Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 YAY on Kim from N. Texas's success~! I've been thinking I really need to have my teen son tested (almost 16). I've been reading this list for just a couple weeks. Y'all are IMPRESSIVE with your knowledge~! I feel like I need a MD to keep up with some of the medical terms y'all throw out there and I figured myself as pretty well educated on this thyroid stuff~! I've been in treatment since June 2006. My first doc was TOTALLY against Armour, which ticked me off enough to find a doc that was willing to try what I wanted for my body. I see Dr. Caldwell in Conroe, who is brilliant in my eyes. It seems I was right because the synthroid I was on for 3 months while waiting to see Dr. Caldwell did absolutely nothing except supress my thyroid. I needed the T3 which Armour has and Synthroid does not. At first Armour was a fabulous kick start, and I did Armour for a year, but started to get continually sick by the fall of '07, and I noticed I was having problems eating wheat. I went in again and was diagnosed with leaky gut syndrome last February '08. I am not gluten intolerant. I've been on the anti-yeast diet along with a variety of anti-fungals, probiotics, enzymes and an intestional rebuilder since March. I'm also off all food that I had become " allergic " to causing gut inflamation. Namely: wheat, dairy, soy, corn, peanut, oranges, and sugar. I got the corn and rice back after a few months making the diet more tolerable. I expect to be on this diet for 3 to six more months. I noticed the depression and brain fog lift 2 months after I started the diet. I really had not realized how depressed I was until it was gone. It was more of a motivational depression rather than the stay in bed kind of thing. I have worked out consistently the last 5 years, but while doing this detox, I found the only thing I could handle was yoga. I love the flexibility it has given me, and I have continued with it some, although I started back with my T-Tapp exercise program the last 2 months or so, which is like strength training and non-impact cardio combined (ttapp.com). I finally lost the 2 sizes (from a 12 to 8) that I had not been able to lose ever. The weight came off very easily once the inflammation in the gut was improved. I was constantly getting sick before the diet, and I haven't even gotten a cold this year. BUT, if I did feel sickness coming on, I would go get a Far-infrared sauna to kick it out the bod. The saunas have also done much I believe to detox my body. Last January, they were my only workout, and I would come home to nap. I finally got rid of that yeast rash on my upper arms that would never go away. We have a fitness club in the Woodlands that has them as part of their membership, so I go 2-5 times a week. As often as I can~! They are wonderful. Many with muscle or fibro pain say they help them a lot. I've had a couple bouts of ovarian cysts in the past year. I was put on compounded progesterone last February. It seemed to help but as my body was struggling with the yeast detox/hormone thing, I got the cysts again this fall. Luckily it went away once again. So, overall, I consider my thyroid condition a success. I'm still on the path to full recovery, but seeing where I was a year and 2 years ago, it's been a huge improvement. I have way more energy to get physical work done, but it's not the same as before. I feel my condition really started with the birth of my 3rd child in 1999. I had a TSH of 4.02 in 2002, but wasn't diagnosed with a 4.09 until 2006 when they changed the " normal " range from 1-5 to 1-3. When I went home and looked up hypo symptoms, I smacked my forehead with realization that I had had many of these symptoms for YEARS. I'm going to take all the info I have blogged on myspace and move it to a new blog here: http://mythyroidjourney.blogspot.com/ I think sharing journeys and information can really help people. Thanks to everyone here for sharing theirs~! You can see my photos on myspace too if you'd like. http://www.myspace.com/k8stertexas Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Alright Kate! I’m glad you’re doing better. I’ve lost 35 pounds on Weight Watchers. I put a few back on while I gorged on gluten and dairy before starting my diet. I probably have about 45-50 to go. When I was so sick I was putting on ½ pound per week on an anti-Candida diet…pretty hard to do. At that point, I quit weighing myself. I’m hoping that I lose some weight with the GFCF diet like you said once some of the inflammation is gone. I quit gluten in the middle of December. I’m still wondering if I need to pursue other food allergies. I stopped the casein this week. I felt worse on Wednesday…pounding sinus headache, etc. I know sometimes it get worse before it gets better. Today I’m feeling better. I don’t seem to have near as much post nasal drip. Maybe I’ll eventually be able to quit taking my 12 hour antihistamines 24/7. Kim in North Texas ,___ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hi Kim, Do you do nasal irrigation for your sinuses? That has helped me the most and I have tried every Rx and OTC alternatives. I have constant post nasal drip and it's very likely due to the constant airborne allergens in DFW - I've been getting an allergy report on weekdays for over a year and it is rare (maybe 1 in 60 days) where we don't have levels of something. Right now, I am considering sinus surgery as a CT scan a couple years