Re: Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

[Guest guest]

Tori, your migraines sound very much like my son, 's. He didn't start

getting them until he was about 14, but he experiences the 'aura' and has blurry

vision. He'd suffer through the nausea for a few hours, flat on his back. When

he jumped up and ran for the bathroom, I knew it was about over for him.

Usually he'd be okay again afterward. Sometimes he was still in for some more

pain and vomiting. I don't know if I have a higher pain tolerance or if my

migraines were just a little different, but I never barfed. My vision would be

kinda' screwy but I never knew if those floating dots that I saw so often were

associated with the aura or not. It surely was strange, though. I used to get

4, 5, 6 of these critters every month either before, during or after my period.

My worst one lasted for five days and I was sedated for that long. Other times

the doctor would have to administer a big, fat shot in the hip and I'd sleep for

12 hours. Most times I'd give myself a shot of Imitrex and that would usually

do the trick. Other times I'd just have to ride it out in bed. Not a wonderful

life. But I know now that I didn't have to live like that and neither did my

son. Did you know that migraines are actually mini-strokes? That's why you

have trouble with speech and go numb. I had a couple of episodes like that when

I was pregnant for my third child. I tried to answer a question that one of the

boys had asked from the back seat of the car. Everything I said came out

totally different than I'd intended and I couldn't straighten it out! Scared

the bejesus out of me. Especially since I was driving with my kids in the car!

My sister-in-law has migraines, too, and one of the docs in ER one time told her

that she would have to get a handle on those things because they were actually

mini-strokes. Carol started on the supplements about three months ago and her

headaches are definitely better. She can take an Ibuprofen and it goes away,

whereas before she knew she was in trouble.

Some people take longer to get rid of their migraines completely. I've got a

friend who took months to give up her migraine preventatives. I'm not sure that

she couldn't have done it before that, but she was so afraid to let them go.

Mr. Mitch told me that he's got a friend who took six months to have his

migraines stop after he started the nutrition. Everyone is different, but mine

stopped after that first month. My son's migraines stopped right away, too,

until he got lazy about drinking the supplements. Of course, he wouldn't ever

tell me that he'd missed a 'shake' until he was flat on his back again with

another migraine. He's done that several times in the past three years; you'd

think he'd learn!

The changes I felt were sort of subtle at first. I started sleeping through the

night again that very first week. Woke up feeling like I'd actually rested and

had energy again. Then the headaches stopped and I noticed the reduction in

cravings about then. I'm not sure when they started to diminish, but that's

when I noticed. That's when I asked to be a distributor; I didn't want to stop

taking the supplements. I wanted more. And I haven't missed but the occasional

shake since. When that happened, I'd be sure to add an extra one the next day.

It's okay to do that because you can't really overdose on this stuff. It's too

well-balanced to allow it. It's all natural; just food. But it's the best food

you can give your body and you shouldn't miss any shakes at all. Consistency is

very important.

Let me know what you think, Tori. You don't have to live with those horrible

headaches. Nor the cravings. Your body gets what it needs and doesn't bug you

for something more.

Donna

Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

Donna,

Wow! You're telling me what I had hoped to hear. I crave chocolate so much,

and I'm strictly forbidden to eat it because of it's caffeine content. Anything

that could make me feel better AND stop craving chocolate would have to be a

miracle drug. I'll check out the site and talk to you about ordering it.

I've had debilitating migraines since I was six. As a kid, I'd have to stay

home from school at least once/week because the headaches were incredibly

painful and made me so sick to my stomach. I have the typical migraine aura as

well. By body goes numb, beginning with my face and tongue. Then my vision

gets spotty & tunneled and I know I'm in for a wild night. I can't even speak

when this happens--my speech is garbled much like that of a stroke victim. I'd

be so grateful if the supplements you recommended alleviated my headaches.

Thanks so much for the info. I'm thrilled by the thought of finally getting

rid of these migraines!

Tori

-------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------

DISCLAIMER

Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement

of

the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

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[Guest guest]

Hey all!

Jody...right before I was diagnosed with Hashi's, I took Metabolife for 3

days. On the morning of the 4th day, I woke up with swollen glands under my

arms so bad that I couldn't put my arms down all the way and it HURT. That

is what made me go to the doctor since it scared me so! People with ANY

thyroid disorder should stay away from that stuff. It wrecks the metabolism!

God bless,

[Guest guest]

Donna,

>>>Did you know that migraines are actually mini-strokes?<<<

Can you give me some url's and/or actual research studies to support this

statement? I had suffered with migraines for many years until they

discovered my allergy to all dairy products. When they were eliminated from

my diet, my migraines went away and have not returned.

also;

>>>That's when I asked to be a distributor; I didn't want to stop

taking the supplements. I wanted more. And I haven't missed but the

occasional shake since. When that happened, I'd be sure to add an extra one

the next day. It's okay to do that because you can't really overdose on

this stuff<<<

We HAVE to be careful with lots of stuff, and I am very leary about ANY and

ALL of this type of product, especially shakes and *power* bar junk. It

contains stuff that is not meant for people with any thyroid disorders. We

MUST read all of the fine print. I have a friend who was selling Herbal

Life, kept telling me how good it would be for me. I had to SHOW him the

fine print that thyroid people should not take this and it too, is all

*natural*. He told me he was selling to a person with thyroid and how much

it helped her, then a few weeks later she became very sick, and hyper again,

then he LEARNED that the fine print is there for a reason.

Just because something is all natural, doesn't mean it is *good* or

*healthy* for us. Look at soy products, the jury is still out on this,

there are studies that say hypers shouldn't use soy products, now I have

heard, but not yet read myself that even hypO's need to be careful with soy

products...and for years, soy was *good* for us.

I think when we have a thyroid disorder, we do need diet change, lifestyle

change, stress reduction, but there is NO one product line out there that is

a cure all for those of us who have other problems that co-exist with our

thyroid disease. Before taking any supplements, we need to check with our

doctors or our naturopaths's FIRST. What works for one person may be

detrimental to 10 others.

Research, research, research...then ask lots of questions and be careful of

outrageous *guarantee's*.

One last comment;]

>>>It's okay to do that because you can't really overdose on this stuff<<<

I will disagree with you on this one til the cows come home. There CAN be

too much of a *good* thing and it can make you sick.

The most important thing a new person to graves can do for themselves is to

educate themselves, learn all they can about this disease, how it is

affecting their bodies, learn what supplements this disease does deplete

from us and begin replacing them, SLOWLY...one at a time, so if you have a

reaction to something, you will know exactly what supplement that is. It is

much better to replace slowly and let the body get use to one healthy

supplement at a time before going overboard and adding something that can

undo what your treatment has accomplished so far, putting one back to square

one.

