Re: More on PTU and weight

[Guest guest]

Hi -

Have you been on Tapazole at all? I'm sorry but I can't remember and I get

everybody mixed up. Did you have a bad reaction?

PTU has a shorter half-life (I can't remember exactly what it is but it's

only a few hours) so it must be taken more often than Tap. to maintain a

steady state. If you opt to take PTU every other day, my guess is that

you'd be hyperthyroid most of the time. In other words, the PTU might

actually make you hypothyroid for a while, it starts to wear off and you

might be euthyroid for a while, then the rest of the time you'd be hyper.

Not great options I know if you can't take Tapazole where you can take a

small dose that'll last all day. Have you talked to your doctor about it?

Take care,

More on PTU and weight

> I hope you guys aren't bothered by my numerous posts regarding trying to

> get off PTU. I do it both for support and also to make a record in case

> someone else ends up in the same position.

>

> Anyway, I went off my 50mg PTU dosage for a week, and felt very well,

> except for increasing heat and temper. Last night, I thought I was going

> to incinerate, and also found myself yelling at the animals. So, back on

> PTU. The hot flashes have already abated some - got a good night sleep.

> So most likely I am not yet in remission, yet I feel that 50mg PTU daily

is

> too much. Has anyone tried taking their ATD's every other day?

>

> Also, I'm taking up the drink a lot of water advice - sounds good. And,

> since I don't really do dairy, I gave up my most treasured food -

starches.

> I am accustomed to eating huge amounts of rice with dinner. Am trying to

> pretend that cauliflower is a starch.

>

> -------------------------------------

> The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

> ----------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Anyway, I went off my 50mg PTU dosage for a week, and felt very well,

> except for increasing heat and temper. Last night, I thought I was going

> to incinerate, and also found myself yelling at the animals. So, back on

> PTU. The hot flashes have already abated some - got a good night sleep.

> So most likely I am not yet in remission, yet I feel that 50mg PTU daily is

> too much. Has anyone tried taking their ATD's every other day?

I am also on PTU and it's sort of odd...Right away the Endo had me on

100mg a day, that was too much. Before I went back for testing, I cut my

own dosage (and of course got a good scolding from the doc) to 75mg a

day. On 75mg a day, it still felt like too much.

When I talked to the endo he said he wanted to try me on 50mg a day. I did

that and immediately noticed that I started getting very very warm

again. There were no temper problems, but I was sweaty, restless

and had trouble relaxing. The thing I hate the most is that I felt

scatterbrained again on 50mg It's not enough, but 75 is too

much. Grrr..frustrating.

It might be worth a try to take 50mg every other day or maybe even

in my case 75mg every other day. ...What worries me is

that it might cause things to fluctuate and there might be problems

because of that...but it's something that would definitely warrant more

discussion. I was wondering if any of you have the problem of being more

hyper at certain time of the day..and how you think alternating days on

meds might affect that problem..

val

[Guest guest]

Hi :

No, I've never been on Tapazole. Perhaps it's time to get with an endo

again. I think this may be beyond my internist. I have one more endo to

try in L.A., I've been avoiding it because she's not on my plan, and she is

very, very expensive.

I understand what you are saying about PTU's short half life. It occurred

to me that perhaps I should be thinking about 25mg per day instead of 50mg

every other day.

Thanks for your thought provoking feedback.

At 11:04 AM 03/09/2001 -0800, you wrote:

>Hi -

>

>Have you been on Tapazole at all?

[Guest guest]

Val:

I don't notice that I'm more hyper at certain times of day, but I do notice

I'm more hyper the days immediately prior to the time my period should

arrive (it hasn't for months).

There is no theory behind my idea of PTU every other day. I'm just trying

to find a solution since I've proven that 50mg every day is too much for

me. After reading 's post, I'm not sure it would be effective anyway,

considering PTU's short half life. I know that the one thing I want to

avoid is a lot of fluctuation - that drives me nuts.

One good thing, I had my blood done the day before I gave in and took PTU,

so, I will have the numbers for my topmost bearable levels. Now, I just

have to find the levels at which I feel best.

I'm just swimming in the range of normal, trying to find my home.

>because of that...but it's something that would definitely warrant more

>discussion. I was wondering if any of you have the problem of being more

>hyper at certain time of the day..and how you think alternating days on

>meds might affect that problem..

>

>val

>

>

>

>

>

>

>-------------------------------------

>The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

>Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

>----------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Val:

I don't notice that I'm more hyper at certain times of day, but I do notice

I'm more hyper the days immediately prior to the time my period should

arrive (it hasn't for months).

There is no theory behind my idea of PTU every other day. I'm just trying

to find a solution since I've proven that 50mg every day is too much for

me. After reading 's post, I'm not sure it would be effective anyway,

considering PTU's short half life. I know that the one thing I want to

avoid is a lot of fluctuation - that drives me nuts.

One good thing, I had my blood done the day before I gave in and took PTU,

so, I will have the numbers for my topmost bearable levels. Now, I just

have to find the levels at which I feel best.

I'm just swimming in the range of normal, trying to find my home.

>because of that...but it's something that would definitely warrant more

>discussion. I was wondering if any of you have the problem of being more

>hyper at certain time of the day..and how you think alternating days on

>meds might affect that problem..

