Re: New Here and Need Advice... this is long

October 27, 2007

Tina,

Bless your heart. I know exactly how you feel, except I pretty much fired most doctors a few years ago. I'm sorry you're going through this. I wish I knew of a GREAT doc, but the truth is most of them are woefully inadequate, in my view.

Keep searching and eventually you'll get to the bottom of it all. I keep telling myself that. :-)

Hang in there and welcome!

Another newbie... Jayden************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

October 27, 2007

In my personal opinion, this could all be thyroid related. You're so close to Lubbock (relatively to some of us), I would not waste any more time or money on other docs. Make an appointment with Dr. R.

Carol

>> Hi everyone!> I joined a few days ago. I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday, I am > going to request that he test my thyroid but I need to know the exact > tests that I should ask for instead of leaving it up to him, which > have always shown low within the normal levels. > > Four years ago I became sick. I have seen a multitude of doctors and > each have handed out a small diagonis or two. I have quite a list now > and want/wish a doctor would put it all together. They probably think > I am just crazy. I have traveled as far as 6 hours away to the Dallas-> Ft. Worth Area, but I fired that doctor when all he wanted to do was > prescribe me narcotics for the pain in my legs. My hair was falling > out by the handfuls among many other things, he told me it was > normal. His nurse suggested a shampoo and conditioner for chemo > patients. He told me I had scleraderma the day he took blood for > labs, he based this on my positive ANA. He waited a month to tell me > no, I actually didn't have Scleraderma. My neurologist apologized > to me for running " A million dollars of tests" but didn't know what > was wrong with me so he said I had fibromyalgia. So far I have a > diagnosis of: Neuro-Cardiogenic syncope, mitral valve prolapse, > tachycardia, I also have chest pains, Reynauds, parasthesia, > neuropathy, positive ANA, fibromyalgia, high cholesterol and Vit. B-> 12 deficiency. These are the ones I can think of off the top of my > head. I have been getting Vitamin B-12 injections for over a year. I > have had to double the amount to 2cc. > Before that test (over a year ago), my internal medicine doctor (the > one I'm seeing Tues.) said that if the Vit. B-12 didn't work he would > go ahead and prescribe me thyroid medication and see if that helps. > The Vit. B-12 shots helped, but each month they help less and less. > He hasn't mentioned Thyroid medicine since then. My cholesterol > skyrocketed five months ago. I asked "Why?" The doctor told me it's > because of my bad eating habits and that I eat nothing but junk. A > month before this conversation, I began eating an 80% raw diet. I > maintain a healthy diet because I have seen it make a difference in > my health. My husband was so upset at the doctor's comment that he > attended the next visit. He asked the same question of the doctor and > my husband was told it was heredity. My total cholesterol was about > 85 points high. The doctor wanted to instantly put me on cholesterol > meds. I told him no I wanted to try to lower it with my diet. I > dropped it 72 points in a three month period. When he gave me the > results, I asked him to check my thyroid he said okay we would next > month. He sent his nurse in to tell me he would check my thyroid but > I would also have to have my cholesterol checked in one month and if > I hadn't dropped it 20 points, then I would have to go on cholesterol > medication. I was so frustrated I didn't go last month. He is also > talking about stopping the Vit. B-12 because of the high > cholesterol. I want to go in with knowledge and to know what I need > so I can make my requests. > > My cousin's husband is a chiropractor. Through some testing, he told > me I had a low functioning thyroid. Note, these test were not those > that could be sent off to a lab. I have been taking my basal > temperature since August. It ranges from 95.1 to 96.9. He gave me a > liquid iodine, in which I take 4 drops 3 times a day. This just > isn't helping how I need it to. It helps some with energy, but that's > about all. I've been taking it since late July. My hair is still dry > and falling out. I have dry crepe-paper skin. My cuticles are pulling > away from my nails and my usually long pretty nails are breaking and > splitting. The last time I pointed all of this out to the dr., he > told me to take Biotin. > I've gained 55 lbs over the last 4 years. I walk two miles a day and > can't lose more than 5 lbs total. I had an endometrial ablation two > years ago because of the heavy periods and massive clotting. I went > to the doctor with what I thought was back pain, he gave me Celebrex. > I figured out it was constipation. He prescirbed me a powdered > laxative. I'm tired all the time. The brain fog and poor > concentration is horrible. It is so frustrating. I have spent the > last four years being patient and giving doctors the benefit of the > doubt before I fire them, but my patience is waning. A nurse friend > reminded me that I thought this could be my thyroid about three years > ago. Maybe this isn't a thyroid issue, but I want to make sure and > have the true testing that will show real results. If the doctor's > visit doesn't go as planned, I guess I will see Dr. Perlman here in > Odessa. My husband's aunt sees her for her thyroid, she takes > Synthroid but I don't know what tests Perlman orders. I wonder if I > shouldn't just go to Dr. in Lubbock first. > Sorry this is so long. Any and all advice is welcomed. > Thanks so much,> Tina>

