Re: Another Question

[Guest guest]

Hi Chrissy, I always had trouble with a 'full throat' when I was way

low or out of meds, but it's better now that I'm on better meds and

a higher dose.

Topper ()

Hey , I figured thats why. Got ahold of my endo and she said

she does not think its associated. Thats rediculous, I had my

thyroid removed, plus all thyroid meds taken away for the raidation,

I would think being severely hypothyroid right now would be causing

it, especially since it started a few weeks after I went off of my

meds. *sigh*

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

I am sorry that I don't have any answers. I just wanted to tell you

that I feel the same way all the time. I have constant flem in my

throat. And with my enlarged thyroid I feel a contant pressure

especially when I go to bed at night. (Although I feel it all the

time, it just seems worse when I lie down.)

Thanks , I think its just drainage making it feel weird when

I swallow. Its that time of year ya know. lol

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

Chrissy,

Do you still have your tonsils? I do, and one thing that happened within

a week of the RAI is that I got a case of strep throat... no pain, no

nothing.. my throat just started closing up and I had difficulty

breathing. I was at a client's location at the time and called in to the

clinic who forwarded my call to my endo... she didn't know for sure what

was wrong but told me to get in ASAP, I called my boss and he said to

secure my equipment and go ahead in the company truck as the clinic was

on the way back to base. When I got in she started giving me the once

over and said that my tonsils looked horrid, then ran cultures and

determined strep.. the point I'm doing such a poor job of getting to is

that she went on to explain to me that my tonsils were functioning as

they should but that they had been through so much over the years that

they were scarred and not going back down to normal size. She showed me

how to watch them and if they ever enlarged when fighting infection and

failed to shrink down to their 'normal enlarged size' that I should go in

and get tested to see if they were no longer working and should be

removed.

She was a firm believer in leaving tonsils alone as long as they were

still doing the job...

I'm wondering if maybe others have scared/enlarged tonsils and that this

might be more common than just me......

Topper ( E)

On Wed, 02 Jun 2004 20:26:52 -0000 " Chrissy and Charlie "

writes:

> Hey , I figured thats why. Got ahold of my endo and she said

> she does not think its associated. Thats rediculous, I had my

> thyroid removed, plus all thyroid meds taken away for the raidation,

> I would think being severely hypothyroid right now would be causing

> it, especially since it started a few weeks after I went off of my

> meds. *sigh*

> HUGS

> Chrissy

[Guest guest]

Chrissy, Do you still have your tonsils? I do, and one thing that

happened within a week of the RAI is that I got a case of strep

throat... no pain, no nothing.. my throat just started closing up

and I had difficulty breathing. I was at a client's location at the

time and called in to the clinic who forwarded my call to my endo...

she didn't know for sure what was wrong but told me to get in ASAP,

I called my boss and he said to secure my equipment and go ahead in

the company truck as the clinic was on the way back to base. When I

got in she started giving me the once over and said that my tonsils

looked horrid, then ran cultures and determined strep.. the point

I'm doing such a poor job of getting to is that she went on to

explain to me that my tonsils were functioning as they should but

that they had been through so much over the years that they were

scarred and not going back down to normal size. She showed me how to

watch them and if they ever enlarged when fighting infection an

failed to shrink down to their 'normal enlarged size' that I should

go in and get tested to see if they were no longer working and

should be removed. She was a firm believer in leaving tonsils alone

as long as they were still doing the job... I'm wondering if maybe

others have scared/enlarged tonsils and that this might be more

common than just me......

Topper ( E)

Hey , I'll keep this in mind, thanks for the info. I have

another question, lol (imagine that?) How long was it before you

could be around people after your radioactive iodine treatment??

They seem here very strict about it......And was wondering how long

everyone else who has had the treatment could be around people

afterwards? Here they are saying no contact with anyone for 3 days,

then days 4-14 only 2 hours a day but they have to be at least 6

feet from me, and for 3 weeks zero contact with children. I

understand the children, but days 4-14 seems drastic with adults.

