Guest guest Posted February 25, 2001 Report Share Posted February 25, 2001 Pat, Welcome to our group. I don't know what kind of arthritis you have, though there are a lot of similarities to PA. I think you might want to find a new doctor, and I would keep looking until I found one who answered my questions. I would also read our archives and look up PA on the internet, do my own research. I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure everyone on the list will help you in whatever way we can. Melody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2001 Report Share Posted February 25, 2001 I'm really sorry to hear of your pain. From reading many stories about PA I've concluded that this disease is often mis-diagnosed for a long time. There is a lot of information from both the Arthritis Foundation (http://arthritis.org) and the Nation Psoriasis Foundation (http://psoriasis.org). While waiting for my first appointment with a Rheumatologist (it always seems to take weeks if not months to get started) I did a good deal of research on my own and had information in hand at that first visit. I hope the group is of help to you if only to know that you're not alone. cynthia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2001 Report Share Posted February 25, 2001 --- thank you melody. i have an appointment with a rheumatoligist in may so maybe he can tell me what's going on. there are so many forms of arthritis so i'm hoping i'll get a name for mine. all my problems started when i went into menopause 6 years ago. i was 43 and that was considered early. my arthritis pain started the 2nd year into meno. since then my estrogen is depleted and i must have started losing bone really fast according to my bone density test. I've heard hormone treatment helps bones but i can't take hormones because it makes my migraines worse so i was put on didrocal for low bone density. I've been on it a year now and don't feel any differnt, if anything i feel worse. I am also taking 2.mg synthroid for my low thyroid, i heard somewhere that this medicine is bad for bones...has anyone heard same..... my arthritis is so bad at times I have to put on a castlike support on my right knee. and if the left knee goes than i can't walk. i get so terribly depressed because i'm a goer and i love to get out walk and do things when the weather permits. I am on long-term disability and am sick a lot so i have to grab any good day i have and enjoy it as much as i can.... thank you all for listening. i've been reading the posts and i'm already learning from you. you are certainly a nice group of people who are concerned for each other... pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 You should get yourself tested - FT3, FT4 and TSH. Go to www.healthcheckusa.com and you can buy the tests yourself for $87. Then, post the results here, including reference ranges. If you need thyroid meds, none of that other stuff will do it for you. Val in Boulder, CO -----Original Message----- From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@...] Hi. I have had hypothyroidism for about 8 years. My doctor started me on meds, too high of a dose I think, and it caused me to lose alot of weight and started me on an anxiety roller coaster of hell. I stopped taking the meds years ago and am now looking for something natural that I can take to try and get myself straightened out. I have gained 40 lbs. and never have any energy and am tired alot. I have found a couple of products online(virgin coconut oil, thyodine) and was just wondering if anyone here takes any of these products and how they work for you? Thanks! Looking forward to your responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 If I buy the test and test myself won't I still have to go to the doc for meds? I'm trying to avoid going to the doctor. He use to test me every 6 months. I have a very low tolerance for drugs so even at the minimum amount of meds he had me on it seemed too high. I'm looking for a more natural way to perk up my thyroid. Surely there's something out there?? Thanks :-) > You should get yourself tested - FT3, FT4 and TSH. Go to > www.healthcheckusa.com and you can buy the tests yourself for $87. Then, > post the results here, including reference ranges. If you need thyroid > meds, none of that other stuff will do it for you. > > Val in Boulder, CO > > -----Original Message----- > From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@s...] > > Hi. I have had hypothyroidism for about 8 years. My doctor started > me on meds, too high of a dose I think, and it caused me to lose alot > of weight and started me on an anxiety roller coaster of hell. I > stopped taking the meds years ago and am now looking for something > natural that I can take to try and get myself straightened out. I > have gained 40 lbs. and never have any energy and am tired alot. I > have found a couple of products online(virgin coconut oil, thyodine) > and was just wondering if anyone here takes any of these products and > how they work for you? Thanks! Looking forward to your responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 