HELP!!

October 26, 2003

It happens more times than not . If your dr is merely trying to get your

TSH to rise before he cuts down on the meds, yes, he could accomplish exactly

that. AS I mentioned before, a normal starting dose of Methimazole/Tapazole is

only 30 mgs. He has placed you on 20 mgs -twice daily. It sounds as if he's

wanting to try to get this in control quickly, but he's paying attention to TSH

and in my opinion, he shouldn't be. He should be checking the FT3 and FT4 to

see how those #'s are in relation to the meds. If those #'s are coming down,

then you're meds are working.

I had a dr who strictly went by TSH and i was never more miserable in my entire

life. A dr who does not know the proper procedure for administering drugs for

hyperT can and sometimes do make us sicker by causing us to go HypoT, then once

the TSH is normal, if you end up with an idiot Dr like I did.......(dr #2), then

he may even try to take you off the meds. When taken off the meds, in such a

short time, there is not much hope for remission and then they are known to

suggest RAI to ablate the thyroid because the 'anti thyroid' drugs aren't

working. (They can't work if they're not given a chance to work).

SandyE~Houston

Help!!

> > >

> > > Can Someone help!!!!!!!!!!!

> > >

> > > I was diagnosed hyperthyroid last year. My T4 level was

up to

> > 3.22.

> > > I started tapazole in mid September, My T4 level is down

to

> 1.45

> > now,

> > > my TSH level is .01. The Dr wants me to wait 6 weeks and

get

> > blood

> > > work and to stick to my dose of 20mg Tapazole 2x daily.

> > > The nurse tells me the Dr is concerned with my TSH levels

(I

> know

> > > they are below the range of normal) and of course leaves

it

> at

> > that.

> > >

> > > So my Question to the experienced people out there is.

> > >

> > > 1) How does this story sound, in terms of treatment?

> > > 2) What the h__L is going on with my TSH?

> > > 3) What is a stable target level for T4 with this

particular

> > > treatment?

> > >

> > > I would be very thankful if somebody out there could

answer.

> > >

> > > Thank You

> > >

October 27, 2003

Sandy, Thank you for the reply! It sounds like, I may have to tighten

the noose on the Dr. Out of interest, are you cured and what is you

current treatment?

Have a good day, JW

In hyperthyroidism , " Sandy " <starz@h...> wrote:

> It happens more times than not . If your dr is merely trying

to get your TSH to rise before he cuts down on the meds, yes, he

could accomplish exactly that. AS I mentioned before, a normal

starting dose of Methimazole/Tapazole is only 30 mgs. He has placed

you on 20 mgs -twice daily. It sounds as if he's wanting to try to

get this in control quickly, but he's paying attention to TSH and in

my opinion, he shouldn't be. He should be checking the FT3 and FT4

to see how those #'s are in relation to the meds. If those #'s are

coming down, then you're meds are working.

>

> I had a dr who strictly went by TSH and i was never more miserable

in my entire life. A dr who does not know the proper procedure for

administering drugs for hyperT can and sometimes do make us sicker by

causing us to go HypoT, then once the TSH is normal, if you end up

with an idiot Dr like I did.......(dr #2), then he may even try to

take you off the meds. When taken off the meds, in such a short

time, there is not much hope for remission and then they are known to

suggest RAI to ablate the thyroid because the 'anti thyroid' drugs

aren't working. (They can't work if they're not given a chance to

work).

>

> SandyE~Houston

>

> Help!!

> > > >

> > > > Can Someone help!!!!!!!!!!!

> > > >

> > > > I was diagnosed hyperthyroid last year. My T4 level

was

> up to

> > > 3.22.

> > > > I started tapazole in mid September, My T4 level is

down

> to

> > 1.45

> > > now,

> > > > my TSH level is .01. The Dr wants me to wait 6 weeks

and

> get

> > > blood

> > > > work and to stick to my dose of 20mg Tapazole 2x

daily.