When I had the same treatment 8 years ago I just couldn't come in

contact with anyone for 24 hours, and that was it. Oh yeah, and now

the radiation Dr. told me I have to sleep alone for 2 weeks, my

husband can't even sleep in the same bed as me, seems drastic to

me......

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

for 3 weeks zero contact with children

What do you do when you have children in your house?

[Guest guest]

It's been 15 years since I got nuked. At that time it was no contact with

anyone, even in the same room, for 3 days... no kids for 5 days. No

handling of food for anyone but myself for during that time... special

instructions for cleaning the bathroom after using it... using disposable

utensils so that they could be thrown away rather than decontaminating

them. Laundry done daily, separate from others. Comments were made about

not having it done while having a period to prevent issues with disposal

of those products. Don't get pregnant for at least six months. Better to

wait a year.

Everything I touched had to be cleaned. I cheated. I put my remote in a

plastic bag then threw the bag away. I put a blanket over my chair and

washed it when I did my bedding. Showering a lot helps to get the sweat

off your skin and then you transfer less.

I was single but dating at the time. I don't remember what was said about

sleeping arrangements. I'm a total blank there. Maybe I just didn't see

him for a couple of weeks??

They stressed that anything coming from my body would be radioactive,

sweat, waste, exhaled air...

The thing is that the radiation is attached to the iodine and that is

absorbed by they thyroid, concentrating it in that area to kill the

gland. Once that is done, that, and whatever excess is in the blood

stream leaves the body through sweat and breathing and going to the

bathroom. The more that you can get it out of your system the first

couple of days the 'safer' other folks are.

It's been explained to me that when we take the RAI our body's treat it

as something to purge and 'supposedly' doesn't do much to the rest of our

bodies. For someone else to be contaminated from being around us it

doesn't act in their bodies the same way and can cause injury to them,

mostly in the way of reproductive. Some say it can also contribute to the

increased risk of cancer.

Children and pets, have smaller bodies. A touch from an infected hand is

a higher dose to their small bodies than to touch an adult... Breathing

the same air is just bad.

By taking you off the meds and restricting iodine, they are making sure

that your thyroid will just suck up the RAI concentrating it all where it

needs to be and so they will be able to give you less. The less you take,

the better.

Personally, I'd take all the precautions they are suggesting. It's for

the health and well being of everyone involved. To make things easier on

yourself.... set up stuff before you go in to take it. Set up meals so

that you don't have to cook.. use disposable plates, glasses and silver.

The more that you can do before hand to make everything easier and

simpler while you're in 'quarantine' the easier it will be.

It's scary.. but for some of us there is no alternative. But on the up

side.. you've got folks to talk to.. that have been through it... I

didn't.. that really sucked... not a single person that I knew had been

through it. I got hit with the whole thing in one day... from diagnosis

to confirmation, to scan, to getting the pill. Didn't have time to think

or prepare or anything. And after I took it they said that I could still

die. I was in thyroid storm and could still die from it until the

hormones were purged out of my tissues.

But hey, when it was all over, they told me that all I had to do was take

one little pill in the morning and I'd be perfectly fine!

*rolling eyes and shaking head*

Topper ( E) *15 years post RAI*

On Thu, 03 Jun 2004 03:34:58 -0000 " Chrissy and Charlie "

writes:

> Hey , I'll keep this in mind, thanks for the info. I have

> another question, lol (imagine that?) How long was it before you

> could be around people after your radioactive iodine treatment??

> They seem here very strict about it......And was wondering how long

> everyone else who has had the treatment could be around people

> afterwards? Here they are saying no contact with anyone for 3 days,

> then days 4-14 only 2 hours a day but they have to be at least 6

> feet from me, and for 3 weeks zero contact with children. I

> understand the children, but days 4-14 seems drastic with adults.

> When I had the same treatment 8 years ago I just couldn't come in

> contact with anyone for 24 hours, and that was it. Oh yeah, and now

> the radiation Dr. told me I have to sleep alone for 2 weeks, my

> husband can't even sleep in the same bed as me, seems drastic to

> me......

