Re: memory problem.

[Guest guest]

Ali,

Have you changed your diet? Have you been eating a lot of sugar, bread,

pasta etc..? Also, have you had a lot of diet soft-drinks?

When I eat protien and veggies and fruit I am ok. When I start feasting

on lots of bread and corn etc.. I am in a fog for days. (I binged that way

this weekend and am only now recovering)

Have some boiled eggs for breakfast and a hamburger or chicken for lunch.

( I am sorry I dont know if you are a vegetarian or not?) Try to keep your

blood sugar from dropping to low.

Also, are you SLEEPING at night? If you are losing sleep you will be in a

fog. And try to pin point some problem that has been " eating -away " at you.

Stress makes you forgetful, too.

--kathleen

In a message dated 12/15/99 4:51:22 AM Eastern Standard Time,

parad@... writes:

<< Subj: memory problem.

Date: 12/15/99 4:51:22 AM Eastern Standard Time

From: parad@...

Reply-to: hyperthyroidismegroups

hyperthyroidismeGroups

Hi

I have noticed the last week I have had trouble remembering long time

friends'

phone numbers(I am usually a walking telephone book and remember

numbers the first time I hear or see them). The only other time I was

like this was after having babies,I am a little concerned so if anybody

has had the same problem and has any hints or advice please let me

know. I also cant remember how to

spell some words and do some silly things (much like when pregnant).

I went to see my homeopath today and I forgot to tell him about it(what

a goose).

Thanks

Ali

>>

[Guest guest]

Yep...I've had this problem too...I think it's related to the thyroid, but it

could also be related to my age (late 50's).

Esther

[Guest guest]

<< I think it's related to the thyroid, but it

could also be related to my age (late 50's).

>>

I'm 59 years old.

I experienced the brain fog that accompanies over treatment with PTU.

It was horrible. I really think it was a dangerous situation.

Now, I not taking anything for my thyroid except supplements. I seem to have

recovered normal thyroid function.

I recently started hormone replacement therapy:

Triest and Testosterone

cycled with progesterone

I see a difference in my feelings and thinking.

A lot of fear is gone.

I'm calmer.

Things don't get to me.

I don't even worry about relapsing into Graves Disease.

Sexuality is no longer repulsive.

The hot flashes have stopped.

I don't know if my memory is better...I feel clearer...I don't worry about

forgetting things...

I believe in myself again.

It is too soon to know if this is a placebo effect.

But I don't think it is.

It's probably is a double whammy to your brain if you are

hypothyroid and deficent in other hormones as well.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Ali,

I too struggled with memory loss. I've been in remission for four months now,

with all my blood levels normal and it's been within the last two months that my

mind has felt as sharp as it did before Graves.

At the height of my hyperness, I had some trouble remembering things, but it was

different than the type of " fog " that PTU brought on. I was a pretty happy

hyper, getting lots done and writing constant lists. I had difficulty keeping

track of the many things I was doing but my mind generally felt sharp.

I took PTU for five weeks and that was difficult. I immediately developed the

brain fog I hear people complaining about and had a horrible time recalling

phone number, names, appointments, etc. This was very frustrating as I too have

an excellent memory. When I switched to alternative treatments, I still had

some of these troubles, but they were much less pronounced. Ultimately, it took

a good couple of months of normal bloodwork to feel like I was my old cognitive

self again.

My lone suggestion is to write everything down. I used to jot notes about

things to do, calls to make, questions to ask doctor, etc. the minute I thought

of them. Every night I sat down for a few minutes and compiled all the post-its

and scraps of paper from the kitchen and dining room (I have two small kids so I

scribbled where I could) and reflect on what needed attention. I found writing

and the focused follow-up time to literally " gather my thoughts " vital.

Responding to the message of <837o9i$anlseGroups>

from hyperthyroidismeGroups:

>

> Hi

> I have noticed the last week I have had trouble remembering long time

> friends'

> phone numbers(I am usually a walking telephone book and remember

> numbers the first time I hear or see them). The only other time I was

> like this was after having babies,I am a little concerned so if anybody

> has had the same problem and has any hints or advice please let me

> know. I also cant remember how to

> spell some words and do some silly things (much like when pregnant).

> I went to see my homeopath today and I forgot to tell him about it(what

> a goose).

> Thanks

> Ali

>

>

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

> GET $100 IN COUPONS FOR TRYING GATOR!

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> -- docvault/hyperthyroidism/?m=1

>

>

>

> .

Petrie

Departments of English and Feminist Studies

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

55455

petri001@...

[Guest guest]

Ali-

I also have this same problem, but I am sorry to say, I have no solutions!

