Re: RAI Treatment Question

September 17, 2004

In a message dated 9/16/2004 5:37:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

par99b@... writes:

Now, we shall raise the rath of the

group but heh, that is what groups are for!!

Dear Pam,

This is not about wrath, but about all of us pulling together to find answers.

In my understanding from what I have read and heard, many of the problems

associated w/RAI don't show up until about 2 years after the procedure. I have

asked all those who have had it to stick around for at least 2 years, and let

us know how you are doing, but, so far, I don't think anyone has.

I would be happy to hear from those who are at least 2 years post-RAI and

doing well, as I wish to keep an open mind, as I'm sure we all do. So, if

anyone

is out there who has had RAI at least 2 years ago, please let us know how

you're doing. I'd love to hear from you, and I'd also love to hear that you're

doing well.

Best,

AntJoan

September 17, 2004

Pam are your sisters hypothyroid at this point?

Sandy

December 5, 2007

Hi Irene.

I had RAI in 2000. I find I have absolutely NO ENERGY although I am 'euthroid'

according to my bloodwork. I have persistant depression and insomnia. I cannot

lose weight. As a result of having been hyperthyroid, I now have

osteoporosis...just a little word of warning. I have difficulty controlling my

body temperature. I'm either so cold that I can't get warm, or I'm in meltdown.

To me, being hypo is much uglier than being hyper. If I had it to do over

again, I would opt for attempting remission. At the time, while hyper, I

thought that taking the RAI would solve all my problems. It did destroy my

thyroid, but I still have 'autoimmune' symptoms. Also, my rapid heartrate did

not change and now I have to take beta blockers just to slow my heart down.

Hmmm - that was my original reason for going to the doc!

Kate

RAI treatment question

Has anyone ever had the RAI to fry their thyroid and what are your

feelings now compaired to being hyperthyroid? Is it as easy to

control your thyroid now with hypothyroid medicine? How was the

transition and the actual process feelings? Thanks for your imput,

Irene

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8:41 AM

December 6, 2007

Figured I should jump in here.

I was dx'd with extreme hyperthyroidism. I basically went undiagnosed for

like 8months to the point that I was heading into what is called a 'thyroid

storm " ? The doctors felt that drugs wouldn't control it, so we did RAI. I

didn't want to but I really had no choice. My hair had fallen out, my heart

palps were out of control, yada yada, had every extreme symptom you can

think of (bulging eyes/no period/super weight loss/muscle spasms/etc)

RAI did make a major difference. After about 3 months I was then hypo. But

this is normally the case and nothing new there. It will kill back your

thyroid but usually will kill it back too far. It then took about 1 year

playing with Synthroid to get myself back to 'normal'.

I have been fine for well over 15 years now. I have been on the same level

of Synthroid for approx 12 years. I get tested about 2x a year and all is

well.

I did not gain any weight, of sure , I gained what I had originally lost,

but I never blew up nor got fat. I am the same size I have always been, but

I think I would attribute that to eating a very healthy diet (organic only,

very limited meat, no diary) I eat NO junk food, NONE. This means no fast

food/no diary/no fried foods/no candy/no packaged manufactured foods etc)

In closing RAI is not a death sentence, infact, it can actually help many

out there.

To Kate, if you have autoimmune systems after taking RAI you may want to see

a doctor about that

Patti

December 6, 2007

Hi Patti

Well you know I have seen the doctor. She doesn't even understand the T4/T3

conversion. I tried for adrenal testing unsuccessfully. My previous doc

tested my ANA and concluded I had Lupus but further tests went against that

diagnosis. In our city there is a doctor shortage such that if you already have

a doc you can't change. There aren't enough doctors as it is.

I too had extreme hyperthryoid. My uptake was 98% - extremely high. I probably

had it for many years. But I still stand by what I said. I felt much better

hyper than hypo. The dosage of RAI that I was given made me hypo within 3

weeks. The endo was trying to ablate my thyroid and I'm sure she succeeded.

Kate

RE: RAI treatment question