Re: when did this become a serious problem

[Guest guest]

> I have been having trouble with being sick for the last seven years

> is got really bad last month so my sister forced me to go to the

> doctor They told me i have graves and he wants to put me on all

> kinds of meds maybe even take out me thyroid and i still have no

> cule what the hell is going on but is scares me a lot

Welcome. Here a few ideas to get you started:

1. Don't do anything dramatic like let the doctors remove your thyroid or

do a procedure called RAI. Tell your doctors you need at least 2 months

to get educated.

2. This doesn't mean you just sit and read for the next 2 months. You

need treatment and your best route is a kind of medication called anti

thyroid drugs (ATDs). As Alice said, you should be on beta blockers. BB's

alone may help you start to feel normal again. (BTW, how long have you

had that email addy? Once you start to feel better you may want

something different ;-)

3. If your doctors agree to put you on ATDs, fantastic. BUT - don't take

anything at face value. You need to get your basic terms clear - the

types of drugs you'll be offered, the basic bloodtests you need, etc.

Don't let anyone tell you something vague (like " your levels are off " or

" here's a little pill " ) - you expect to be treated like the intelligent

grown up you are. You want numbers, terms, etc., and you want copies of

EVERYTHING - every test done for your reference and to share with the

group.

4. So your 3 basic options are taking out the thyroid, destroying the

thyroid with radioactive iodine (RAI), or ATDs. There are other options -

Pam B. for example can tell you alot about alternative medicine on her

link. BUT, the great thing about ATDs, unlike surgery or RAI, is that

they are not irreversible. As you educate yourself more and get clarity

great, explore other options. But for now, I would recommend

concentrating your energy on finding out what the appropriate bloodtests

you need are, and on how ATDs should best be given.

5. So ask away and don't be put off if we seem to answer your questions

with more questions - it's just to get the details we need to help you

best.

Take care, Fay (on the ATD called Tapazole for 14 months, in remission

for 2+ years. Other hormonal stuff going on but thyroid seems fine, thank

G-d)

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[Guest guest]

Hello You're not Crazy_mohera!

Don't be afraid! Just get yourself educated on this thing called Graves

Disease! (The name is enuff to scare you, huh?)

I would suggest you get the books " Graves Disease, A Practical Guide " by

Elaine and " Thyroid for Dummies " by Dr. Alan Rubin. Also, there is a ton

of

great information for the newly diagnosed here:

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God bless,

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