Re: Self-management of medications

[Guest guest]

From: tarbi@... (Zoey)

<<snip>> I wish there was a way to collect and archive posts like this and put them into a special folder both at eGroups and ithyroid. Certain questions and issues get raised continuously, especially by people new to the boards. Having a place to

refer them to - like - "questions often asked" or something might be very

helpful. Thanks for stepping in. Zoey>>>

Actually, Zoey, if you go to your group(s) at the website there is a place for files. To the left of your screen you will see a list of options. One of the groups I'm on has a frequently answered questions (Q/A) file and there is also a bookmark section for favorite bookmarks. For example, ithyroid.com could be put in the bookmarks section for this group and a file put in the file section for the Q/A for this group. I don't know how hard it is or time-consuming it is but conceivably has the means to do that through groups if he chooses.

Oh, and Zoey, regarding new people asking the same questions that have been asked and answered before, as a new group member I must confess that the thought of going through hundreds of postings from the inception of this or any other mailing list seems much too daunting. I like your idea for putting common Q/As in a file. I hope can find the time it would be a great help. However, I must say that in any support group, at least offline, the older members of the group are usually reminded by the leader that they were new once too - desperately looking for answers. And, with that empathy in mind they should be glad to help those new members find answers and a warm friendly supportive group even if the older members have to hear what they've heard before once in a while. Sometimes this info. can serve as a refresher course too. Do you remember *everything* you've heard. Sometimes a tip or piece of information has slipped your mind. The tricky thing is finding a balance between helping new members find their feet and keeping the meetings (at least offline) informative and interesting for the veteran members. Now, quickly to online. Since these messages stay available to view at for, in some cases at least a year, I believe, it *is* a good idea to limit duplicate questions and answers in the way you've suggested.

But I must say that I feel a little hurt that you mentioned this to on the list instead of privately. I also believe after reading the recent posts that I'm not as welcome here as I once thought. But, before I unsub I *do* wish you all well.

Denim

[Guest guest]

Hi Denim,

I hope you stay in the group. I agree with what you have so eloquently

stated. I guess most everyone in this group has a few sore points, and

doctors are one point which reminds a lot of us of a lot of pain. I certainly

don't think that anyone feels ill-will toward you and hopefully you can

understand that people have these sore points and the reaction is really a

knee-jerk reaction from doctor memories. Compared to all the groups of people

with various diseases on the internet, I think this group has to be one of

the most polite and considerate groups anywhere. When people don't feel well

they can be cranky, but we generally don't have these problems. So, Demin, if

you'd stay around a bit I feel confident that you'll find a home here among

very friendly people.

As you stated, having a FAQ section (frequently asked questions) is a

good idea. I intend to start one on ithyroid.com as soon as I can get it back

working. I am going to switch site servers because the present one doesn't

seem capable of solving the problems that the site has. Right now I can't

publish to the site. I have to get software to save all of the bulletin board

posts so they can be transferred over to the new server. Hopefully in a week

or so the site will be working again.

<< Actually, Zoey, if you go to your group(s) at the website

there is a place for files. To the left of your screen you will see a list

of options. One of the groups I'm on has a frequently answered questions

(Q/A) file and there is also a bookmark section for favorite bookmarks. For

example, ithyroid.com could be put in the bookmarks section for this group

and a file put in the file section for the Q/A for this group. I don't know

how hard it is or time-consuming it is but conceivably has the means to

do that through groups if he chooses.

Oh, and Zoey, regarding new people asking the same questions that have been

asked and answered before, as a new group member I must confess that the

thought of going through hundreds of postings from the inception of this or

any other mailing list seems much too daunting. I like your idea for

putting

common Q/As in a file. I hope can find the time it would be a great

help. However, I must say that in any support group, at least offline, the

older members of the group are usually reminded by the leader that they were

new once too - desperately looking for answers. And, with that empathy in

mind they should be glad to help those new members find answers and a warm

friendly supportive group even if the older members have to hear what

they've

heard before once in a while. Sometimes this info. can serve as a refresher

course too. Do you remember *everything* you've heard. Sometimes a tip or

piece of information has slipped your mind. The tricky thing is finding a

balance between helping new members find their feet and keeping the meetings

(at least offline) informative and interesting for the veteran members. Now,

quickly to online. Since these messages stay available to view at

for, in some cases at least a year, I believe, it *is* a

good

idea to limit duplicate questions and answers in the way you've suggested.

But I must say that I feel a little hurt that you mentioned this to on

the list instead of privately. I also believe after reading the recent

posts

that I'm not as welcome here as I once thought. But, before I unsub I *do*

wish you all well.