My memory is shot-not only phone numbers, but even when my kids tell me

something one time, and an hour or so later I have completely forgotten what

they told me, and then I yell at them for doing something that I previously

said they could! Thank God they are old enough to understand that I have a

health problem causing this-they are very good at jogging my memory back,

and hold no grudges for the undeserved discipline!

parad@... wrote:

> Hi

> I have noticed the last week I have had trouble remembering long time

> friends'

> phone numbers(I am usually a walking telephone book and remember

> numbers the first time I hear or see them). The only other time I was

> like this was after having babies,I am a little concerned so if anybody

> has had the same problem and has any hints or advice please let me

> know. I also cant remember how to

> spell some words and do some silly things (much like when pregnant).

> I went to see my homeopath today and I forgot to tell him about it(what

> a goose).

> Thanks

> Ali

>

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

> GET $100 IN COUPONS FOR TRYING GATOR!

> Grab the Gator! Free software does all the typing for you!

> Gator fills in forms and remembers passwords with NO TYPING at over

> 100,000 web sites! http://clickhere./click/2093

>

> -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault

> -- docvault/hyperthyroidism/?m=1

[Guest guest]

-

I just saw my endo today, am having a blood test for Graves, and also

another scan. My endo says that if I have Graves, I have to destroy

my thyroid. Was that the case with you, also, or have you just taken

anti-thyroid meds? I have heard pro's and con's for both, but the

doc is pretty definitate on this-what do you think?

Petrie wrote:

Ali,

I too struggled with memory loss. I've been in remission for four

months now,

with all my blood levels normal and it's been within the last two months

that my

mind has felt as sharp as it did before Graves.

At the height of my hyperness, I had some trouble remembering things,

but it was

different than the type of "fog" that PTU brought on. I was a

pretty happy

hyper, getting lots done and writing constant lists. I had difficulty

keeping

track of the many things I was doing but my mind generally felt sharp.

I took PTU for five weeks and that was difficult. I immediately

developed the

brain fog I hear people complaining about and had a horrible time recalling

phone number, names, appointments, etc. This was very frustrating

as I too have

an excellent memory. When I switched to alternative treatments,

I still had

some of these troubles, but they were much less pronounced. Ultimately,

it took

a good couple of months of normal bloodwork to feel like I was

my old cognitive

self again.

My lone suggestion is to write everything down. I used to jot

notes about

things to do, calls to make, questions to ask doctor, etc. the minute

I thought

of them. Every night I sat down for a few minutes and compiled

all the post-its

and scraps of paper from the kitchen and dining room (I have two small

kids so I

scribbled where I could) and reflect on what needed attention.

I found writing

and the focused follow-up time to literally "gather my thoughts" vital.

Responding to the message of <837o9i$anlseGroups>

from hyperthyroidismeGroups:

>

> Hi

> I have noticed the last week I have had trouble remembering long

time

> friends'

> phone numbers(I am usually a walking telephone book and remember

> numbers the first time I hear or see them). The only other time I

was

> like this was after having babies,I am a little concerned so if anybody

> has had the same problem and has any hints or advice please let me

> know. I also cant remember how to

> spell some words and do some silly things (much like when pregnant).

> I went to see my homeopath today and I forgot to tell him about it(what

> a goose).

> Thanks

> Ali

>

>

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

> GET $100 IN COUPONS FOR TRYING GATOR!

> Grab the Gator! Free software does all the typing for you!

> Gator fills in forms and remembers passwords with NO TYPING at over

> 100,000 web sites! http://clickhere./click/2093

>

> -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault

> -- docvault/hyperthyroidism/?m=1

>

>

>

> .

Petrie

Departments of English and Feminist Studies

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

55455

petri001@...

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

GRAB THE GATOR! FREE SOFTWARE DOES ALL THE TYPING FOR YOU!

Gator fills in forms and remembers passwords with NO TYPING at over

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http://clickhere./click/2092

-- Check out your group's private Chat room

-- ChatPage?listName=hyperthyroidism & m=1

[Guest guest]

> -

>

> I just saw my endo today, am having a blood test for Graves, and also another

> scan.

> My endo says that if I have Graves, I have to destroy my thyroid. Was that

> the case

> with you, also, or have you just taken anti-thyroid meds? I have heard pro's

> and

> con's for both, but the doc is pretty definitate on this-what do you think?

>

>

,

I'm in the camp that questions the wisdom of destroying the thyroid when the

immune system is the culprit and the thyroid the victim, if current medical

explainations of the disease are to be believed. My endocrinologist who

eventually referred me to teh Mayo Clinic told me the same thing after I

developed an allergy to PTU. He said that I absolutely had to have my thyroid

removed or RAI and he opted for removal since I had fairly bad eye problems. I

decided not to take his advice.

