Re: Methimazole more effective than PTU ?

[Guest guest]

,

Please let me know if you find anything else about the differences between the

two.

But as far as this study, I see no value. Smells of a drug company promoting

their

product to me. Since PTU is designed to be taken every 8 hr. ( half life and all

that),

the results they received would be as expected : yes, the Tap would work better

if their

poor research victims were only allowed one dose a day.

Dear All,

I may have to switch, to satisfy my doctor in the near future, and I do not

want to, so

I will need one heck of a sales pitch from this group, to convince me otherwise.

I believe PTU has brought me out of hell, and is working fine. I believe that

all my

problems are thyroid ( and the doctor now is at least willing to admit I might

be right)

<sigh>. I am willing to find the exact right dose of PTU for me. We had a bit of

a battle

this app. and now, even though I seem to have convinced him, that a lot of the

things on

our wonderful symptom list here, might be thyroid....his new response is to

suggest Tap.

In my crystal ball, I see no help in the future unless I submit to this. Even

if it were

to work, I would lose a lot of time and mental stability making the switch, and

end up

back exactly where I am now...finally being able to narrow in on MY exact dose,

and having

once again, convince him that this is THYROID !

Why else would all the symptoms of arthritis, carpal tunel, tendentious,

chronic

fatigue, feet so bad in the morning I can barley walk, bladder problems, not

knowing what

I am doing half the time , much less where I am going, etc. come and go,

depending on my

dose ? Yes, they want me to give in and live doped up on pain pills for the rest

of my

life. I will not ! All this stuff is like a weather vane to me, and I know if it

all can

go away and stay away, in unison, it must be thyroid!

So now you can all see why I have been such a chatter box the last couple of

days. I

have been mulling over this new turn of events at my doctor visit on Monday.

Though still

waiting for labs.

I just don't feel up to being sick while we make the change. I am just worn out,

and feel

so much better now, than I have in years.

Hey, you know that is a SHORT list of problems .... I still think I've got

this thing

darn near licked.

Elaine or ? One of my biggest concerns is : will Tap be as good for my eyes ?

Will I end

up having to choose between body pain or vision, if he is right about the Tap ?

-Pam- who will stop swamping all your inboxes once I resolve this in my mind

[Guest guest]

,

Please let me know if you find anything else about the differences between the

two.

But as far as this study, I see no value. Smells of a drug company promoting

their

product to me. Since PTU is designed to be taken every 8 hr. ( half life and all

that),

the results they received would be as expected : yes, the Tap would work better

if their

poor research victims were only allowed one dose a day.

Dear All,

I may have to switch, to satisfy my doctor in the near future, and I do not

want to, so

I will need one heck of a sales pitch from this group, to convince me otherwise.

I believe PTU has brought me out of hell, and is working fine. I believe that

all my

problems are thyroid ( and the doctor now is at least willing to admit I might

be right)

<sigh>. I am willing to find the exact right dose of PTU for me. We had a bit of

a battle

this app. and now, even though I seem to have convinced him, that a lot of the

things on

our wonderful symptom list here, might be thyroid....his new response is to

suggest Tap.

In my crystal ball, I see no help in the future unless I submit to this. Even

if it were

to work, I would lose a lot of time and mental stability making the switch, and

end up

back exactly where I am now...finally being able to narrow in on MY exact dose,

and having

once again, convince him that this is THYROID !

Why else would all the symptoms of arthritis, carpal tunel, tendentious,

chronic

fatigue, feet so bad in the morning I can barley walk, bladder problems, not

knowing what

I am doing half the time , much less where I am going, etc. come and go,

depending on my

dose ? Yes, they want me to give in and live doped up on pain pills for the rest

of my

life. I will not ! All this stuff is like a weather vane to me, and I know if it

all can

go away and stay away, in unison, it must be thyroid!

So now you can all see why I have been such a chatter box the last couple of

days. I

have been mulling over this new turn of events at my doctor visit on Monday.

Though still

waiting for labs.

I just don't feel up to being sick while we make the change. I am just worn out,

and feel

so much better now, than I have in years.

Hey, you know that is a SHORT list of problems .... I still think I've got

this thing

darn near licked.