When I first started adding supplements, I did several at one time, one of

them was making me very sick, very dizzy and very weak. I didn't know which

one it was so I quit them all and didn't take any for over a year. I

learned on this list how to do things slowly, and by doing so found what the

culprit was...for me, it was my multiple vitamin which contaied yellow dye.

I had never had a problem with yellow dye before graves, but I sure do

now...so move slowly in whichever treatment you have chosen, and do so with

a good doctor or naturopath to guide you or at the very least monitor us.

Just my 2 cents :-)

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

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[Guest guest]

Jody,

You're making me scared of my highly anticipated miracle drug! Donna, I'm going

to take Jody's advice and ask my doctor. I'm fairly sure he won't like the

idea. He think soy milk is the worst thing ever created.

Tori

[Guest guest]

>>>Did you know that migraines are actually mini-strokes?<<<

Can you give me some url's and/or actual research studies to support this

statement? I had suffered with migraines for many years until they

discovered my allergy to all dairy products. When they were eliminated from

my diet, my migraines went away and have not returned.

I don't know, Jody. That's what the ER doc told my sister-in-law when she

went in for the umpteenth time for migraines. It makes sense, if you think

about what happens to the blood vessels in your brain. Also the numbness,

speech and visual disturbances.

And I'm not surprised that the HerbaLife customer got sick. That stuff

scares me. My daughter's elementary school principal had a stroke after

having used it for weight loss. She looked slim and svelt just before she

nearly died. She's still having problems with her memory. I was hesitant

about the supplements that I'm using at first, too. So I dug in and

researched for months, ready to throw them to the curb if I found anything

detrimental. I didn't. Martha has Graves and used these supplements to get

herself into remission. She hasn't had any symptoms in probably three years

now. The difference is the balance of nutrition. Individual herbs and

supplements can harm you if you don't know exactly what you're doing. I'm

sure that's why I kept getting sicker when I was trying to balance all the

supplements from the health food store on my own. I'm certainly not

'pharmacist material!' But with this nutrition, my nodule has shrunk from

about the size of a walnut in the shell to more the size of a nickel. And I

don't have the symptoms that I used to have. Something positive is

definitely happening here.

Jody, your two-cents' worth is very much appreciated. I feel supported and

cared about. Thank you so much. I wish I'd known as much about Thyroidism

20 years ago as I do now. My life would have been much different, I'm sure.

Donna

Re: Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

> Donna,

> >>>Did you know that migraines are actually mini-strokes?<<<

>

> Can you give me some url's and/or actual research studies to support this

> statement? I had suffered with migraines for many years until they

> discovered my allergy to all dairy products. When they were eliminated

from

> my diet, my migraines went away and have not returned.

>

> also;

>

> >>>That's when I asked to be a distributor; I didn't want to stop

> taking the supplements. I wanted more. And I haven't missed but the

> occasional shake since. When that happened, I'd be sure to add an extra

one

> the next day. It's okay to do that because you can't really overdose on

> this stuff<<<

>

> We HAVE to be careful with lots of stuff, and I am very leary about ANY

and

> ALL of this type of product, especially shakes and *power* bar junk. It

> contains stuff that is not meant for people with any thyroid disorders.

We

> MUST read all of the fine print. I have a friend who was selling Herbal

> Life, kept telling me how good it would be for me. I had to SHOW him the

> fine print that thyroid people should not take this and it too, is all

> *natural*. He told me he was selling to a person with thyroid and how

much

> it helped her, then a few weeks later she became very sick, and hyper

again,

> then he LEARNED that the fine print is there for a reason.

>

> Just because something is all natural, doesn't mean it is *good* or

> *healthy* for us. Look at soy products, the jury is still out on this,

> there are studies that say hypers shouldn't use soy products, now I have

> heard, but not yet read myself that even hypO's need to be careful with

soy

> products...and for years, soy was *good* for us.

>

> I think when we have a thyroid disorder, we do need diet change, lifestyle

> change, stress reduction, but there is NO one product line out there that

is

> a cure all for those of us who have other problems that co-exist with our

> thyroid disease. Before taking any supplements, we need to check with our

> doctors or our naturopaths's FIRST. What works for one person may be

> detrimental to 10 others.

> Research, research, research...then ask lots of questions and be careful

of

> outrageous *guarantee's*.

>

> One last comment;]

> >>>It's okay to do that because you can't really overdose on this stuff<<<

>

> I will disagree with you on this one til the cows come home. There CAN be

> too much of a *good* thing and it can make you sick.

>

> The most important thing a new person to graves can do for themselves is

to

> educate themselves, learn all they can about this disease, how it is

> affecting their bodies, learn what supplements this disease does deplete

> from us and begin replacing them, SLOWLY...one at a time, so if you have a

> reaction to something, you will know exactly what supplement that is. It

is

> much better to replace slowly and let the body get use to one healthy

> supplement at a time before going overboard and adding something that can

> undo what your treatment has accomplished so far, putting one back to

square

> one.

>

> When I first started adding supplements, I did several at one time, one of

> them was making me very sick, very dizzy and very weak. I didn't know

which

> one it was so I quit them all and didn't take any for over a year. I

> learned on this list how to do things slowly, and by doing so found what

the

> culprit was...for me, it was my multiple vitamin which contaied yellow

dye.

> I had never had a problem with yellow dye before graves, but I sure do

> now...so move slowly in whichever treatment you have chosen, and do so

with

> a good doctor or naturopath to guide you or at the very least monitor us.

>

> Just my 2 cents :-)

> Jody

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Join the world's largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

> http://www.hotmail.com

>

>

>

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

> 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.

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

endorsement of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Amen! I'll take all the advice I can get. -Tori

In a message dated Thu, 27 Jun 2002 9:57:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,

roberts5@... writes:

> Jody, your two-cents' worth is very much appreciated. I feel supported and

> cared about. Thank you so much. I wish I'd known as much about Thyroidism

> 20 years ago as I do now. My life would have been much

> different, I'm sure.

[Guest guest]

Oh, Tori, he probably just tasted soy milk and didn't like it! LOL! I can't

drink it, either. Not even the chocolate! But I know that it's better for you

than cow's milk.

You shouldn't do anything without asking your doctor's opinion on it first.

Then make your own decision. The only reason I didn't ask my doctor's advice is

because I KNEW that he didn't know much about Thyroidism. He never even

referred me to an endo. He did refer me to a surgeon, though. I was basically

on my own. Hadn't even been told to have blood work done every month while I

was taking Synthroid. That was 11 years, total! No wonder I felt so crappy!

But see what your doctor says.

Donna

Re: Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

Jody,

You're making me scared of my highly anticipated miracle drug! Donna, I'm

going to take Jody's advice and ask my doctor. I'm fairly sure he won't like

the idea. He think soy milk is the worst thing ever created.

