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Rollercoaster ride
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Oct 23, 2002 - 11:19 am
I was diagnosed with toxic multinodular thyroid one and a half years ago, after having a radioactive scan, I was told that I was not a candidate for RAI, nodules would not take up radiation effectively. I had to stop my meds-levoxyl and was told they could not do any needle biopses and cancer was extremely unlikely. I have several nodules both cold and hot and one side of my thyroid is 5x its normal size and the other is 3x. After being hypothyroid for near 20 years I am presently hyperthyroid-- a REAL rollercoaster!! The same endo has me on Tapazole(anti-thyroid med) with plans after lowering my thyroxine levels plans to do RAI rather than thyroid surgery. Still insists that cancer is unlikely, and says thyroid cancer is extremely rare. Since my family has experienced cancer in many forms, I am quite fearful. Also, do not understand why RAI is now an option when is was not previously. Has any one been here? Considering an opinion elsewhere. Thanks for listening. |
Joined: Sep 2002
I know the rollercoaster all too well....I am almost 22 years old and was diagnosed with thyroid cancer about 7 months ago. I had a thyroidectomy and then the RAI at the end of the summer. I know how hard things may be and how scared you must be. Why can't they do needle biopsies? Unless you are in poor health, there is no reason why they can't. Tell you endo that yes, thyroid cancer is very rare but that it is even more rare for a 21 year old in perfect health to be diagnosed with it. Don't let him dismiss it. Especially with your history, it is a possibility. Do what you feel inside. I had a doctor who thought nothing was wrong and I was not satisfied because I knew in my gut so I pushed and yelled until they did something. I would really hesitate doing the RAI without knowing what it actually is first....cancerous or not. If it is cancer, they can remove the thyroid and a lot of times you don't need the RAI. I think I just did it for peace of mind. My personal opinion is that you need a new doctor....he/she seems to be jumping the gun and going right to the RAI instead of working their way up. I have pretty much been almost everywhere that you are. It sucks and I never thought I would be dealing with something like it at age 21. I made it through so you will too. Let me know how things turnout.
Joined: Apr 2002