Elaine or ? One of my biggest concerns is : will Tap be as good for my eyes ?

Will I end

up having to choose between body pain or vision, if he is right about the Tap ?

-Pam- who will stop swamping all your inboxes once I resolve this in my mind

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam-

I took PTU for 6 months before I had RAI. They didn't have Tapazole

available then.

If I would have had a choice I would have chosen Tapazole because of it's

longer 1/2 life. Whether you take it once or twice a day, you don't get

nearly the fluctuations that you get with PTU. I think these fluctuations

aren't the best for us and stress our bodies. That said, there are some

people that are unable to take Tap. In that case, PTU works fine. Even

with the stress of fluctuating thyroid levels, it's a heck of a lot better

than not having a thyroid if that can be avoided.

Since you've been on PTU and it seems to be working fine, I certainly

understand not wanting to rock the boat. I don't know how I'd be under

those circumstances. I don't know if I'd change either. But if given the

choice at the outset, I'd choose Tapazole (methimazole).

Hmmmm. That doesn't seem to be much of a help does it?

Take care,

>

>

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

> 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 Pam-

I took PTU for 6 months before I had RAI. They didn't have Tapazole

available then.

If I would have had a choice I would have chosen Tapazole because of it's

longer 1/2 life. Whether you take it once or twice a day, you don't get

nearly the fluctuations that you get with PTU. I think these fluctuations

aren't the best for us and stress our bodies. That said, there are some

people that are unable to take Tap. In that case, PTU works fine. Even

with the stress of fluctuating thyroid levels, it's a heck of a lot better

than not having a thyroid if that can be avoided.

Since you've been on PTU and it seems to be working fine, I certainly

understand not wanting to rock the boat. I don't know how I'd be under

those circumstances. I don't know if I'd change either. But if given the

choice at the outset, I'd choose Tapazole (methimazole).

Hmmmm. That doesn't seem to be much of a help does it?

Take care,

>

>

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

> 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]

Hello everyone I " m know synthroid. Any side effects. Any taking this drug

for hypo symptoms. I was told to take it first thing in the morning before I

leave for work. That way I can have it in my system and it can suppress my

appetite a little.

Re: Methimazole more effective than PTU ?

Hi Pam-

I took PTU for 6 months before I had RAI. They didn't have Tapazole

available then.

If I would have had a choice I would have chosen Tapazole because of it's

longer 1/2 life. Whether you take it once or twice a day, you don't get

nearly the fluctuations that you get with PTU. I think these fluctuations

aren't the best for us and stress our bodies. That said, there are some

people that are unable to take Tap. In that case, PTU works fine. Even

with the stress of fluctuating thyroid levels, it's a heck of a lot better

than not having a thyroid if that can be avoided.

Since you've been on PTU and it seems to be working fine, I certainly

understand not wanting to rock the boat. I don't know how I'd be under

those circumstances. I don't know if I'd change either. But if given the

choice at the outset, I'd choose Tapazole (methimazole).

Hmmmm. That doesn't seem to be much of a help does it?

Take care,

>

>

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

> 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]

Hello everyone I " m know synthroid. Any side effects. Any taking this drug

for hypo symptoms. I was told to take it first thing in the morning before I

leave for work. That way I can have it in my system and it can suppress my

appetite a little.

Re: Methimazole more effective than PTU ?

Hi Pam-

I took PTU for 6 months before I had RAI. They didn't have Tapazole

available then.

If I would have had a choice I would have chosen Tapazole because of it's

longer 1/2 life. Whether you take it once or twice a day, you don't get

nearly the fluctuations that you get with PTU. I think these fluctuations

aren't the best for us and stress our bodies. That said, there are some

people that are unable to take Tap. In that case, PTU works fine. Even

with the stress of fluctuating thyroid levels, it's a heck of a lot better

than not having a thyroid if that can be avoided.

Since you've been on PTU and it seems to be working fine, I certainly

understand not wanting to rock the boat. I don't know how I'd be under

those circumstances. I don't know if I'd change either. But if given the

choice at the outset, I'd choose Tapazole (methimazole).