> > > > The nurse tells me the Dr is concerned with my TSH

levels

> (I

> > know

> > > > they are below the range of normal) and of course

leaves

> it

> > at

> > > that.

> > > >

> > > > So my Question to the experienced people out there is.

> > > >

> > > > 1) How does this story sound, in terms of treatment?

> > > > 2) What the h__L is going on with my TSH?

> > > > 3) What is a stable target level for T4 with this

> particular

> > > > treatment?

> > > >

> > > > I would be very thankful if somebody out there could

> answer.

> > > >

> > > > Thank You

> > > >

October 27, 2003

Well, not so sure I can say I'm cured, but, I'm on a 2.5 mg dosage of

Methimazole now, and this Dec is 2 yrs ago that I started the meds.

I'm feeling much better, but I'm still waiting on the test results.

This time I told him that before any meds are dropped, we'll do it

gradually. He had told me I could even take 5.mgs every other day,

but I think the 2.5 sounded more reasonable for me.

I should be getting my results soon I hope, as we ran a TSI

(antibodies) test to see if they are at 2%. If they are, then yes, I

may well have acheived remission. :-)

I feel better than I have in years, so I'm hoping that's a positive

sign. If I'd kept up with these sites, I'd not have had near the

problems I did have. It's terrible to have to keep up with a Dr, but

I've found with this disease, if you don't, then it can be pretty bad.

:-)

Sandy~Houston

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 15:42:25 -0000

" " <jaat497444@...> wrote:

November 25, 2003

Just thinking about your water problem first thing to do is take your

blood pressure--high blood pressure can cause water retention---so

take a look at that to be on the safe side.

Sometimes when we retain water it's because we do not get in enough

salt---the body is trying to hold onto the salt--so if you want to

experiment on yourself add more salt with added water and see if you

don't start to go to the bathroom more which will help get rid of the

extra water.

If this does not work and your blood pressure is normal you can take

a look at your potassium intake---if you do not take in a balance of

this along with salt your body will also try and retain it as well.

http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home/sec12/137.jsp

best bet is to get to a doctor who should understand the delicate

balance of this in regard to hypo's.

-- In hypothyroidism , " carolyneswanson "

<carolyneswanson@y...> wrote:

> I'M AT MY WITS END. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM IN EARLY

> 2001, I'VE BEEN REGULATED FOR A WHILE AND NOW ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY

> LEVELS HAVE WENT UP. I HAVE HORRIBLE WATER RETENTION, HAVE GAINED

> 7 LBS ALL THE WHILE I'VE BEEN EATING 1300 CALORIES A DAY AND

> EXERCISING LIKE MAD. I'M ALREADY 20LBS OVERWEIGHT AND HAVE

STRUGGLED

> WITH LOSING THIS SINCE MY DIAGNOSIS. I CAN'T GAIN ANY MORE, OR

I'LL

> GO NUTS. MY DOCTOR DOESN'T ACT LIKE IT'S A BIG DEAL. HAS ANYONE

> HEARD OF TAKING VIRGIN COCONUT OIL? I NEED SOME ADVICE ON THIS

> WATER RETENTION ALSO.

November 25, 2003

another thing to think about is that when you are under more pressure

which causes your body more stress you usually need more thyroid meds

not less---so it sounds like you are under more stress and are

probably taking in the same amount of hormone---tell us how much you

take in and have you tried to increase it according to your

symptoms?

It does seem that those that are taking in a bit more and are closer

to the hyper side have been able to stay at a more usual weight for

themselves. If you read some of the documentation on tsh you can see

that this is what a few doctors do agree on even though everyone else

seems to treat on the side of underdosing-----something to think

about for yourself.

-- In hypothyroidism , " tina83862 " <tina8386@a...>

wrote:

> Just thinking about your water problem first thing to do is take

your

> blood pressure--high blood pressure can cause water retention---so

> take a look at that to be on the safe side.

