To Angie,
I sent a PM to you, suggesting you post your own thread about your upcoming surgery. There is a lot of good advice and support on the forum. Several people have had a thyroidectomy in the recent past. Kimberly's suggestion is very helpful too, to use the search engine.
You'll read a lot about what to expect both before and after the surgery. So glad you are moving forward on this, so you can begin to get your life back. It is a long process, but it will work.
Your teenagers might appreciate reading about Graves' too. There are good references to explain what it is like, not only for the person who has it, but for the family members.
Shirley

Glad to see you back Shirley!

Well I was MIA yesterday distracted by video games. My throat pain has seem to subsided, had problems sleeping last night tossed and turned to the wee hours of the morning. Feeling pretty good now still hot but it is around high 70's to low 80's out which is very welcome here in central texas. all windows open and enjoying the fresh air.

Day 5.

I have to be honest, today was horrible. Something has changed hormone wise. I am no longer having severe hot flashes!

Instead today has been nothing but headaches, physical tremor, tinnitus, and a boat load of anxiety. I feel like I did 6 years ago untreated. Pulse is fast but not over 100. I feel like I want to crawl out of my skin.

Uncomfortable but not worried. Irritated for sure.


I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings! Hopefully it will b something completely different.

Hang in there! You're doing great- love your positive attitude!

Yes, hang in there! Hope that you are feeling some relief today, but if not, I would suggest calling the doc's office to see if they can give you some further direction. Take care!

Great post. I'm so glad you have had your treatment and even though you are not all well yet, I'm glad you are on the road to getting better.

Hope you feel better soon.
Caro

AzGravesGuy - I've been following your story mainly because I'm having RAI on Thursday 9/13 and wanted first second-hand experience and because your no BS approach and positivity are refreshing!

I'm 30 yrs old but feel like my body is at least that of a 50 year old with Graves (no offense to the older posters, I just picked an age). I was allergic to the 2 medications out there so RAI is my last stop to HopeVille.

Keep on posting! If I'm not feeling too out of sorts, I'll start my own thread so others can get as many perspectives of what to expect as possible.

Wishing you the best of luck with your journey! We have all been there and are here for you now.

Take care and keep posting.

Day 6!

Today was a mixed bag. It started with eye pain and anxiety. By noon I was 100% normal. Now it is a lingering heat on my shoulders and ears….but that's it!

I feel good! The best I have felt in over a week.

Wednesday is day 8. I am going to the local cash lab to get my levels checked. I am just curious. My endo said 8 weeks. I have gone every 4 weeks so far this year for a free t3, free t4 and tsh. My reasoning has been that if I feel my hormones shift, waiting 2 months to get in to find out whats happening is foolish. With the monthly levels I have been able to chart the bell curve of my tsh & t3/t4 levels. It's a smile and a grimace on paper.

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and support. This forum greeted me with open arms and a wealth of information. Without everyone here and their collective experience, I would not have been able to come to terms with the RAI, but also the demons of Grave's.

My Grandmother had Grave's and was treated with radioactive seeds in the 80's . I was a kid then and remember seeing her suffer with the effects. This experience made the thought of RAI so scary I put it off for 6 years. It was recommended to me the day I was diagnosed in the ER. I laughed and swore it would never happen.

Today I am 6 days in and kicking myself for not doing it 6 years ago. The statistics that told me I am safe meant nothing. Coming to grips with the disease, reading the experiences of everyone before me…..that is where the fear ended.

Would I prefer not ingesting radioactive iodine? Of course! Who would willingly want to? But I have Grave's and it is destroying my body and mind. I see RAI as an empowerment against Grave's. I have made my stand. Grave's has fought back these last few days, and it gave a good fight.


Pretty sure I won.