Tori

-------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------

DISCLAIMER

Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement

of

the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

------

[Guest guest]

Jody, I do so much appreciate your support. I do have labs done, but I have to

ask for them (sigh). They've been coming back within normal ranges every time.

Dr. Don gives me that long-suffering look and orders them for me. Almost like a

'little pat on the head' and then the 'Stay off those damned websites!'

scolding. I told him I would not! So every time one of my family members goes

in to see him, he asks them if I'm still doing that. LOL! Yes, I am! And he

knows that I'm taking a soy-based nutritional supplement. I think it sort of

perturbs him that I didn't just blindly follow his advice. Too bad. I'm doing

better this way.

Donna

Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

Hi Donna,

>>> I'm sure that's why I kept getting sicker when I was trying to

balance all the supplements from the health food store on my own. I'm

certainly not 'pharmacist material!' But with this nutrition, my

nodule has shrunk from about the size of a walnut in the shell to more

the size of a nickel. And I don't have the symptoms that I used to

have. Something positive is definitely happening here.<<<

Are your being monitored by a doctor or naturopath with what your

taking? As irrate as I can get sometimes over the treatment doctors

give far to many of us, there are good ones out there who do listen,

and I am fortunate enough to have found one...my point here before I

get totally lost in my own thoughts is for new people just diagnosed

with graves or just beginning their research with this disease do need

to be monitored whether with allopathic or homeopathic, monitoring and

working together is a must. If we went off on our own, doing our own

thing with supplements or herbal *junk* like Herbal Life or Metabolife

we could very well end up in very bad condition. Graves untreated can

be deadly and the chances of this are most often with new people who

are extremely hyper. They truly must watch what they put into their

bodies.

The natural approach fascinates me so very much, and I wish I wasn't

so niave when diagnosed and had my thyroid ablated. B's story of

using homeopathy her life style changes is amazing...and she also used

caution. I know she has some wonderful posts in the archives of her

*team* of doctors in both fields. For every one new to this group,

reading 's journey is inspiring!

I have watched Dawn Rose and Pam L. begin their journeys with

bugleweed and Lemon Balm after much research and am so impressed by

their remissions. Buck is another one who took an alternative

approach and is having success with it...and Pam B's experience with

Bastyr is riveting to me. The thing all of these people have in

common besides there successes in becoming so much more healthier is

their research and their doctors or naturopaths monitoring them

through the whole thing.

For me, I have been using energy work to restore some function to my

thyroid, but I do this with my endo's knowledge <had to educate her on

it though ;-)> . When I add a new supplement, she is the first to

know I am doing it, what it is and why I add it.

Research is the *KEY* and learning all we can on this disease, making

changes, and learning to really listen to our bodies is all part of

it, but especially for all the new people, they need a GOOD knowledge

of the disease and all it's possibilities, since we are all different

and that takes time. It is why I always urge baby steps in the

changes we make, and being monitored closely by whomever we see to

make sure the changes we make are positive ones. Having survived

thyroid storm, and not learning about this disease until 4 years after

being ablated, I had to make those same baby steps, a hard thing to do

when someone is 47 years old and set in her ways...but it does work!

I am really glad that whatever you are taking is working for you, and

I do hope you have a good doctor or naturopath that is monitoring all

of your postive steps!!! Your journey will be interesting to watch

also. :-)

So I hope you aren't upset that I discourage the new people from

getting into some things before they are ready for them...their

journey is just beginning, they have much to learn, patience being one

of the, which we all know is not an easy thing for a hyper gravesian!

They will know in their minds when they are ready to take other steps

to futher their goals of a much healthier life.

That is the silver lining in having graves, a much healthier lifestyle

is one of the biggest steps we make as we commit ourselves to our

individual journeys as we travel together with the changes we made. If

I never had graves I would be doing all of the unhealthy things I had

done for far to many years :-)

Take care Donna,

Jody

-------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------

DISCLAIMER

Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement

of

the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

------

[Guest guest]

On Thu, 27 Jun 2002 23:41:18 -0400 " Donna "

writes:

> Jody, I do so much appreciate your support. I do have labs done, but

> I have to ask for them (sigh). They've been coming back within

> normal ranges every time. Dr. Don gives me that long-suffering look

> and orders them for me.

I'm sorry Donna, I forgot where you're from. This isn't THE Doc Don from

South Bend, Indiana, is it? Doesn't sound like him.

Take care and a great weekend to all, Fay

________________________________________________________________

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Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:

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[Guest guest]

Nope. Not South Bend. I live in Kalamazoo, MI. This doc is C. Doyle,

MD. Chubby little guy with dark hair; likes to laugh, loud voice. He's

basically a good guy, he just doesn't know much about Thyroidism.

Donna

Re: Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

On Thu, 27 Jun 2002 23:41:18 -0400 " Donna "

writes:

> Jody, I do so much appreciate your support. I do have labs done, but

> I have to ask for them (sigh). They've been coming back within

> normal ranges every time. Dr. Don gives me that long-suffering look

> and orders them for me.

I'm sorry Donna, I forgot where you're from. This isn't THE Doc Don from

South Bend, Indiana, is it? Doesn't sound like him.

Take care and a great weekend to all, Fay

________________________________________________________________

GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!

Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!

Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:

http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.

-------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------

DISCLAIMER

Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement

of

the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

------

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

You think? I love the taste of soy milk. I never cared for cow's milk--my mom

would have to force me to drink it as kid, yuck! He did say I could have soy in

moderation, we veggies tend to overdo our soy intake. Did you tell me how many

servings a day you have? My memory sucks these days...

Peace,

Tori

In a message dated Thu, 27 Jun 2002 10:20:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

roberts5@... writes:

>

> Oh, Tori, he probably just tasted soy milk and didn't like it! LOL! I can't

drink it, either. Not even the chocolate! But I know that it's better for you

than cow's milk.

>

> You shouldn't do anything without asking your doctor's opinion on it first.

Then make your own decision. The only reason I didn't ask my doctor's advice is

because I KNEW that he didn't know much about Thyroidism. He never even

referred me to an endo. He did refer me to a surgeon, though. I was basically

on my own. Hadn't even been told to have blood work done every month while I

was taking Synthroid. That was 11 years, total! No wonder I felt so crappy!

But see what your

> doctor says.

>

> Donna

[Guest guest]

I understand totally about the memory thing. I know; it really stinks when you

can't remember much of the day before. The college students who worked for me

when I was at my worst got into the habit of finishing my sentences for me.

They just couldn't wait for me to search my brain for the rest of my thought!

I usually take about 7g twice a day of soy in my supplement. No other form of

soy usually passes these lips. The soy that I do take is in such a good balance

with the other nutrients that it doesn't cause any problems. I always mix it

with an orange sports drink and fiber supplement, so it tastes alright. My

morning shake also has a scoop of another supplement that's good for joint

function (I've got arthritis in my fingers; at least they don't hurt anymore!).

