Guest guest Posted April 4, 2000 Report Share Posted April 4, 2000 , I, too, am on three PTU per day. I always am surprised at the doctors' interest in seeing that we are not inconvenienced by taking pills <very big smile>. Nothing makes sense. I plan to continue to argue against undergoing RAI. The swelling of my eyes is greatly diminished although there is slight lid lag in the left eye, and I hope for a second remission. If it doesn't happen, I intend to be an old lady in a nursing home taking PTU right to the bitter end. I am convinced that the lessening of my TED would not be true had I undergone RAI. Hugs, Elaine New Endo > When I interviewed him on the phone, my new endo told me he had no bias > regarding meds vs. RAI for Grave's treatment. However, when I went to see > him today, one of the first things he told me was that RAI was his > preferred treatment. When I told him I was never going to go that way, and > cited some of the things I've learned from this group, his response was > that none of the people I mentioned had gotten proper treatment!!! > > The fact that he admits it makes no sense to kill the thyroid to stop an > autoimmune disease actually makes things worse, as he is recommending a > treatment that he knows makes no sense. > > One of his arguments against meds is inconvenience. I told him I would > happily take 20 pills a day (I only take 3) if it meant I could keep a > major bodily organ or gland intact. > > Then he offered to move me to Tapazole (for the convenience of 1 pill vs. 3 > pills per day). He was very surprised to learn of the huge price > difference between the meds. He said the only other benefit of Tapazole > (for me) was that Tapazole presented less chance of eye complications later > on when the patient (inevitably) goes for RAI. Apparently PTU takers have > a greater chance of developing eye problems after RAI -- not a concern for me! > > I'm so tired of trying to find an endo who understands our concerns. I > wish they would join the support groups and read the books so that we are > on the same page. I'm going to use this doctor to confirm my remission, > and to adjust my PTU dosage. Hopefully he will not let his bias get in the > way of this. At least I have the good Dr. Arem and his book, " The Thyroid > Solution " to turn to, or maybe I'll resort to flying to Fresno to see > 's wonderful doctor! > > And, as always, thank God for this group. > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > LOW RATE, NO WAIT! > Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Get rates > as low as 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. > Apply NOW! > http://click./1/2122/3/_/585824/_/954898772/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > ------------------------------------- > The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. > Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. > ---------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2000 Report Share Posted April 4, 2000 , I, too, am on three PTU per day. I always am surprised at the doctors' interest in seeing that we are not inconvenienced by taking pills <very big smile>. Nothing makes sense. I plan to continue to argue against undergoing RAI. The swelling of my eyes is greatly diminished although there is slight lid lag in the left eye, and I hope for a second remission. If it doesn't happen, I intend to be an old lady in a nursing home taking PTU right to the bitter end. I am convinced that the lessening of my TED would not be true had I undergone RAI. Hugs, Elaine New Endo > When I interviewed him on the phone, my new endo told me he had no bias > regarding meds vs. RAI for Grave's treatment. However, when I went to see > him today, one of the first things he told me was that RAI was his > preferred treatment. When I told him I was never going to go that way, and > cited some of the things I've learned from this group, his response was > that none of the people I mentioned had gotten proper treatment!!! > > The fact that he admits it makes no sense to kill the thyroid to stop an > autoimmune disease actually makes things worse, as he is recommending a > treatment that he knows makes no sense. > > One of his arguments against meds is inconvenience. I told him I would > happily take 20 pills a day (I only take 3) if it meant I could keep a > major bodily organ or gland intact. > > Then he offered to move me to Tapazole (for the convenience of 1 pill vs. 3 > pills per day). He was very surprised to learn of the huge price > difference between the meds. He said the only other benefit of Tapazole > (for me) was that Tapazole presented less chance of eye complications later > on when the patient (inevitably) goes for RAI. Apparently PTU takers have > a greater chance of developing eye problems after RAI -- not a concern for me! > > I'm so tired of trying to find an endo who understands our concerns. I > wish they would join the support groups and read the books so that we are > on the same page. I'm going to use this doctor to confirm my remission, > and to adjust my PTU dosage. Hopefully he will not let his bias get in the > way of this. At least I have the good Dr. Arem and his book, " The Thyroid > Solution " to turn to, or maybe I'll resort to flying to Fresno to see > 's wonderful doctor! > > And, as always, thank God for this group. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2000 Report Share Posted April 4, 2000 Elaine, I'm with you all the way. Also, just to clarify, the new endo told me that PTU patients have a greater chance of TED complications with RAI, not lesser, so you are right that your eyes could have been worse with RAI. At 09:52 PM 04/04/2000 -0400, you wrote: >, > >I, too, am on three PTU per day. I always am surprised at the doctors' >interest in seeing that we are not inconvenienced by taking pills <very big >smile>. > >Nothing makes sense. I plan to continue to argue against undergoing RAI. >The swelling of my eyes is greatly diminished although there is slight lid >lag in the left eye, and I hope for a second remission. If it doesn't >happen, I intend to be an old lady in a nursing home taking PTU right to the >bitter end. I am convinced that the lessening of my TED would not be true >had I undergone RAI. > >Hugs, > >Elaine > > New Endo > > >> When I interviewed him on the phone, my new endo told me he had no bias >> regarding meds vs. RAI for Grave's treatment. However, when I went to see >> him today, one of the first things he told me was that RAI was his >> preferred treatment. When I told him I was never going to go that way, >and >> cited some of the things I've learned from this group, his response was >> that none of the people I mentioned had gotten proper treatment!!! >> >> The fact that he admits it makes no sense to kill the thyroid to stop an >> autoimmune disease actually makes things worse, as he is recommending a >> treatment that he knows makes no sense. >> >> One of his arguments against meds is inconvenience. I told him I would >> happily take 20 pills a day (I only take 3) if it meant I could keep a >> major bodily organ or gland intact. >> >> Then he offered to move me to Tapazole (for the convenience of 1 pill vs. >3 >> pills per day). He was very surprised to learn of the huge price >> difference between the meds. He said the only other benefit of Tapazole >> (for me) was that Tapazole presented less chance of eye complications >later >> on when the patient (inevitably) goes for RAI. Apparently PTU takers have >> a greater chance of developing eye problems after RAI -- not a concern for >me! >> >> I'm so tired of trying to find an endo who understands our concerns. I >> wish they would join the support groups and read the books so that we are >> on the same page. I'm going to use this doctor to confirm my remission, >> and to adjust my PTU dosage. Hopefully he will not let his bias get in >the >> way of this. At least I have the good Dr. Arem and his book, " The >Thyroid >> Solution " to turn to, or maybe I'll resort to flying to Fresno to see >> 's wonderful doctor! >> >> And, as always, thank God for this group. >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> LOW RATE, NO WAIT! >> Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Get rates >> as low as 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. >> Apply NOW! >> http://click./1/2122/3/_/585824/_/954898772/ >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> ------------------------------------- >> The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not >intended to replace expert medical care. >> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. >> ---------------------------------------- >> > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >LOW RATE, NO WAIT! >Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Get rates >as low as 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. >Learn more at: >http://click./1/937/3/_/585824/_/954899456/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >------------------------------------- >The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. >Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. >---------------------------------------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2000 Report Share Posted April 5, 2000 Hi - I gotta remember to put my last name on here. is in Spain and I'm () in Fresno. My endo doesn't get too defensive. We argue about stuff too but he doesn't get offended (he suffers from a bit of arrogance too though-I think that's an endo trait). And he thinks RAI is fine if people come out of remission. I haven't argued about it yet but I no longer think it's fine (I used to if people come out of remission) for young people period (next appt. 4/28 and I'll take it up with him then). But then again, he'd never recommend RAI for a younger person before they've had a chance to go into remission (he keeps them on ATDs for 1 1/2 years) at least the first time. For older people it's a risk-benefit thing. He does not recommend RAI for his elderly patients period because of the risk of it inducing thyroid storm. Elderly patients don't have classic thyroid storm symptoms and don't do well if they do go into it. Even though he and I have a few disagreements, I think he's great. Take care, Utecht Shen wrote: > Still thinking about my new doctor ... > > Here's another condescension: > > After a long talk, he asked if I had any more questions, and when I said > no, he kept pressing, so I said that I'd been dealing with this issue for a > few months already - he immediately and smugly said " yeah, and now you know > everything. " That was not at all what I meant (I meant I'd already had the > opportunity to ask other doctors a bunch of questions, and didn't have any > more at the moment), but apparently I can't be a little knowledgeable even > though it's my disease - I can only be ignorant, or a know-it-all. > > I noticed this in the last doctor too, they get very defensive if you come > up with information on your own. Is this just L.A. doctors? > > Shen > Holy Macro! > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > LOW RATE, NO WAIT! > Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Get rates > as low as 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. > Apply NOW! > http://click./1/2122/3/_/585824/_/954916064/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > ------------------------------------- > The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. > Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. > ---------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2000 Report Share Posted April 5, 2000 Great analogy on the new endos...can we throw my primary in with that too? Jody ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2000 Report Share Posted April 5, 2000 Hi! Can someone explain Thyroid storm for me? Ta, Gea >>He does not recommend RAI for his elderly patients period > because of the risk of it inducing thyroid storm. Elderly patients don't have classic thyroid storm symptoms and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2000 Report Share Posted April 5, 2000 : Sorry I got you mixed up. I remembered the most important part, which is that you like your doctor. Lucky you. At 10:56 AM 04/05/2000 -0700, you wrote: >Hi - > >I gotta remember to put my last name on here. is in Spain and I'm () in Fresno. Shen Holy Macro! