Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 My goiter didn't really start shrinking until the last few months of treatment. But your endo's condescending, supercilious and patronizing attitude is sharedby my second ex-endo; I couldn't take his personality anymore and switched. But here's a question I would pose as politely as possible before ditching him (and please ask soon because my enquiring mind really really really wants to know): why is taking synthroid for life any easier or less tiresome than taking methimazole, which is probably the easiest treatment around? Take care, Fay ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 My goiter didn't really start shrinking until the last few months of treatment. But your endo's condescending, supercilious and patronizing attitude is sharedby my second ex-endo; I couldn't take his personality anymore and switched. But here's a question I would pose as politely as possible before ditching him (and please ask soon because my enquiring mind really really really wants to know): why is taking synthroid for life any easier or less tiresome than taking methimazole, which is probably the easiest treatment around? Take care, Fay ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 You said: " my enquiring >mind really really really wants to know): why is taking synthroid for >life any easier or less tiresome than taking methimazole, " I have often wondered the very same thing. My endo in England told me (when I was thyrotoxic) that he would have to have RAI if he was in my shoes, because he doesn't like taking pills. I asked him, what about the thyroid hormone replacement I'd be on for the rest of my living days if I destroy my thyroid gland? He just shrugged as though caught out. I think half the time they haven't thought it all the way through themselves, but come out with phrases like " treatment of choice " when backed into a corner. I think it is because the risk factors of hypO are less dramatic than the risk factors of hypER; also taking myself as an example: I was stubborn, wilfull, angry, enquiring and time consuming when I was hyper; but when I was hypO, I was obedient and exhausted and far less demanding on the doctors' time. I can't help thinking that this influences doctors' preferences for hypO patients. Also, I do think endos are often far more interested in more prevelent diseases like diabetes and thyroid is a mere frill of this specialization. Just an impression I get. DAWN ROSE > >Reply-To: graves_support >To: graves_support >Subject: Re: Aaargh!!! >Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 11:05:23 -0500 > >My goiter didn't really start shrinking until the last few months of >treatment. But your endo's condescending, supercilious and patronizing >attitude is sharedby my second ex-endo; I couldn't take his personality >anymore and switched. But here's a question I would pose as politely as >possible before ditching him (and please ask soon because my enquiring >mind really really really wants to know): why is taking synthroid for >life any easier or less tiresome than taking methimazole, which is >probably the easiest treatment around? > >Take care, Fay > > >________________________________________________________________ >GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! >Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! >Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. > > >------------------------------------- >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. >---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the >endorsement of >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 You said: " my enquiring >mind really really really wants to know): why is taking synthroid for >life any easier or less tiresome than taking methimazole, " I have often wondered the very same thing. My endo in England told me (when I was thyrotoxic) that he would have to have RAI if he was in my shoes, because he doesn't like taking pills. I asked him, what about the thyroid hormone replacement I'd be on for the rest of my living days if I destroy my thyroid gland? He just shrugged as though caught out. I think half the time they haven't thought it all the way through themselves, but come out with phrases like " treatment of choice " when backed into a corner. I think it is because the risk factors of hypO are less dramatic than the risk factors of hypER; also taking myself as an example: I was stubborn, wilfull, angry, enquiring and time consuming when I was hyper; but when I was hypO, I was obedient and exhausted and far less demanding on the doctors' time. I can't help thinking that this influences doctors' preferences for hypO patients. Also, I do think endos are often far more interested in more prevelent diseases like diabetes and thyroid is a mere frill of this specialization. Just an impression I get. DAWN ROSE > >Reply-To: graves_support >To: graves_support >Subject: Re: Aaargh!!! >Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 11:05:23 -0500 > >My goiter didn't really start shrinking until the last few months of >treatment. But your endo's condescending, supercilious and patronizing >attitude is sharedby my second ex-endo; I couldn't take his personality >anymore and switched. But here's a question