Hmmmm. That doesn't seem to be much of a help does it?

Take care,

>

>

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

> 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 Sonya-

Synthroid won't have any side effects unless you're not on the right amount.

It's exogenous levothyroxine or T4 (replacement thyroid hormone). If you

take too little, you'll be hypothyroid and if you take too much, you'll be

hyperthyroid.

It won't suppress your appetite though. If anything, it might increase it

because you have more thyroid hormone which increases metabolism. This is a

good thing because when you're on too little thyroid hormone (or naturally

hypothyroid), your metabolism is suppressed and you don't burn energy

efficiently. If you're hypothyroid, you will eat much less than a normal

person and still keep gaining weight.

Since so many things in our diets interfere with the absorption of

levothyroxine (iron, calcium....), it's best to take your Synthroid one hour

before or 2-3 hours after a meal. Unless you eat the same things every day

in the exact same quantities, your thyroid levels will never be stable if

you take your meds at mealtime. This is unlikely so it's better to take it

at the same time every day and not around mealtime. And don't take it at

the same time you take your vitamins if you take any. That may be what your

doctor meant.

I suppose that you could take your vitamins with the Synthroid because

vitamins don't vary. But then you'd have to always take your vits and

Synthroid at the same time, don't change vit brands and don't miss vit

doses. Since vitamins often upset people's stomachs if taken before they

eat, it's much easier to take vits after breakfast or later in the day.

Plus, since so many things in vits interfere with T4 absorption, you

wouldn't really know what your true T4 needs are.

What I usually do is take my thyroid hormone as soon as I wake up, wait 1 or

2 hours and then have breakfast and take my vitamins. This routine has kept

me pretty stable over time.

Take care,

> Hello everyone I " m know synthroid. Any side effects. Any taking this drug

> for hypo symptoms. I was told to take it first thing in the morning before

I

> leave for work. That way I can have it in my system and it can suppress my

> appetite a little.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonya-

Synthroid won't have any side effects unless you're not on the right amount.

It's exogenous levothyroxine or T4 (replacement thyroid hormone). If you

take too little, you'll be hypothyroid and if you take too much, you'll be

hyperthyroid.

It won't suppress your appetite though. If anything, it might increase it

because you have more thyroid hormone which increases metabolism. This is a

good thing because when you're on too little thyroid hormone (or naturally

hypothyroid), your metabolism is suppressed and you don't burn energy

efficiently. If you're hypothyroid, you will eat much less than a normal

person and still keep gaining weight.

Since so many things in our diets interfere with the absorption of

levothyroxine (iron, calcium....), it's best to take your Synthroid one hour

before or 2-3 hours after a meal. Unless you eat the same things every day

in the exact same quantities, your thyroid levels will never be stable if

you take your meds at mealtime. This is unlikely so it's better to take it

at the same time every day and not around mealtime. And don't take it at

the same time you take your vitamins if you take any. That may be what your

doctor meant.

I suppose that you could take your vitamins with the Synthroid because

vitamins don't vary. But then you'd have to always take your vits and

Synthroid at the same time, don't change vit brands and don't miss vit

doses. Since vitamins often upset people's stomachs if taken before they

eat, it's much easier to take vits after breakfast or later in the day.

Plus, since so many things in vits interfere with T4 absorption, you

wouldn't really know what your true T4 needs are.

What I usually do is take my thyroid hormone as soon as I wake up, wait 1 or

2 hours and then have breakfast and take my vitamins. This routine has kept

me pretty stable over time.

Take care,

> Hello everyone I " m know synthroid. Any side effects. Any taking this drug

> for hypo symptoms. I was told to take it first thing in the morning before

I

> leave for work. That way I can have it in my system and it can suppress my

> appetite a little.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonya-

Synthroid won't have any side effects unless you're not on the right amount.

It's exogenous levothyroxine or T4 (replacement thyroid hormone). If you

take too little, you'll be hypothyroid and if you take too much, you'll be

hyperthyroid.

It won't suppress your appetite though. If anything, it might increase it

because you have more thyroid hormone which increases metabolism. This is a

good thing because when you're on too little thyroid hormone (or naturally

hypothyroid), your metabolism is suppressed and you don't burn energy

efficiently. If you're hypothyroid, you will eat much less than a normal

person and still keep gaining weight.

