Also new here.........

July 31, 2003

Hi everybody!

I'm new here, too. Another member of the list told me about you.......It's

good to find a more " local " list. I live near Austin, about 25 miles out

into the country. I've gone through about 50 doctors over the last 15

years trying to get a diagnosis. Finally, they diagnosed endometriosis

(had to have major surgery for that), fibromyalgia, multiple chemical

sensitivities and allergies to almost everything. Of course, I've had hypo

symptoms for years, and at one time had found an OB/GYN who would treat

it--for that short time, I felt great. When he died, the new doctor didn't

want to fool with it. Off and on since then, the numbers have been all

over the place, but nobody wanted to treat it. I've been through a bone

scan, an MRI of the brain, testing for lupus (three times), Lyme disease

and leukemia, ultrasounds of the abdomen and pelvis (twice), more surgery

for the endometriosis, etc. etc. Whew.

I did have an ultrasound a year and a half ago where they discovered a

goiter. Thing is, the wrong report was sent to the doctor, and she blew me

off and said my neck was just " fleshy and fat " (Dr. Maya Bledsoe).

Typical. I've recently found another doctor (Dr. Scumpia in Austin) who

ordered another ultrasound and did a lot of blood tests. She said that

it's *definitely* a goiter, and that it has grown since the last

ultrasound. I'm supposed to go back next week to see her. I'm cautiously

optimistic that I can get somewhere with this, finally.

My mother also had a huge goiter; her whole thyroid was removed years ago.

I'm wondering what the treatments are now for them, other than surgery?

I'm assuming this isn't cancerous; the doctor said as far as the old

ultrasound showed, there were no nodules. I do have slight difficulties

swallowing, though, and choking on things like rice.....

Anyway, that's the short version of my story <grin>.........Anybody else

here see Dr. Scumpia? I've also seen Dr. McDermott in Austin, but she's

specializing in menopause stuff now.........

Looking forward to sharing any info. I can!

Bobbi C.

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