I would pose as politely as >possible before ditching him (and please ask soon because my enquiring >mind really really really wants to know): why is taking synthroid for >life any easier or less tiresome than taking methimazole, which is >probably the easiest treatment around? > >Take care, Fay > > >________________________________________________________________ >GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! >Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! >Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. > > >------------------------------------- >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. >---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > >Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the >endorsement of >the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 Hi Holly, >>>>Had another visit with the endo yesterday. The old radioiodine >>>>discussion came up yet again. I tell him I'm not interested in >>>>radioiodine and am going for remission. He tells me remission rarely >>>>occurs when there is a large goiter. Apparently mine is large. Of >>>>course, it's all but disappeared several times during my treatment, >>>>apparently when my levels are momentarily normal, but I guess that means >>>>nothing. I say I'm going to achieve remission. He says, you'll >>>>probably get tired of taking the methimazole. He says if you have the >>>>radioiodine treatment the disease becomes low maintenance. Low >>>>maintenance for whom???? He says we'll try the methimazole for a few >>>>more months then take me off it completely and see what happens. Is it >>>>just me, or is this guy intentionally setting me up for failure? What >>>>he doesn't know is that I know how idiotic that statement was.<<<< Your last statement made me laugh out loud! On a serious note...tell him at your next appointment that RAI is NOT an option to be discussed again...and that it takes 18-24 months average to attain remission, and a few more months on ATD's is not in that time table. Tell him you want to work *together* as a team for you to go for remission. If that can't be done, fire his behind and find someone new! Yeah I know, scary thought, but once you have done it one time, it gets easier...I think a good portion of us are on endo number 3 or 4 now. Someone else in group (I can't remember who though) had their goiter stay very large for almost 2 years. Try doing a search in the archives for goiter and start reading. Mine was so big you could see it on both sides of my neck and sticking out in front. It did go away but I had the RAI. I believe it would have gone away with ATDs now, but I wasn't as lucky or as smart as many of you who are doing your research and learning before hand...I waited until I had been left hypO for over 4 years. Hang tough and stick to your guns! Jody _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 Hi Holly, >>>>Had another visit with the endo yesterday. The old radioiodine >>>>discussion came up yet again. I tell him I'm not interested in >>>>radioiodine and am going for remission. He tells me remission rarely >>>>occurs when there is a large goiter. Apparently mine is large. Of >>>>course, it's all but disappeared several times during my treatment, >>>>apparently when my levels are momentarily normal, but I guess that means >>>>nothing. I say I'm going to achieve remission. He says, you'll >>>>probably get tired of taking the methimazole. He says if you have the >>>>radioiodine treatment the disease becomes low maintenance. Low >>>>maintenance for whom???? He says we'll try the methimazole for a few >>>>more months then take me off it completely and see what happens. Is it >>>>just me, or is this guy intentionally setting me up for failure? What >>>>he doesn't know is that I know how idiotic that statement was.<<<< Your last statement made me laugh out loud! On a serious note...tell him at your next appointment that RAI is NOT an option to be discussed again...and that it takes 18-24 months average to attain remission, and a few more months on ATD's is not in that time table. Tell him you want to work *together* as a team for you to go for remission. If that can't be done, fire his behind and find someone new! Yeah I know, scary thought, but once you have done it one time, it gets easier...I think a good portion of us are on endo number 3 or 4 now. Someone else in group (I can't remember who though) had their goiter stay very large for almost 2 years. Try doing a search in the archives for goiter and start reading. Mine was so big you could see it on both sides of my neck and sticking out in front. It did go away but I had the RAI. I believe it would have gone away with ATDs now, but I wasn't as lucky or as smart as many of you who are doing your research and learning before hand...I waited until I had been left hypO for over 4 years. Hang tough and stick to your guns! Jody _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 Hi Holly, >>>>Had another visit with the endo yesterday. The old radioiodine >>>>discussion came up yet again. I tell him I'm not interested in >>>>radioiodine and am going for remission. He tells me remission rarely >>>>occurs when there is a large goiter. Apparently mine is large. Of >>>>course, it's all but disappeared several times during my treatment, >>>>apparently when my levels are momentarily normal, but I guess that means >>>>nothing. I say I'm going to achieve remission. He says, you'll >>>>probably get tired of taking the methimazole. He says if you have the >>>>radioiodine treatment the disease becomes low maintenance. Low >>>>maintenance for whom???? He says we'll try the methimazole for a few >>>>more months then take me off it completely and see what happens. Is it >>>>just me, or is this guy intentionally setting me up for failure? What >>>>he doesn't know is that I know how idiotic that statement was.