Since so many things in our diets interfere with the absorption of

levothyroxine (iron, calcium....), it's best to take your Synthroid one hour

before or 2-3 hours after a meal. Unless you eat the same things every day

in the exact same quantities, your thyroid levels will never be stable if

you take your meds at mealtime. This is unlikely so it's better to take it

at the same time every day and not around mealtime. And don't take it at

the same time you take your vitamins if you take any. That may be what your

doctor meant.

I suppose that you could take your vitamins with the Synthroid because

vitamins don't vary. But then you'd have to always take your vits and

Synthroid at the same time, don't change vit brands and don't miss vit

doses. Since vitamins often upset people's stomachs if taken before they

eat, it's much easier to take vits after breakfast or later in the day.

Plus, since so many things in vits interfere with T4 absorption, you

wouldn't really know what your true T4 needs are.

What I usually do is take my thyroid hormone as soon as I wake up, wait 1 or

2 hours and then have breakfast and take my vitamins. This routine has kept

me pretty stable over time.

Take care,

> Hello everyone I " m know synthroid. Any side effects. Any taking this drug

> for hypo symptoms. I was told to take it first thing in the morning before

I

> leave for work. That way I can have it in my system and it can suppress my

> appetite a little.

[Guest guest]

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 13:00:30 -0800

> To: graves_support

> Subject: Re: Methimazole more effective than PTU ?

>

Pam,

I don't have all the answers, but I've been on Tapazole (methimazole--the

generic is just as good and WAY less expensive) for a long time, at least

most of the last 5 years. I've never developed eye symptoms, and I know I

don't suffer the ups and downs that others on PTU have with the short

half-life. I've been able to target dose and fine tune quite well, and in

general have had great control of my symptoms. I have had NO reason to want

to switch.

Terry

[Guest guest]

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 13:00:30 -0800

> To: graves_support

> Subject: Re: Methimazole more effective than PTU ?

>

Pam,

I don't have all the answers, but I've been on Tapazole (methimazole--the

generic is just as good and WAY less expensive) for a long time, at least

most of the last 5 years. I've never developed eye symptoms, and I know I

don't suffer the ups and downs that others on PTU have with the short

half-life. I've been able to target dose and fine tune quite well, and in

general have had great control of my symptoms. I have had NO reason to want

to switch.

Terry

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

How come your doctor wants to change you? Are your liver numbers coming

back screwy?

I would have rather gone on TAP or the generic form than PTU but both my

endo and eye doc wanted the PTU. PTU is a known carcenogenic, so if you

have the opprotunity to switch, you may want to consider it.

B knows more about PTU in this category...hopefully she will jump in

and say something. Though I don't really worry about it that much. RAI is

known to cause cancer than they gave me 13.9 mc of that ingested, along with

apprx 100 xrays while 8 days in the hospital going undiagnosed in thyroid

storm...and anymore, anything we eat, do or like is cancer causing and there

just are somethings I am not willing to give up. One of these days they are

going to say sex and breathing cause cancer too...so what do we do then?

TTYL

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

How come your doctor wants to change you? Are your liver numbers coming

back screwy?

I would have rather gone on TAP or the generic form than PTU but both my

endo and eye doc wanted the PTU. PTU is a known carcenogenic, so if you

have the opprotunity to switch, you may want to consider it.

B knows more about PTU in this category...hopefully she will jump in

and say something. Though I don't really worry about it that much. RAI is

known to cause cancer than they gave me 13.9 mc of that ingested, along with

apprx 100 xrays while 8 days in the hospital going undiagnosed in thyroid

storm...and anymore, anything we eat, do or like is cancer causing and there

just are somethings I am not willing to give up. One of these days they are

going to say sex and breathing cause cancer too...so what do we do then?

TTYL

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonya,

I didn't do well on the synthyroid but that could just be my body not

converting the synthetic T4 to T3 well...I am now on Armour Thyroid and

doing much better. Synthroid won't increase your appetite, unless it throws

you back into hyper mode. The dose you are on is relatively low so I don't

think it will.