October 27, 2007

TSH, Free T3, Free T4 (direct, not "index"), serum ferritin, antithyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies. Going to first will save you a lot of grief. We have heard good things about Perlman, but really don't know enough about to make a recommendation. If she is on your insurance and you can see her for just a copay, however, it may be worthwhile to see if she can help you. We could send you in as our guinea pig. . . . . Oink! <pig scream> <evil laugh> <Hideous Pig Scream!> Oink! purplesunshine34 wrote: Hi everyone!I joined a few days ago. I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday, I am going to request that he test my thyroid but I need to know the exact tests that I should ask for instead of leaving it up to him, which have always shown low within the normal levels. Four years ago I became sick. I have seen a multitude of doctors and each have handed out a small diagonis or two. I have quite a list now and want/wish a doctor would put it all together. They probably think I am just crazy. I have traveled as far as 6 hours away to the Dallas-Ft. Worth Area, but I fired that

doctor when all he wanted to do was prescribe me narcotics for the pain in my legs. My hair was falling out by the handfuls among many other things, he told me it was normal. His nurse suggested a shampoo and conditioner for chemo patients. He told me I had scleraderma the day he took blood for labs, he based this on my positive ANA. He waited a month to tell me no, I actually didn't have Scleraderma. My neurologist apologized to me for running " A million dollars of tests" but didn't know what was wrong with me so he said I had fibromyalgia. So far I have a diagnosis of: Neuro-Cardiogenic syncope, mitral valve prolapse, tachycardia, I also have chest pains, Reynauds, parasthesia, neuropathy, positive ANA, fibromyalgia, high cholesterol and Vit. B-12 deficiency. These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. I have been getting Vitamin B-12 injections for over a year. I have had to double the amount to 2cc.

Before that test (over a year ago), my internal medicine doctor (the one I'm seeing Tues.) said that if the Vit. B-12 didn't work he would go ahead and prescribe me thyroid medication and see if that helps. The Vit. B-12 shots helped, but each month they help less and less. He hasn't mentioned Thyroid medicine since then. My cholesterol skyrocketed five months ago. I asked "Why?" The doctor told me it's because of my bad eating habits and that I eat nothing but junk. A month before this conversation, I began eating an 80% raw diet. I maintain a healthy diet because I have seen it make a difference in my health. My husband was so upset at the doctor's comment that he attended the next visit. He asked the same question of the doctor and my husband was told it was heredity. My total cholesterol was about 85 points high. The doctor wanted to instantly put me on cholesterol meds. I told him no I wanted to try to lower it

with my diet. I dropped it 72 points in a three month period. When he gave me the results, I asked him to check my thyroid he said okay we would next month. He sent his nurse in to tell me he would check my thyroid but I would also have to have my cholesterol checked in one month and if I hadn't dropped it 20 points, then I would have to go on cholesterol medication. I was so frustrated I didn't go last month. He is also talking about stopping the Vit. B-12 because of the high cholesterol. I want to go in with knowledge and to know what I need so I can make my requests. My cousin's husband is a chiropractor. Through some testing, he told me I had a low functioning thyroid. Note, these test were not those that could be sent off to a lab. I have been taking my basal temperature since August. It ranges from 95.1 to 96.9. He gave me a liquid iodine, in which I take 4 drops 3 times a day. This just isn't helping

how I need it to. It helps some with energy, but that's about all. I've been taking it since late July. My hair is still dry and falling out. I have dry crepe-paper skin. My cuticles are pulling away from my nails and my usually long pretty nails are breaking and splitting. The last time I pointed all of this out to the dr., he told me to take Biotin. I've gained 55 lbs over the last 4 years. I walk two miles a day and can't lose more than 5 lbs total. I had an endometrial ablation two years ago because of the heavy periods and massive clotting. I went to the doctor with what I thought was back pain, he gave me Celebrex. I figured out it was constipation. He prescirbed me a powdered laxative. I'm tired all the time. The brain fog and poor concentration is horrible. It is so frustrating. I have spent the last four years being patient and giving doctors the benefit of the doubt before I fire them, but my patience is

waning. A nurse friend reminded me that I thought this could be my thyroid about three years ago. Maybe this isn't a thyroid issue, but I want to make sure and have the true testing that will show real results. If the doctor's visit doesn't go as planned, I guess I will see Dr. Perlman here in Odessa. My husband's aunt sees her for her thyroid, she takes Synthroid but I don't know what tests Perlman orders. I wonder if I shouldn't just go to Dr. in Lubbock first. Sorry this is so long. Any and all advice is welcomed. Thanks so much,Tina __________________________________________________

October 27, 2007

Go see Dr. , it is a sure bet that he'll find out and won't waste

any time doing so. You are so close to him, wish I was that close, lol!

