New to group - Need advice

[Guest guest]

Hi Keli,

Welcome to the group! I am so sorry to hear about your insurance company

trouble. We had a similar problem. We had two letters from our neuro and from

our ped stating the medical necessity of the helmet and the insurance co

still denied stating that it was not medically necessary. I pulled some

reports from the file section of the plagio group under insurance help and

then I pulled some more information from the bookmarks section. I submitted

all of this information and went through the entire appeals process with no

success. (I even appeared in person at the final appeal level) After that I

filed a complaint with the State Department of Health (Department of

Insurance if you have a PPO and State Dept. of Health if you have an HMO).

They set up an external review of my case and the decision of my insurance

company was overturned by the external review board. was completely

through with her treatment before this decision was reached. Perseverance is

the key!! We had to fight it for 7 months, but it was worth. Keep very good

documentation. Keep notes from all of your phone conversations including

dates, times and NAMES!! Keep copies of every piece of correspondence and

dates and times of all appointments. I think a letter from the OB/GYN would

be a good idea. Will your ped write a letter also? Letters from the medical

community will definately help your case if you go on to file a formal

complaint.

Hope this helps and I'm sorry it is so long. Good luck and let me know if I

can help anymore.

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

[Guest guest]

Hi all! I just joined the group. I have been a member

of the tortkids

group since March. My daughter na is one and had

been wearing a

helmet from 6months-a year. na had a fractured

clavicle at

birth. Her shoulders got stuck on the way out(ouch!).

We did not

learn about the fracture until na's two month

check-up. Her

pediatrician asked us why her head was tilted to the

right. We

started physical therapy right away. At five months

the PT thought we

should go see a neurologist because na had a flat

spot on the

back of her head. The neurologist felt na should

wear a helmet

to correct the flat spot, align her check bones, and

eye sockets.

(making a long story short) We had the neurologist

write a letter to

our insurance company(United Health) stating a medical

reason for the

helmet because the insurance co had stated the helmet

was cosmetic

and would need a medical backing before they paid for

the helmet. I

had the letter sent to the insurance company in

November of 2000. The

Prosthetics & Orthotics company that made the helmet

contacted the

insurance company to verify coverage. At the time I

was told

insurance would cover 90% and all we had to pay was

10% by the

Prosthetics & Orthotics office . I paid the 10% and

thought insurance

would cover the rest. na out grew her first

helmet and had to be

fitted for a second helmet in Jan. of this year. Again

I paid 10% and

was told insurance would pay the rest by the

Prosthetics & Orthotics

office. My husband and I found out the beginning of

this month that

the 90% coverage has not been paid on either helmet by

the insurance

company. The insurance company is wanting further

documentation

stating a medical reason beyond what the neurologist

has already

written (2 page letter). My question(s) to the group

is this; Has

anyone found any documentation giving medical

reasoning for the

helmet stating facts(medically) of what the outcome

would be if

na did not wear the helmet? Has anyone convinced

an insurance

company to pay for the helmets and if so how?

Basically the insurance

company wants proof (beyond the flat spot, cheeks out

of alignment,

etc.)that the helmet was needed for a medical reason

other than

correcting the flat spot etc. Any advice would be

greatly

appreciated. Thanks so much! Keli and na 4-18-00

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

....

Welcome to the wonderful world of hypothyroidism! I completely understand

your situation because I live it! I have explained over and over my issues to

doctors who look at me with a face of bewilderment only to turn to their

prescription pad and say, " Well we'll bump your medication up and check you in 3

month. " I hate that...that screws with the quality of my life and I have had

enough!

I choose alternative therapy around 10 years ago and was put on

Armour....although I feel better I still do not feel normal...whatever that may

be,,, I think I have forgotten!!! Anyway, my point is, you don't have to put up

with any doctor's closed mindedness! Walk out! Find another doctor...and if

that one is not responding to your needs...walk out....keep looking until you

find a doctor you are comfortable with that takes the time to listen and is

willing to do a little research...they are out there! The best doctor I ever

had was my general practicioner and he was awesome!!! Unfortunately I moved 750

miles from him and now am faced with the doctor search once again. Actually, I

am tempted to just fly back for visits with him to avoid the hassle and

frustration of looking! Anyway, good luck to you and know that you are not

alone!

kristenmcm2002 <@...> wrote:

Hi! I have been treated for autoimmune thyroiditis (hypo) for about

9 yrs now. I was on Synthroid for the majority of those yrs with no

problems and felt great. Then about 4 yrs ago, I suddenly began

having some serious problems - terrible shortness of breath, feeling

like I was choking, pain in my thyroid gland, huge build up of mucus

that literally would choke me at times, brittle hair that was thin

and would fall out, very dry skin, muscle weakness, and low bone

density that resulted in 7 times breaking of bones just walking or

doing ordinary things (I would fall). This all hit me like a ton of

bricks. I went from being a very active person to doing absolutely

nothing but trying to survive day to day.

