Anyone else HyPERthyroid?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2003
Anyone else HyPERthyroid?
8
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 4:25pm
I have hyperthyroidism....with the cause being most likely Graves disease. Am looking at RAI or surgery - anyone else had either and can give me some input on either?

Thanks!

Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 5:00pm
Hi Amanda,

I am Hyper, was diagnosed in April and have been on PTU since then.. My endo just reduced my meds from 400 mg to 300 mg daily.

He suggests the RAI but I am concerned about this procedure. For lack of a better term....it's just scarry to me. There are not many options but I am still looking for an alternative to the RAI. I would almost lean more towards surgery than RAI. This is just my opinion.

Are you on meds? If so what and how much? What kind of symptoms did you experience?

I know others here are diagnosed hyper and will surely be able to give you more insight.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents.


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 6:44pm
Hey, I have Graves. A lot of hyperthyroid symptoms. sweating, insomnia, absent period, fatigue, muscle weakness, hair loss, rapid heartbeat...etc.

RIght now I am taking generic tapazole, to prepare for surgery. I go back to the docs on the 11th of Oct and I am assuming we will set up a date soon after.

I too, prefer surgery of RAI. I have little kids and I don't want to worry about the few days after when I am not supposed to really touch them, etc.

There is medication which I guess has a 30% chance of remission. So you could always try that for a year or so.

Personally, I just want to move to the next step, hypothyroid. Then thats a whole 'nother can of worms...sigh!

Let us know if you have any questions!!

Good luck!

April

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 09-30-2004 - 10:45pm

Hi Amanda,


I also am hyperthyroid but mine is not due to Grave's.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Fri, 10-01-2004 - 3:20pm
I was diagnosed with Graves Disease about 4 years ago when I was 16. I was hyper thyroid and now I'm hypo. I opted for surgery and it went great. I only spent one night in the hospital and then a week in bed, even though i was fine enough to move around. The reason i chose surgery was because the doctors told me with the radiation it could grow back. Also i got my entire thyroid removed, that may not be the case for you. I'll be happy to answer any questions!

Liz

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Fri, 10-01-2004 - 7:36pm
How long did it take for you to feel normal? I play volleyball and I was wondering how long it would before I could play comfortably. On websites and even docs say it's not too painful. But is it really, post operation? I had an apendectomy I was there overnight and it was very painful for a few days, hard to move around etc. Even after getting my tubes tied it was painful for a week. Was your voice messed up at all? Was it hard to eat...?

I guess thats it for now! (from me anyway! )

I am getting surgery soon!

April

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Sun, 10-03-2004 - 2:26pm
During that time I was playing soccer and lacrosse. Besides my doctor not telling me to leave my bed for a week, I think I was out of the game for a month or two. I have to say I felt pretty normal. The only thing I was apprehensive about was the stitches, it took a while to get used to having stitches on the crease of your neck, you know? So I guess to answer your question it took most likely two months before I felt comfortable playing soccer again.

My voice has not changed at all.

As for eating, to be honest I can't remember exactly, but that's a good sign. I love food so me not having any bad memories of not being able to eat food means I had little trouble. I do remember teaching my mom how to properly make me cereal haha. And I also remember after my surgery while I was still in the hospital they wanted me to eat something. I went for cake, not even jello! Soooo with both those being solids and eating them quicikly after surgery I don't think eating was that much of an issue.

Hope this helps!

Liz

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Sun, 10-03-2004 - 8:26pm

My surgery was way back in 1975 and back then they kept me in the hospital a week.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Mon, 10-04-2004 - 8:56am
No date yet! I started my meds about 3 weeks ago to become "normal". I have an appt on the 11th, but just found out I am allergic to my medicine. I broke out in hives tihs weekend, what torture it is to be itchy all of the time! I wouldn't wish it on anyone!

I called the doc over the weekend, but it wasn't my normal endo. He was very nice. He said to stop taking it. I'll probably have to go in today for some blood tests and try to expedite the surgery since I am allergic to the sulfa (?) in the medicine.

Which I don't mind, I just want to keep moving forward with all of this.

I wouldn't mind if my voice was a little raspy. I sound so young anyway. ;-)

Thanks

April