>

> Sometimes when we retain water it's because we do not get in enough

> salt---the body is trying to hold onto the salt--so if you want to

> experiment on yourself add more salt with added water and see if

you

> don't start to go to the bathroom more which will help get rid of

the

> extra water.

>

> If this does not work and your blood pressure is normal you can

take

> a look at your potassium intake---if you do not take in a balance

of

> this along with salt your body will also try and retain it as well.

>

> http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home/sec12/137.jsp

>

> best bet is to get to a doctor who should understand the delicate

> balance of this in regard to hypo's.

>

> -- In hypothyroidism , " carolyneswanson "

> <carolyneswanson@y...> wrote:

> > I'M AT MY WITS END. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM IN EARLY

> > 2001, I'VE BEEN REGULATED FOR A WHILE AND NOW ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY

> > LEVELS HAVE WENT UP. I HAVE HORRIBLE WATER RETENTION, HAVE GAINED

> > 7 LBS ALL THE WHILE I'VE BEEN EATING 1300 CALORIES A DAY AND

> > EXERCISING LIKE MAD. I'M ALREADY 20LBS OVERWEIGHT AND HAVE

> STRUGGLED

> > WITH LOSING THIS SINCE MY DIAGNOSIS. I CAN'T GAIN ANY MORE, OR

> I'LL

> > GO NUTS. MY DOCTOR DOESN'T ACT LIKE IT'S A BIG DEAL. HAS ANYONE

> > HEARD OF TAKING VIRGIN COCONUT OIL? I NEED SOME ADVICE ON THIS

> > WATER RETENTION ALSO.

November 26, 2003

This is common, unfortunately. I was regulated for a while, then got

even worse symptoms than before treatment since August and gained

28lb. I had to change my dosage a few times, but I can exercise as

often as before again because the muscle pains are gone, and this

week I lost 2lb. Now only 26 more to go. LOL

You need a doctor who DOES think this is a big deal though, and

adjust your meds.

Jan

> I'M AT MY WITS END. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM IN EARLY

> 2001, I'VE BEEN REGULATED FOR A WHILE AND NOW ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY

> LEVELS HAVE WENT UP. I HAVE HORRIBLE WATER RETENTION, HAVE GAINED

> 7 LBS ALL THE WHILE I'VE BEEN EATING 1300 CALORIES A DAY AND

> EXERCISING LIKE MAD. I'M ALREADY 20LBS OVERWEIGHT AND HAVE

STRUGGLED

> WITH LOSING THIS SINCE MY DIAGNOSIS. I CAN'T GAIN ANY MORE, OR

I'LL

> GO NUTS. MY DOCTOR DOESN'T ACT LIKE IT'S A BIG DEAL. HAS ANYONE

> HEARD OF TAKING VIRGIN COCONUT OIL? I NEED SOME ADVICE ON THIS

> WATER RETENTION ALSO.

January 6, 2004

<<lilchic4jesus_27@... writes:

Ok here goes. My boyfriend has had PA since he was nine. The doctors

didn't know or care about what it was. Is there anyone who had PA

when they were a child or in their teens?? What did they do for you?>>

I had transient costochondritis and knees at about that age, diagnosed as

growing pains. An unlikely diagnosis I would say being as I was consistently one

of the shortest kids in my class and never experienced a pronounced growth

spurt. In fact I didnt reach maximum height until about age 24. Was diagnosed

with psoriasis of the skin at age 8 but never heard the term Psoriatic Arthritis

until about 2 months prior to joining this group at about age 33. Have yet to

be formally diagnosed with PA. Orin

January 6, 2004

> Ok here goes. My boyfriend has had PA since he was nine. The

doctors

> didn't know or care about what it was. Is there anyone who had PA

> when they were a child or in their teens?? What did they do

for you?

Hi,

I have had PA since age 10. Unfortunately, back then there weren't a

lot of choices for medications. Today there are many options. You

can read about them on this list or go to psoriasis.org for good

educational material. Does your boyfriend see a Rheumatologist?

