Graves disease

[Nitroburner]

I am new to these boards. I really thought I was losing my mind, I have had this for about 4 yrs and just now was diagnosed with Graves disease. My Dr put me on Methimazole and after 3 weeks had a severe reaction and was covered head to toe with a horrible insanely itchy rash. Mr Endo told me I have a couple options radio active iodine or somthing else which he did not tell me what. My question is how has the radio active iodine worked for others? Im not looking foward to this as I have 2 children, im am just looking for some more information form others who have gone through this. Im also wary of taking another pill, I have extreme allergies and do not want to go through the rash incident again. I would appreciate any info.
Bless you all,
nitro


This discussion is related to hyperthyroid???.

[suep112]

I was diagnoised with Graves in January of 2008. I tried methamazole for 5 months and did great on it. I was given the option of RAI or TT in February...almost immediately after being diagnoised. My ent said I would never go into remission because I was way too sick before I got there and my uptake scan numbers were in the 80% range. He said I should just make a decision and do one or the other...so I did the TT. I am happy with the surgery aspect, but being hypo isnt any more fun than being hyper was. It is a pain. I am almost stable with a tsh of .86 now and I feel pretty good.I am also 13 pounds heavier than I was a year ago in June when I had my surgery. Oh well....I do feel better, just a little heavier. Read up on your options. I didnt want to slowly kill my thyroid and take the chance that it might not work the first time and then have to repeat it . A TT is quick and sure. With RAI you cant be around children for a couple of days and I have 10 grandchildren I see often. Most people do fine with RAI, it was just my personal  choice to do the TT. Best of luck with your decision.

[skymax2000]

I'm going to start a new itch thread as to not steal this one.

[Smilerdeb]

Ive had itches since I was diagnosed with Graves.
It comes and goes but mostly when I am heading hypo.
Its strange that yr Doc isnt retesting you for at least 6 months.
I wouldve thought you would get labs every 4-6 weeks as you will go hypo and if let for 6 months with no meds, then you will feel like cr@p.
Ask yr Doc for spare lab sheets....just in case things start to turn around and you go hypo.
Eventually you will go hypo..please dont think yr levels will stay like this as I very much doubt they will.
I have never known anyone to have RAI and not go hypo.
Your Doctor shouldve explained this to you before RAI.

[skymax2000]

My experience...I was on PTU for almost three years but opted for RAI because PTU was making me sick. (Loved PTU before that though.) I'm 8 weeks post RAI and feel great. First 3-4 weeks sucked. I felt more hyper. My tsh, free t4 t4 and t3 are all normal now without meds and I get retested in 6 months. I've had three episodes of itchy rashes in the last five years and I have another one now. I think there is something in our home or yard but I'm the only one that gets this itchy rash. I recently visited NC and didn't get any new bites. I come home and I get new bites. In the last couple days I bought a new bed and steamed cleaned the entire house. I get rash everwhere but hands, feet, and face. If anyone has any insight, let me know because I'm still itching.

[Smilerdeb]

Also what is yr antibody level with Graves?
The higher the level, the less chance of remission.

[Smilerdeb]

There is a posting here for all those who have had RAI....read it as its informative.
Ask your Endo to try you on PTU...that is the alternative to Methimazole.
Also 2 permanant options are RAI (radioactive iodine) and TT (Thyroidectomy).
But research both as much as you can before you make your desision.
Have you had an uptake scan done yet?