> HUGS

> Chrissy

[Guest guest]

for 3 weeks zero contact with children

What do you do when you have children in your house?

I was wondering that to? We never had children so it wasn't an issue

with us. And luckily our neice who we are very close to will be away

on summer vacation during this time, its hard explaining this to a

12 year old. lol

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

Hey , thanks, it helps alot. I went yesterday and bought foam

throw away plates and bowls, plastic throw away forks and spoons,

bottled water, and a new toothbrush. I'll throw my old toothbrush

away after the 3 weeks. I am soooooo glad you gave me the idea to

cover my remotes with plastic bags! Oh yeah, I also bought a new

allergin casing for my top mattress for when the 3 weeks is up. So I

think I'm all prepared. I bought some snack crackers, stuff like

that. But I got a sheet of paper that tells me everything I need to

do, flush the toilet twice and wash it down everytime I go to the

bathroom, wash everything I touch with lysol, etc. Well this has

helped alot, thanks for answering my questions!!

HUGS

Chrissy

It's been 15 years since I got nuked. At that time it was no contact

with

> anyone, even in the same room, for 3 days... no kids for 5 days. No

> handling of food for anyone but myself for during that time...

special

> instructions for cleaning the bathroom after using it... using

disposable

> utensils so that they could be thrown away rather than

decontaminating

> them. Laundry done daily, separate from others. Comments were made

about

> not having it done while having a period to prevent issues with

disposal

> of those products. Don't get pregnant for at least six months.

Better to

> wait a year.

>

> Everything I touched had to be cleaned. I cheated. I put my remote

in a

> plastic bag then threw the bag away. I put a blanket over my chair

and

> washed it when I did my bedding. Showering a lot helps to get the

sweat

> off your skin and then you transfer less.

>

> I was single but dating at the time. I don't remember what was

said about

> sleeping arrangements. I'm a total blank there. Maybe I just

didn't see

> him for a couple of weeks??

>

> They stressed that anything coming from my body would be

radioactive,

> sweat, waste, exhaled air...

>

> The thing is that the radiation is attached to the iodine and that

is

> absorbed by they thyroid, concentrating it in that area to kill the

> gland. Once that is done, that, and whatever excess is in the blood

> stream leaves the body through sweat and breathing and going to the

> bathroom. The more that you can get it out of your system the first

> couple of days the 'safer' other folks are.

>

> It's been explained to me that when we take the RAI our body's

treat it

> as something to purge and 'supposedly' doesn't do much to the rest

of our

> bodies. For someone else to be contaminated from being around us it

> doesn't act in their bodies the same way and can cause injury to

them,

> mostly in the way of reproductive. Some say it can also contribute

to the

> increased risk of cancer.

>

> Children and pets, have smaller bodies. A touch from an infected

hand is

> a higher dose to their small bodies than to touch an adult...

Breathing

> the same air is just bad.

>

> By taking you off the meds and restricting iodine, they are making

sure

> that your thyroid will just suck up the RAI concentrating it all

where it

> needs to be and so they will be able to give you less. The less

you take,

> the better.

>

> Personally, I'd take all the precautions they are suggesting. It's

for

> the health and well being of everyone involved. To make things

easier on

> yourself.... set up stuff before you go in to take it. Set up

meals so

> that you don't have to cook.. use disposable plates, glasses and

silver.

> The more that you can do before hand to make everything easier and

> simpler while you're in 'quarantine' the easier it will be.

>

> It's scary.. but for some of us there is no alternative. But on

the up

> side.. you've got folks to talk to.. that have been through it... I

> didn't.. that really sucked... not a single person that I knew had

been

> through it. I got hit with the whole thing in one day... from

diagnosis

> to confirmation, to scan, to getting the pill. Didn't have time to

think

> or prepare or anything. And after I took it they said that I could

still

> die. I was in thyroid storm and could still die from it until the

> hormones were purged out of my tissues.