Denim >>

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for a superb post. I was thinking of writing something with a

similar message but you said it far better than I would have. I wish there

was a way to collect and archive posts like this and put them into a special

folder both at eGroups and ithyroid. Certain questions and issues get raised

continuously, especially by people new to the boards. Having a place to

refer them to - like - " questions often asked " or something might be very

helpful. Thanks for stepping in. Zoey

Self-management of medications

> While some people have a lot of faith in doctors, many people on this

>board have lost this faith. Once you hear enough stories of the problems

that

>people get into from following their doctor's suggestions, you get a little

>more skeptical. After enough years some patients know more than their

doctors

>so they start managing their own health care.

> You're right that doctors may have a lot of experience which is

valuable

>for avoiding problems, but the flip side is that they also make mistakes

and

>those mistakes can hurt people. Also they often make recommendation which

are

>best for them rather than for the patient.

> Blindly following the suggestions of a physician can lead to serious

>problems. Most endos will automatically tell their hyper patients to

undergo

>RAI, which we know is a mistake and causes the patient harm. Once patients

>learn about this, are they going to trust these same doctors? Not

likely--but

>they will use these doctors for tests and prescriptions.

> Most of the people on this board are here because they have learned

that

>standard medical care isn't going to solve their real problems, so they've

>taken charge of their own health care. Don't be too surprised when people

>talk about regulating their own medications.

> People do what they feel they have to do to take care of themselves.

This

>is what happens when you have a health care system that is designed to

>maximize practitioner income rather than patient health.

>

>

>

>In a message dated 2/25/01 9:24:31 AM Pacific Standard Time,

>Denimruth4519@... writes:

>

><< Not a problem. <grin> It's just that it's sooo risky to change or stop

>doses

> of medications that you have no real knowledge of. Doctors go to college

>and

> get a degree for all the info. on these medications so they have the

>knowlege

> ... and they see a lot of different people with the same disease but

> different manifestations of it. Oh, sure, they also see a lot of people

>with

> the *same* manifestations which helps confirm certain symptoms or possible

> allergies. The point is they have the experience as well as the

knowledge.

> People come to them with problems and those problems are documented so the

> next person they see, the docs don't have to reinvent the wheel when

>advising

> that patient. Sorta like what we're doing here, in a way. Gathering the

> experience of others to the benefit of all. <warm smile> >>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I'd also like to add that the majority of doctors order the wrong lab tests

for managing their thyroid patients. We (laboratory managers) send out

information and newsbriefs, but the majority of docs aren't even familiar

with diagnostic protocols. Patients really do have to take charge of their

health and of necessity decide what dosage is best.

[Guest guest]

Elaine or .....is Manganesium and Magnesium the same supplement? I used

's list of supplements as a shopping list and realized I bought a bottle

of Mangansium. Don't want to take any until I know if it's the same. Thx,

Mona

Re: Self-management of medications

,

I'd also like to add that the majority of doctors order the wrong lab tests

for managing their thyroid patients. We (laboratory managers) send out

information and newsbriefs, but the majority of docs aren't even familiar

with diagnostic protocols. Patients really do have to take charge of their

health and of necessity decide what dosage is best.

[Guest guest]

sounds like you're talking about manganese vs magnesium. If this is the case,

they're two different animals...

[Guest guest]

Glad I asked....I bought a bottle of Manganese and was going to take 500 mg

with my calicum. thanks, Mona

Re: Self-management of medications

sounds like you're talking about manganese vs magnesium. If this is the

case,

they're two different animals...

[Guest guest]

I think so.....I just remember the first three letters as being MAN.....so I

don't think I bought the Magnesium after all.....darn! I was hoping it had

two spellings, oh well, back to the store tonight! Mona

Re: Self-management of medications

>

>

> ,

> I'd also like to add that the majority of doctors order the wrong lab

> tests

> for managing their thyroid patients. We (laboratory managers) send out

>

> information and newsbriefs, but the majority of docs aren't even

> familiar

> with diagnostic protocols. Patients really do have to take charge of

> their

> health and of necessity decide what dosage is best.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Could that be Manganese, Mona?

Donna

"Horten, Mona" wrote:

Elaine or .....is Manganesium and Magnesium

the same supplement? I used

's list of supplements as a shopping list and realized I bought

a bottle

of Mangansium. Don't want to take any until I know if it's

the same. Thx,

Mona

Re: Self-management of medications

,

I'd also like to add that the majority of doctors order the wrong

lab tests

for managing their thyroid patients. We (laboratory managers) send

out

information and newsbriefs, but the majority of docs aren't even

familiar

with diagnostic protocols. Patients really do have to take charge

of their

health and of necessity decide what dosage is best.