Sounds like thyroid to me, but you must have it diagnosed by a doctor, and

he's the one.

New Here and Need Advice... this is long

> Hi everyone!

> I joined a few days ago. I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday, I am

> going to request that he test my thyroid but I need to know the exact

> tests that I should ask for instead of leaving it up to him, which

> have always shown low within the normal levels.

>

> Four years ago I became sick. I have seen a multitude of doctors and

> each have handed out a small diagonis or two. I have quite a list now

> and want/wish a doctor would put it all together. They probably think

> I am just crazy. I have traveled as far as 6 hours away to the Dallas-

> Ft. Worth Area, but I fired that doctor when all he wanted to do was

> prescribe me narcotics for the pain in my legs. My hair was falling

> out by the handfuls among many other things, he told me it was

> normal. His nurse suggested a shampoo and conditioner for chemo

> patients. He told me I had scleraderma the day he took blood for

> labs, he based this on my positive ANA. He waited a month to tell me

> no, I actually didn't have Scleraderma. My neurologist apologized

> to me for running " A million dollars of tests " but didn't know what

> was wrong with me so he said I had fibromyalgia. So far I have a

> diagnosis of: Neuro-Cardiogenic syncope, mitral valve prolapse,

> tachycardia, I also have chest pains, Reynauds, parasthesia,

> neuropathy, positive ANA, fibromyalgia, high cholesterol and Vit. B-

> 12 deficiency. These are the ones I can think of off the top of my

> head. I have been getting Vitamin B-12 injections for over a year. I

> have had to double the amount to 2cc.

> Before that test (over a year ago), my internal medicine doctor (the

> one I'm seeing Tues.) said that if the Vit. B-12 didn't work he would

> go ahead and prescribe me thyroid medication and see if that helps.

> The Vit. B-12 shots helped, but each month they help less and less.

> He hasn't mentioned Thyroid medicine since then. My cholesterol

> skyrocketed five months ago. I asked " Why? " The doctor told me it's

> because of my bad eating habits and that I eat nothing but junk. A

> month before this conversation, I began eating an 80% raw diet. I

> maintain a healthy diet because I have seen it make a difference in

> my health. My husband was so upset at the doctor's comment that he

> attended the next visit. He asked the same question of the doctor and

> my husband was told it was heredity. My total cholesterol was about

> 85 points high. The doctor wanted to instantly put me on cholesterol

> meds. I told him no I wanted to try to lower it with my diet. I

> dropped it 72 points in a three month period. When he gave me the

> results, I asked him to check my thyroid he said okay we would next

> month. He sent his nurse in to tell me he would check my thyroid but

> I would also have to have my cholesterol checked in one month and if

> I hadn't dropped it 20 points, then I would have to go on cholesterol

> medication. I was so frustrated I didn't go last month. He is also

> talking about stopping the Vit. B-12 because of the high

> cholesterol. I want to go in with knowledge and to know what I need

> so I can make my requests.

>

> My cousin's husband is a chiropractor. Through some testing, he told

> me I had a low functioning thyroid. Note, these test were not those

> that could be sent off to a lab. I have been taking my basal

> temperature since August. It ranges from 95.1 to 96.9. He gave me a

> liquid iodine, in which I take 4 drops 3 times a day. This just

> isn't helping how I need it to. It helps some with energy, but that's

> about all. I've been taking it since late July. My hair is still dry

> and falling out. I have dry crepe-paper skin. My cuticles are pulling

> away from my nails and my usually long pretty nails are breaking and

> splitting. The last time I pointed all of this out to the dr., he

> told me to take Biotin.

> I've gained 55 lbs over the last 4 years. I walk two miles a day and

> can't lose more than 5 lbs total. I had an endometrial ablation two

> years ago because of the heavy periods and massive clotting. I went

> to the doctor with what I thought was back pain, he gave me Celebrex.

> I figured out it was constipation. He prescirbed me a powdered

> laxative. I'm tired all the time. The brain fog and poor

> concentration is horrible. It is so frustrating. I have spent the

> last four years being patient and giving doctors the benefit of the

> doubt before I fire them, but my patience is waning. A nurse friend

> reminded me that I thought this could be my thyroid about three years

> ago. Maybe this isn't a thyroid issue, but I want to make sure and

> have the true testing that will show real results. If the doctor's

> visit doesn't go as planned, I guess I will see Dr. Perlman here in

> Odessa. My husband's aunt sees her for her thyroid, she takes

> Synthroid but I don't know what tests Perlman orders. I wonder if I

> shouldn't just go to Dr. in Lubbock first.

> Sorry this is so long. Any and all advice is welcomed.