>

> But hey, when it was all over, they told me that all I had to do

was take

> one little pill in the morning and I'd be perfectly fine!

>

> *rolling eyes and shaking head*

>

> Topper ( E) *15 years post RAI*

[Guest guest]

The more things that you can set up before hand.. the easier it will all

be during and after.... Don't forget things like hair brush and such....

Mouthwash.. anything like that out of containers... put them in your

throw away cups for those few days and then toss it all after.... I'd do

the same with the toothpaste... Toss the old toothbrush after the first

three days... that is when you'll be most 'potent' then use the new one.

Then change again at the 3 weeks. An ounce of prevention.

Remember not to reuse a glass or bottle.. once you've used it, toss it..

or you will reingest whatever is left on the container.

I never thought about the bed.. I used an air bed at the time. I kept the

bedding washed then took the bed to the car wash.... I can't remember,

but I'm gonna say that I bought new pillows... It all happened so fast

for me that day.. I didn't have much time to think... and then after they

gave me the darned capsule they told me that I could still die.. cause

I'd waited to long!!! (the rest of the story - short version: the doc

that I saw when the storm first started didn't think I was sick, never

tested me and sent me home. I'd gone in in plenty of time for proper

treatment for my condition... it was the doc that messed up and sent me

home!)

If anything comes to mind, don't hesitate to ask....

Topper ( E)

On Thu, 03 Jun 2004 20:22:20 -0000 " Chrissy and Charlie "

writes:

> Hey , thanks, it helps alot. I went yesterday and bought foam

> throw away plates and bowls, plastic throw away forks and spoons,

> bottled water, and a new toothbrush. I'll throw my old toothbrush

> away after the 3 weeks. I am soooooo glad you gave me the idea to

> cover my remotes with plastic bags! Oh yeah, I also bought a new

> allergin casing for my top mattress for when the 3 weeks is up. So I

> think I'm all prepared. I bought some snack crackers, stuff like

> that. But I got a sheet of paper that tells me everything I need to

> do, flush the toilet twice and wash it down everytime I go to the

> bathroom, wash everything I touch with lysol, etc. Well this has

> helped alot, thanks for answering my questions!!

> HUGS

> Chrissy

[Guest guest]

I was told to go to a motel or send the children to a relatives home. I was lucky enough to have my mom care for the girls.

I was just talking this over with my husband and I said to him what do they expect for a person to go rent a hotel room? Then I read your post. I have four kids and wouldn't know what to do for all my family is in another state. I guess my church would always help. I wish good luck with her treatment.

[Guest guest]

Thanks , never thought of the hairbrush, lol, I'll have to

figure out what to put over the computer mouse and keyboard, since I

can't do anything else I'll be online alot. I'm worried about

driving myself there and back. I have vertigo so I rarely drive, but

noone can drive me since I'll be radioactive on the way home.

HUGS

Chrissy

The more things that you can set up before hand.. the easier it will

all

> be during and after.... Don't forget things like hair brush and

such....

> Mouthwash.. anything like that out of containers... put them in

your

> throw away cups for those few days and then toss it all after....

I'd do

> the same with the toothpaste... Toss the old toothbrush after the

first

> three days... that is when you'll be most 'potent' then use the

new one.

> Then change again at the 3 weeks. An ounce of prevention.

>

> Remember not to reuse a glass or bottle.. once you've used it,

toss it..

> or you will reingest whatever is left on the container.

>

> I never thought about the bed.. I used an air bed at the time. I

kept the

> bedding washed then took the bed to the car wash.... I can't

remember,

> but I'm gonna say that I bought new pillows... It all happened so

fast

> for me that day.. I didn't have much time to think... and then

after they

> gave me the darned capsule they told me that I could still die..

cause

> I'd waited to long!!! (the rest of the story - short version: the

doc

> that I saw when the storm first started didn't think I was sick,

never

> tested me and sent me home. I'd gone in in plenty of time for

proper

> treatment for my condition... it was the doc that messed up and

sent me

> home!)

