Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Hi Ina, Anti-thyroid drugs take at least 6-8 weeks for their full effects to show. This is because your thyroid gland has stores of thyroid hormone that need to be released before your blood levels fall into the normal range. It's always good to get these levels into the normal range before RAI. The reason is that RAI can cause a temporary increase in hyper symptoms as thyroid hormone and antibodies are released from dying thyroid cells. In the meantime, until their thyroid hormone levels become normal, many patients are prescribed beta blockers to help reduce their symptoms. Since your symptoms appear to be severe, it would be good if your thyroid levels were brought into the normal range and better controlled before having RAI. You'll also want to make sure that your doctor is going to prescribe preventive therapy like steroids to prevent the eye disease since risk increases after RAI, and beta blockers and ATDs to keep your symptoms from going out of control. I know of several people who went into thyroid storm after RAI who, like you, had severe symptoms before the procedure and weren't kept on meds. Best to you,elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 I have been in bed weak for over a month, my symptoms started in Jan when I couldnt get out of bed, I have practically all the symptoms and I feel like I am going crazy, want to cry all the time, and feel suicidal. I want this OVER!!! Both my aunts, mom and nephew have had graves and all had RAI and are on synthroid now and living normal lives. My life has been a rollercoaster of depression, fatigue and wanting to hide in my house for 5 years now. I don't know my lab results, but have a highly recommended endo and trust this is the best way to get back to some semblence of normal. I have been scared to death reading all the posts and know if there is someone who this rai can go wrong it will be me. I was on tapazole for 3 weeks with NO change. Am I doing the right thing? Ina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 LOL ! I thought, " Good Lord! Poor woman! I didn't gain THAT much with RAI! " Glad it was only 35 (and I don't take that lightly either) and not 60! God bless, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Welcome Ina, I was one of the patients that went through hell before they ever figured out what was wrong with me. So I certainly do understand . Graves' not only affects the body, but the extra thyroid hormones make us think crazy. Yes, I had years of hell. The last 5 years you describe were part of it, and those were probably HYPO, which does happen before hyper for some of us. Right now just thank God you finally know WHY, and you can leave this hell in the past. Any treatment takes a long time. Some members here have not had this happen, and they may reply in ways that only frighten you more. If this happens, please do not panic. The most important thing right now is for you to try to take the time to try to learn more about Graves' and why your feeling this way. Once the extra hormones go away, you WILL start to be able to think clearer. Right now emotion crowds out reason. The last reply I see here is from Elaine . She is our guest expert. Please print out her reply to you. This way I find it easier to go back and read it many times and be able to understand better. No matter what treatment you choose, we will try to support you and answer your questions. Personally I refused RAI, and the medication did work. They told me I was crazy and it would never hit remission. But I did. I now take no pills and feel great. But that was the right choice for ME. --Pam L - 3 1/2 years Graves', TED, and PTU. Remission due to SLOW reduction of PTU (despite an incompetent endo ! ), improved lifestyle, excellent nutrition, herbs, and looking at the big picture. Pills alone only help the symptoms. We must help our bodies to heal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Hi again Ina, Odd thing... I happened upon this quote, and my thoughts of what you are going through right now came back to me so very clearly. So I am sending it to you: - " I will not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. " Bene Gessurit saying -Pam L- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Hi Ina: I'm sorry you are in such a distressing and pressured circumstance. I just want to give my support and say that I agree with the responses you have been getting - making sure that your levels are down before proceeding with RAI, stepping back and taking another look - I know that beta blockers really helped me to calm down and feel better even before I started my ATDs, and also you might consider an anti-anxiety medication short term, I used Adivan for a while, and still keep some around. It is probably hardest to do this now, but seems like slowing it all down and taking a look would be helpful in the long run. Hang in there, this part is not forever, there's relief ahead. > I have been in bed weak for over a month, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2003 Report Share Posted May 24, 2003 Oops, brain melt. I gained 35 lbs, just felt like 60 lbs. Sorry about that, don't want to cause anyone undue concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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