It is important to take it on an empty stomach. I take my stuff at 7:30

a.m. and don't eat before 10. Also I have been told by 2 pharmascist and

one doc...do not take any supplements/vitamins for several hours after

taking your hormone. I think there is something in the Graves Book on this

too.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonya,

I didn't do well on the synthyroid but that could just be my body not

converting the synthetic T4 to T3 well...I am now on Armour Thyroid and

doing much better. Synthroid won't increase your appetite, unless it throws

you back into hyper mode. The dose you are on is relatively low so I don't

think it will.

It is important to take it on an empty stomach. I take my stuff at 7:30

a.m. and don't eat before 10. Also I have been told by 2 pharmascist and

one doc...do not take any supplements/vitamins for several hours after

taking your hormone. I think there is something in the Graves Book on this

too.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonya,

I didn't do well on the synthyroid but that could just be my body not

converting the synthetic T4 to T3 well...I am now on Armour Thyroid and

doing much better. Synthroid won't increase your appetite, unless it throws

you back into hyper mode. The dose you are on is relatively low so I don't

think it will.

It is important to take it on an empty stomach. I take my stuff at 7:30

a.m. and don't eat before 10. Also I have been told by 2 pharmascist and

one doc...do not take any supplements/vitamins for several hours after

taking your hormone. I think there is something in the Graves Book on this

too.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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

[Guest guest]

Terry,

Well, the lack of ups and downs sounds good, though I enjoy the up part of it.

I am happily recovering form serious TED, so this is scary. You do make it

sound good.

Hummm.

Thanks, -Pam-

[Guest guest]

Terry,

Well, the lack of ups and downs sounds good, though I enjoy the up part of it.

I am happily recovering form serious TED, so this is scary. You do make it

sound good.

Hummm.

Thanks, -Pam-

[Guest guest]

Terry,

Well, the lack of ups and downs sounds good, though I enjoy the up part of it.

I am happily recovering form serious TED, so this is scary. You do make it

sound good.

Hummm.

Thanks, -Pam-

[Guest guest]

Dearest ,

Yes, it is a big help. It seems we agree completely on all counts.

At least this is comforting.

Jody,

I do not do liver or TSI or any of that fancy stuff , it is just too expensive

for me. I

am a home owner, and this old house needs my care.

We did the liver tests in the beginning, when it was necessary, but not now

thank

goodness. I am curious about the TSI, but since the only reason I see for it is,

prediction of possible remission, I do not see the point if it requires me to

work so many

extra hr. to pay for it, that I make myself sick. So my thinking is that

adequate rest,

and an optimistic outlook will do me more good .

The reason for the possible switch, is that he NOW thinks the PTU is causing

all my pain

! I am swaying between anger at him, 'if this was the problem all along, why did

it take

this long to consider another option! " ......and the frustration of the

possibility that it

IS thyroid, not arthritis etc., as I was rambling about in my last post. The

doctors would

be very happy if I would just let them keep me hypo, so I would continue

thinking like a

victim of this disease, and then they could keep me doped up on pain meds, for

all my

other ailments. After all you are getting older you know ! And this would be

accompanied

by me being half blind.

I am not that old. Yesterday was my 53 rd birthday, and my Sweetie has been

gone for

almost 3 yr. now, and I am feeling so much better than I did MANY years ago,

that I am not

ready to give up the game. Heck, I'm even thinking 'frisky' is a real option in

my future,

and have been running into fellows that are starting to look interesting.( I had

one get

all dressed up to come and see me the other day..<snicker, snicker> he was so

cute) So

don't be throwing the dirt on me yet! And with this in mind, you can see another

good

reason for keeping my eyes in my head. Fellows have a hard time with

disfigurement, if

they don't even know you yet. Certainly not my main reason, but a valid point.

Well, guess what....they will not wear me down ! And I will not accept this

because I

don't have an insurance company for them to bilk. I am not asking for any hand

outs, just

reasonable, timely answers, AFTER looking at my chart, and thinking about it. I

give each

of MY customers personal , individual service, and I am not in charge of their

health

.....which equals their quality of life !