ago showed a deviated septum (not unusual) and a significant blockage in my right sinus. I have avoided following up on the surgery but now that so many of my other issues have resolved, I can clearly see this is one of my remaining big issues. Now, the problem, of course, is finding a decent ENT doctor. I went to one yesterday and he will do another CT scan, but his bedside manner was atrocious - he's supposed to be technically good and staff is good, but he doesn't seem to want to answer any of my questions. So, if anyone does know a good ENT, please let me know - I know slightly off topic. Thanks, B. > > Alright Kate! I'm glad you're doing better. > > > > I've lost 35 pounds on Weight Watchers. I put a few back on while I gorged > on gluten and dairy before starting my diet. I probably have about 45-50 to > go. When I was so sick I was putting on ½ pound per week on an anti-Candida > diet…pretty hard to do. At that point, I quit weighing myself. > > > > I'm hoping that I lose some weight with the GFCF diet like you said once > some of the inflammation is gone. I quit gluten in the middle of December. > I'm still wondering if I need to pursue other food allergies. I stopped the > casein this week. I felt worse on Wednesday…pounding sinus headache, etc. > I know sometimes it get worse before it gets better. Today I'm feeling > better. I don't seem to have near as much post nasal drip. Maybe I'll > eventually be able to quit taking my 12 hour antihistamines 24/7. > > > > Kim in North Texas > > ,___ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 , I had several CT scans which I was told were ok. I finally took them to a surgeon here in Houston who said no that my sinuses were not ok...this would explain the fever and sinus infections that lasted over 2 years no matter what I did. I had the surgery March 06 and have had only 1 sinus infection since then. The surgery was miserable but totally worth it. I still have to take Singulair and Clarinex due to my bad allergies but I feel so much better. In fact, everyone around me was sick this fall/winter except for me. I guess what I am saying is get a good surgeon to look at your scans and don't just trust the radiologist. Hi Kim,Do you do nasal irrigation for your sinuses? That has helped me themost and I have tried every Rx and OTC alternatives. I have constant post nasal drip and it's very likely due to the constant airborneallergens in DFW - I've been getting an allergy report on weekdaysfor over a year and it is rare (maybe 1 in 60 days) where we don't have levels of something.Right now, I am considering sinus surgery as a CT scan a coupleyears ago showed a deviated septum (not unusual) and a significantblockage in my right sinus. I have avoided following up on the surgery but now that so many of my other issues have resolved, I canclearly see this is one of my remaining big issues. Now, theproblem, of course, is finding a decent ENT doctor. I went to oneyesterday and he will do another CT scan, but his bedside manner was atrocious - he's supposed to be technically good and staff is good,but he doesn't seem to want to answer any of my questions. So, ifanyone does know a good ENT, please let me know - I know slightlyoff topic. Thanks, B.>> Alright Kate! I'm glad you're doing better.>>>> I've lost 35 pounds on Weight Watchers. I put a few back on while I gorged> on gluten and dairy before starting my diet. I probably haveabout 45-50 to> go. When I was so sick I was putting on ½ pound per week on ananti-Candida> diet…pretty hard to do. At that point, I quit weighing myself. >>>> I'm hoping that I lose some weight with the GFCF diet like yousaid once> some of the inflammation is gone. I quit gluten in the middle ofDecember.> I'm still wondering if I need to pursue other food allergies. I stopped the> casein this week. I felt worse on Wednesday…pounding sinusheadache, etc.> I know sometimes it get worse before it gets better. Today I'mfeeling> better. I don't seem to have near as much post nasal drip. Maybe I'll> eventually be able to quit taking my 12 hour antihistamines 24/7.>>>> Kim in North Texas>> ,___> ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 I’ve been there done that with the sinus surgery. It was literally life changing. I lived on antibiotics for over a year, every time I went off the infections were right back. Had sinus headaches that were right up there with migraines for years, etc. I was so much better after the surgery. It turns out I had a crummy surgeon. He was in Southern California. The worst part of the surgery was that my sinuses were packed solid with gauze for about 4-5 days afterwards. It was HORRIBLE!! It turns out that it was an antiquated procedure (the solid packing part). I just used the wrong surgeon. The post-op pain after the first 24 hours was not any worse then the terrible sinus headaches I had prior to the surgery. I maybe have had one sinus infection since and that surgery was in 1996. My sinuses actually drain now! One of the nurses I worked with said that you are always blowing your nose. I said “yes, isn’t it great!” If I needed it, I would definitely do the surgery again in a heart beat of course with a surgeon that doesn’t do the packing. Another surgeon I spoke to said that if he has to pack a patient it is only partial packing and only overnight. No, I haven’t been good about regularly doing sinus rinses unless I’m really in pain. We are going to find new homes for our cats (very sad) but that should help as well. My sinuses are actually much better here then in Southern California. I rarely have sinus headaches here in Texas even with the cats. Kim From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of mhbarnes_99 Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 8:56 AM To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups Subject: Re: Success Stories Hi Kim, Do you do nasal irrigation for your sinuses? That has helped me the most and I have tried every Rx and OTC alternatives. I have constant post nasal drip and it's very likely due to the constant airborne allergens in DFW - I've been getting an allergy report on weekdays for over a year and it is rare (maybe 1 in 60 days) where we don't have levels of something. Right now, I am considering sinus surgery as a CT scan a couple years ago showed a deviated septum (not unusual) and a significant blockage in my right sinus. I have avoided following up on the surgery but now that so many of my other issues have resolved, I can clearly see this is one of my remaining big issues. Now, the problem, of course, is finding a decent ENT doctor. I went to one yesterday and he will do another CT scan, but his bedside manner was atrocious - he's supposed to be technically good and staff is good, but he doesn't seem to want to answer any of my questions. So, if anyone does know a good ENT, please let me know - I know slightly off topic. Thanks, B. ___ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hi , My husband just had the surgery for a deviated septum and to "shave down" the turbinators in his nose that were also causing more blockage. He needs to go back and have his tonsils removed because they are severely restricting his airway, but in the 2 months since the surgery he has not had a lot of problems with post nasal drip and a stuffy nose that he did (he has even stopped snoring unless he is very fatigued). He had an allergy test (the one with a lot of small shots in the arms), and it showed that he had an allergy to dust and dairy (we already knew dairy). I would recommend his ENT. He was very good with answering questions, has a good bedside manner, and was able to fixed a friend of our's botched sinus surgery and for the first time in his 40 years he is not snoring (he even snored as a child). I don't have his info with me at work but I can send it later if you'd like. - EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me> To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups > Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 14:55:53 +0000> Subject: Re: Success Stories> > Hi Kim,> > Do you do nasal irrigation for your sinuses? That has helped me the > most and I have tried every Rx and OTC alternatives. I have constant > post nasal drip and it's very likely due to the constant airborne > allergens in DFW - I've been getting an allergy report on weekdays > for over a year and it is rare (maybe 1 in 60 days) where we don't > have levels of something. > > Right now, I am considering sinus surgery as a CT scan a couple > years ago showed a deviated septum (not unusual) and a significant > blockage in my right sinus. I have avoided following up on the > surgery but now that so many of my other issues have resolved, I can > clearly see this is one of my remaining big issues. Now, the > problem, of course, is finding a decent ENT doctor. I went to one > yesterday and he will do another CT scan, but his bedside manner was > atrocious - he's supposed to be technically good and staff is good, > but he doesn't seem to want to answer any of my questions. So, if > anyone does know a good ENT, please let me know - I know slightly > off topic.> > Thanks,> B. > > > >> > Alright Kate! I'm glad you're doing better.> > > > > > > > I've lost 35 pounds on Weight Watchers. I put a few back on while > I gorged> > on gluten and dairy before starting my diet. I probably have > about 45-50 to> > go. When I was so sick I was putting on ½ pound per week on an > anti-Candida> > diet…pretty hard to do. At that point, I quit weighing myself.> > > > > > > > I'm hoping that I lose some weight with the GFCF diet like you > said once> > some of the inflammation is gone. I quit gluten in the middle of > December.> > I'm still wondering if I need to pursue other food allergies. I > stopped the> > casein this week. I felt worse on Wednesday…pounding sinus > headache, etc.> > I know sometimes it get worse before it gets better. Today I'm > feeling> > better. I don't seem to have near as much post nasal drip. Maybe > I'll> > eventually be able to quit taking my 12 hour antihistamines 24/7.> > > > > > > > Kim in North Texas> > > > ,___> >> > > > ------------------------------------> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Hi Kim, How did you know for sure that you had IBS? My gastro suspects it, but wants to run upper and lower endoscopies and lots of tests. I am also leary of IBS medicine because I'm afraid medicines like that may do more harm than good. I have acid reflux disease, and had a hiatal hernia that I had surgery for in 2004 and no longer have to take Nexium. I was told that I had GERD back then but because I was so sick and undiagnosed with Hashis, when my gastro prescribed Reglan it made me so sleepy that I couldn't function so I stopped taking it. I am at a point now where I know that I need to figure out my stomach/intestinal issues but I don't have the time, energy, or money to do it just yet. - EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups From: CAdata4u@...Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 16:25:18 -0600Subject: Success Stories I was very ill. When I was out of bed all I could think about was when I could go back. I would tell myself I just have to do 2 hours of work and I can go back to bed, etc. Performing basic mental functions felt like doing trigonometry. I had myxedema in legs. My IBS was horrible where I was afraid to leave the house. My GERD was pretty much non responsive to Prilosec because my GI tract had slowed down so much. My cholesterol also went from normal range to abnormal. I’m sure there were many other symptoms that I’m not remembering. I was desperate to find out what was wrong with me. I provide a big part of our household income and only get paid for what I get done which wasn’t much. I had an opened minded DO that started me on Armour but I quickly crashed due to adrenal fatigue. When I tried to reintroduce even 15 mg of Armour, I would go very hyper to the point of wondering if I should call the paramedics. It turns out I also had very low ferritin. I think it was only about 13. I also had a B vitamin deficiency. When I spoke to my DO’s nurse, they were going to send me to an endo. By then I knew enough to know not to bother with one. So I found Dr after spending two days scouring through Shomon’s top doc list. He is out-of-network for my insurance and 5 hours away from my home but at this point, I had a huge loss of income and needed to get well. I was in the process of getting an appointment set when I found this group and got a confirmation that Dr R treated adrenals. So I’ve been on treatment for 2.5 years. I think I’m pretty close to normal. I really don’t know what normal is since I was most likely hypothyroid since I was a teen. I’m 44 now. I generally don’t need naps anymore. I don’t get sick often. No more IBS. Right now I’m working more than full-time…not by choice. My cholesterol is normal. I still have GERD but it does respond to a normal dose of Prilosec. Plus I have found out that I’m gluten intolerant and allergic to dairy so I’m on a gluten/casein/soy free diet. We’ll see maybe the GERD will resolve also. Now my husband and both of my daughters go to Dr R also. My husband had multiple hormone imbalances. His cholesterol was really bad but amazingly enough it is also normal now. (His mother cannot get her cholesterol under control no matter what they try). He feels much better. My 17 yo daughter had not had a period at the age of 15. She started within a few months of starting Armour. She was sick constantly. Whenever she went on a trip (summer camp, trip to England, etc) she would get very sick with a cold, etc. So sick that she would be in bed instead of out doing the camp activities, etc. She doesn’t remember a thing about our trip to England except for being sick…really sad. Now she is rarely sick and if she does it is mild. She has gone away and actually been well the entire time which is a huge accomplishment. I still think she has some room for improvement but we’re due to see Dr R in the next month or so. She thinks she is fine. My 19 y.o. is non-compliant on taking her Armour regularly so I really can’t comment on her. So yes it is worth the struggle to find someone that is competent and qualified to treat you. Kim in North Texas _ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Because they ruled out everything else. I think that is pretty much how you end up with a diagnosis of IBS. In retrospect I highly doubt they ever tested me for gluten intolerance/celiac. Which I have done recently through enterolab and has come back positive for both gluten and dairy. I know starting the non-chelated iron at the very start of my thyroid treatment also really aggravated the IBS. When I changed to chelated I did much better. I was prescribed Reglan once. I had thoughts of driving myself off the canyon road that I took to work. People were pulling me aside at work, including a social worker, asking me if everything was okay. I was extremely lethargic. I went back to the doctor and we figured out it was the Reglan. I haven’t taken anything else for it. I would only take Imodium in an emergency situation like if I had symptoms and needed to fly. IBS is fine now it is the GERD that is bad. It is actually worse again after going gluten/casein free. I figure I need to give it more time but am wondering if I have other food allergies. It looks like my daughter will be having her fourth surgery on her leg that she shattered just over 2 years ago. I’m having to work really long hours. It looks like we’re going to be selling our home, etc, etc. I don’t feel like I have the time, emotional or financial resources to deal with finding a doctor and dealing with other food allergies or candida or whatever the underlying issue is. Maybe I do have something going on with my anatomy at the gastroesophageal junction that needs to be corrected surgically? I had found a gastroenterologist but it turns out their group does not take Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Maybe my GI tract just needs more time to heal. Kim From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of Caldwell Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:23 AM To: Texas Thyroid Yahoo Group Subject: RE: Success Stories Hi Kim, How did you know for sure that you had IBS? My gastro suspects it, but wants to run upper and lower endoscopies and lots of tests. I am also leary of IBS medicine because I'm afraid medicines like that may do more harm than good. I have acid reflux disease, and had a hiatal hernia that I had surgery for in 2004 and no longer have to take Nexium. I was told that I had GERD back then but because I was so sick and undiagnosed with Hashis, when my gastro prescribed Reglan it made me so sleepy that I couldn't function so I stopped taking it. I am at a point now where I know that I need to figure out my stomach/intestinal issues but I don't have the time, energy, or money to do it just yet. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Good luck with everything, Kim. Diet and lifestyle changes are hard enough on their own, let alone with the stress that most of us have to deal with. Sometimes I wonder how we all function because of the stress that seems to pile on all at once. DH and I have been taking Slow FE iron which is non-chelated ferrous sulfate, and our numbers have not improved. I just ordered some Source Naturals iron which is ferrous bisglycinate chelate / advanced ferrochel, so I'm hoping that will relieve my stomach some and bring up our numbers. I also ordered Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls. Lately I have been experiencing nausea every time I eat and constant diarrhea, so I'm hoping these two changes will help some until our stress subsides and I can concentrate more on figuring out what's going on with my stomach. This could also be stress related because of handling my husband's grandmother's stroke and we've been balancing work and being at the hospital. - EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups From: CAdata4u@...Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:03:51 -0600Subject: RE: Success Stories Because they ruled out everything else. I think that is pretty much how you end up with a diagnosis of IBS. In retrospect I highly doubt they ever tested me for gluten intolerance/celiac. Which I have done recently through enterolab and has come back positive for both gluten and dairy. I know starting the non-chelated iron at the very start of my thyroid treatment also really aggravated the IBS. When I changed to chelated I did much better. I was prescribed Reglan once. I had thoughts of driving myself off the canyon road that I took to work. People were pulling me aside at work, including a social worker, asking me if everything was okay. I was extremely lethargic. I went back to the doctor and we figured out it was the Reglan. I haven’t taken anything else for it. I would only take Imodium in an emergency situation like if I had symptoms and needed to fly. IBS is fine now it is the GERD that is bad. It is actually worse again after going gluten/casein free. I figure I need to give it more time but am wondering if I have other food allergies. It looks like my daughter will be having her fourth surgery on her leg that she shattered just over 2 years ago. I’m having to work really long hours. It looks like we’re going to be selling our home, etc, etc. I don’t feel like I have the time, emotional or financial resources to deal with finding a doctor and dealing with other food allergies or candida or whatever the underlying issue is. Maybe I do have something going on with my anatomy at the gastroesophageal junction that needs to be corrected surgically? I had found a gastroenterologist but it turns out their group does not take Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Maybe my GI tract just needs more time to heal. Kim From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of CaldwellSent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:23 AMTo: Texas Thyroid Yahoo GroupSubject: RE: Success Stories Hi Kim, How did you know for sure that you had IBS? My gastro suspects it, but wants to run upper and lower endoscopies and lots of tests. I am also leary of IBS medicine because I'm afraid medicines like that may do more harm than good. I have acid reflux disease, and had a hiatal hernia that I had surgery for in 2004 and no longer have to take Nexium. I was told that I had GERD back then but because I was so sick and undiagnosed with Hashis, when my gastro prescribed Reglan it made me so sleepy that I couldn't function so I stopped taking it. I am at a point now where I know that I need to figure out my stomach/intestinal issues but I don't have the time, energy, or money to do it just yet. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Kim, It can take six months on the GF diet for the GI tract to even begin to heal. Also, any cross contamination can reset the clock, so to speak. On the GERD specifically, I will still have it sometimes depending upon what I've eaten. For example, I love the Chebe (tapioca) bread and if I eat more than a couple breadsticks, I'll have the GERD symptoms, but the severity is less and it clears up very quickly. I'm not certain, though, whether it's the starch or the eggs, since I know I am allergic to eggs and I'm getting 1/3 of an egg in two chebe breadsticks. Also, when eating out, I have very often been glutened - it's less and less as time goes by, but it's almost an art (and an aligning of the stars) to get a server that has a clue (even when the restaurant has the menu) and whether the right info gets to the cook is always questionable. Even then, the cook needs to understand the cross contamination issue. So, I have found that the only chain with a GF menu