(sorry if there's already a thread on this topic)
I'm considering getting the radiation treatiment done for my hyperactive thyroid (of 3+ years) very soon. I have horrible insurance coverage and only found 1 facility that would even accept this plan.
If anyone here has had this procedure done, could you give me a little information on it? I'm primarily interested in knowing a few key things... such as the price of the procedure (including any meds that go along with it)... and whether you have to take pregnazone (spelling?) before/during/after the treatment, and if you gained significant weight from the pregnazone?
Any guidance is much appreciated.
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Denver
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I had Graves' Disease a few years ago (hyper-active thyroid) and had the radioactive iodine treatment.
I was covered under insurance so don't know how much the procedure was; however, it was extremely simple.
After the procedure, I did gain weight, but I had lost 75lbs in about 4 months, and I expected to gain that weight back. The medication you'll be on afterwards is a thyroid supplement (such as Levoxyl); you're thinking Prednisone, which is a steriod/anti-inflammatory, and I don't think you'd be on that (at least for thyroid issues).
If you have other questions, feel free to drop me a note. Happy to share.
Having Graves's Disease was extremely traumatic and having the procedure saved my sanity, as well as my life. -
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Thank you for the insight. That helps!
I went to the endocrinologist today and am now off of the thyroid med (methymazole) completely... and started taking prednisone (20mg) once a day for the next month. I start the radioactive iodine on the 23rd (20 units) along with a low-dose of Lithium for a week.
I am fully aware that I will most likely gain water weight from the prednisone during this month which I'm less than thrilled about, but this whole process was a long time coming ... so health first!
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i had it done in jan, they just gave me something too drink and i had 2 stay away fr my husband and work for 3 days it was siple my insurance covered it ,it is pretty expensive 2 pay out of pocket. I also took preazone(sp) but that was piror to my treatment my pluse was 180 per min and my heart was working triple time i was a case study,anyway i did not gain a pound and now im onlevothyroxine and still have not gain a pound im dissapointed seeing i lose so much when i was over active and have not gain it back since.
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You're very lucky Jerry. I've already had 2 iodine treatments done, still need to get a 3rd one (rare case)... and have already gained about 18 lbs. in 2.5 years. Honestly, I'm debating whether it's even worth getting the 3rd I-33 treatment done and becoming HYPOactive. I'd rather take my Metoprolol and Methymazole the rest of my life than to have to be lethargic, lazy and gain MORE weight.
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