But back to my point...this body pain has got to go. It is the last thing I am

fighting,

and I will figure it out !

I have studied Elaine's info on drug induced lupus, I have it all, but not any

kind of

skin discoloring or rash. Both Ibuprobhen and PTU are on that list. Humm, so in

taking

less of each, some pain goes away.....thus my concern and the doctors. But this

is also

explained by my thyroid levels becoming under MY control. I suppose the cheapest

thing is

to switch to Tap, but what if I lose all the ground I have gained?

If any new people have read this far, please do not be discouraged. I was sick

for a very

long time before diagnosis, and I know that is why I have been a particularly

hard case,

for my very good endo. He can only work with what he's got here.

Now that I know about thyroid, I can see what all those problems were after I

had my

babies. Then all those sad years with no energy. Then the 16 yr. of hot flashes

all day

and all night and being so shaky. ALL of those things are gone, thanks to

finally being

treated. Please do not let me scare you. I just need so help here, getting over

this last

one little hump.

Didn't know I was going to write my life story. Geezzz, Jody just asked a

simple

question trying to help. Now I have bared my soul.But I just know I am so

close....

-Pam-

[Guest guest]

Dearest ,

Yes, it is a big help. It seems we agree completely on all counts.

At least this is comforting.

Jody,

I do not do liver or TSI or any of that fancy stuff , it is just too expensive

for me. I

am a home owner, and this old house needs my care.

We did the liver tests in the beginning, when it was necessary, but not now

thank

goodness. I am curious about the TSI, but since the only reason I see for it is,

prediction of possible remission, I do not see the point if it requires me to

work so many

extra hr. to pay for it, that I make myself sick. So my thinking is that

adequate rest,

and an optimistic outlook will do me more good .

The reason for the possible switch, is that he NOW thinks the PTU is causing

all my pain

! I am swaying between anger at him, 'if this was the problem all along, why did

it take

this long to consider another option! " ......and the frustration of the

possibility that it

IS thyroid, not arthritis etc., as I was rambling about in my last post. The

doctors would

be very happy if I would just let them keep me hypo, so I would continue

thinking like a

victim of this disease, and then they could keep me doped up on pain meds, for

all my

other ailments. After all you are getting older you know ! And this would be

accompanied

by me being half blind.

I am not that old. Yesterday was my 53 rd birthday, and my Sweetie has been

gone for

almost 3 yr. now, and I am feeling so much better than I did MANY years ago,

that I am not

ready to give up the game. Heck, I'm even thinking 'frisky' is a real option in

my future,

and have been running into fellows that are starting to look interesting.( I had

one get

all dressed up to come and see me the other day..<snicker, snicker> he was so

cute) So

don't be throwing the dirt on me yet! And with this in mind, you can see another

good

reason for keeping my eyes in my head. Fellows have a hard time with

disfigurement, if

they don't even know you yet. Certainly not my main reason, but a valid point.

Well, guess what....they will not wear me down ! And I will not accept this

because I

don't have an insurance company for them to bilk. I am not asking for any hand

outs, just

reasonable, timely answers, AFTER looking at my chart, and thinking about it. I

give each

of MY customers personal , individual service, and I am not in charge of their

health

.....which equals their quality of life !

But back to my point...this body pain has got to go. It is the last thing I am

fighting,

and I will figure it out !

I have studied Elaine's info on drug induced lupus, I have it all, but not any

kind of

skin discoloring or rash. Both Ibuprobhen and PTU are on that list. Humm, so in

taking

less of each, some pain goes away.....thus my concern and the doctors. But this

is also

explained by my thyroid levels becoming under MY control. I suppose the cheapest

thing is

to switch to Tap, but what if I lose all the ground I have gained?

If any new people have read this far, please do not be discouraged. I was sick

for a very

long time before diagnosis, and I know that is why I have been a particularly

hard case,

for my very good endo. He can only work with what he's got here.

Now that I know about thyroid, I can see what all those problems were after I

had my

babies. Then all those sad years with no energy. Then the 16 yr. of hot flashes

all day

and all night and being so shaky. ALL of those things are gone, thanks to

finally being

treated. Please do not let me scare you. I just need so help here, getting over

this last

one little hump.