that works well for me is Rockfish. I had a very bad experience on OTB (in ville), but as always YMMV. Personally, I would give the diet more time before spending too much time and $s with the GI docs. I have also been re-running the enterolab tests on my family and my boys have yet to have their antibodies in the normal range. Dr. Fine has said that it can take up to 3 years for all the antibodies to get out of the body and I know that my boys have been glutened when eating out - then they've had the obvious symptoms - reflux is my younger son's biggest symptom. The only mainstream place they eat out other than for birthdays and special occasions is Chipotle - all their meats are GF. The only thing that isn't AFAIK is the flour tortillas, so they just get their meal in the bowls. There is a great entirely GF restaurant in Plano that we go to occasionally - they also have a great bakery. . > > Because they ruled out everything else. I think that is pretty much how you > end up with a diagnosis of IBS. In retrospect I highly doubt they ever > tested me for gluten intolerance/celiac. Which I have done recently > through enterolab and has come back positive for both gluten and dairy. I > know starting the non-chelated iron at the very start of my thyroid > treatment also really aggravated the IBS. When I changed to chelated I did > much better. > > > > I was prescribed Reglan once. I had thoughts of driving myself off the > canyon road that I took to work. People were pulling me aside at work, > including a social worker, asking me if everything was okay. I was > extremely lethargic. I went back to the doctor and we figured out it was > the Reglan. > > > > I haven't taken anything else for it. I would only take Imodium in an > emergency situation like if I had symptoms and needed to fly. > > > > IBS is fine now it is the GERD that is bad. It is actually worse again > after going gluten/casein free. I figure I need to give it more time but am > wondering if I have other food allergies. > > > > It looks like my daughter will be having her fourth surgery on her leg that > she shattered just over 2 years ago. I'm having to work really long hours. > It looks like we're going to be selling our home, etc, etc. I don't feel > like I have the time, emotional or financial resources to deal with finding > a doctor and dealing with other food allergies or candida or whatever the > underlying issue is. Maybe I do have something going on with my anatomy at > the gastroesophageal junction that needs to be corrected surgically? I had > found a gastroenterologist but it turns out their group does not take Blue > Cross/Blue Shield. > > > > Maybe my GI tract just needs more time to heal. > > > > Kim > > > > _____ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Hi , I do hope your GI stuff clears up and I do think stress is a contributor. When I had IBS (before I knew about the celiac and the dairy reactions), stress always, always made it worse. For me, removing dairy had the biggest (almost immediate) impact - that was 10 years before I knew about the celiac. I do hope things are going okay with your husband's grandmother and pray for healing for you all. B. > > > Good luck with everything, Kim. Diet and lifestyle changes are hard enough on their own, let alone with the stress that most of us have to deal with. Sometimes I wonder how we all function because of the stress that seems to pile on all at once. > > DH and I have been taking Slow FE iron which is non-chelated ferrous sulfate, and our numbers have not improved. I just ordered some Source Naturals iron which is ferrous bisglycinate chelate / advanced ferrochel, so I'm hoping that will relieve my stomach some and bring up our numbers. I also ordered Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls. Lately I have been experiencing nausea every time I eat and constant diarrhea, so I'm hoping these two changes will help some until our stress subsides and I can concentrate more on figuring out what's going on with my stomach. This could also be stress related because of handling my husband's grandmother's stroke and we've been balancing work and being at the hospital. > > - > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Hi , If you are in Dallas, I would like the contact info for your husband's ENT, but for some reason, I'm thinking you're in Houston. I did the CT scan on Friday and will go back to this one ENT on Wed. I did find a list on www.ratemds.com of local ENTs and there's a couple that look hopeful. At this point, I've almost talked myself out of the surgery as my sinuses are finally clearing after two months. Related to thyroid, I did find some reviews of some of our good (and bad) thyroid docs on www.ratemds.com. Also, it looks like some of you all have already been there, based on one of the reviews of Dr R As always, you can see mixed reviews, which is why this group is so important. Thx, B. > > > Hi , > > My husband just had the surgery for a deviated septum and to " shave down " the turbinators in his nose that were also causing more blockage. He needs to go back and have his tonsils removed because they are severely restricting his airway, but in the 2 months since the surgery he has not had a lot of problems with post nasal drip and a stuffy nose that he did (he has even stopped snoring unless he is very fatigued). He had an allergy test (the one with a lot of small shots in the arms), and it showed that he had an