Just diagnosed with Graves.' Questions about future pregnancy...

February 25, 2003

I've had a whirwind last 2 days. My mother noticed my thyroid was

enlarged, saw an endo (a good family friend) the next day, and ended

up with the diagnosis of Graves.' I was not expecting this.

I'm 26, and just got married. My husband and I want to have kids

soon, but now we are not sure what to do regarding my disease and

future treatments. I'm on atenolol and tapazal, which I know I cannot

take during pregnancy.

The plan is for me to take drugs for a while, and see how I do. Most

likely I'll need the RAI treatment, since I do want to be pregnant in

the future and my thyroid will most likely act up again afterwards.

Do you think I should get pregnant before treatment, or believe that

I'm clear 12 months after treatment and wait until them. I do not

want to harm my future children in any way.

Would it be a better idea to opt for the surgery so that this isn't

an issue?

There is just so much I don't know now, and I'm feeling overwhlemed.

It seems like I have to make so many decisions soon.

Jennie

February 25, 2003

Hi Jennie, welcome to the board, and congrats on your recent wedding! What a

way to start a marriage - but that's kind of what happened to me too -

except it took 6 years for a diagnosis and to figure out what was going on

with me.

So, you are already off to a much better start - it sounds like you are in

great shape - you have a supporting family and an endo that was fast and

easy to get in to see and who put you on anti-thyroid meds (ATDs) right off

- that's all GREAT news!

Now, what you need to do is try to not worry about making any decisions for

a little while - let the Tapazol start to do it's thing and in the meantime

start doing all the research you can so you know what your options really

are.

For example... did you know:

* that this disease can go into remission and you can move on with your life

and have babies when this happens? Remission usually takes 12-24 months on

ATDs.

* that it is safe to get pregnant while on the other ATD - called PTU - and

some women do this? In fact there is one on the board right now pregnant and

on PTU.

* that if you are doing well with ATDs - Tapazol or PTU - that there is no

need to do RAI?

There is so much to learn about this disease, but the more you know, and the

more involved you get in the treatment of it, the better off you will be for

it.

You can start by reading the letter to the newly diagnosed:

http://www.webmosaics.com/thyroid/letter.htm

and there are tons of good links and info in the groups files and links

sections:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/graves_support/

There are so many smart people on this board to answer any questions that

you have, just don't be afraid to ask your questions, no matter how many of

them you have, ok?

Hang in there, GD is not the end of the world, even if it might seem pretty

devastating to you right now.

Hugs,

Pam B.

graves & hashis, mostly alt med treatments, doing really great!

my story: http://www.webmosaics.com/thyroid/

February 25, 2003

Hi Jennie, welcome to the board, and congrats on your recent wedding! What a

way to start a marriage - but that's kind of what happened to me too -

except it took 6 years for a diagnosis and to figure out what was going on

with me.

So, you are already off to a much better start - it sounds like you are in

great shape - you have a supporting family and an endo that was fast and

easy to get in to see and who put you on anti-thyroid meds (ATDs) right off

- that's all GREAT news!

Now, what you need to do is try to not worry about making any decisions for

a little while - let the Tapazol start to do it's thing and in the meantime

start doing all the research you can so you know what your options really

are.

For example... did you know:

* that this disease can go into remission and you can move on with your life

and have babies when this happens? Remission usually takes 12-24 months on

ATDs.

* that it is safe to get pregnant while on the other ATD - called PTU - and

some women do this? In fact there is one on the board right now pregnant and

on PTU.

* that if you are doing well with ATDs - Tapazol or PTU - that there is no

need to do RAI?

There is so much to learn about this disease, but the more you know, and the

more involved you get in the treatment of it, the better off you will be for

it.

You can start by reading the letter to the newly diagnosed:

http://www.webmosaics.com/thyroid/letter.htm

and there are tons of good links and info in the groups files and links

sections:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/graves_support/

There are so many smart people on this board to answer any questions that

you have, just don't be afraid to ask your questions, no matter how many of

them you have, ok?

Hang in there, GD is not the end of the world, even if it might seem pretty

devastating to you right now.

Hugs,

Pam B.

graves & hashis, mostly alt med treatments, doing really great!

my story: http://www.webmosaics.com/thyroid/

February 25, 2003

Hi Jennie!