I finally sought the help of an endocrinologist a year and a half

ago. It was a 6 month wait for new patients. It suddenly dawned on

me that it was the Synthroid making me so sick, and I stopped taking

it. When I went to see the endocrinologist, he was a bit open

minded that I perhaps had some transient thyroid issue or another,

but put me right back on Synthroid. Within a few weeks, I was

extremely ill again. I called and he switched me to Levoxyl.

Again, within a few weeks of taking it, same symptoms - esp the

shortness of breath. It was so bad I could not even consider

exercise. He took me off that and put me on Cytomel. I was able to

tolerate Cytomel for longer (about 6 weeks) and then again, the

symptoms began.

On the flip side, when I am off thyroid meds, I am a bit more tired

than normal, and my cholesterol is high. On the meds, these two

problems are gone.

I stopped the Cytomel about 3 weeks ago. I saw my endocrinologist

today (who is listed as a good but conservative dr. on

Shamone's website). Anyway, it was a most discouraging visit. I

told him that the cytomel gave me the same symptoms. He said in all

of his many years of being an Endocrinologist, he has never seen a

person with these type of complaints to the medications. I acted as

though he thought I was nuts. He told me that if I were to get

pregnant, the baby would die or have serious problems. Well, I

assurred him that between the choice of not breathing or having a

child, I choose air. He just gave me this blank stair. He then

gave me a script for Armour and said he has not prescribed it for

years as he does not believe in the drug. He ended our session

with, and I quote, " This is the end of the line for you. " I assume

he is talking about meds and his help. How close-minded.

The bottom line is that my levels are high. I have not gotten

today's results back yet, but 3 mos ago, my TSH was 8.412 and the

TPO was 51. Both indicators of hypothyroidism. I asked him today

if it was possible that I have an adrenal or pituitary gland problem

causing this instead of the actual thyroid and he said no. I don't

understand why. All I know is that when I take these drugs, I feel

horrible. He has warned me that if I stay off of any thyroid meds I

will become very sick and end up in the hospital. Well, I end up

that way very quickly ON the meds.

I am waiting to hear back from him with the blood results from

today. After this I think I am apt to try to find a dr. that is

more open minded and possibly holistic. There must be other things

that I can do for my hypothyroid in addition to meds or

instead...any advice would be so appreciated.

Very frustrated,

[Guest guest]

Synthetic thyroxine (Synthroid etc) is normaly considered a pretty safe drug

as its just a hormone (Salt). I was told by my endo though that prolonged use

can lead to low bone density and hence I should keep up my calcium/Vitamin D

intake.

People with HypoT tend to have other deficeincies which endo's (being

specialists ) tend to ignore.These may include Vitamin deficeincy (B,D

etc),Liver problems,Colon related problems,other hormonal issues etc.

A lot of HypoT patients take Vitamin and Iodine supplements along with

digestive enzypmes/pro-biotics.

You might also want to consider the possiblity of adrenal fatigue..

If your HypoT is due to an autoimmune attack then it would be difficult to

give up thyroxine completely.A Naturopath might be able to help..

kristenmcm2002 <@...> wrote: Hi! I have been treated for

autoimmune thyroiditis (hypo) for about

9 yrs now. I was on Synthroid for the majority of those yrs with no

problems and felt great. Then about 4 yrs ago, I suddenly began

having some serious problems - terrible shortness of breath, feeling

like I was choking, pain in my thyroid gland, huge build up of mucus

that literally would choke me at times, brittle hair that was thin

and would fall out, very dry skin, muscle weakness, and low bone

density that resulted in 7 times breaking of bones just walking or

doing ordinary things (I would fall). This all hit me like a ton of

bricks. I went from being a very active person to doing absolutely

nothing but trying to survive day to day.

I finally sought the help of an endocrinologist a year and a half

ago. It was a 6 month wait for new patients. It suddenly dawned on

me that it was the Synthroid making me so sick, and I stopped taking

it. When I went to see the endocrinologist, he was a bit open

minded that I perhaps had some transient thyroid issue or another,

but put me right back on Synthroid. Within a few weeks, I was

extremely ill again. I called and he switched me to Levoxyl.

Again, within a few weeks of taking it, same symptoms - esp the

shortness of breath. It was so bad I could not even consider

exercise. He took me off that and put me on Cytomel. I was able to

tolerate Cytomel for longer (about 6 weeks) and then again, the

symptoms began.

On the flip side, when I am off thyroid meds, I am a bit more tired

than normal, and my cholesterol is high. On the meds, these two

problems are gone.

I stopped the Cytomel about 3 weeks ago. I saw my endocrinologist

today (who is listed as a good but conservative dr. on

Shamone's website). Anyway, it was a most discouraging visit. I

told him that the cytomel gave me the same symptoms. He said in all

of his many years of being an Endocrinologist, he has never seen a

person with these type of complaints to the medications. I acted as

though he thought I was nuts. He told me that if I were to get

pregnant, the baby would die or have serious problems. Well, I

assurred him that between the choice of not breathing or having a

child, I choose air. He just gave me this blank stair. He then

gave me a script for Armour and said he has not prescribed it for

years as he does not believe in the drug. He ended our session

with, and I quote, " This is the end of the line for you. " I assume

he is talking about meds and his help. How close-minded.