Didn't know I was going to write my life story. Geezzz, Jody just asked a

simple

question trying to help. Now I have bared my soul.But I just know I am so

close....

-Pam-

[Guest guest]

Dearest ,

Yes, it is a big help. It seems we agree completely on all counts.

At least this is comforting.

Jody,

I do not do liver or TSI or any of that fancy stuff , it is just too expensive

for me. I

am a home owner, and this old house needs my care.

We did the liver tests in the beginning, when it was necessary, but not now

thank

goodness. I am curious about the TSI, but since the only reason I see for it is,

prediction of possible remission, I do not see the point if it requires me to

work so many

extra hr. to pay for it, that I make myself sick. So my thinking is that

adequate rest,

and an optimistic outlook will do me more good .

The reason for the possible switch, is that he NOW thinks the PTU is causing

all my pain

! I am swaying between anger at him, 'if this was the problem all along, why did

it take

this long to consider another option! " ......and the frustration of the

possibility that it

IS thyroid, not arthritis etc., as I was rambling about in my last post. The

doctors would

be very happy if I would just let them keep me hypo, so I would continue

thinking like a

victim of this disease, and then they could keep me doped up on pain meds, for

all my

other ailments. After all you are getting older you know ! And this would be

accompanied

by me being half blind.

I am not that old. Yesterday was my 53 rd birthday, and my Sweetie has been

gone for

almost 3 yr. now, and I am feeling so much better than I did MANY years ago,

that I am not

ready to give up the game. Heck, I'm even thinking 'frisky' is a real option in

my future,

and have been running into fellows that are starting to look interesting.( I had

one get

all dressed up to come and see me the other day..<snicker, snicker> he was so

cute) So

don't be throwing the dirt on me yet! And with this in mind, you can see another

good

reason for keeping my eyes in my head. Fellows have a hard time with

disfigurement, if

they don't even know you yet. Certainly not my main reason, but a valid point.

Well, guess what....they will not wear me down ! And I will not accept this

because I

don't have an insurance company for them to bilk. I am not asking for any hand

outs, just

reasonable, timely answers, AFTER looking at my chart, and thinking about it. I

give each

of MY customers personal , individual service, and I am not in charge of their

health

.....which equals their quality of life !

But back to my point...this body pain has got to go. It is the last thing I am

fighting,

and I will figure it out !

I have studied Elaine's info on drug induced lupus, I have it all, but not any

kind of

skin discoloring or rash. Both Ibuprobhen and PTU are on that list. Humm, so in

taking

less of each, some pain goes away.....thus my concern and the doctors. But this

is also

explained by my thyroid levels becoming under MY control. I suppose the cheapest

thing is

to switch to Tap, but what if I lose all the ground I have gained?

If any new people have read this far, please do not be discouraged. I was sick

for a very

long time before diagnosis, and I know that is why I have been a particularly

hard case,

for my very good endo. He can only work with what he's got here.

Now that I know about thyroid, I can see what all those problems were after I

had my

babies. Then all those sad years with no energy. Then the 16 yr. of hot flashes

all day

and all night and being so shaky. ALL of those things are gone, thanks to

finally being

treated. Please do not let me scare you. I just need so help here, getting over

this last

one little hump.

Didn't know I was going to write my life story. Geezzz, Jody just asked a

simple

question trying to help. Now I have bared my soul.But I just know I am so

close....

-Pam-

[Guest guest]

I agree with you Jody on the PTU cancer thing...Life causes cancer.....

Yes, I thought this through a long time ago, but was already on the PTU, which I

am sure

was the choice, as I was so sick, and my eyes were so bad. And it works!

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

I could not imagine going through all of this with no insurance! It has to

be scary at times. You just have such a wonderful outlook and bring that

positive feeling to this group.

Aren't you a little concerned about the PTU and your liver? Isn't the

doctor? You becareful okay.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

I could not imagine going through all of this with no insurance! It has to

be scary at times. You just have such a wonderful outlook and bring that

positive feeling to this group.

Aren't you a little concerned about the PTU and your liver? Isn't the

doctor? You becareful okay.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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