I was in the same boat you are in...I was diagnosed the week before

my wedding! I had the same concerns as you...my endo tried to steer

me towards RAI but I opted for the ATD's. I was on Tapazole but

developed a horrible rash, so I was switched to PTU. I've been on

PTU for over 5 years now, and had my first baby in 2001.

Pam gave you great info, but I just wanted to chirp in that you can

have a successful pregnancy with ATD's. I did stop taking the PTU

for a few months during pregnancy(my decision that I discussed with

my endo) but my baby was a healthy 9lb 11oz boy!

I know there's TONS going through your head now, but try to take it

easy and research as much as you can. I know for me I'm so thankful

I didn't do the RAI. This is a really great board that you can learn

LOTS from!

Best of luck in your decision!

> I've had a whirwind last 2 days. My mother noticed my thyroid was

> enlarged, saw an endo (a good family friend) the next day, and

ended

> up with the diagnosis of Graves.' I was not expecting this.

>

> I'm 26, and just got married. My husband and I want to have kids

> soon, but now we are not sure what to do regarding my disease and

> future treatments. I'm on atenolol and tapazal, which I know I

cannot

> take during pregnancy.

>

> The plan is for me to take drugs for a while, and see how I do.

Most

> likely I'll need the RAI treatment, since I do want to be pregnant

in

> the future and my thyroid will most likely act up again afterwards.

>

> Do you think I should get pregnant before treatment, or believe

that

> I'm clear 12 months after treatment and wait until them. I do not

> want to harm my future children in any way.

>

> Would it be a better idea to opt for the surgery so that this isn't

> an issue?

>

> There is just so much I don't know now, and I'm feeling

overwhlemed.

> It seems like I have to make so many decisions soon.

>

> Jennie

February 25, 2003

Hi Jennie!

I was in the same boat you are in...I was diagnosed the week before

my wedding! I had the same concerns as you...my endo tried to steer

me towards RAI but I opted for the ATD's. I was on Tapazole but

developed a horrible rash, so I was switched to PTU. I've been on

PTU for over 5 years now, and had my first baby in 2001.

Pam gave you great info, but I just wanted to chirp in that you can

have a successful pregnancy with ATD's. I did stop taking the PTU

for a few months during pregnancy(my decision that I discussed with

my endo) but my baby was a healthy 9lb 11oz boy!

I know there's TONS going through your head now, but try to take it

easy and research as much as you can. I know for me I'm so thankful

I didn't do the RAI. This is a really great board that you can learn

LOTS from!

Best of luck in your decision!

> I've had a whirwind last 2 days. My mother noticed my thyroid was

> enlarged, saw an endo (a good family friend) the next day, and

ended

> up with the diagnosis of Graves.' I was not expecting this.

>

> I'm 26, and just got married. My husband and I want to have kids

> soon, but now we are not sure what to do regarding my disease and

> future treatments. I'm on atenolol and tapazal, which I know I

cannot

> take during pregnancy.

>

> The plan is for me to take drugs for a while, and see how I do.

Most

> likely I'll need the RAI treatment, since I do want to be pregnant

in

> the future and my thyroid will most likely act up again afterwards.

>

> Do you think I should get pregnant before treatment, or believe

that

> I'm clear 12 months after treatment and wait until them. I do not

> want to harm my future children in any way.

>

> Would it be a better idea to opt for the surgery so that this isn't

> an issue?

>

> There is just so much I don't know now, and I'm feeling

overwhlemed.

> It seems like I have to make so many decisions soon.

>

> Jennie

February 25, 2003

Hi Pam,

You must have sent this to me by mistake. My daughter (28) was just

diagnosed with Graves and her name IS (not Jennie)...but she's

single and not the young lady you evidently intended this for. I hope

she gets your letter, though. Sounds like she could use a friend as

thoughtful & caring as you (& a cpl others who wrote to " Jennie " at my

address here this afternoon. ) Please pass the word if you can.

Thanks,

Kathy O.

's Mom

On Tue, 25 Feb 2003 15:38:06 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time) " Pam B "

PamB@...> writes:

>

> Hi Jennie, welcome to the board, and congrats on your recent

> wedding! What a

> way to start a marriage - but that's kind of what happened to me too

> -

> except it took 6 years for a diagnosis and to figure out what was

> going on

> with me.

