I had Graves disease and was hyperthyroid beginning in 1987. I had all the classic symptoms - hot all the time, ate like a pig and still lost weight, nervous, tired, muscle weakness, high resting pulse rate (113). I remember calling my mother to tell her I was losing my mind. (In fact, women and the elderly are often thought to be mentally ill when they actually have thyroid disease.)

I had the same treatment as you, and it's not bad at all. It kills your thyroid, so I'm sure you'll end up hypothyroid - virtually everyone does. You'll know when you start feeling sluggish and cold all the time.

After that, you need to start using synthetic thyroid hormones. The good news is that they're inexpensive and effective and, once you arrive at the correct dosage, have few side effects. You do need to have your blood drawn for thyroid checks at least once a year, or however often your physician says. And in the beginning, it can be a little difficult to find the correct dosage. Later on, if you gain or lose a significant amount of weight, you'll probably need to have your thyroid levels adjusted.

Good luck!

Thanks for your reply. Hand tremors sent me to the doctor. Also found out my resting pulse was 130! I was also hot all the time, unusual for me. Right now I'm on something to calm the thyroid down, heart slowing pills, folate and B12. I found a thyroid specialist near me, so I am going to see him before I get the RAI. I know it is standard, but I'd still like to get looked at by an expert. I'm also terrified that I might get TED, which RAI can make worse.

I've read that 25% spontaneously go into remission, and that you can also just use pills to see how that goes.

I now know why I haven't gained any weight despite my latest coffee ice cream kick ---- a big bowl every night :)

So, dumb question - is hyperthyroid always Graves Disease?

No, hyperthyroidism isn't always caused by Graves Disease, though that is the most common culprit.

As far as spontaneous remission, I know that happens, but didn't know at what rate. When I was first diagnosed with Graves, my physician prescribed Inderol, a beta blocker, to lower my heartrate and see whether the hyperthyroidism would go into remission on its own. I was on Inderol for 18 months, after which my doctor suggested radioactive iodine treatment. By the way RAI is the most common treatment for hyperthyroid.

Thank God I never knew about TED before I had the radioactive iodine treatment - I would have been scared, too. I'm still not sure what you can do, though. The hyperthyroidism has to be treated if it doesn't go into remission. Besides, it sounds as if TED is most common and worst in smokers - if you don't smoke, that's one big problem gone. The things I've read say that if it does appear, it can usually be treated by simple saline drops or by prednisone drops. (They're very effective - I've used them for another eye inflammation.)

It amazes me how things have changed. When I had Graves diseases, no one but techies was on the internet, and I found the sum total of one book at my local library!

Good luck. It's so hard to make these decisions. Good idea to get a second opinion, though. Let me know what happens.

At least you have a gorgeous new kitchen to take your mind off things.:)

Yep, I smoke :( I'm in the process of quitting (down to 5 from 20/day) I'm extra scared because a friend from high school had it and got TED big time. It was not correctable.

Thanks again, I'll keep you posted on what the specialist says.

....trundling off to the kitchen.... ;)

Weed - I just read that you're down 75% on your smoking. What a major feat! Congratulations.

Maybe you can talk to your doctor and tell him or her that you're quitting, and see whether you can put off the radioactive iodine.

Do keep us posted.

joann, I go to see a specialist on Thursday. I cancelled the ablation -- I want to try meds first. I am still smoking :( but am going to REALLY try to quit, starting tomorrow. It's such a terrible habit, wish I'd NEVER started.

That sounds like a good decision.

I understand about the smoking - both my parents smoked since they were teens, and both died of lung cancer. I've never even taken a puff, but I see how adicting it is.

If you're interested, there's a thread on The Kitchen Table forum by some people who are quitting, and there's also a usenet newsgroup called alt.support.stop-smoking.

Good luck. It's good to know that your body will heal itself, too.

Weed,

Sorry you are not feeling well. I posted on the Quitting Smoking post that I'm having Thyroid probs too - tests in tomorrow.

Let us know what they say tomorrow!

TNLady

Oops, forgot to respond TNLady! My first visit, blood was taken and he more than tripled my dose of PTU. Started feeling better within a week. Just went again today, and my levels are down, and that was on the old dose. New dose blood results will be in Tuesday.

He was encouraged that one side of my thyroid is now back to normal. The other side is still somewhat swollen. I'm going to be taking these meds for 18 months and then hope for remission.

Weed, I'm wishing all the best for you and wondering how the smoking is going?

If you have been unable to quite can you take Wellbutrin?

That is what I used and it was painless. I had tried to quit several times prior to that using various methods. I had quit by using the gum but got addicted to the gum. I used Wellbutrin to get off the gum.

Beverly, smoking is going fine. I'm still smoking. (hehe) Ok, I know that wasn't funny! I am still "down" but not yet quit. I'm already taking Paxil for depression (am I messed up or what?!) and it's working so well I'm actually afraid to switch. Honestly the patch did help me when I quit last time, so I have a box waiting. Thanks for your thoughts!

Sometimes we have to laugh to keep from crying Weed. I don't blame you for not wanting to switch medications in midstream. I'm thinking of you, hang in there!

bumping this up for Kathy_in_Delaware

Weed, Hows it going? I'm tooling around on the Health forum and noticed your thread. I hope things are good for you and you are well.