Re: Re: a decision/Aileen

[Guest guest]

Hi Aileen

I had a sub total thyroidectomy in Oct 2000 after being diagnosed in May

2000. I did quite well on PTU but my decision to have the surgery was

based on my desire to have more children. I was already 39 and I felt I

didn't really have a couple of years to hope the meds took me to

remission. Also I had been trying for 2 1/2 yrs and I wasn't sure how

much longer it would take.

I you do a search of the archives I wrote many post during that time

(and received so much wonderful support and info). I think you have to

check under (my account was in my hubby's name).

In a nutshell - the surgeon wanted to do a total - I refused. I believe

some natural thyroid is better than none. The op was about 4hrs (I had a

large goitre) and I had 1 parathyroid damaged and another had to be

transplanted. No other damage to anything else. I had a reaction to the

general and was very sick for a few days afterwards. I was in hospital

for 4 days as I was sick as well as having extremely low calcium levels

due to parathyroid damage. This all got better around day 3 and I felt

OK. The scar is barely noticeable. It is right on the crease of my neck

and is about 7cms long. I went straight on thyroxine and a calcium

supplement. I took 4 weeks off work and relaxed. I then fell pregnant.

My GD antibodies have gone - almost immediately. I have had them checked

a couple of times. Had one increase in my throxine early in pregnancy.

My son is 23 months and my daughter is 10 months.

I don't regret for a minute my decision. Clearly my infertility was due

to the GD/Thyroid problem. I have an older son (now 20yrs) from my first

marriage. So I knew I could get pregnant, even if it had been a few

years!!!!

I sometimes fell a bit 'weird' I think the thyroid levels get affected

by all sorts of things - physical and emotional. Overall I feel good.

Hope this helps. Good luck Aileen - keep us posted!

Cheers

Caroline

[Guest guest]

Aileen Fletcher

Assistant professor of Art

New River Community College

Dublin, Va. 24084

nrfleta@...

, ext. 4468

>>> camick@... 07/10/03 19:58 PM >>>

Hi Caroline,

Thanks for responding and thanks to Barb and Red and all who

replied, I will check out the archive. Caroline, I'm glad you were

able to have children. I was infertile too but not becaue of Graves.

It was sad for me but I was able to adopt 2 children who are now

grown. I'm going to be a grandma in December.

I just got the results of my latest labs and my T4 level has impoved.

Now I' m wondering if I should just watch and wait.

FREE T4 ****2.1 <JavaScript:labResults(77724273,1)> *H ****

TSH ****<0.01 <JavaScript:labResults(77724294,2)> *****

THYROID EVALUATION **2003/07/08

On the other hand, I have been hyperthyroid since 1994. I used to take

100 mg of ptu a day and that kept it under conrol

I think I will talk to the surgeon to find out more. The endos are all

pro RAI but accept my decision to have surgery.

Aileen

***

**

[Guest guest]

Thanks Aileen

Glad you were able to have a family too. I became a Granma last year,

but with my two little ones I don't get to 'dote' on him as much a most

grandmas would! It will be great as they grow up and I imagine they will

be wanting to play together all the time.

I couldn't read your levels report properly - got computer jargon

mostly. But maybe you're right to be cautious. No matter what once your

thyroid is out - it is out, no going back! I would not have had mine

out if I didn't want children quickly. That said - I also can't say if I

could put up with almost 10yrs of hyper without remission.

Over to you I guess - talk care and keep talking.

Cheers

Caroline