they told me if i was going to ave the radioactive drink u ave to stay away from the children (i ave 2 young children myself) for 3wks and there is no guarantee it will work the first time u mite ave to ave it few times
hope u get things sorted soon and get better i no how ufeel and how draining it can be with all the wry and stres xx