Grave's Disease

[undecided1226]

I was diagnosed with Grave's about 5 weeks ago. Doc put me on Methimizole and I had a sever allergic reaction. Took me off meds and went in for follow-up 1 wk ltr. Was told that I can do Radioactive Iodine Treatment or Surgery...I'm soooo confused. My numbers are literally BORDERLINE hyperthyroidism...doc said I should not wait too long to make decision. If I am borderline, why do something so drastic? Does this mean if I decide not to do either treatment, my numbers will go higher. I do feel pretty crappy though. I have tremors in my hands when I wake in the morning, my hair is getting thinner by the day and I look like a walking zombie. Doc. I need a "quick" fix...from what I am reading the treatment will take a while...

[armywife92]

I'm surprised your doc didn't put you on PTU(another ATD). The fact is that most people w/ graves respond favorably to the ATD's. I wonder if the allergic reaction wasn't really an allergic reaction at all? Sometimes you can break out in hives when your hormone levels are trying to return to normal. RAI is not something you do for a quick fix, you need to take time to research the pro's and cons. I have read hundreds of reports where RAI actually made things worse(including the eyes) and I have read a handful of positive stories. It has only been 5 weeks, it is going to take some time for things to ''get right'' so to speak. Some ppl like myself have walked around with this disease 10+ years without the proper diagnosis. Also if you read the stats, the remission rate is in the 90's I believe. I have the antibodies but I've been in remission for the most part of this disorder. I just hate reading stories of how people's endo's are pushy and rush ppl into something. Sadly many will take their endo's word as gospel and not try to educate themselves first before making permanent decisions.

[Totie]

A thyroid storm is when your entire organs are in overdrive. I had to be hospitalized for two weeks each time. For me my symptoms were, rapid heart rate, insomnia, blood surgar levels real high, high potassium, muscle cramps, eyes bulging, fever, diaherra, sweats. Once my I had my TT I still hit another storm, but after that my body settled down & never had them again.

[undecided1226]

May I ask what a thyroid storm is? My heart rate is good right now, however, I am losing weight. I am going for a second opinion Wednesday. I just don't know which way to go...

[Totie]

Yeah, it's best to decide. I ended up with two thyroid storms from graves/hyper, NOT fun at all. I did the RAI, but the graves/hyper was to far advanced for it to help me. I ended up having to have surgery anyway after the RAI.


My heart rate was 140 sitting down, my eyes bulged out, I was down to 88lbs despite eating non-stop. Trust me get it treated before it gets worse. Thyroid storms are not any fun...

But you can always get a second opinion from an endo if it puts your mind at ease.