That one tastes awful all by itself, but it isn't too bad mixed with the others.

Donna

Re: Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

Hi Donna,

You think? I love the taste of soy milk. I never cared for cow's milk--my

mom would have to force me to drink it as kid, yuck! He did say I could have

soy in moderation, we veggies tend to overdo our soy intake. Did you tell me

how many servings a day you have? My memory sucks these days...

Peace,

Tori

In a message dated Thu, 27 Jun 2002 10:20:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

roberts5@... writes:

>

> Oh, Tori, he probably just tasted soy milk and didn't like it! LOL! I

can't drink it, either. Not even the chocolate! But I know that it's better

for you than cow's milk.

>

> You shouldn't do anything without asking your doctor's opinion on it first.

Then make your own decision. The only reason I didn't ask my doctor's advice is

because I KNEW that he didn't know much about Thyroidism. He never even

referred me to an endo. He did refer me to a surgeon, though. I was basically

on my own. Hadn't even been told to have blood work done every month while I

was taking Synthroid. That was 11 years, total! No wonder I felt so crappy!

But see what your

> doctor says.

>

> Donna

-------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------

DISCLAIMER

Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement

of

the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

------

[Guest guest]

Hi Jody,

I didn't know you had a thyroid storm! Are there any lasting effects of it?

Was it terribly frightening? What happened? Did you know what was happening?

I'm afraid of having a thyroid storm. I've been out of control for so long.

Just today, I was trying to think back to when my symptoms started. My heart's

been racing for 3 years, and I can't remember not having some of the symptoms!

I'm just thankful I didn't drop dead at the gym before I knew to take it easy.

I had a mild headache last night and took 800 mg of Advil. I woke up to realize

I was having a migraine aura. I put a cold, damp towel on my forehead & eyes

and went back to sleep. When I woke up again, I was in excrutiating pain,

shaking violently, and my heart felt faster than ever. I started crying

uncontrollably. I tried to eat something, but threw up immediately. I took 1

excedrin and tried to go back to bed. I finally woke up at 3pm, when my husband

called, and felt better. Could the advil make me feel that bad? I don't

remember eating anything bad yesterday.

-Thanks,

Tori

In a message dated Thu, 27 Jun 2002 10:27:56 PM Eastern Standard Time,

luckystrike@... writes:

> Hi Donna,

> >>> I'm sure that's why I kept getting sicker when I was trying to

> balance all the supplements from the health food store on my own. I'm

> certainly not 'pharmacist material!' But with this nutrition, my

> nodule has shrunk from about the size of a walnut in the shell to more

> the size of a nickel. And I don't have the symptoms that I used to

> have. Something positive is definitely happening here.<<<

>

>

> Are your being monitored by a doctor or naturopath with what your

> taking? As irrate as I can get sometimes over the treatment doctors

> give far to many of us, there are good ones out there who do listen,

> and I am fortunate enough to have found one...my point here before I

> get totally lost in my own thoughts is for new people just diagnosed

> with graves or just beginning their research with this disease do need

> to be monitored whether with allopathic or homeopathic, monitoring and

> working together is a must. If we went off on our own, doing our own

> thing with supplements or herbal *junk* like Herbal Life or Metabolife

> we could very well end up in very bad condition. Graves untreated can

> be deadly and the chances of this are most often with new people who

> are extremely hyper. They truly must watch what they put into their

> bodies.

>

> The natural approach fascinates me so very much, and I wish I wasn't

> so niave when diagnosed and had my thyroid ablated. B's story of

> using homeopathy her life style changes is amazing...and she also used

> caution. I know she has some wonderful posts in the archives of her

> *team* of doctors in both fields. For every one new to this group,

> reading 's journey is inspiring!

>

> I have watched Dawn Rose and Pam L. begin their journeys with

> bugleweed and Lemon Balm after much research and am so impressed by

> their remissions. Buck is another one who took an alternative

> approach and is having success with it...and Pam B's experience with

> Bastyr is riveting to me. The thing all of these people have in

> common besides there successes in becoming so much more healthier is

> their research and their doctors or naturopaths monitoring them

> through the whole thing.

>

> For me, I have been using energy work to restore some function to my

> thyroid, but I do this with my endo's knowledge <had to educate her on

> it though ;-)> . When I add a new supplement, she is the first to

> know I am doing it, what it is and why I add it.

>

> Research is the *KEY* and learning all we can on this disease, making

> changes, and learning to really listen to our bodies is all part of

> it, but especially for all the new people, they need a GOOD knowledge

> of the disease and all it's possibilities, since we are all different

> and that takes time. It is why I always urge baby steps in the

> changes we make, and being monitored closely by whomever we see to

> make sure the changes we make are positive ones. Having survived

> thyroid storm, and not learning about this disease until 4 years after

> being ablated, I had to make those same baby steps, a hard thing to do

> when someone is 47 years old and set in her ways...but it does work!

>

> I am really glad that whatever you are taking is working for you, and

> I do hope you have a good doctor or naturopath that is monitoring all

> of your postive steps!!! Your journey will be interesting to watch

> also. :-)

>

> So I hope you aren't upset that I discourage the new people from

> getting into some things before they are ready for them...their

> journey is just beginning, they have much to learn, patience being one

> of the, which we all know is not an easy thing for a hyper gravesian!

> They will know in their minds when they are ready to take other steps

> to futher their goals of a much healthier life.

>

> That is the silver lining in having graves, a much healthier lifestyle

> is one of the biggest steps we make as we commit ourselves to our

> individual journeys as we travel together with the changes we made. If

> I never had graves I would be doing all of the unhealthy

> things I had

> done for far to many years :-)

>

> Take care Donna,

> Jody

[Guest guest]

Tori, if you took that Advil on an empty stomach, you might have made yourself

queasy. I know it can do that. But it also sounds like it didn't stop the

migraine and it progressed according to the usual pattern. Have you tried using

Imitrex? It seems to work for some people. I know it did sometimes when I was

having migraines.

Donna

Re: Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

Hi Jody,

I didn't know you had a thyroid storm! Are there any lasting effects of it?

Was it terribly frightening? What happened? Did you know what was happening?

I'm afraid of having a thyroid storm. I've been out of control for so long.

Just today, I was trying to think back to when my symptoms started. My heart's

been racing for 3 years, and I can't remember not having some of the symptoms!

I'm just thankful I didn't drop dead at the gym before I knew to take it easy.