<<<< Your last statement made me laugh out loud! On a serious note...tell him at your next appointment that RAI is NOT an option to be discussed again...and that it takes 18-24 months average to attain remission, and a few more months on ATD's is not in that time table. Tell him you want to work *together* as a team for you to go for remission. If that can't be done, fire his behind and find someone new! Yeah I know, scary thought, but once you have done it one time, it gets easier...I think a good portion of us are on endo number 3 or 4 now. Someone else in group (I can't remember who though) had their goiter stay very large for almost 2 years. Try doing a search in the archives for goiter and start reading. Mine was so big you could see it on both sides of my neck and sticking out in front. It did go away but I had the RAI. I believe it would have gone away with ATDs now, but I wasn't as lucky or as smart as many of you who are doing your research and learning before hand...I waited until I had been left hypO for over 4 years. Hang tough and stick to your guns! Jody _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 Hi Holly, Radioiodine isn't even recommended for patients with large goiters. When goiters are large and dense, the path of the gamma rays falls shorts and the procedure usually needs to be repeated one or more times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 Hi Holly, Radioiodine isn't even recommended for patients with large goiters. When goiters are large and dense, the path of the gamma rays falls shorts and the procedure usually needs to be repeated one or more times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 Hi Holly, Radioiodine isn't even recommended for patients with large goiters. When goiters are large and dense, the path of the gamma rays falls shorts and the procedure usually needs to be repeated one or more times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2001 Report Share Posted December 18, 2001 Oh, Holly! Get a new endo. Yes he's setting you up for failure, and going to force you into it if he " takes you off in a few months " ! Terry > > Reply-To: graves_support > Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 08:24:02 -0500 > To: " 'graves_support ' " <graves_support > > Subject: Aaargh!!! > > Had another visit with the endo yesterday. The old radioiodine discussion > came up yet again. I tell him I'm not interested in radioiodine and am > going for remission. He tells me remission rarely occurs when there is a > large goiter. Apparently mine is large. Of course, it's all but > disappeared several times during my treatment, apparently when my levels are > momentarily normal, but I guess that means nothing. I say I'm going to > achieve remission. He says, you'll probably get tired of taking the > methimazole. He says if you have the radioiodine treatment the disease > becomes low maintenance. Low maintenance for whom???? He says we'll try > the methimazole for a few more months then take me off it completely and see > what happens. Is it just me, or is this guy intentionally setting me up for > failure? What he doesn't know is that I know how idiotic that statement > was. > > (I've been on ATDs for 4 months.) > Frustrated Holly > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2001 Report Share Posted December 19, 2001 Good grief! You're all right. I need a new doctor. Looks like I'm back to searching the top docs forum. I'm curious about something. I generally choose female doctors. My experience has been that they are much more attuned to my needs and listen to me. I didn't choose my endo who is a man. When my GP made my first appointment, she went through everyone on my health plan within 60 miles before she found someone who could get me in before Christmas (this was in August). That's who I got stuck with. What have your experiences been with male vs. female endos? I'm wondering if I'd be better off focusing on trying to find a woman to treat me. (This isn't to say I'm all against male doctors--one of my GPs is a wonderful man who listens, explains everything in detail, and treats me like the intelligent adult I am. I take my daughter to him now rather than a pediatrician, because he is so much better than any of the pediatricians she ever went to.) Would this be a worthwhile poll? Has a survey been done before? Holly Elanie wrote: Hi Holly, Radioiodine isn't even recommended for patients with large goiters. When goiters are large and dense, the path of the gamma rays falls shorts and the procedure usually needs to be repeated one or more times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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