You can buy real Armour from www.antiaging-systems.com or http://www.biogenesis.co.za/pi-thyroid.asp You can get T4 from www.medsmex.com or www.mastersmarketing.com You should not take anything without prior testing to ascertain your FT3, FT4 and TSH levels. A severe reaction to thyroid hormone can mean you have fatigued adrenals or that you were taking too much. The package inserts for thyroid medicines say that adrenals should be checked before commencing the use of thyroid hormone. Doctors rarely do that. How much med were you one (i.e., dose, type)? Val in Boulder, CO -----Original Message----- From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@...] If I buy the test and test myself won't I still have to go to the doc for meds? I'm trying to avoid going to the doctor. He use to test me every 6 months. I have a very low tolerance for drugs so even at the minimum amount of meds he had me on it seemed too high. I'm looking for a more natural way to perk up my thyroid. Surely there's something out there?? Thanks :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 Val....I was on levothyroxine 0.05mg tab once a day. I was actually cutting the pills in half instead of taking a whole pill and still lost a lot of weight, lost alot of hair, had heart palpitations, sweats, and uncontrollable panic and anxiety. So, if I do the self test then how will I know what I need to take, the armour or the T4? Thanks for your help. > You can buy real Armour from www.antiaging-systems.com or > http://www.biogenesis.co.za/pi-thyroid.asp You can get T4 from > www.medsmex.com or www.mastersmarketing.com > > You should not take anything without prior testing to ascertain your FT3, > FT4 and TSH levels. A severe reaction to thyroid hormone can mean you have > fatigued adrenals or that you were taking too much. The package inserts for > thyroid medicines say that adrenals should be checked before commencing the > use of thyroid hormone. Doctors rarely do that. > > How much med were you one (i.e., dose, type)? > > Val in Boulder, CO > > -----Original Message----- > From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@s...] > > If I buy the test and test myself won't I still have to go to the doc > for meds? I'm trying to avoid going to the doctor. He use to test > me every 6 months. I have a very low tolerance for drugs so even at > the minimum amount of meds he had me on it seemed too high. I'm > looking for a more natural way to perk up my thyroid. Surely there's > something out there?? Thanks :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 Leah, You wrote: > > Val....I was on levothyroxine 0.05mg tab once a day. I was actually > cutting the pills in half instead of taking a whole pill and still > lost a lot of weight, lost alot of hair, had heart palpitations, > sweats, and uncontrollable panic and anxiety. ... If you were only taking 0.025 mg per day but were suffering these _hyper_thyroid symptoms, it would suggest that you are not hypothyroid at all. Have you checked for other conditions? Chuck Blatchley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 You should try to get your FT3 and FT4 into the upper area of their respective ranges. TSH of about 1 is good. The only way you can do this is to test, then start meds and re-test 6 - 8 weeks later - after you've been on a given dose for that long. I wait 8 weeks to be sure. Then, you can see what to adjust. I'd get Armour and start on 1/4 of a 1/4 grain. Do that for a week. If you don't have a bad reaction, then increase to 1/2 of a 1/4 grain, etc. Since you had the bad reaction to 50 mcg of T4, you need to be very careful and go very slowly. Your reaction to 50 mcg of T4 sounds like you were overmedicated and went HYPERthyroid. Listen to your body and keep track of your blood pressure and pulse. If you have a bad reaction, you'll need to get your adrenals tested. All this assumes, of course that you need meds in the first place. Please don't construe this to be medical advice. I am not a qualified healthcare practitioner. Val in Boulder, CO -----Original Message----- From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@...] Val....I was on levothyroxine 0.05mg tab once a day. I was actually cutting the pills in half instead of taking a whole pill and still lost a lot of weight, lost alot of hair, had heart palpitations, sweats, and uncontrollable panic and anxiety. So, if I do the self test then how will I know what I need to take, the armour or the T4? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 Eveidently my bood tests showed that I was hypo. Actually I believe that most of those symptons accured while I was on the full dose. They may have gotten better after I cut the dose in half, it's been so many years I don't really remember. Problem was that by that time I was agoraphobic and not able to go for my blood tests which is why I stopped taking it. I actually thought I was losing my mind. I have since of course figured out that it was the meds that was causing it. I am no longer agoraphobic but I do still have a panic disorder so going to have blood drawn is out of the question. I'm not sure if he checked for other conditions or not. When I fist went in he said I had post partum depression, which I disagreed with. he started me on prozac and then the blood tests came back and he started me on the thyroid meds....I stopped taking the prozac soon after. > > > > Val....I was on levothyroxine 0.05mg tab once a day. I was actually > > cutting the pills in half instead of taking a whole pill and still > > lost a lot of weight, lost alot of hair, had heart palpitations, > > sweats, and uncontrollable panic and anxiety. ... > > If you were only taking 0.025 mg per day but were suffering these > _hyper_thyroid symptoms, it would suggest that you are not hypothyroid > at all. Have you checked for other conditions? > > Chuck Blatchley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 They always try to give us anti-depressants. I don't know what to tell you about getting blood tests. Can you have someone go with you? I don't think you should take meds without testing first. Val in Boulder, CO -----Original Message----- From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@...] Eveidently my bood tests showed that I was hypo. Actually I believe that most of those symptons accured while I was on the full dose. They may have gotten better after I cut the dose in half, it's been so many years I don't really remember. Problem was that by that time I was agoraphobic and not able to go for my blood tests which is why I stopped taking it. I actually thought I was losing my mind. I have since of course figured out that it was the meds that was causing it. I am no longer agoraphobic but I do still have a panic disorder so going to have blood drawn is out of the question. I'm not sure if he checked for other conditions or not. When I fist went in he said I had post partum depression, which I disagreed with. he started me on prozac and then the blood tests came back and he started me on the thyroid meds....I stopped taking the prozac soon after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 Val in Boulder writes: > You can buy real Armour from www.antiaging-systems.com or > http://www.biogenesis.co.za/pi-thyroid.asp You can get T4 from > www.medsmex.com or www.mastersmarketing.com > > Wow, I can't believe you can buy Armour without a prescription. Is it called Armour on that site as well? Jenelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 There are 2 thyroid tests offered at healthcheckusa.com Which is the right one? The most expensive of the two I figure lol What's the difference in the 2? > You should get yourself tested - FT3, FT4 and TSH. Go to > www.healthcheckusa.com and you can buy the tests yourself for $87. Then, > post the results here, including reference ranges. If you need thyroid > meds, none of that other stuff will do it for you. > > Val in Boulder, CO > > -----Original Message----- > From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@s...] > > Hi. I have had hypothyroidism for about 8 years. My doctor started > me on meds, too high of a dose I think, and it caused me to lose alot > of weight and started me on an anxiety roller coaster of hell. I > stopped taking the meds years ago and am now looking for something > natural that I can take to try and get myself straightened out. I > have gained 40 lbs. and never have any energy and am tired alot. I > have found a couple of products online(virgin coconut oil, thyodine) > and was just wondering if anyone here takes any of these products and > how they work for you? Thanks! Looking forward to your responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 How do you go about having your adrenals tested? > You should try to get your FT3 and FT4 into the upper area of their > respective ranges. TSH of about 1 is good. The only way you can do this is > to test, then start meds and re-test 6 - 8 weeks later - after you've been > on a given dose for that long. I wait 8 weeks to be sure. Then, you can > see what to adjust. I'd get Armour and start on 1/4 of a 1/4 grain. Do > that for a week. If you don't have a bad reaction, then increase to 1/2 of > a 1/4 grain, etc. Since you had the bad reaction to 50 mcg of T4, you need > to be very careful and go very slowly. Your reaction to 50 mcg of T4 sounds > like you were overmedicated and went HYPERthyroid. Listen to your body and > keep track of your blood pressure and pulse. If you have a bad reaction, > you'll need to get your adrenals tested. All this assumes, of course that > you need meds in the first place. > > Please don't construe this to be medical advice. I am not a qualified > healthcare practitioner. > > Val in Boulder, CO > > -----Original Message----- > From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@s...] > > Val....I was on levothyroxine 0.05mg tab once a day. I was actually > cutting the pills in half instead of taking a whole pill and still > lost a lot of weight, lost alot of hair, had heart palpitations, > sweats, and uncontrollable panic and anxiety. So, if I do the self > test then how will I know what I need to take, the armour or the T4? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 I knew you'd ask that. There are adrenal antibody tests which I don't understand (but which Healthcheck offers if you call them). You can also do an 8 a.m. blood cortisol test or some sort of 24-hour urine test. Some people do cortisol saliva tests at four different times during the day. There is some information at http://www.salivatest.com/ and http://www.aeron.com/ but I cannot vouch either of these companies. Someone else is going to have to respond because I don't understand adrenal tests very well. Val in Boulder, CO -----Original Message----- From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@...] How do you go about having your adrenals tested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 The Thyroid Profile I is the old, irrelevant " panel " that most conventional docs use. The Thyroid Profile II has the FT3, FT4 and TSH. It is $87. Val in Boulder, CO -----Original Message----- From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@...] There are 2 thyroid tests offered at healthcheckusa.com Which is the right one? The most expensive of the two I figure lol What's the difference in the 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 Thanks Val....you've been alot of help!! How about this saliva test for the thyroid? http://www.youngagain.com/thyrpansalte.html > I knew you'd ask that. There are adrenal antibody tests which I don't > understand (but which Healthcheck offers if you call them). You can also do > an 8 a.m. blood cortisol test or some sort of 24-hour urine test. Some > people do cortisol saliva tests at four different times during the day. > There is some information at http://www.salivatest.com/ and > http://www.aeron.com/ but I cannot vouch either of these companies. > > Someone else is going to have to respond because I don't understand adrenal > tests very well. > > Val in Boulder, CO > > -----Original Message----- > From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@s...] > > How do you go about having your adrenals tested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 I've seen that. I just don't know. I get Young Again's newsletter and I think a lot of the advice there is valid. However, they advocate Dr. Lee's progesterone theories (unproven), soy (as I recall) and ipriflavones. As you know, soy and ipriflavones are NO NOs for hypos. Val in Boulder, CO -----Original Message----- From: Leah [mailto:slcamp@...] Thanks Val....you've been alot of help!! How about this saliva test for the thyroid? http://www.youngagain.com/thyrpansalte.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 Bless your heart, you sound just like me. I have read several websites about virgin coconut oil but have never tried it. If you decide to try it let me know how it does for you. Good luck hon Dineen new and looking for info Hi. I have had hypothyroidism for about 8 years. My doctor started me on meds, too high of a dose I think, and it caused me to lose alot of weight and started me on an anxiety roller coaster of hell. I stopped taking the meds years ago and am now looking for something natural that I can take to try and get myself straightened out. I have gained 40 lbs. and never have any energy and am tired alot. I have found a couple of products online(virgin coconut oil, thyodine) and was just wondering if anyone here takes any of these products and how they work for you? Thanks! Looking forward to your responses. ~Leah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 Hi Dineen.....I ordered some of the coconut oil yesterday. I will let you know how it goes :-) ~Leah Love Chinchillas?? Check out Chinchilla Fluff & Stuff for GREAT chinchilla collectibles!!! http://www.cafeshops.com/chinchillastuff Also check out my other online store " Animal Art " http://www.cafeshops.com/petsandwildlife new and looking for info Hi. I have had hypothyroidism for about 8 years. My doctor started me on meds, too high of a dose I think, and it caused me to lose alot of weight and started me on an anxiety roller coaster of hell. I stopped taking the meds years ago and am now looking for something natural that I can take to try and get myself straightened out. I have gained 40 lbs. and never have any energy and am tired alot. I have found a couple of products online(virgin coconut oil, thyodine) and was just wondering if anyone here takes any of these products and how they work for you? Thanks! Looking forward to your responses. ~Leah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 OK cool. Is it in pill form, or do you cook with it or what? Have thought very seriously about trying it myself. Let me know and good luck. Dineen new and looking for info Hi. I have had hypothyroidism for about 8 years. My doctor started me on meds, too high of a dose I think, and it caused me to lose alot of weight and started me on an anxiety roller coaster of hell. I stopped taking the meds years ago and am now looking for something natural that I can take to try and get myself straightened out. I have gained 40 lbs. and never have any energy and am tired alot. I have found a couple of products online(virgin