> Thanks so much,

> Tina

October 28, 2007

Tina, I got sicker and sicker over a 15 year period. Went to several

docs with lots of symptoms they couldn't put together. Got very sick

in 2004. Fed up, felt like I was going to die. Had been reading this

board for several months, finally wised up and went to Dr.

January 2005. I've been getting better and better, and on the track

and timeframe that he told me. My anxiety, brain fog, pain,

constipation, cholesterol/lipids, other issues have resolved. My

weight is still high, but my energy is improving and with the future

ability to sustain exercise, I should be able to see results.

IMHO he's the only one who knows how this all relates and can balance

it all, but isn't running a fancy 3-ring circus office with heavy

marketing of supplements and other questionable treatments on the

side. He's straight up, straight-forward, treats you like a human

being, is kind, teaches you what is going on and what the regimen

will do to correct it, and has a great staff. His background is

biochemistry. He has a family practice. He knows his stuff. Like Jan

has said many times, he's so smart she asks him about other stuff,

too, when she goes to see him. So do I. So does my DH, who started to

see him last fall. DH has had a lot of seemingly unrelated symptoms

get resolved, and our primary care physician here in Dallas remains

amazed and is now a big supporter of Dr. 's protocols, 'cause

she's seen us both get better.

You have too many symptoms that IMHO seem to be thyroid and other

hormone related, as well as possible vitamin and mineral issues. Your

BBTs are incredibly low, which is a huge red flag to me that you

could need thyroid help. Low temps mean your body is not able to

function properly, your metabolism is low, and your biochemical

processes are not happening at a normal rate. You need someone who

understands how they all need to be balanced together at the same

time to get better. You should not waste another dime or minute on

anyone else and get yourself to Lubbock. You are so lucky to be that

close to him. You can just bop up there to get " tweaked " whenever you

need to.

I'm sorry you've been through so much. I really think Dr.

could help you.

Sara

> I have quite a list now and want/wish a doctor would put it all

together.

> I wonder if I shouldn't just go to Dr. in Lubbock first.

> Sorry this is so long. Any and all advice is welcomed.

> Thanks so much,

> Tina

>

October 29, 2007

Tina,

I would definitely go see Dr. . I live in Lubbock and found

out about him through this board. I am so blessed to be right here. I

had a horrible stomach bug right at the time of my first appt and he

and his staff took such wonderful care of me. When my lab work came

back, Dr. R. literally spent over an hour with me explaining every lab

value. I truly feel like I can call his office anytime and my needs

will be met immediately. It's also so nice to be a name and not a

number. Definitely worth the drive. Dr. R. truly wants you to feel

better and says over and over that " you are a person, not a lab value. "

Take Care,

Kim

>

October 29, 2007

I took the weekend to decide which doctor to go to. I saw a website --

I believe it was top doc or something to that effect. There were high

praises posted for Perlman there. I thought I'd give her a try and

why not be a guinea pig... again. (lol) I ran into a friend yesterday

who had previously had a goiter and is now rid of it by using

Scutters (there's a second name for it but I don't remember). She

told me she had seen Perlman and she only would prescribe Synthroid.

She concluded by saying Perlman was a joke. So I decided to go to Dr.

and already have an appointment for next week. Thank you for

the advice and warm welcome I received.

Tina

> Hi everyone!

> I joined a few days ago. I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday, I

am

> going to request that he test my thyroid but I need to know the

exact

> tests that I should ask for instead of leaving it up to him, which

> have always shown low within the normal levels.

>

> Four years ago I became sick. I have seen a multitude of doctors

and

> each have handed out a small diagonis or two. I have quite a list

now

> and want/wish a doctor would put it all together. They probably

think

> I am just crazy. I have traveled as far as 6 hours away to the

Dallas-

> Ft. Worth Area, but I fired that doctor when all he wanted to do

was

> prescribe me narcotics for the pain in my legs. My hair was falling

> out by the handfuls among many other things, he told me it was

> normal. His nurse suggested a shampoo and conditioner for chemo

> patients. He told me I had scleraderma the day he took blood for

> labs, he based this on my positive ANA. He waited a month to tell

me

> no, I actually didn't have Scleraderma. My neurologist apologized

> to me for running " A million dollars of tests " but didn't know

what

> was wrong with me so he said I had fibromyalgia. So far I have a

> diagnosis of: Neuro-Cardiogenic syncope, mitral valve prolapse,

> tachycardia, I also have chest pains, Reynauds, parasthesia,

> neuropathy, positive ANA, fibromyalgia, high cholesterol and Vit. B-

> 12 deficiency. These are the ones I can think of off the top of my

> head. I have been getting Vitamin B-12 injections for over a year.

I

> have had to double the amount to 2cc.

> Before that test (over a year ago), my internal medicine doctor

(the

> one I'm seeing Tues.) said that if the Vit. B-12 didn't work he

would