This is a specialist who treats arthritis and related illnesses. I

imagine there is something to be done to help him out. PA can be a

serious disease and progress with no treatment so you have very good

instincts to inquire for him

Good Luck and Best Wishes,

Marti

January 7, 2004

my hubby hadd it since his early teens and had the same thing happen to him. he

was just diagnosed 2 years ago and he is 26. the doctors checked him for other

types of arthritis and gout, also lymes. he went through alot of pain and

questioning himself but at least he knows the truth. his ruemy metioned to us

one time that she had childeren as young as two that were taking embrel. things

have come a long way in the past few years. rachel

January 8, 2004

Thank you so much for replying!

January 8, 2004

Thank you so much for replying!

January 8, 2004

You are very welcome. Please keep us informed!

Alison

> Thank you so much for replying!

May 26, 2004

You might want to take a look at the book " slaw - From Emotion to

Advocacy "

August 14, 2004

You're certainly among friends here. It's very frustrating being sick and

having nowhere to turn. It might be helpful if you told us what you are

eating? What's a typical day look like in terms of food? Also, I hope you've

read the files in the front of this message group? Especially the ones

called " Candida Diet in a Nutshell " and the " How to Overcome Candida " piece.

We've all found that diet is far more important than drugs (anti-fungals

like you're taking,) when it comes to getting Candida Overgrowth under

control. By taking medicine for so long, it might be that your Candida has

adapted to live with the drugs. That's why we advocate rotating

anti-fungals. There's a rather large selection available -- most of them

natural and listed in the files. Rotate every 5 days or so.

But I always recommend starting with the diet alone. I didn't add

anti-fungals until 3 months into the diet when I knew my body was strong

enough to handle them. Even the natural anti-fungals are pretty hard on a

recovering body with an over-worked immune system. Keep in touch!

Warm Regards,

~Robin Reese

Ps. By the way, I had the Candida Folliculitis rash too but it gradually

went away when I switched to the diet. It took 2 months but it is completely

gone now. (Yay.)

August 14, 2004

Welcome!

If you want to try and find a doctor that knows anything about Candida in

your area, go to http://www.acam.org/dr_search/ and do a search on your zip

code (city or state will work too). Look for doctors with the YS code in

their specialty.

We all feel your pain, I'm sure! There are more doctors now that know of

Candida - even if they don't know what to do - than there was when I first

started looking. I had doctor after doctor put me on Prozac because it was

all in my head!

Diet is definitely key - but some diets are different from others. For

example I've seen diets that allow vinegar during the first 3 months - the

one my doctor is putting me on will not allow that. The very first time I

did the Candida Diet that I'm about to go back on - it worked, and it worked

well. My problem was not following through. I went right back to eating

exactly how I had been eating.

I have skin problems, I have swelling, joint pain, vision issues, etc. many

of the same symptoms my diabetes gives me, I get from Candida.

This is a very helpful and informative group - and there is a lot of

information in the file section of the web site. I'm going through those

now.

Candace

_____

From: pdoty64 [mailto:pdoty64@...]

Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 11:58 PM

Subject: [ ] Help!!

I am totally new to this group and really seeking advice. I'm 39 and

have had a yeast infection for 2.5 years. I've taken Diflucan and

Nystatin, though neither of them long enough to do a total kill off.

I've also developed several skin conditions, which several different

dermatologists decided to treat with steroids, which of course GAVE

ME A YEAST INFECTION!!

I am absolutely at the end of my rope. I've tried the acidopholous

tablets, yeast restriction diets, you name it. I've been to about 8

doctors over the last two plus years and no one seems to know or care

what to do.

You probably hear this ALL the time, but any advice, help, whatever

you can give, would be most appreciated.

August 14, 2004

Dear Candace-

Thanks for the note!!