>

>val

>

>

>

>

>

>

>-------------------------------------

>The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

>Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

>----------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Val:

>

> I don't notice that I'm more hyper at certain times of day, but I do notice

> I'm more hyper the days immediately prior to the time my period should

> arrive (it hasn't for months).

I have what feels like fluctuating levels throughout the day..I haven't

asked the endo enough to know if this is even possible, but it sounds like

it is based on the what I didn't know about PTU's half life..(thanks

) I am really struggling now because I have a very hard time getting

going in the morning, I feel sluggish and tired and listless, but by

afternoon, when I want to exercise or get on with my day, I am

scatterbrained, my heart is racing and I am already so sweaty that

exercise seems silly.

> There is no theory behind my idea of PTU every other day. I'm just trying

> to find a solution since I've proven that 50mg every day is too much for

> me. After reading 's post, I'm not sure it would be effective anyway,

> considering PTU's short half life. I know that the one thing I want to

> avoid is a lot of fluctuation - that drives me nuts.

yeah I am sort of feeling nutty..my diagnosis was only about 4 months ago,

but I too am looking for that special place where my body feels a

balance. I may ask my Doc about tapazole..he has not mentioned it at all.

> One good thing, I had my blood done the day before I gave in and took PTU,

> so, I will have the numbers for my topmost bearable levels. Now, I just

> have to find the levels at which I feel best.

I have several blood tests and have kept and do compare all the results..I

will just keep trying.

Thanks and both for all your ideas and info.

Val

[Guest guest]

> Val:

>

> I don't notice that I'm more hyper at certain times of day, but I do notice

> I'm more hyper the days immediately prior to the time my period should

> arrive (it hasn't for months).

I have what feels like fluctuating levels throughout the day..I haven't

asked the endo enough to know if this is even possible, but it sounds like

it is based on the what I didn't know about PTU's half life..(thanks

) I am really struggling now because I have a very hard time getting

going in the morning, I feel sluggish and tired and listless, but by

afternoon, when I want to exercise or get on with my day, I am

scatterbrained, my heart is racing and I am already so sweaty that

exercise seems silly.

> There is no theory behind my idea of PTU every other day. I'm just trying

> to find a solution since I've proven that 50mg every day is too much for

> me. After reading 's post, I'm not sure it would be effective anyway,

> considering PTU's short half life. I know that the one thing I want to

> avoid is a lot of fluctuation - that drives me nuts.

yeah I am sort of feeling nutty..my diagnosis was only about 4 months ago,

but I too am looking for that special place where my body feels a

balance. I may ask my Doc about tapazole..he has not mentioned it at all.

> One good thing, I had my blood done the day before I gave in and took PTU,

> so, I will have the numbers for my topmost bearable levels. Now, I just

> have to find the levels at which I feel best.

I have several blood tests and have kept and do compare all the results..I

will just keep trying.

Thanks and both for all your ideas and info.

Val

[Guest guest]

Does PTU and Tap come in tablet form? If so couldn't you try cutting them

to get the dosage in the middle that you are looking for?

I know that with the help of Elaine and U I have done that with my

Armour and it has made a world of difference in how I feel and how I

tolerate the new dose of Armour. After experimenting, I now take 90mg in

the early am and 30 mg mid afternoon. I have to cut them in half and then

one half into quarters...but it is working.

Jody

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[Guest guest]

Does PTU and Tap come in tablet form? If so couldn't you try cutting them

to get the dosage in the middle that you are looking for?

I know that with the help of Elaine and U I have done that with my

Armour and it has made a world of difference in how I feel and how I

tolerate the new dose of Armour. After experimenting, I now take 90mg in

the early am and 30 mg mid afternoon. I have to cut them in half and then

one half into quarters...but it is working.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

,

I have to ask, how many endos have you been through in LA? And have you

used the physician referral finder at about.com for your area? The thing I

liked about this service is that the referrals come from the

patients...maybe you will get lucky and find a couple that are not known

about?

Jody

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[Guest guest]

Jody:

I've been through 4 endos plus a dozen I screened out by phone because they

only wanted to do RAI. I really do want to try the woman doctor I

mentioned, but she is not yet on my plan.

I went to about.com and looked at the referral list. Unfortunately, the

doctor listed for Los Angeles is one of my " nightmares. " He's the one that

told me to go on an 800 calorie diet, then denied it. He also had me in

tears stating that remission was just semantics. Even other endos I went

to shook their heads when I said his name.

I don't think I have much luck with referral lists. Last one I looked on,

the only guy listed for L.A. was an internist that treated a tumor in my

paratid gland by giving me vitamin C intraveneously for a month. Did

nothing for the tumor and cost me over $1000. I sure was juicy though.

At 04:27 PM 03/09/2001 -0500, you wrote:

>,

>I have to ask, how many endos have you been through in LA? And have you

>used the physician referral finder at about.com for your area?

Shen

Holy Macro!

[Guest guest]

,

What a nightmare for you! I must have just gotten lucky finding the one I

did through the list. Have you asked the endo you want to see if she would

consider joining your insurance company? I have done it with 2 drs...it

does take several months to get it through. So much paperwork and no one

seems to be in any hurry (ie the drs. or the insurance co.).

Take care, and good luck getting into the new endo. Mine is a woman also,

and I really like her.

Jody

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