RAI vs Surgery vs Natural approach

[wenr77]

I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease last August.  I am allergice to both Tapazole and PTU.  My endo is pushing for me to have RAI but I've read a lot of negative comments about it.  My main symptoms are hair loss, rapid heartbeat, tremors, heat intolerance.  Has anyone had these symptoms and do either the RAI or surgery reverse the above side effects?  I also want to have children in the future and don't want any of these options to hinder that.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I'm going to a holistic doctor tomorrow to see what he can offer me.

[TheCarMan]

I have Graves and had all of those symptoms and more. Did the Tap thing until I changed Drs. She went nuts when she saw my tests, took me off the Tap and treated the symptoms. That went on for six months.

I was ready to swallow the Chernobyl Koolaid but didn't because of a sick in-law that needed more attention than I did.

My next test showed me in remission. So have the last 3 over about 5 months now.
I didn't do anything special so trying to get to burnout on purpose should work in theory.

I just have been lucky. I'm enjoying my no-drug, no-symptom period. Try some holistic black magic, it might work!

[SPencak]

I also have graves disease dxd Dec 2007. Like you, my graves disease began right around the time that I wanted to start a family & I had all the same symptoms as you. Fortunately the PTU is working for me. I have decided to have surgery, but I am waiting until January for other reasons. My Endo says that you can get pregnant sooner after surgery, vs RAI you have to wait 6-12 mos before TTC. I decided on surgery b/c of all the bad things I heard, but YOU have to decide what is best for you & don't let your doc push you into RAI. The decision on treatment has to be one that you are comfortable with, so make sure that you pick the option that works the best with your timeline. In my perfect world, I would be pregnant right now, but I have come to terms with the fact that I cannot control everything & babies will just have to wait until next year for me. Best of luck to you....I know it is hard to deal with, but it is nice to know that we are not the only ones going thru this (thanks to this forum). I am so grateful to be able to communicate with others like me.  Hugs!

[stella5349]

You just have to keep in mind that hyperT /Graves effect the heart and can cause angina or worse.

Your heart is the main organ Graves can damage - so you need to take that into consideration if you chose to go the natural burn out on the thyroid.