You can go to the National Graves Disease Foundation BB and search through the

three or so years of posts debating whether or not the thyroid should be

destroyed. The address is http://209.114.200.77/bb/new.asp Look under RAI,

surgery and antithyroid drugs for a discussion of treatments.

As the endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic here in Minnesota told me, my case of

Graves has been quite unpredictable and quite unusual. I developed a moderate

to severe case post-partum. I lost about 10 lbs (barely weighing a hundred

before), ate football team quantities of food, had racing pulse, skyrocketing

blood pressure, heat intolerance, and countless psychological changes, insomnia,

etc. I also had moderate to severe eye troubles; my left eye was swollen and

protruding and my right eye lid so retracted that i had to tape the eye shut at

night. I suffered damage to my cornea on that right eye. It was quite awful.

I read with interest people on this list who say they had instant or within

hours or days a negative response to PTU. True: I took the pill, walked out of

the kitchen and said to my husband, " I know I " m allergic to this thing. " I was

so fearful, I took one fourth of the required dose until my six week check up

when it was uncovered that the drug was damaging my liver and I couldn't

tolerate it.

Faced with surgery or RAI, I decided to do two things: wean my daughter and

embark on a naturopathic regime that included acupuncture, homeopathy,

naturopathy and a macrobiotic diet. And no, we're not rich. This was a

tremendous financial undertaking for our family, even though the sum cost of the

alternative medicine was under $3000. It hurt.

Anyway, I think that weaning and homeopathy were the two most powerful things I

did. Several women from teh NGDF told me that their Graves disease changed

after they stopped nursing their children -- only one had hers worsen, the rest

all improved with the hormonal changes in the body. The homeopathy was also

very, very important and I saw dramatic results with that immediately and before

I stopped nursing my daughter.

Within three weeks of weaning and the " regime " I was in remission.

I remain in remission four months later, but as one of my prior posts

insinuates, I am certainly not the same person I was prior to Graves (sick for a

year before diagnosis, about). My hair is still falling out -- hopefully this

should turn around soon, and I definitely go through " hyper " stages before my

period. I am much more tired and am amazingly sensitive to any chemical,

natural or otherwise. I certainly feel that I am still learning and struggling

with this. I was lucky enough to dig up a preGraves TSH and thyroxine so I know

that during a time in my life when I was healthy and felt good, my TSH was 1.6.

Now, it's .5 or .9 or in that ballpark. Even though this is normal, I sure feel

the difference.

I have antibodies for Hashimotos and Graves. The endocrinologist I saw at the

Mayo Clinic told me I have a 25% chance of redeveloping either disease at any

point and that the first few months of remission would be the most dangerous for

relapse. So I'm still doing as much with alternative medicine (now copper and

other supplements) as I can.

If anyone is interested I can send my exact " regime " of herbs and other

naturopathic approaches to the list or a private email address.

I would urge you to think long and hard before destroying your thyroid. At

least with taking anti-thyroid meds, you can buy yourself some time to research

and think. It's a choice that's not permanent. Surgery and RAI are forever.

Hope this helps. . .

Petrie

Departments of English and Feminist Studies

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

55455

petri001@...

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I had Graves over 2 /2 years ago, and my endo also wanted to destroy my

thyroid. Of course, I refused, did my own research, and have been fine for

over 2 years (see archives). Please do not destroy your thyroid--it's the

only one you have!

Try the supplements, alternate treatments, etc., that you can read on this

board. Meanwhile, you should take meds (either Tapezol or PTU), and beta

blockers, until you can get back in balance.

Good luck,

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

-

I would be interested in your list of herbs and supplements. I don't go back to

my

endo until Jan. 5, will keep researching and learning until then. I am seeing

someone from Minnesota-probably who you started with-was actually thinking of

changing docs-I have a new scan ordered for next week. If this one doesn't show

anything abnormal(like the first one did), I am definitaly not destroying my

thyroid. He is going to have to prove to me that it would be in my best

interest to

have it done-like if I had thyroid cancer, or growths. He seems to think that

the

first scan was done incorrectly or something, but I don't understand how that

can

be. It was my thyroid I saw, no lumps, no bumps-just a smooth little (although

slightly enlarged) gland in there. I am just astounded that I really haven't

ever

been sick in my life-a few reproductive hormone problems-nothing that couldn't

be

corrected with birth control pills-and now I have this thing screwing up my

whole

body, and my life to some degree, and I don't like it one bit! I will go to the

site you listed, and I will read up on my options. I thought Grave's could be

treated with anti thyroid meds-why don't the doc's give us that option first?