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2000 Report Share Posted April 5, 2000 : Sorry I got you mixed up. I remembered the most important part, which is that you like your doctor. Lucky you. At 10:56 AM 04/05/2000 -0700, you wrote: >Hi - > >I gotta remember to put my last name on here. is in Spain and I'm () in Fresno. Shen Holy Macro! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2000 Report Share Posted April 5, 2000 They are all defensive about Graves because they have a nagging feeling that they don't know anything and they don't . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2000 Report Share Posted April 6, 2000 , Jeez! These doctors.... Where are you located? I see an endo through my primary, and they've both agreed that RAI and surgery are last-choice options...and pushed the pills at me, long term. Why do some docs think it's an inconvenience for us to take pills every day? I don't get it. Anyway, if you're near me, I'll ask my doc for the name of my endo (I forget.... graves thing). I'm in San Francisco. Kari New Endo When I interviewed him on the phone, my new endo told me he had no bias regarding meds vs. RAI for Grave's treatment. However, when I went to see him today, one of the first things he told me was that RAI was his preferred treatment. When I told him I was never going to go that way, and cited some of the things I've learned from this group, his response was that none of the people I mentioned had gotten proper treatment!!! The fact that he admits it makes no sense to kill the thyroid to stop an autoimmune disease actually makes things worse, as he is recommending a treatment that he knows makes no sense. One of his arguments against meds is inconvenience. I told him I would happily take 20 pills a day (I only take 3) if it meant I could keep a major bodily organ or gland intact. Then he offered to move me to Tapazole (for the convenience of 1 pill vs. 3 pills per day). He was very surprised to learn of the huge price difference between the meds. He said the only other benefit of Tapazole (for me) was that Tapazole presented less chance of eye complications later on when the patient (inevitably) goes for RAI. Apparently PTU takers have a greater chance of developing eye problems after RAI -- not a concern for me! I'm so tired of trying to find an endo who understands our concerns. I wish they would join the support groups and read the books so that we are on the same page. I'm going to use this doctor to confirm my remission, and to adjust my PTU dosage. Hopefully he will not let his bias get in the way of this. At least I have the good Dr. Arem and his book, " The Thyroid Solution " to turn to, or maybe I'll resort to flying to Fresno to see 's wonderful doctor! And, as always, thank God for this group. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LOW RATE, NO WAIT! Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Get rates as low as 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. Apply NOW! http://click./1/2122/3/_/585824/_/954898772/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. ---------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2000 Report Share Posted April 6, 2000 , Jeez! These doctors.... Where are you located? I see an endo through my primary, and they've both agreed that RAI and surgery are last-choice options...and pushed the pills at me, long term. Why do some docs think it's an inconvenience for us to take pills every day? I don't get it. Anyway, if you're near me, I'll ask my doc for the name of my endo (I forget.... graves thing). I'm in San Francisco. Kari New Endo When I interviewed him on the phone, my new endo told me he had no bias regarding meds vs. RAI for Grave's treatment. However, when I went to see him today, one of the first things he told me was that RAI was his preferred treatment. When I told him I was never going to go that way, and cited some of the things I've learned from this group, his response was that none of the people I mentioned had gotten proper treatment!!! The fact that he admits it makes no sense to kill the thyroid to stop an autoimmune disease actually makes things worse, as he is recommending a treatment that he knows makes no sense. One of his arguments against meds is inconvenience. I told him I would happily take 20 pills a day (I only take 3) if it meant I could keep a major bodily organ or gland intact. Then he offered to move me to Tapazole (for the convenience of 1 pill vs. 3 pills per day). He was very surprised to learn of the huge price difference between the meds. He said the only other benefit of Tapazole (for me) was that Tapazole presented less chance of eye complications later on when the patient (inevitably) goes for RAI. Apparently PTU takers have a greater chance of developing eye problems after RAI -- not a concern for me! I'm so tired of trying to find an endo who understands our concerns. I wish they would join the support groups and read the books so that we are on the same page. I'm going to use this doctor to confirm my remission, and to adjust my PTU dosage. Hopefully he will not let his bias get in the way of this. At least I have the good Dr. Arem and his book, " The Thyroid Solution " to turn to, or maybe I'll resort to flying to Fresno to see 's wonderful doctor! And, as always, thank God for this group. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LOW RATE, NO WAIT! Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds! Get rates as low as 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. Apply NOW! http://click./1/2122/3/_/585824/_/954898772/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace expert medical care. Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. ---------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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