I had a mild headache last night and took 800 mg of Advil. I woke up to

realize I was having a migraine aura. I put a cold, damp towel on my forehead &

eyes and went back to sleep. When I woke up again, I was in excrutiating pain,

shaking violently, and my heart felt faster than ever. I started crying

uncontrollably. I tried to eat something, but threw up immediately. I took 1

excedrin and tried to go back to bed. I finally woke up at 3pm, when my husband

called, and felt better. Could the advil make me feel that bad? I don't

remember eating anything bad yesterday.

-Thanks,

Tori

In a message dated Thu, 27 Jun 2002 10:27:56 PM Eastern Standard Time,

luckystrike@... writes:

> Hi Donna,

> >>> I'm sure that's why I kept getting sicker when I was trying to

> balance all the supplements from the health food store on my own. I'm

> certainly not 'pharmacist material!' But with this nutrition, my

> nodule has shrunk from about the size of a walnut in the shell to more

> the size of a nickel. And I don't have the symptoms that I used to

> have. Something positive is definitely happening here.<<<

>

>

> Are your being monitored by a doctor or naturopath with what your

> taking? As irrate as I can get sometimes over the treatment doctors

> give far to many of us, there are good ones out there who do listen,

> and I am fortunate enough to have found one...my point here before I

> get totally lost in my own thoughts is for new people just diagnosed

> with graves or just beginning their research with this disease do need

> to be monitored whether with allopathic or homeopathic, monitoring and

> working together is a must. If we went off on our own, doing our own

> thing with supplements or herbal *junk* like Herbal Life or Metabolife

> we could very well end up in very bad condition. Graves untreated can

> be deadly and the chances of this are most often with new people who

> are extremely hyper. They truly must watch what they put into their

> bodies.

>

> The natural approach fascinates me so very much, and I wish I wasn't

> so niave when diagnosed and had my thyroid ablated. B's story of

> using homeopathy her life style changes is amazing...and she also used

> caution. I know she has some wonderful posts in the archives of her

> *team* of doctors in both fields. For every one new to this group,

> reading 's journey is inspiring!

>

> I have watched Dawn Rose and Pam L. begin their journeys with

> bugleweed and Lemon Balm after much research and am so impressed by

> their remissions. Buck is another one who took an alternative

> approach and is having success with it...and Pam B's experience with

> Bastyr is riveting to me. The thing all of these people have in

> common besides there successes in becoming so much more healthier is

> their research and their doctors or naturopaths monitoring them

> through the whole thing.

>

> For me, I have been using energy work to restore some function to my

> thyroid, but I do this with my endo's knowledge <had to educate her on

> it though ;-)> . When I add a new supplement, she is the first to

> know I am doing it, what it is and why I add it.

>

> Research is the *KEY* and learning all we can on this disease, making

> changes, and learning to really listen to our bodies is all part of

> it, but especially for all the new people, they need a GOOD knowledge

> of the disease and all it's possibilities, since we are all different

> and that takes time. It is why I always urge baby steps in the

> changes we make, and being monitored closely by whomever we see to

> make sure the changes we make are positive ones. Having survived

> thyroid storm, and not learning about this disease until 4 years after

> being ablated, I had to make those same baby steps, a hard thing to do

> when someone is 47 years old and set in her ways...but it does work!

>

> I am really glad that whatever you are taking is working for you, and

> I do hope you have a good doctor or naturopath that is monitoring all

> of your postive steps!!! Your journey will be interesting to watch

> also. :-)

>

> So I hope you aren't upset that I discourage the new people from

> getting into some things before they are ready for them...their

> journey is just beginning, they have much to learn, patience being one

> of the, which we all know is not an easy thing for a hyper gravesian!

> They will know in their minds when they are ready to take other steps

> to futher their goals of a much healthier life.

>

> That is the silver lining in having graves, a much healthier lifestyle

> is one of the biggest steps we make as we commit ourselves to our

> individual journeys as we travel together with the changes we made. If

> I never had graves I would be doing all of the unhealthy

> things I had

> done for far to many years :-)

>

> Take care Donna,

> Jody

-------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------

DISCLAIMER

Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement

of

the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

------

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

I tried Imitrex, but stopped taking it when I read the warnings on the package

insert. It read like a horror story! It has been show to cause sever birth

defects in laboratory animals (there we go again with the animal experiments

:-() I had stopped taking birth control and was seriously terrified that I could

have been pregnant while taking it. I think I took a pregnancy test every day

for a while! Besides, it costs like $20/pill! I'd have to take a second job

just to support my Imitrex habbit.

-Tori

In a message dated Fri, 28 Jun 2002 11:39:15 PM Eastern Standard Time,

roberts5@... writes:

> Tori, if you took that Advil on an empty stomach, you might have made yourself

queasy. I know it can do that. But it also sounds like it didn't stop the

migraine and it progressed according to the usual pattern. Have you tried using

Imitrex? It seems to work for some people. I know it did

> sometimes when I was having migraines.

>

> Donna

[Guest guest]

In a message dated Fri, 28 Jun 2002 11:14:14 PM Eastern Standard Time,

roberts5@... writes:

> I understand totally about the memory thing. I know; it really stinks when

you can't remember much of the day before. The college students who worked for

me when I was at my worst got into the habit of finishing my sentences for me.

They just couldn't wait for me to search my brain for the rest of

> my thought!

Hi Donna,

I hope I'm at my worst right now. I couldn't stand it if it were any worse. I

can never finish a sentence. I sound like an idiot. I'm making all kinds of

stupid mistakes at work. I'm really starting to irritate myself.

:-( Tori

[Guest guest]

Having just gotten over a violet stomach flu with fever and migraine

components, which seems to be " going around " , you might consider that as

well.

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2002 00:39:15 -0400

> To: <graves_support >

> Subject: Re: Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

>

> Tori, if you took that Advil on an empty stomach, you might have made yourself

> queasy. I know it can do that. But it also sounds like it didn't stop the

> migraine and it progressed according to the usual pattern. Have you tried

> using Imitrex? It seems to work for some people. I know it did sometimes

> when I was having migraines.

>

> Donna

>

>

> Re: Re: Depo-Provera/Hyperthyroid List

>

>

> Hi Jody,

>

> I didn't know you had a thyroid storm! Are there any lasting effects of it?

> Was it terribly frightening? What happened? Did you know what was happening?

>

> I'm afraid of having a thyroid storm. I've been out of control for so long.

> Just today, I was trying to think back to when my symptoms started. My

> heart's been racing for 3 years, and I can't remember not having some of the

> symptoms! I'm just thankful I didn't drop dead at the gym before I knew to

> take it easy.

>

> I had a mild headache last night and took 800 mg of Advil. I woke up to

> realize I was having a migraine aura. I put a cold, damp towel on my forehead

> & eyes and went back to sleep. When I woke up again, I was in excrutiating

> pain, shaking violently, and my heart felt faster than ever. I started crying

> uncontrollably. I tried to eat something, but threw up immediately. I took 1

> excedrin and tried to go back to bed. I finally woke up at 3pm, when my

> husband called, and felt better. Could the advil make me feel that bad? I

> don't remember eating anything bad yesterday.