allergy to dust and dairy (we already knew dairy). > > I would recommend his ENT. He was very good with answering questions, has a good bedside manner, and was able to fixed a friend of our's botched sinus surgery and for the first time in his 40 years he is not snoring (he even snored as a child). I don't have his info with me at work but I can send it later if you'd like. > > - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I could not take Slow FE. I was in the bathroom constantly. Hopefully switching to the chelated will help. I keep meaning to look at how much active acidophilus is in the pearl compared to the ones you have to refrigerate. I just placed a big order with vitacost and of course I forgot probiotics which I’m sure I could use. I’m so sorry about your grandmother. Any update on how she is doing? Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Thank you, . Stress and my menstrual cycle have aggravated things. My husband's grandmother is day to day. She had a massive stroke on the left side of her brain with a clot in her corotid artery. They were able to use a clot buster drug within the 3 hour window, but the damage had already been done. The neurologist has told us that her quality of life will be bed-ridden, unable to walk, talk, etc. She understands us when we use short sentences, and will squeeze our hand to acknowledge us or a question, and nod yes or no. We are praying God's will. Of course we want her to live, but we don't want her "stuck here" as a prisoner in her own body. If Grandma cannot be active in serving the Lord, then she will be miserable. We are praying for a healing, and if not, that God will take her home. She was extremely active at 73 years old. She is the pastor of our church, an avid reader, writer, speaker, traveler, etc., and to see her like this is very difficult. Thank you for the support and prayers. - EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me> To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups > Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:31:37 +0000> Subject: Re: Success Stories> > Hi ,> > I do hope your GI stuff clears up and I do think stress is a > contributor. When I had IBS (before I knew about the celiac and the > dairy reactions), stress always, always made it worse. For me, > removing dairy had the biggest (almost immediate) impact - that was > 10 years before I knew about the celiac. > > I do hope things are going okay with your husband's grandmother and > pray for healing for you all.> > B. > > > >> > > > Good luck with everything, Kim. Diet and lifestyle changes are > hard enough on their own, let alone with the stress that most of us > have to deal with. Sometimes I wonder how we all function because > of the stress that seems to pile on all at once.> > > > DH and I have been taking Slow FE iron which is non-chelated > ferrous sulfate, and our numbers have not improved. I just ordered > some Source Naturals iron which is ferrous bisglycinate chelate / > advanced ferrochel, so I'm hoping that will relieve my stomach some > and bring up our numbers. I also ordered Enzymatic Therapy > Acidophilus Pearls. Lately I have been experiencing nausea every > time I eat and constant diarrhea, so I'm hoping these two changes > will help some until our stress subsides and I can concentrate more > on figuring out what's going on with my stomach. This could also be > stress related because of handling my husband's grandmother's stroke > and we've been balancing work and being at the hospital.> > > > -> > > > > > > > > >> > > ------------------------------------> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I am in Houston. Good luck in your search! My husband did find relief with the NeilMed squirt bottle and premade mix used twice daily to flush his sinuses, but his was an issue in that his o2 levels were extremely low and it was causing sleep apnea because of the restricted airway. - EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me> To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups > Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:38:00 +0000> Subject: Re: Success Stories> > Hi ,> > If you are in Dallas, I would like the contact info for your > husband's ENT, but for some reason, I'm thinking you're in Houston.> > I did the CT scan on Friday and will go back to this one ENT on Wed. > I did find a list on www.ratemds.com of local ENTs and there's a > couple that look hopeful. At this point, I've almost talked myself > out of the surgery as my sinuses are finally clearing after two > months. > > Related to thyroid, I did find some reviews of some of our good (and > bad) thyroid docs on www.ratemds.com. Also, it looks like some of > you all have already been there, based on one of the reviews of Dr > R As always, you can see mixed reviews, which is why this group > is so important.> > Thx,> B. > > > >> > > > Hi ,> > > > My husband just had the surgery for a deviated septum and > to "shave down" the turbinators in his nose that were also causing > more blockage. He needs to go back and have his tonsils removed > because they are severely restricting his airway, but in the 2 > months since the surgery he has not had a lot of problems with post > nasal drip and a stuffy nose that he did (he has even stopped > snoring unless he is very fatigued). He had an allergy test (the > one with a lot of small shots in the arms), and it showed that he > had an allergy to dust and dairy (we already knew dairy). > > > > I would recommend his ENT. He was very good with answering > questions, has a good bedside manner, and was able to fixed a friend > of our's botched sinus surgery and for the first time in his 40 > years he is not snoring (he even snored as a child). I don't have > his info with me at work but I can send it later if you'd like.