>

> If anything comes to mind, don't hesitate to ask....

>

> Topper ( E)

[Guest guest]

I was told to go to a motel or send the children to a relatives

home. I was lucky enough to have my mom care for the girls. But I

was told only 3 days for no contact with my children and returned to

work immediately after rai treatment.?. I guess it could have

depended on how much you are going to drink of the radiation.

I was told I would have to be in the hospital at least 5-7 days if I

did not do it on an outpatient basis. I had to agree to alot of

terms but would rather be home, its easy since I do not have

children. Not sure how high of a dose, must be pretty high because I

sure do have alot of restrictions for several weeks.

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

Chrissy,

I was pondering about that... a sheet of saran wrap... or go to the

computer store and just pick up a really cheap mouse and keyboard and

toss them when you are past that bad stage.

I wasn't into computers too much 15 years ago.. I just stayed off it for

a week. Don't think I could do that now.. not with the groups and our

ThyroPhoenix project and website and all!!! hehehehehehe

I wouldn't be worried about a short ride home.. leave the windows open

and go straight home.. I had to quick run to the store when I got mine..

they said to go really fast, just pick up what I HAD to have for the

weekend and then get out and go home.

The stuff has to get into your blood stream, but first almost all of it

will be sucked up by the thyroid.. so it will be concentrated there until

it's released and goes back into the blood.. then it will start coming

out of you.

IMHO

You don't need the added stress of the drive if it's something you're not

comfy with.. and think of the horror of your being in a fender bender and

standing on the road for hours should something unforeseen happen.

Topper ()

On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 00:20:09 -0000 " Chrissy and Charlie "

writes:

> Thanks , never thought of the hairbrush, lol, I'll have to

> figure out what to put over the computer mouse and keyboard, since I

> can't do anything else I'll be online alot. I'm worried about

> driving myself there and back. I have vertigo so I rarely drive, but

> noone can drive me since I'll be radioactive on the way home.

> HUGS

> Chrissy

[Guest guest]

Chrissy, but first almost all of it will be sucked up by the

thyroid..

Topper ()

Hey , I do not have a thyroid, they removed the whole thing in

1996, but have been having trouble with swollen lymph nodes and did

a body scan and found something in the front of my neck. But when

the Dr. calls Tuesday about my lab results I'll ask him about if

someone else can drive me.

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

I was just talking this over with my husband and I said to him what

do they expect for a person to go rent a hotel room? Then I read

your post. I have four kids and wouldn't know what to do for all my

family is in another state. I guess my church would always help. I

wish good luck with her treatment.

I would NEVER consider going to a hotel, that is not fair to the

staff or to the next person who would be getting the room. All of

that radioactivity on the dishes and in the room! I'd stay in the

hospital before I'd do that, at least they have proper equipment

suited for radiation treatments. When I had it 8 years ago and had

to spend the night in the hospital they had steel toilets and

showers and sinks, the sinks turned on by themselves and the toilet

flushed by themselves. And they said radiation will not stick to

steel. Anyway, something else I did to help wash the radiation down

the toilet is I bought those clorox bleach tabs that you put in your

toilet tank so everytime you flush it washes with bleach.

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

I would NEVER consider going to a hotel, that is not fair to the staff or to the next person who would be getting the room.

Duh me I didn't even think of that. But didn't someone else write that their doctor told them to go a hotel room? I guess staying in the hospital is the safest route. I do have a question. If for some reason the nodule they biopsy comes back cancer and they remove my whole thyroid, does that mean that I would likely have to go through rad. treatments? Just wondering. I am just trying to prepare myself for every possibility. Also my PCP said yesterday that my right lobe is even more large than the left so maybe I could lose all of it.

[Guest guest]

When they do surgery to remove the thyroid they get MOST of it, but not

all of it.. that's why they are doing the RAI now, to get what was

left...

Surgery is not yet developed to the point where they can do a complete

removal of the gland, to leave it in one piece, that is why it's not yet

possible to have a thyroid transplant.

