Are We In Remission???

If after a diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer, subsequent TT and RAI when the scans come back that nothing has furthur spread and doctors declare you  "Cancer Free" does this make us in remission????  I would like your opinions.  Thanks.  By the way...I started 150 mcg Levothyroxine on July 13...since reduced to 137 mcg but skin is still dry, hair falling out more than ever and have very itchy skin.  Also I cannot walk around mall, for instance, for any length of time without feeling such fatigue, pain in legs, feet and hips for at least a day after.  I have to pick and choose which one activity to do that particular day such as clean OR grocery shop.  Thank goodness I am a stay-at-home mom because I could never hold down a job outside the home.  My job inside the home is hard enough.  Anyone else experiencing this?????

You are a little ahead of me with treatment. I am in the pre RAI stage.  Been off Cytomel for 3 days, start diet in 3 days and RAI on 9/11.  The symptoms you are experiencing sound as though you are still somewhat hypo.  I'm not sure how long it takes to overcome this or if your level is now too low.  Not sure maybe someone else on the sight can address this better.  As far as your question on remission, what type of thyroid cancer were you diagnosed with??  The common type of papillary thyroid cancer is very responsive to treatment and is normally curative in 30 to 40 year old woman with stage 1 or 2.  Other factors such as age, gender, subtypes or follicular can have a slightly less curative value but still offers long term survival even with recurrence.  Most thryoid cancers have a good overall survival rate with life long surveillance to keep on top of things.  Some are not quite that positive.  It depends on staging and type.

 

On 8/31/2007 Shoshie wrote:

If after a diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer, subsequent TT and RAI when the scans come back that nothing has furthur spread and doctors declare you  "Cancer Free" does this make us in remission????  I would like your opinions.  Thanks.  By the way...I started 150 mcg Levothyroxine on July 13...since reduced to 137 mcg but skin is still dry, hair falling out more than ever and have very itchy skin.  Also I cannot walk around mall, for instance, for any length of time without feeling such fatigue, pain in legs, feet and hips for at least a day after.  I have to pick and choose which one activity to do that particular day such as clean OR grocery shop.  Thank goodness I am a stay-at-home mom because I could never hold down a job outside the home.  My job inside the home is hard enough.  Anyone else experiencing this?????

I'm not sure if the term remission is applicable to us or not.  However, I can completely relate to how you are feeling.  I have been back on my synthroid of 4 weeks and still feel terrible with the same kind of aches and pains that you described.  I also have to pick and choose what activities outside of work I can do or I dearly pay.  Hang in there I am sure it will get better the longer we are on the meds and once our levels are under control.  Good luck!

 

On 8/31/2007 Shoshie wrote:

If after a diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer, subsequent TT and RAI when the scans come back that nothing has furthur spread and doctors declare you  "Cancer Free" does this make us in remission????  I would like your opinions.  Thanks.  By the way...I started 150 mcg Levothyroxine on July 13...since reduced to 137 mcg but skin is still dry, hair falling out more than ever and have very itchy skin.  Also I cannot walk around mall, for instance, for any length of time without feeling such fatigue, pain in legs, feet and hips for at least a day after.  I have to pick and choose which one activity to do that particular day such as clean OR grocery shop.  Thank goodness I am a stay-at-home mom because I could never hold down a job outside the home.  My job inside the home is hard enough.  Anyone else experiencing this?????

I may be totally wrong but I think that the term remission is for types of cancers that have a reoccurance rate.  Each situation is different but I think that if the scan is clear and everything is gone then it may not be called remission.  I just received the results of my scan which showed that there were no traces of tissue left.

I just entered 8 weeks since RAI.  The last two weeks have been awesome.  When people ask me how I feel, I tell them that I feel like I am 25 years old again (actually 37 yrs. old).  I think that for so long that I just accepted how bad I was feeling.  I did experience lots of muscle weakness in my legs and back.  I actually would have needed a motorized cart at Walmart weeks ago because of back and leg pain but I refused to use one.  Instead I would have to find spots to sit and take a break.  It will get better....just hang in there.

Thank you all for your replys.  By the way, I was asked what type of Thyroid cancer I had.  Stage II Papillary.  It's good to know that it will get better and that what I am experiencing is "normal".  God bless all you all:)

 

On 8/31/2007 Shoshie wrote:

If after a diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer, subsequent TT and RAI when the scans come back that nothing has furthur spread and doctors declare you  "Cancer Free" does this make us in remission????  I would like your opinions.  Thanks.  By the way...I started 150 mcg Levothyroxine on July 13...since reduced to 137 mcg but skin is still dry, hair falling out more than ever and have very itchy skin.  Also I cannot walk around mall, for instance, for any length of time without feeling such fatigue, pain in legs, feet and hips for at least a day after.  I have to pick and choose which one activity to do that particular day such as clean OR grocery shop.  Thank goodness I am a stay-at-home mom because I could never hold down a job outside the home.  My job inside the home is hard enough.  Anyone else experiencing this?????

My concern is that something was out of balance in my body in the first place that allowed the cancer to grow - to me it is important to address whatever THAT is.  For example dietary changes (like Dr. Grace Carrington from Dallas recommended). 

Regarding your other comments - I was experiencing the same symptoms on Syn. & Levox.  I fought hard to get switched to some other medication.  I am now on Armour and feel GREAT!  I look younger than my age, have lost pounds, sleep better than I have in years, and haven't lost one hair on my head since taking Armour! 

It is my firm belief that the drugs we are given should make us feel BETTER not WORSE!  So I got on the internet and researched the different medications and paid attention to comments about them.  You may want to do that too!