I've been prescribed Prozac, Effexor, Wellbutrin and I think a couple of

others. Of course they didn't work and it wasn't really good for my

self-esteem either.

I have a terrible time sticking to the diet. I'm very busy and I find that I

end of starving myself because my lifestyle, working constantly, raising an

athlete and cooking for a German, does not lend itself to eating that way

all the time. So after a week, I get hungry and cranky and then I'm back to

sandwiches, potatoes, etc. I just have to get it through my mind that this

food is killing me and just do it. I'm sure my waistline won't mind losing

the carbs and starches, though!!

I'm going to look up those doctors right now!

Thanks again!

>From: " Candace " <candace@...>

>Reply-

>< >

>Subject: RE: [ ] Help!!

>Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2004 07:11:09 -0500

>

>Welcome!

>

>If you want to try and find a doctor that knows anything about Candida in

>your area, go to http://www.acam.org/dr_search/ and do a search on your zip

>code (city or state will work too). Look for doctors with the YS code in

>their specialty.

>

>We all feel your pain, I'm sure! There are more doctors now that know of

>Candida - even if they don't know what to do - than there was when I first

>started looking. I had doctor after doctor put me on Prozac because it was

>all in my head!

>

>Diet is definitely key - but some diets are different from others. For

>example I've seen diets that allow vinegar during the first 3 months - the

>one my doctor is putting me on will not allow that. The very first time I

>did the Candida Diet that I'm about to go back on - it worked, and it

>worked

>well. My problem was not following through. I went right back to eating

>exactly how I had been eating.

>

>I have skin problems, I have swelling, joint pain, vision issues, etc. many

>of the same symptoms my diabetes gives me, I get from Candida.

>

>This is a very helpful and informative group - and there is a lot of

>information in the file section of the web site. I'm going through those

>now.

>

>Candace

>

> _____

>

>From: pdoty64 [mailto:pdoty64@...]

>Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 11:58 PM

>

>Subject: [ ] Help!!

>

>I am totally new to this group and really seeking advice. I'm 39 and

>have had a yeast infection for 2.5 years. I've taken Diflucan and

>Nystatin, though neither of them long enough to do a total kill off.

>I've also developed several skin conditions, which several different

>dermatologists decided to treat with steroids, which of course GAVE

>ME A YEAST INFECTION!!

>

>I am absolutely at the end of my rope. I've tried the acidopholous

>tablets, yeast restriction diets, you name it. I've been to about 8

>doctors over the last two plus years and no one seems to know or care

>what to do.

>

>You probably hear this ALL the time, but any advice, help, whatever

>you can give, would be most appreciated.

>

August 14, 2004

What was the name of the steroid that you took and also how much and

how long? How long were you on the anti-candida diet?

> I am totally new to this group and really seeking advice. I'm 39

and

> have had a yeast infection for 2.5 years. I've taken Diflucan and

> Nystatin, though neither of them long enough to do a total kill

off.

> I've also developed several skin conditions, which several

different

> dermatologists decided to treat with steroids, which of course GAVE

> ME A YEAST INFECTION!!

>

> I am absolutely at the end of my rope. I've tried the acidopholous

> tablets, yeast restriction diets, you name it. I've been to about 8

> doctors over the last two plus years and no one seems to know or

care

> what to do.

>

> You probably hear this ALL the time, but any advice, help, whatever

> you can give, would be most appreciated.

August 14, 2004

I agree with the others that diet is the most important part of

eliminating the candida overgrowth.

In fact following the diet is all I've been able to manage for 2

months now, since my body won't tolerate any of the antifungals. I'm

starting to see a reduction in my symptoms, which is encouraging. In

time I should be able to handle the milder antifungals which will

help speed up the process.

It can be done, but it does take time! I have to lecture myself

daily on being patient. I just take things one day at a time so I

don't get depressed and frustrated...

Kim M.

> I am totally new to this group and really seeking advice. I'm 39

and

> have had a yeast infection for 2.5 years. I've taken Diflucan and

> Nystatin, though neither of them long enough to do a total kill

off.