I've been following that part, transplants.... cause mine got fried...

getting a new one, well... would be pretty cool!

Topper ( E)

On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 02:44:20 -0000 " Chrissy and Charlie "

writes:

> Hey , I do not have a thyroid, they removed the whole thing in

> 1996, but have been having trouble with swollen lymph nodes and did

> a body scan and found something in the front of my neck. But when

> the Dr. calls Tuesday about my lab results I'll ask him about if

> someone else can drive me.

> HUGS

> Chrissy

[Guest guest]

When is your next visit to the Dr.??

I don't see any doctor's until the surgery on July 29th. I wish it was sooner. But the doctor was booked up until July 12th and hubby doesn't have days off on his rotation until the 29th. So it better allows him time off to help care for the kids for a few days. I do go for my pre-op testing on July 23rd.

[Guest guest]

When they do surgery to remove the thyroid they get MOST of it, but

not all of it.. that's why they are doing the RAI now, to get what

was left...Surgery is not yet developed to the point where they can

do a complete removal of the gland, to leave it in one piece, that

is why it's not yet possible to have a thyroid transplant. I've been

following that part, transplants.... cause mine got fried...getting

a new one, well...would be pretty cool!

Topper ( E)

Thats just it, 8 years ago when they removed my thyroid they did

another body scan and found a little something in my neck still, so

did radiation. But I guess that didn't get it all, I can't remember

if I had another scan after the radiation......And , why

haven't they removed your thyroid yet??

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

Duh me I didn't even think of that. But didn't someone else write

that their doctor told them to go a hotel room? I guess staying in

the hospital is the safest route. I do have a question. If for some

reason the nodule they biopsy comes back cancer and they remove my

whole thyroid, does that mean that I would likely have to go through

rad. treatments? Just wondering. I am just trying to prepare myself

for every possibility. Also my PCP said yesterday that my right lobe

is even more large than the left so maybe I could lose all of it.

Hey , it depends on the Dr. I remember when my thyroid was

removed he said some Dr.'s think you need radiation and some

doesn't. He did so I had it. Good luck and keep us posted. When is

your next visit to the Dr.??

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

Chrissy, Good Luck with your rai treatment. I have had a total of 4

rai's so far and each one seems to have a different after effect

feeling along with being off the meds does'nt help. lol Bye Belinda,

Indiana

Thanks Belinda, I am having to nap everyday right now. lol The paper

I was given from the Dr. said I should feel better in 4-6 weeks

after the radiation and at first might have a slight sore throat.

Looking back 8 years ago when having the radiation I do remember

having a slight sore throat for a day or 2. lol Oh well, I just

hope I can have it next week as scheduled so I can be over with the

3 weeks by the 4th of July.

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

I went into thyroid storm.. by the time I saw a doc that knew what was

going on I was too hyper for surgery.. so they just nuked me... that was

about 15 years ago... now it's just dead... I had to wait a full 6 months

after the RAI to be sure that there was no function. When dead they just

shrivel up.

I had a genetic defect. TSH resistance.. so they just got rid of the

gland so that I would not go hyper again. With the TSH receptors

defective there is no regulation for the gland... mine just speeded up

gradually as I got older, eventually going into storm.....

I have two half sibs that had the same problem.. but their's was caught

before they stormed....

Topper ( E)

On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 18:21:27 -0000 " Chrissy and Charlie "

writes:

> Thats just it, 8 years ago when they removed my thyroid they did

> another body scan and found a little something in my neck still, so

> did radiation. But I guess that didn't get it all, I can't remember

> if I had another scan after the radiation......And , why

> haven't they removed your thyroid yet??

> Chrissy

[Guest guest]

I don't see any doctor's until the surgery on July 29th. I wish it

was sooner. But the doctor was booked up until July 12th and hubby

doesn't have days off on his rotation until the 29th. So it better

allows him time off to help care for the kids for a few days. I do

go for my pre-op testing on July 23rd.