coconut oil, thyodine) and was just wondering if anyone here takes any of these products and how they work for you? Thanks! Looking forward to your responses. ~Leah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 agoraphobia, anxiety, panic are hypoadrenal symptoms. (Some adrenal hormones are cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, androstenedion). You might need thyroid meds too--I think Armour would be best. Gracia > Eveidently my bood tests showed that I was hypo. Actually I believe > that most of those symptons accured while I was on the full dose. > They may have gotten better after I cut the dose in half, it's been > so many years I don't really remember. Problem was that by that time > I was agoraphobic and not able to go for my blood tests which is why > I stopped taking it. I actually thought I was losing my mind. I > have since of course figured out that it was the meds that was > causing it. I am no longer agoraphobic but I do still have a panic > disorder so going to have blood drawn is out of the question. I'm > not sure if he checked for other conditions or not. When I fist went > in he said I had post partum depression, which I disagreed with. he > started me on prozac and then the blood tests came back and he > started me on the thyroid meds....I stopped taking the prozac soon > after. > > > > > > > > Val....I was on levothyroxine 0.05mg tab once a day. I was > actually > > > cutting the pills in half instead of taking a whole pill and still > > > lost a lot of weight, lost alot of hair, had heart palpitations, > > > sweats, and uncontrollable panic and anxiety. ... > > > > If you were only taking 0.025 mg per day but were suffering these > > _hyper_thyroid symptoms, it would suggest that you are not > hypothyroid > > at all. Have you checked for other conditions? > > > > Chuck Blatchley > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 No, no pill form. Yes, you cook with it. There's actually a list like this one for people that use it. coconut-info They share some recipe ideas...alot of people use it in smoothies....some dip pineapple chunks and banana in it. Your suppose to consume 3 tablespoons a day. yipee lol You can also fry potatos in it or pop popcorn in it lol I don't know.......I hope I can stomach the stuff. Oh, some people put it in their hot tea and coffee too. ~Leah Love Chinchillas?? Check out Chinchilla Fluff & Stuff for GREAT chinchilla collectibles!!! http://www.cafeshops.com/chinchillastuff Also check out my other online store " Animal Art " http://www.cafeshops.com/petsandwildlife new and looking for info Hi. I have had hypothyroidism for about 8 years. My doctor started me on meds, too high of a dose I think, and it caused me to lose alot of weight and started me on an anxiety roller coaster of hell. I stopped taking the meds years ago and am now looking for something natural that I can take to try and get myself straightened out. I have gained 40 lbs. and never have any energy and am tired alot. I have found a couple of products online(virgin coconut oil, thyodine) and was just wondering if anyone here takes any of these products and how they work for you? Thanks! Looking forward to your responses. ~Leah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 I've been using it on toast. However, I believe it is just another (good) fat and should be considered as such. It still has the calories. Val in Boulder, CO Hi Dineen.....I ordered some of the coconut oil yesterday. I will let you know how it goes :-) ~Leah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 > HI, Having been the mother of twin boys a long time ago...I know you will need help upon your return home. Make sure you understand all the restrictions that will be put on you re the movement of your new hip. You will also have lifting limits too. You will feel so much better post op, but there is a while in there that life is not all fun, especially wih young ones. Getting in and out of bed is a challenge for a few days. You will probably be in the hospital 3-4 days. At your age, you will probably go home, or maybe to a rehab location. You will need a raised toilet, a grabber, and possibly the thrilling sock puller. You will not be able drive for 3-6 weeks. And no bending more then 90 degrees on the new hip. You might have to come home with some type of blood thinner, either oral or shots for about 10 days. Evry one on this list has had a bit different experiences, as all doctors have their own rules, but most all will agree it is worth it! Valeri > > I'm 38 and on my way to a double total hip replacement 12/14. > I am the lucky mom of 7 month old identical twin boys, have > always been very athletic and am anxious to get moving again. > Presently in a good amount of pain with very limited movement. > I would love info per the surgery, recovery time and process, and > any other info anyone has. My surgeon is Dr Lee in Cincinnati > Ohio. If anyone knows him I would love to hear as well. > Thanks and luck and health to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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