> -Thanks,

> Tori

>

>

>

> In a message dated Thu, 27 Jun 2002 10:27:56 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> luckystrike@... writes:

>

>> Hi Donna,

>>>>> I'm sure that's why I kept getting sicker when I was trying to

>> balance all the supplements from the health food store on my own. I'm

>> certainly not 'pharmacist material!' But with this nutrition, my

>> nodule has shrunk from about the size of a walnut in the shell to more

>> the size of a nickel. And I don't have the symptoms that I used to

>> have. Something positive is definitely happening here.<<<

>>

>>

>> Are your being monitored by a doctor or naturopath with what your

>> taking? As irrate as I can get sometimes over the treatment doctors

>> give far to many of us, there are good ones out there who do listen,

>> and I am fortunate enough to have found one...my point here before I

>> get totally lost in my own thoughts is for new people just diagnosed

>> with graves or just beginning their research with this disease do need

>> to be monitored whether with allopathic or homeopathic, monitoring and

>> working together is a must. If we went off on our own, doing our own

>> thing with supplements or herbal *junk* like Herbal Life or Metabolife

>> we could very well end up in very bad condition. Graves untreated can

>> be deadly and the chances of this are most often with new people who

>> are extremely hyper. They truly must watch what they put into their

>> bodies.

>>

>> The natural approach fascinates me so very much, and I wish I wasn't

>> so niave when diagnosed and had my thyroid ablated. B's story of

>> using homeopathy her life style changes is amazing...and she also used

>> caution. I know she has some wonderful posts in the archives of her

>> *team* of doctors in both fields. For every one new to this group,

>> reading 's journey is inspiring!

>>

>> I have watched Dawn Rose and Pam L. begin their journeys with

>> bugleweed and Lemon Balm after much research and am so impressed by

>> their remissions. Buck is another one who took an alternative

>> approach and is having success with it...and Pam B's experience with

>> Bastyr is riveting to me. The thing all of these people have in

>> common besides there successes in becoming so much more healthier is

>> their research and their doctors or naturopaths monitoring them

>> through the whole thing.

>>

>> For me, I have been using energy work to restore some function to my

>> thyroid, but I do this with my endo's knowledge <had to educate her on

>> it though ;-)> . When I add a new supplement, she is the first to

>> know I am doing it, what it is and why I add it.

>>

>> Research is the *KEY* and learning all we can on this disease, making

>> changes, and learning to really listen to our bodies is all part of

>> it, but especially for all the new people, they need a GOOD knowledge

>> of the disease and all it's possibilities, since we are all different

>> and that takes time. It is why I always urge baby steps in the

>> changes we make, and being monitored closely by whomever we see to

>> make sure the changes we make are positive ones. Having survived

>> thyroid storm, and not learning about this disease until 4 years after

>> being ablated, I had to make those same baby steps, a hard thing to do

>> when someone is 47 years old and set in her ways...but it does work!

>>

>> I am really glad that whatever you are taking is working for you, and

>> I do hope you have a good doctor or naturopath that is monitoring all

>> of your postive steps!!! Your journey will be interesting to watch

>> also. :-)

>>

>> So I hope you aren't upset that I discourage the new people from

>> getting into some things before they are ready for them...their

>> journey is just beginning, they have much to learn, patience being one

>> of the, which we all know is not an easy thing for a hyper gravesian!

>> They will know in their minds when they are ready to take other steps

>> to futher their goals of a much healthier life.

>>

>> That is the silver lining in having graves, a much healthier lifestyle

>> is one of the biggest steps we make as we commit ourselves to our

>> individual journeys as we travel together with the changes we made. If

>> I never had graves I would be doing all of the unhealthy

>> things I had

>> done for far to many years :-)

>>

>> Take care Donna,

>> Jody

>

>

>

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

> 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.

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement

> of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

> --------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tor,

>>>I can never finish a sentence. I sound like an idiot. I'm making all

>>>kinds of stupid mistakes at work. I'm really starting to irritate

>>>myself.<<<

This is all graves stuff and once you get your levels into a more normal

area for you, it will get better! Have you printed out the Symptoms List in

the files section fromt he home page for this group?

Are you taking any of the atd's right now? I know you want to use an

alternative approach, another gal on another board is also doing that, but

she finally had to go on ptu to help get her levels down as they were going

dangerously high. She still continues with her alternatives, the ptu, for

her, is temporary, but it helping her. She is doing all of this with a

naturopath to monitor her, as well as an allopathic doctor. She knows her

stuff regarding alternatives.

As for your headaches, kick out the dairy again that will probably help you

the most...and write at ithyroid and see if he can recommend something

for you.

Take care,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Tori,

>>>I didn't know you had a thyroid storm! Are there any lasting effects of

>>>it? Was it terribly frightening? What happened? Did you know what was

>>>happening?<<<

I have no lasting effects of the storm, thank God. But did have to have my

heart watched closely for several months. I went to the hospital ER with

what I thought was pneumonia. I had gotten a cold in Novemeber that I just

couldn't shake, in March I went to my old family doc and friend for an

antibiotic and an expectorant. About 3 weeks later I was sleeping upright

in the recliner because I couldn't breath at all, finally on a Sat.

afternoon I told my hubby I needed to go to the hospital. Went in, thinking

it was pneumonia, was diagnosed with double pneumonia, then a heart attack,

lung cancer, something else I can't remember, then the pneumonia that only

AIDS patients get, then finally congestive heart failure, which it actually

was...after 7 days in the hospital they still didn't know what caused it, so

I signed myself out of their, came home on Friday, called a doctor who was a

puliminary specialist, got in to him on Monday, told him the lab girls said

have my thyroid checked <they had run full panel thyroids on me but the

doctors in that hospital refused to even look at those tests because *they*

hadn't ordered them>...he ran all thyroid stuff that Monday, Tuesday and

Wed. Called me into his office on Wed. told me I had Graves Disease and got

me into an endo.

It was very frightening. They <the " I am God " doctors> told me both my

lungs were 2/3's filled with fluid, I was getting very little oxygen, and

had I waited another 24 hours to come in, I would have been DOA. Once they

figured out I had congestive heart failure, I was given Lasix by IV, the

fluid drained from my lungs <this was day 4 and I was in ICU> and I could

breathe better, but my legs could barely hold my body in a standing

position. On Thursday night, my sister called me from Arizona and told me

what was going on was my thyroid <she use to work with the girls in the lab

and they had called her, they were afraid the doctors were going to kill me>

My sister is the one who told me to get out of that hospital, find a doctor

who would run the thyroid tests and do it the next day. So, I signed myself

out the next morning about 11...they refused to let my daughter use a wheel

chair to get me to the car so I walked, but God only knows how. As we were

getting out of the elevator the heart doc that was on my case was coming in,

he tried to make me go back upstairs, told me if I left the hospital that

day I wouldn't live the weekend, told him if I stayed I would be dead by

morning, then said a few chose words that I won't repeat in this group and

walked out.