The bottom line is that my levels are high. I have not gotten

today's results back yet, but 3 mos ago, my TSH was 8.412 and the

TPO was 51. Both indicators of hypothyroidism. I asked him today

if it was possible that I have an adrenal or pituitary gland problem

causing this instead of the actual thyroid and he said no. I don't

understand why. All I know is that when I take these drugs, I feel

horrible. He has warned me that if I stay off of any thyroid meds I

will become very sick and end up in the hospital. Well, I end up

that way very quickly ON the meds.

I am waiting to hear back from him with the blood results from

today. After this I think I am apt to try to find a dr. that is

more open minded and possibly holistic. There must be other things

that I can do for my hypothyroid in addition to meds or

instead...any advice would be so appreciated.

Very frustrated,

---------------------------------

Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

[Guest guest]

If Synthroid is Salt, then theoretically, could we take Salt to meet the

requirements of the thyroid?

Thanks!

Puneet kumar <kumarpuneet2004@...> wrote:

Synthetic thyroxine (Synthroid etc) is normaly considered a pretty safe drug

as its just a hormone (Salt). I was told by my endo though that prolonged use

can lead to low bone density and hence I should keep up my calcium/Vitamin D

intake.

People with HypoT tend to have other deficeincies which endo's (being

specialists ) tend to ignore.These may include Vitamin deficeincy (B,D

etc),Liver problems,Colon related problems,other hormonal issues etc.

A lot of HypoT patients take Vitamin and Iodine supplements along with

digestive enzypmes/pro-biotics.

You might also want to consider the possiblity of adrenal fatigue..

If your HypoT is due to an autoimmune attack then it would be difficult to

give up thyroxine completely.A Naturopath might be able to help..

kristenmcm2002 <@...> wrote: Hi! I have been treated for

autoimmune thyroiditis (hypo) for about

9 yrs now. I was on Synthroid for the majority of those yrs with no

problems and felt great. Then about 4 yrs ago, I suddenly began

having some serious problems - terrible shortness of breath, feeling

like I was choking, pain in my thyroid gland, huge build up of mucus

that literally would choke me at times, brittle hair that was thin

and would fall out, very dry skin, muscle weakness, and low bone

density that resulted in 7 times breaking of bones just walking or

doing ordinary things (I would fall). This all hit me like a ton of

bricks. I went from being a very active person to doing absolutely

nothing but trying to survive day to day.

I finally sought the help of an endocrinologist a year and a half

ago. It was a 6 month wait for new patients. It suddenly dawned on

me that it was the Synthroid making me so sick, and I stopped taking

it. When I went to see the endocrinologist, he was a bit open

minded that I perhaps had some transient thyroid issue or another,

but put me right back on Synthroid. Within a few weeks, I was

extremely ill again. I called and he switched me to Levoxyl.

Again, within a few weeks of taking it, same symptoms - esp the

shortness of breath. It was so bad I could not even consider

exercise. He took me off that and put me on Cytomel. I was able to

tolerate Cytomel for longer (about 6 weeks) and then again, the

symptoms began.

On the flip side, when I am off thyroid meds, I am a bit more tired

than normal, and my cholesterol is high. On the meds, these two

problems are gone.

I stopped the Cytomel about 3 weeks ago. I saw my endocrinologist

today (who is listed as a good but conservative dr. on

Shamone's website). Anyway, it was a most discouraging visit. I

told him that the cytomel gave me the same symptoms. He said in all

of his many years of being an Endocrinologist, he has never seen a

person with these type of complaints to the medications. I acted as

though he thought I was nuts. He told me that if I were to get

pregnant, the baby would die or have serious problems. Well, I

assurred him that between the choice of not breathing or having a

child, I choose air. He just gave me this blank stair. He then

gave me a script for Armour and said he has not prescribed it for

years as he does not believe in the drug. He ended our session

with, and I quote, " This is the end of the line for you. " I assume

he is talking about meds and his help. How close-minded.

The bottom line is that my levels are high. I have not gotten

today's results back yet, but 3 mos ago, my TSH was 8.412 and the

TPO was 51. Both indicators of hypothyroidism. I asked him today

if it was possible that I have an adrenal or pituitary gland problem

causing this instead of the actual thyroid and he said no. I don't

understand why. All I know is that when I take these drugs, I feel

horrible. He has warned me that if I stay off of any thyroid meds I

will become very sick and end up in the hospital. Well, I end up

that way very quickly ON the meds.

I am waiting to hear back from him with the blood results from

today. After this I think I am apt to try to find a dr. that is

more open minded and possibly holistic. There must be other things

that I can do for my hypothyroid in addition to meds or

instead...any advice would be so appreciated.

Very frustrated,

---------------------------------

Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.