> > > > -> >> > > > ------------------------------------> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I am hoping the Source Naturals will help and will bring up our iron and ferritin. I didn't notice much change in the frequency of my bathroom trips when I started the Slow FE, but I was already running to the bathroom after every meal, so I'm not sure that I would have noticed anyway. - EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups From: CAdata4u@...Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:30:49 -0600Subject: RE: Success Stories I could not take Slow FE. I was in the bathroom constantly. Hopefully switching to the chelated will help. I keep meaning to look at how much active acidophilus is in the pearl compared to the ones you have to refrigerate. I just placed a big order with vitacost and of course I forgot probiotics which I’m sure I could use. I’m so sorry about your grandmother. Any update on how she is doing? Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 Yes, the nasal irrigation is extremely helpful. I do that daily and even when I travel. I have not had a sleep study and I wonder if I shouldn't do that as well. I take alot of natural stuff to sleep, but I wonder if there isn't a fundamental issue. I'll ask the doctor about that in a couple weeks. I'm just at the point with my sinuses that I have tried everything. I went through all my cabinets and drawers and had 2 gallon size ziploc baggies full of things I've tried. The biggest problem I'm having is that the post nasal drip seems to be progressing to bronchitis about every 6 weeks lately. Of course, that makes me wonder if I don't need a boost in T3 since it is a powerful mucolytic (I already take max dosages of Mucinex and an herbal mucolytic daily). I haven't increased my thyroid hormone at all since the weather has gotten colder and I have been feeling more cold than normal - the kinda cold where you just can't get warm - the kind that hurts. B. > > > I am in Houston. Good luck in your search! My husband did find relief with the NeilMed squirt bottle and premade mix used twice daily to flush his sinuses, but his was an issue in that his o2 levels were extremely low and it was causing sleep apnea because of the restricted airway. > > - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 Oh I hear you on that complaint. I’ve been cold even on days when it has warmed up. It seems like I don’t warm up after getting cold at night. But then I’ve had night sweats too. I notice my shoulder is starting to ache too. I’m glad it is almost time for me to see Dr R. Kim From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of mhbarnes_99 Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 8:12 PM To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups Subject: Re: Success Stories I have been feeling more cold than normal - the kinda cold where you just can't get warm - the kind that hurts. B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2009 Report Share Posted January 13, 2009 Checking to see if it is a fundamental issue is worth a shot. DH needs to have his tonsils removed to finish opening his airway enough so that his 02 levels will go back up. He'll be able to sleep more soundly and restfully, and be able to exercise without getting dizzy from lack of oxygen. The ENT told my husband that if he didn't he could very easily die in his sleep from suffocation. - EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOODJoin me> To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups > Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:11:45 +0000> Subject: Re: Success Stories> > Yes, the nasal irrigation is extremely helpful. I do that daily and > even when I travel. I have not had a sleep study and I wonder if I > shouldn't do that as well. I take alot of natural stuff to sleep, > but I wonder if there isn't a fundamental issue. I'll ask the doctor > about that in a couple weeks. > > I'm just at the point with my sinuses that I have tried everything. > I went through all my cabinets and drawers and had 2 gallon size > ziploc baggies full of things I've tried. The biggest problem I'm > having is that the post nasal drip seems to be progressing to > bronchitis about every 6 weeks lately. Of course, that makes me > wonder if I don't need a boost in T3 since it is a powerful > mucolytic (I already take max dosages of Mucinex and an herbal > mucolytic daily). I haven't increased my thyroid hormone at all > since the weather has gotten colder and I have been feeling more > cold than normal - the kinda cold where you just can't get warm - > the kind that hurts. > > B. > > > >> > > > I am in Houston. Good luck in your search! My husband did > find relief with the NeilMed squirt bottle and premade mix used > twice daily to flush his sinuses, but his was an issue in that his > o2 levels were extremely low and it was causing sleep apnea because > of the restricted airway.> > > > -> >> > > > ------------------------------------> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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