When I got home I could not even walk up my stairs, my muscles were so

wasted I couldn't pick them up to get on even one step. I literally had to

crawl up my stairs to go to bed, or use the bathroom. I didn't know then

that I had graves or that this muscle wasting was part of graves, and I'm

glad I didn't...I figured it was because I had been in bed for a week. It

took me 3 weeks after diagnosis and being put on ptu and inderal to beable

to walk up both flights of stairs on my own two feet again, but I did it!

That is how my thyroid storm presented itself. Since then I have tried on

several ocassions to get the copies of my labs at the very least from that

hospital...but somehow they just came up missing, never to have been found.

Even after the time frame of when I couldn't sue them <which I had no

intention of doing> they had passed, they still can't find them. Probably

ended up in some shredder after my new doc called 4 times requesting them

and the 70-100 x-rays they did on me while I was there. He never got any of

the information either.

Thyroid Storm is nothing to fool with. And it is a concern for newly

diagnosed people. It is one of the reasons I stress so much, no matter what

form of treatment you choose, do it while being monitored CLOSELY. There

are several in this group who have survived thyroid storm, maybe they will

pop in with their experience.

>>>I'm afraid of having a thyroid storm. I've been out of control for so

>>>long. Just today, I was trying to think back to when my symptoms started.

>>> My heart's been racing for 3 years, and I can't remember not having

>>>some of the symptoms! I'm just thankful I didn't drop dead at the gym

>>>before I knew to take it easy.<<<

It took them 10 years to diagnos me I still don't understand why it

takes us so long to get diagnosed, a full thyroid panel should be a part of

our yearly exams each and every year, in my opinion.

Are you still out of control? Is your heart still racing? If so, even as

you work on alternatives, you may want to give one of the atd's a try for at

least a while...or at the very least, a beta blocker to slow down your

heart. It was explained to me, that with the heart working overtime all the

time it can enlarge and that isn't good. If our already on atd's and a

beta, that is a good thing, as long as your being monitored closely. Please

forgive me for not remembering exactly what you are currently doing.

>>>I had a mild headache last night and took 800 mg of Advil. I woke up to

>>>realize I was having a migraine aura. I put a cold, damp towel on my

>>>forehead & eyes and went back to sleep. When I woke up again, I was in

>>>excrutiating pain, shaking violently, and my heart felt faster than ever.

>>> I started crying uncontrollably. I tried to eat something, but threw

>>>up immediately. I took 1 excedrin and tried to go back to bed. I

>>>finally woke up at 3pm, when my husband called, and felt better. Could

>>>the advil make me feel that bad? I don't remember eating anything bad

>>>yesterday.<<<

I use to suffer from migraines that would put me in bed for 3-5 days. I

don't get them very often anymore, and usually when I indulge myself with

something like creame cheese on a bagle or sour cream on a baked potato,

those are almost instant ones. Eliminating dairy from my diet has been a

blessing. I do eat an ocassional piece of pizza with not much of a

reaction, but it is few and far between.

And when I get stress induced migraines, I take 2 extra-strength, aspirin

free excederine, put an ice pack over my eyes and another one at the base of

my skull and go lay down for a couple of hours in a darkened room, while

waiting to fall asleep I do some deep cleansing breathes, slowly in through

the nose and slowly out through the mouth. When I get up in a couple of

hours it is usually completely gone. If I don't catch it early and do this,

it can take longer, but the excederine and the ice packs in both places

eases it enough to function for me.

Tori, stress is our worst enemy, and I suspect you are under tremendous

stress, beside graves, being separated from your hubby, living in a place

you don't like, it is all adding to what is going on. Reducing stress is a

MUST for us, sometimes we have to make hard choices in doing so, but as

stress reduces, you will see how much quicker things will move in a more

positive direction for you.

I believe it is Val and Doris who both left high stressed jobs to help them

begin to heal, and I am sure that wasn't an easy decision for them to make.

For me, I had always been a typical Class A personality, thrived on stress,

created it at times if it wasn't present. Since joining this group, reading

the archives and learning how essential reducing stress is for us, and

learning how to relax, remove stress from my life, I began to heal. Now

when something stressful happens <like this whole last week ;-)> I just give

it up, I let go and let God so to speak. I refuse to deal with it anymore.

I'm not saying I don't get stressed because somethings happen that we have

no control over, and I do stress, but as soon as I realize it, I give it up.

Life is so much better this way!

You will learn to do this. Do a search in the archives for posts under

or A. She has some wonderful posts in the archives on reducing

stress and why we need to. Elaine has posts in the archives on why stress

is so bad for us. Read up on it, then do some thinking about what you can

do to remove the stress.

I remember someone in group <can't remember who though> who gave up their

job completely, even though it was going to be a financial hardship and they

weren't sure how they would make it, but knew it had to be done for her to

begin to heal, and somehow, they are doing better now than they were when

she was working. Things do have a strange way of working out.

Another thing to think about, Graves Disease is recognized by the Americans

with disabilities as cause to go on temporary disability. That is another

avenue you may want to explore.

Need to finish my e-mail and go pick up hubby. I will talk to you

soon...and you hang on Tori. Things do sound rough for you right now, take

baby steps, your not alone in doing so, things will get better.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Jody,

Thanks for the encouragement, I've been really down lately. My doc wants me to

see an endo before going on any drugs. He said he's 90% sure I have Graves',

but there's other things that could cause my symptoms and he would rather a

specialist check me out first. I don't know if I told ya'll this before: I had

an MRI when I was 17 that revealed a cluster of cysts in my brain. My

neurologist at the time said that there was nothing to worry about. From what I

understand, a tumor in the pituitary gland could cause Graves' or similar

problems. It's probably best that I rule that out as soon as possible. Monday,

I'll start calling for an appt again.

I'm off dairy again. I hope that will help with the headaches. What are atd's?

ptu? I know nothing about drugs used for GD. I didn't know some of the meds

were made of pig/cow thyroids until I read a post here. That totally freaks me

out. The drugs you mentioned aren't animal derived, are they?

Thanks again for your help. Without this group, I think I'd go completely nuts.

-Tori

In a message dated Sat, 29 Jun 2002 11:30:57 AM Eastern Standard Time,

luckystrike@... writes:

> This is all graves stuff and once you get your levels into a more normal

> area for you, it will get better! Have you printed out the Symptoms List in

> the files section fromt he home page for this group?

