Re: Re: how about in chile--- re allison

[Guest guest]

Hi Liang,

I respect others' right to make choices other than my own. I also

understand the need for other options if someone cannot take ATDs. If I

could not take ATDs, my next choice would be bugleweed. After that,

surgery. I would do my best to find a very good, experienced surgeon,

because I do not take thyroidectomy lightly.

To say that only a small number (about 5% in this study) developed TED...to

my mind, it doesn't matter what the percentage is if you are the one to get

it. I was not convinced that I would not be one of the 30% of people who do

not do well post RAI (TED and other problems).

I am sincerely glad that you are at peace with your decision, and I wish

you the best of health.

At 05:11 PM 10/22/2003, you wrote:

>But when you look at it from another aspect, even let us say, these

>seven patients' eye problems were all caused by I-131, compare to

>the whole patient pool, it is still a relatively small number.

>I just want to point out the fact that eye problems only develop in

>relatively small portion of patients, but people tends to exaggerate

>the fact. If you can achieve remission with ATD, that is great, you

>will be able to keep your thyroid. But if you develop bad reaction

>to ATD, be open-minded, RAI is not as dangerous as people might

>think. We have to respect science instead of assumption or

>exaggeration.

>

>Do not take it personally. Just discussion.

>

>Wish everyone the best.

>

>Liang

[Guest guest]

Liang,

Please don't worry, that is not my intention. You can look at it this way:

if 1/3 of people don't do well, then 2/3 of people do well. Studies show

that most people are pleased with their treatment, whichever one they

choose, as long as it is their choice (or something to that effect). That

is, if you make an informed decision, you are likely to be doing the right

thing for you. Being informed about how to manage one's particular

condition helps a lot. Knowing that you will probably need thyroid hormone

replacement can help you stay on top of things. Please get blood work in a

timely fashion, so that you can catch yourself before going hypO, and get

on hormone replacement if/when the time comes. It usually takes a while for

synthroid or other meds to kick in, so you don't want to let it go. I am

not familiar with how to manage hypOT after RAI, but there are people here

and at Mediboard.com who have been there and have a lot of information to

pass along.

Be well, and sleep well.

At 12:31 AM 10/23/2003, you wrote:

>Wow, 30% of people had problems after RAI? kind of scary! I think I

>would not be able to fall asleep tonight.

>

>Liang

[Guest guest]

But if you develop bad reaction

> to ATD, be open-minded, RAI is not as dangerous as people might

> think. We have to respect science instead of assumption or

> exaggeration.

I accept the possibility, as opposed to RAI as I am, though I would rule

out surgery and alternative treatment first. (There's a top-notch

holistic MD in my area, and I think I'm going to get on his waiting

list.) I would want a minimum dose (and I heard from a medical advocate

somewhat familiar with this that drs. are no longer as skilled in

callibrating, and I don't have your background to be able to work as

closely with the radiologist) and skilled and experienced followup. But I

suspect there will be snowballs very far south (or the Tigers or Cubs

will win the World Series) before I would have RAI.

Back to my soapbox yesterday ;-) - Too much time may have passed to

answer this, but I really wonder, had you not brought up the precautions

necessary for RAI, would your doctor have steered you to the radiologist?

And how far in advance are patients recommended to contact the

radiologist? Too many of us - myself included - had endos ready and

willing to schedule RAI within a few days of diagnosis to make me less

inclined to give drs. the benefit of the doubt.

Take care, Fay

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