Working with Your Doctor

[Guest guest]

Happy New Year All!

I'm just getting caught up with the ThyCa list e-mails sent over the

holidays, including the postings about possible hypo symptoms, such as

upper chest pressure, lasting brain fog etc.

Having access to the experience and wisdom of many thyca surviors on

this listserv is an incredible asset to help us all work thru treatment

and post-treatment issues. When I was going thru RAI and scanning it was

very comforting to know what I could do to help myself and that my

experiences and symptoms were " normal " .

However, we each have our own unique health circumstances, health

risks and even pre-existing health conditions. Doctors are our partners

and they are often willing to review patient concerns - though getting

a few of them to return calls can be a challenge. There are many

short-term symptoms that are just part of the whole hypo & RAI adventure

and then there could also be symptoms that are longer lasting or

of more concern than just being uncomfortable. Only you can decide

which symtoms concern you....but don't forget to let your doctor know

of your concerns.

Having thyca involves life-long thyroid hormone replacement & monitoring

for recurrence. Building a good working relationship with our doctors

is a cornerstone in our treatment and recovery.

, Canada

tt 9/99, RAI 100 mCi 12/99