>

> Are you taking any of the atd's right now? I know you want to use an

> alternative approach, another gal on another board is also doing that, but

> she finally had to go on ptu to help get her levels down as they were going

> dangerously high. She still continues with her alternatives, the ptu, for

> her, is temporary, but it helping her. She is doing all of this with a

> naturopath to monitor her, as well as an allopathic doctor. She knows her

> stuff regarding alternatives.

>

> As for your headaches, kick out the dairy again that will probably help you

> the most...and write at ithyroid and see if he can

> recommend something

> for you.

>

> Take care,

> Jody

[Guest guest]

My God, Jody! I'm amazed you're still here today. I've read statistics that up

to 90% of undiagnosed cases of thyroid storm are fatal. I'm glad you were in

that lucky 10%.

> Are you still out of control? Is your heart still racing? If so, even as

> you work on alternatives, you may want to give one of the atd's a try for at

> least a while...or at the very least, a beta blocker to slow down your

> heart. It was explained to me, that with the heart working overtime all the

> time it can enlarge and that isn't good. If our already on atd's and a

> beta, that is a good thing, as long as your being monitored closely. Please

> forgive me for not remembering exactly what you are currently doing.

I don't remember anything these days, so I can't hold it against you :-) I'm

not taking any drugs other than natural remedies. Luckily, my new doc diagnosed

me immediately. He wants me to see an endo. I'm going to call him Monday and

see if he can call either an endo here or one in Seattle. I'm not having much

luck getting an appt on my own, maybe he can help.

> I use to suffer from migraines that would put me in bed for 3-5 days.

At the request of a former doctor, I kept a headache diary. There was a period

of several months when I did not have a single pain-free day. I'm extremely

grateful that I don't have headaches that frequently anymore. However, they are

more severe. I'll look for aspirin-free excederin. I didn't know they made

any.

> Tori, stress is our worst enemy, and I suspect you are under tremendous

> stress, beside graves, being separated from your hubby, living in a place

> you don't like, it is all adding to what is going on. Reducing stress is a

> MUST for us, sometimes we have to make hard choices in doing so, but as

> stress reduces, you will see how much quicker things will move in a more

> positive direction for you.

Stress is my weak spot. I haven't had a cup of coffee since the morning of my

diagnosis. That's huge for me. I have a very stressful job, but I love it. I

take my pulse every day. The nights I work the most, my pulse rate is the

lowest. If my job reduces my heart rate, is it really bad for me?

>

> I believe it is Val and Doris who both left high stressed jobs to help them

> begin to heal, and I am sure that wasn't an easy decision for them to make.

> For me, I had always been a typical Class A personality, thrived on stress,

> created it at times if it wasn't present. Since joining this group, reading

> the archives and learning how essential reducing stress is for us, and

> learning how to relax, remove stress from my life, I began to heal. Now

> when something stressful happens <like this whole last week ;-)> I just give

> it up, I let go and let God so to speak. I refuse to deal with it anymore.

> I'm not saying I don't get stressed because somethings happen that we have

> no control over, and I do stress, but as soon as I realize it, I give it up.

> Life is so much better this way!

My husband was laid off from his job. At our age, we don't have a tremendous

amount of savings. We'd be okay for a couple of months, then we'd be living

under a bridge. Somehow, I don't think that would help my health :-)

>

> You will learn to do this. Do a search in the archives for posts under

> or A. She has some wonderful posts in the archives on reducing

> stress and why we need to. Elaine has posts in the archives on why stress

> is so bad for us. Read up on it, then do some thinking about what you can

> do to remove the stress.

Definitely will do. Thanks!

> Another thing to think about, Graves Disease is recognized by the Americans

> with disabilities as cause to go on temporary disability. That is another

> avenue you may want to explore.

Really?!? I've been paying through the nose for great disability insurance.

Maybe it's time to take advantage...I'm picturing myself snuggled up with my

sweetie on Oregon's Cannon Beach for a month or so...

Jody, thank you so much for the encouragement. We sometimes don't realize how

much we need it until someone gives it.

Peace,

Tori

[Guest guest]

> I'm off dairy again. I hope that will help with the headaches.

> What are atd's? ptu? I know nothing about drugs used for GD. I

> didn't know some of the meds were made of pig/cow thyroids until I

> read a post here. That totally freaks me out. The drugs you

> mentioned aren't animal derived, are they?

ATD's are anti-thyroid drugs and are used by hypERthyroid patients to

supress the immune system. Think slowing things down, like beta-blockers

slow the overactive heart. There are two kinds: PTU and methimazole

(commonly referred to by its brand name Tapazole or the generic name

outside the USA, carbimazole). Elaine's book or Dr. Arem's will explain

the differences to you.

Armour is a thyroid supplement and is used by hypO patients to replace

the thyroid hormone that is no longer being produced adequately. Don't

have RAI and you're not likely to face that decision so soon ;-) Though,

should you need surgery, that is, a thyroidectomy, which is a far

superior alternative to RAI, you most likely would need to choose a

thyroid supplement, but would very likely find the synthetics adequate.

Have a good weekend, Fay

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[Guest guest]

Thanks, Fay. It's so confusing for us newbies, and the graves' fog doesn't help

;-)

I have no plans to have RAI. As soon as my doc rattled off my options, I

unequivocally refused to have RAI. I'm no doctor, but exposing yourself to

radioactive anything can't be good. I hope it doesn't come to surgery either.

From what I've read in this group, hyp0 is no walk in the park either.

Peace,

Tori

In a message dated Sun, 30 Jun 2002 8:53:36 AM Eastern Standard Time,

cfyoung2@... writes:

> > I'm off dairy again. I hope that will help with the headaches.

> > What are atd's? ptu? I know nothing about drugs used for GD. I

> > didn't know some of the meds were made of pig/cow thyroids until I

> > read a post here. That totally freaks me out. The drugs you

> > mentioned aren't animal derived, are they?

>

> ATD's are anti-thyroid drugs and are used by hypERthyroid patients to

> supress the immune system. Think slowing things down, like beta-blockers

> slow the overactive heart. There are two kinds: PTU and methimazole

> (commonly referred to by its brand name Tapazole or the generic name

> outside the USA, carbimazole). Elaine's book or Dr. Arem's will explain

> the differences to you.

>

> Armour is a thyroid supplement and is used by hypO patients to replace

> the thyroid hormone that is no longer being produced adequately. Don't

> have RAI and you're not likely to face that decision so soon ;-) Though,

> should you need surgery, that is, a thyroidectomy, which is a far

> superior alternative to RAI, you most likely would need to choose a

> thyroid supplement, but would very likely find the

> synthetics adequate.

>

> Have a good weekend, Fay