Petrie wrote:

>

> > -

> >

> > I just saw my endo today, am having a blood test for Graves, and also

another

> > scan.

> > My endo says that if I have Graves, I have to destroy my thyroid. Was that

> > the case

> > with you, also, or have you just taken anti-thyroid meds? I have heard

pro's

> > and

> > con's for both, but the doc is pretty definitate on this-what do you think?

> >

> >

>

> ,

>

> I'm in the camp that questions the wisdom of destroying the thyroid when the

> immune system is the culprit and the thyroid the victim, if current medical

> explainations of the disease are to be believed. My endocrinologist who

> eventually referred me to teh Mayo Clinic told me the same thing after I

> developed an allergy to PTU. He said that I absolutely had to have my thyroid

> removed or RAI and he opted for removal since I had fairly bad eye problems.

I

> decided not to take his advice.

>

> You can go to the National Graves Disease Foundation BB and search through the

> three or so years of posts debating whether or not the thyroid should be

> destroyed. The address is http://209.114.200.77/bb/new.asp Look under

RAI,

> surgery and antithyroid drugs for a discussion of treatments.

>

> As the endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic here in Minnesota told me, my case

of

> Graves has been quite unpredictable and quite unusual. I developed a moderate

> to severe case post-partum. I lost about 10 lbs (barely weighing a hundred

> before), ate football team quantities of food, had racing pulse, skyrocketing

> blood pressure, heat intolerance, and countless psychological changes,

insomnia,

> etc. I also had moderate to severe eye troubles; my left eye was swollen and

> protruding and my right eye lid so retracted that i had to tape the eye shut

at

> night. I suffered damage to my cornea on that right eye. It was quite awful.

>

> I read with interest people on this list who say they had instant or within

> hours or days a negative response to PTU. True: I took the pill, walked out

of

> the kitchen and said to my husband, " I know I " m allergic to this thing. " I

was

> so fearful, I took one fourth of the required dose until my six week check up

> when it was uncovered that the drug was damaging my liver and I couldn't

> tolerate it.

>

> Faced with surgery or RAI, I decided to do two things: wean my daughter and

> embark on a naturopathic regime that included acupuncture, homeopathy,

> naturopathy and a macrobiotic diet. And no, we're not rich. This was a

> tremendous financial undertaking for our family, even though the sum cost of

the

> alternative medicine was under $3000. It hurt.

>

> Anyway, I think that weaning and homeopathy were the two most powerful things

I

> did. Several women from teh NGDF told me that their Graves disease changed

> after they stopped nursing their children -- only one had hers worsen, the

rest

> all improved with the hormonal changes in the body. The homeopathy was also

> very, very important and I saw dramatic results with that immediately and

before

> I stopped nursing my daughter.

>

> Within three weeks of weaning and the " regime " I was in remission.

>

> I remain in remission four months later, but as one of my prior posts

> insinuates, I am certainly not the same person I was prior to Graves (sick for

a

> year before diagnosis, about). My hair is still falling out -- hopefully this

> should turn around soon, and I definitely go through " hyper " stages before my

> period. I am much more tired and am amazingly sensitive to any chemical,

> natural or otherwise. I certainly feel that I am still learning and

struggling

> with this. I was lucky enough to dig up a preGraves TSH and thyroxine so I

know

> that during a time in my life when I was healthy and felt good, my TSH was

1.6.

> Now, it's .5 or .9 or in that ballpark. Even though this is normal, I sure

feel

> the difference.

>

> I have antibodies for Hashimotos and Graves. The endocrinologist I saw at the

> Mayo Clinic told me I have a 25% chance of redeveloping either disease at any

> point and that the first few months of remission would be the most dangerous

for

> relapse. So I'm still doing as much with alternative medicine (now copper and

> other supplements) as I can.

>

> If anyone is interested I can send my exact " regime " of herbs and other

> naturopathic approaches to the list or a private email address.

>

> I would urge you to think long and hard before destroying your thyroid. At

> least with taking anti-thyroid meds, you can buy yourself some time to

research

> and think. It's a choice that's not permanent. Surgery and RAI are forever.

>

> Hope this helps. . .

>

>

>

>

> Petrie

> Departments of English and Feminist Studies

> University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

> 55455

> petri001@...

>

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

> The only fruitcake at overstock.com is our manager.

> He’s giving away a $20 coupon, plus our everyday Free Shipping.

> Take advantage of the savings and selection now.

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>

> -- 20 megs of disk space in your group's Document Vault

> -- docvault/hyperthyroidism/?m=1