>

> So, you are already off to a much better start - it sounds like you

> are in

> great shape - you have a supporting family and an endo that was fast

> and

> easy to get in to see and who put you on anti-thyroid meds (ATDs)

> right off

> - that's all GREAT news!

>

> Now, what you need to do is try to not worry about making any

> decisions for

> a little while - let the Tapazol start to do it's thing and in the

> meantime

> start doing all the research you can so you know what your options

> really

> are.

>

> For example... did you know:

>

> * that this disease can go into remission and you can move on with

> your life

> and have babies when this happens? Remission usually takes 12-24

> months on

> ATDs.

>

> * that it is safe to get pregnant while on the other ATD - called

> PTU - and

> some women do this? In fact there is one on the board right now

> pregnant and

> on PTU.

>

> * that if you are doing well with ATDs - Tapazol or PTU - that there

> is no

> need to do RAI?

>

> There is so much to learn about this disease, but the more you know,

> and the

> more involved you get in the treatment of it, the better off you

> will be for

> it.

>

> You can start by reading the letter to the newly diagnosed:

> http://www.webmosaics.com/thyroid/letter.htm

>

> and there are tons of good links and info in the groups files and

> links

> sections:

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/graves_support/

>

> There are so many smart people on this board to answer any questions

> that

> you have, just don't be afraid to ask your questions, no matter how

> many of

> them you have, ok?

>

> Hang in there, GD is not the end of the world, even if it might seem

> pretty

> devastating to you right now.

>

> Hugs,

> Pam B.

>

> graves & hashis, mostly alt med treatments, doing really great!

> my story: http://www.webmosaics.com/thyroid/

>

> -------------------------------------

> 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 do not have the

> endorsement of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to

> emails.

>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------

>

February 25, 2003

Hi ,

I think you sent this email to me by mistake. I'm the mother of a

28yr. old daughter (also named - though spelled differently than

the " Jennie " you're writing to) who was recently diagnosed with Graves

Disease. Neither of us know anything about it and my older daughter in

Las Vegas forwarded this site for me to explore re: info/support.

I hope the young lady (Jennie) you intended this message for gets it

ok. Sounds like she could benefit from talking with you. Hope to hear

more from you re: any info you can share about Graves for My daughter.

Thank you,

Kathy O.

On Wed, 26 Feb 2003 01:15:51 -0000 " scootzy linda_chough@...> "

linda_chough@...> writes:

> Hi Jennie!

>

> I was in the same boat you are in...I was diagnosed the week before

>

> my wedding! I had the same concerns as you...my endo tried to steer

>

> me towards RAI but I opted for the ATD's. I was on Tapazole but

> developed a horrible rash, so I was switched to PTU. I've been on

> PTU for over 5 years now, and had my first baby in 2001.

>

> Pam gave you great info, but I just wanted to chirp in that you can

>

> have a successful pregnancy with ATD's. I did stop taking the PTU

> for a few months during pregnancy(my decision that I discussed with

>

> my endo) but my baby was a healthy 9lb 11oz boy!

>

> I know there's TONS going through your head now, but try to take it

>

> easy and research as much as you can. I know for me I'm so thankful

>

> I didn't do the RAI. This is a really great board that you can

> learn

> LOTS from!

>

> Best of luck in your decision!

>

> > I've had a whirwind last 2 days. My mother noticed my thyroid was

>

> > enlarged, saw an endo (a good family friend) the next day, and

> ended

> > up with the diagnosis of Graves.' I was not expecting this.

> >

> > I'm 26, and just got married. My husband and I want to have kids

>

> > soon, but now we are not sure what to do regarding my disease and

>

> > future treatments. I'm on atenolol and tapazal, which I know I

> cannot

> > take during pregnancy.

> >

> > The plan is for me to take drugs for a while, and see how I do.

> Most

> > likely I'll need the RAI treatment, since I do want to be pregnant

>

> in

> > the future and my thyroid will most likely act up again

> afterwards.

> >

> > Do you think I should get pregnant before treatment, or believe

> that

> > I'm clear 12 months after treatment and wait until them. I do not

>

> > want to harm my future children in any way.

> >

> > Would it be a better idea to opt for the surgery so that this

> isn't

> > an issue?

> >

> > There is just so much I don't know now, and I'm feeling

> overwhlemed.

> > It seems like I have to make so many decisions soon.

> >

> > Jennie

>