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I feel dumm with Hyperthyroidism
I have had hyperthyroidism for a while now but it had went away and now came back due to stress. People that dont have it dont understand it or what your going through. They think your simply crazy. I feel like such an idiot. I cant remember things and I feel so slow sometimes. Then of course the mood swings are just too much. I have thought about going through with the radiation iodine treatment but im afraid because cancer runs in my family and ive heard different things because of the white blood count will be low doing the radiation iodine therapy and then gaining weight scares me. I dont know what to do because it has affected so many things around me, my family, friends and now work!! I cant lose my job because im the sole supporter of my girls. I dont know what to do and my doctor all he tells me to do is calm down. Well thats easier said then done!! Has anyone done the radiation treatment being hyperthyroid going to hypothyroid? I need help. Im taking atenanol and mythamizole and it seems to work but i still have alot of symptoms.
Sarah,
explore the possibility of partial removal. My great aunt did it back in seventies, and her Graves never came back. She is over 80 now. I have read several scientific articles about it; it seems to be a great option. The caveat, of course, is that you might become hypo, but the severity of it will be much-much less than if you have done RAI. My endo tells me that some people with partial are back to Graves in 10-15 years, but who cares? It is 10-15 years of GOOD life! Besides, technology is moving forward, I just have read about new experimental treatment in which thyroid blood flow is blocked, and it simply stops functioning. RAI, in my opinion, should be reserved for cancer patients, it might have very serious, long-life side effects. BTW, I am Graves patient from 2006, was in a 2.5 year remission, and treat the second round (back due to stress) with methamazole. Good luck to you!
explore the possibility of partial removal. My great aunt did it back in seventies, and her Graves never came back. She is over 80 now. I have read several scientific articles about it; it seems to be a great option. The caveat, of course, is that you might become hypo, but the severity of it will be much-much less than if you have done RAI. My endo tells me that some people with partial are back to Graves in 10-15 years, but who cares? It is 10-15 years of GOOD life! Besides, technology is moving forward, I just have read about new experimental treatment in which thyroid blood flow is blocked, and it simply stops functioning. RAI, in my opinion, should be reserved for cancer patients, it might have very serious, long-life side effects. BTW, I am Graves patient from 2006, was in a 2.5 year remission, and treat the second round (back due to stress) with methamazole. Good luck to you!
Graves disease is tough as well as any thyroid disease. Really its all about you and what you feel would be best.
Personally after my ordeal with RAI and my thyroid not being examined correctly - I sufferered hard coming down from RAI - but who knows where I would be if I hadn't had it - if around at all??
One thing - do not think for one second that just because you have RAI - you will be back normal 100% right after. This is not a quick fix and I am - one of thousands that know the he// it sometimes can be.
I did lose my job after RAI and falling very ill. That is reality in my histroy - will that happen for you? It doesn't have to.
Work with your doctor - make sure this physician really knows thyroid and is open to all forms of Graves treatment. Intergrative - traditional - conventional and holistic. This will be worth your time investing in someone like that - vs - just a one sided look at how to ignore the issue and follow one way.
Personally after my ordeal with RAI and my thyroid not being examined correctly - I sufferered hard coming down from RAI - but who knows where I would be if I hadn't had it - if around at all??
One thing - do not think for one second that just because you have RAI - you will be back normal 100% right after. This is not a quick fix and I am - one of thousands that know the he// it sometimes can be.
I did lose my job after RAI and falling very ill. That is reality in my histroy - will that happen for you? It doesn't have to.
Work with your doctor - make sure this physician really knows thyroid and is open to all forms of Graves treatment. Intergrative - traditional - conventional and holistic. This will be worth your time investing in someone like that - vs - just a one sided look at how to ignore the issue and follow one way.
I know just how you feel Sarah. I was hyper/graves till my doctor said i need to RAI my thyroid so I did it. Because hyper made me crazy lol. Well now i wish i never did it. I began to get cramps all over my body , my joints hurt then got real stiff all the time. my hand and fingers cramped so bad i counldn't write or grip anything with out pain shooting up my arms. it slowed me down so much my heart rate , my motabilisom I gain 30 lbs and it dont want to go away. That brain fog and fatigue . just pain all the time. and most days i have no energy at all .It's been 10 years now and they have me on 300 mg levothyroixine a day and 350 mg somas 4 times a day. It keeps the cramps and muscle spasms down but after how i feel now I wish I never let them fry my thyroid. It effects so much of your body you wont know till you do it. I am a man who was in top shape at the time they did it. now my muscles will never be the same again. Just thought I would share that , there is not always a good out come. its one i would change now it i could. well good luck i hope you feel better soon.
I had RAI for hyperT. Now here I am, 1 year later, and I'm doing very well. Mine was a hot nodule, not Graves. If yours is Graves, there is a good possibility that you can put it back in remission with methimazole.
I completely understand the craziness that comes with hyperT. Been there, done that. I had to euthanize my 15 yr. old tiny yorkie because I knew that I would forget that I let her outside and she would surely freeze to death.
Ask your Dr. what dose of RAI you would receive. Usually the dose for hyperT is 1/5 of what they use for thyroid cancer. So the future cancer risk is minimal.
It was a long journey for me to go from hyper to hypo and then get regulated on the meds. Going hypo did not have much of an effect on my weight. I'm only up 2 pounds from my normal weight. I lost 6 while hyper. Gained 8 on methamazole. And have just been yoyoing with a couple of pounds since then.
RAI is not a quick fix. Anything thyroid takes time. This is a big decision for you.
The prep for RAI is also unpleasant. You have to stop the methamazole for 10 days or so. Your thyroid needs to be running wide open so it will grab the RAI.
You can ask your Dr. for the written instructions for after the RAI. It includes a few days away from your girls, for safety of their thyroid.
Keep asking questions. There is a lot of help here on the board.
I completely understand the craziness that comes with hyperT. Been there, done that. I had to euthanize my 15 yr. old tiny yorkie because I knew that I would forget that I let her outside and she would surely freeze to death.
Ask your Dr. what dose of RAI you would receive. Usually the dose for hyperT is 1/5 of what they use for thyroid cancer. So the future cancer risk is minimal.
It was a long journey for me to go from hyper to hypo and then get regulated on the meds. Going hypo did not have much of an effect on my weight. I'm only up 2 pounds from my normal weight. I lost 6 while hyper. Gained 8 on methamazole. And have just been yoyoing with a couple of pounds since then.
RAI is not a quick fix. Anything thyroid takes time. This is a big decision for you.
The prep for RAI is also unpleasant. You have to stop the methamazole for 10 days or so. Your thyroid needs to be running wide open so it will grab the RAI.
You can ask your Dr. for the written instructions for after the RAI. It includes a few days away from your girls, for safety of their thyroid.
Keep asking questions. There is a lot of help here on the board.
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