Hey , good luck on your surgery! I am glad your husband will

be off to be with you and help with the kids.

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

I went into thyroid storm.. by the time I saw a doc that knew what

was going on I was too hyper for surgery.. so they just nuked me...

that was about 15 years ago... now it's just dead... I had to wait a

full 6 months after the RAI to be sure that there was no function.

When dead they just shrivel up. I had a genetic defect. TSH

resistance.. so they just got rid of the gland so that I would not

go hyper again. With the TSH receptors defective there is no

regulation for the gland... mine just speeded up gradually as I got

older, eventually going into storm..... I have two half sibs that

had the same problem.. but their's was caught before they stormed....

Topper ( E)

Hey , thats terrible! And these Dr.'s do NOT know what they are

doing, still today. *sigh* Glad you were able to get to a Dr. who

finally knew what he was doing, they seem rare. lol Thyroid

problems run on my mothers side of the family.

HUGS

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

It's kind of ironic... the first doc I saw for the massive weight loss,

excessive thirst.. yada yada... he blew me off saying I was too fat to be

sick (even though I'd lost 40 pounds in 30 days).. the second doc was ten

months later.... I was having trouble with my shoulders, couldn't open

the doors of my truck (for my job), she was an orthopedist. She had me

take off my shirt so that I could move my arms for her... she asked me

some questions.... when was your last period? have you been losing

weight? etc..... as she was asking me these questions she was reading my

chart... then she went storming out of the exam room yelling and cussing

as she went down the hall to the exam room that the first doc was in..

just chewed him a new butt!!!! then she came back and told me that I was

in thyroid storm, that she wanted to confirm it with blood tests but that

she'd be calling the hospital to get me in ASAP.... I had the blood drawn

and headed home, I walked in the door to a ringing phone.. had to turn

around and head to the hospital.... got scanned while they waited for the

lab results... got the lecture, the sheet of paper to sign saying that I

couldn't sue them for what they were going to do... got handed the pill..

then told I might still die, I should have come in sooner!

The problem with my shoulders was tendonitis... .from the twitching of my

muscles from being in thyroid storm.... It was pure luck that the

orthopedist had done her residency under an endo and she spotted me as

hyper on sight.....

First doc was a (fill in appropriate word here).

Then all those years on synthetics AND underdosed.. then with no

insurance and no meds at all.... Sometimes I consider myself lucky... if

I'd not been without meds I never would have found out about naturals and

learned how to self medicate... I'm doing better now than I did on all

those years on synthetics.....

I'd like to qualify that... do I feel as good now as I did 11 years ago?

No, not yet... but the difference is that I feel better than I did before

I started on naturals.. and I felt better and better as each month has

passed since I started self medicating in July of '02... When I was on

the synthetics.... I got worse and worse as the years went by... the

synthetics AND being underdosed was killing me... Now I'm on the track to

being human again!!!!

Four years ago I needed crutches to walk. There have been times when my

pain levels were so high that I was talking 30 or more ibuprophen tabs a

day just to survive. I'd go without food and water so as not to have to

get up to walk to the bathroom.

My pulse was down to 50, barely... my respirations were down to 10, and

voluntary.. I sometimes just stopped breathing. I was lucky to sleep two

hours a night along with all the other wonderful symptoms of severe hypo.

Life is grand, isn't it?

That's why we HAVE to get the word out about thyroid disorders. So not

only that folks are aware of it's existence but so that they know how to

be checked PROPERLY and treated PROPERLY.. and cared for in the long term

PROPERLY...

oh oh... I've not been on my soap box for quite some time... .sorry...

climbing down now....

*hanging head*

Topper ( E)

On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 23:56:16 -0000 " Chrissy and Charlie "

writes:

> Hey , thats terrible! And these Dr.'s do NOT know what they are

> doing, still today. *sigh* Glad you were able to get to a Dr. who

> finally knew what he was doing, they seem rare. lol Thyroid

> problems run on my mothers side of the family.

> HUGS

> Chrissy