> I've also developed several skin conditions, which several

different

> dermatologists decided to treat with steroids, which of course GAVE

> ME A YEAST INFECTION!!

>

> I am absolutely at the end of my rope. I've tried the acidopholous

> tablets, yeast restriction diets, you name it. I've been to about 8

> doctors over the last two plus years and no one seems to know or

care

> what to do.

>

> You probably hear this ALL the time, but any advice, help, whatever

> you can give, would be most appreciated.

August 14, 2004

Candida Folliculitis??? I've been told I have Folliculitis, but of

course, since my doctors are ignoring the candida part, they never

added that!! And of course, I was given steroid creams to treat it.

My normal day consists of several cups of coffee, with half n half,

Sometimes salad or a sandwich for lunch. And I'm a big blue cheese

fan, so I'm sure that hasn't been helping! Then a normal meat,

starch, veggie dinner. Occassionally pasta, fish, whatever... and

usually lots of take-out because sometimes I'm just too busy to cook

and the family is starving! I've pretty much cut out soft drinks,

except I do drink Crystal Light or Arizona diet Green Tea. I don't

usually indulge in many sweets, but sometimes I just have to have

chocolate and I'm almost always sorry afterwards. And my other

downfall is alcohol. My husband is German, so we have some very nice

German beers that I just don't resist well. I also occassionally

drink wine, margaritas or every once in a while, diet coke with

whiskey.

By the way- this all got out of control about 2..5 years ago after I

pre-medicated with 4,000 mg of Ampicillin before a dentist

appointment. I'm sure things had been building up before then, but

that sent me over the edge and I've never gotten back.

Pattie

> You're certainly among friends here. It's very frustrating being

sick and

> having nowhere to turn. It might be helpful if you told us what you

are

> eating? What's a typical day look like in terms of food? Also, I

hope you've

> read the files in the front of this message group? Especially the

ones

> called " Candida Diet in a Nutshell " and the " How to Overcome

Candida " piece.

>

> We've all found that diet is far more important than drugs (anti-

fungals

> like you're taking,) when it comes to getting Candida Overgrowth

under

> control. By taking medicine for so long, it might be that your

Candida has

> adapted to live with the drugs. That's why we advocate rotating

> anti-fungals. There's a rather large selection available -- most of

them

> natural and listed in the files. Rotate every 5 days or so.

>

> But I always recommend starting with the diet alone. I didn't add

> anti-fungals until 3 months into the diet when I knew my body was

strong

> enough to handle them. Even the natural anti-fungals are pretty

hard on a

> recovering body with an over-worked immune system. Keep in touch!

> Warm Regards,

> ~Robin Reese

>

> Ps. By the way, I had the Candida Folliculitis rash too but it

gradually

> went away when I switched to the diet. It took 2 months but it is

completely

> gone now. (Yay.)

>

August 14, 2004

I was given steroids too... the dermatologist said I simply had folliculitis

-- it was all over my chest and back and on the back of my legs. I had it

for several months but when I was going on a vacation to Hawaii I decided to

" do something about it " . I didn't know ANYTHING about Candida back then --

about 6 months ago now.. The doctor gave me some topical steroids lotion and

it went away at first. Problem was that after a month or so of using it, not

only did the rash come back but it had turned into deep welts, itchy and

burning that looked just like shingles.

Rather than Candida, it may have been caused by bacteria because when I had

to take Cipro several days later, the rash itch went out of the rash within

a day and the entire thing almost disappeared within a couple weeks.

The small pin-prick bumps (known generally as folliculitis) reappeared after

the course of antibiotics had finished. I continued to have them for about 2

months. As I kept to the Candida restricted diet they slowly but surely went

away.

I found an interesting site on the rash.... I read elsewhere that many

dermatologists are recognizing Candida Folliculitis which is what I assume I

had. My original dermatologist said I probably got the rash from a hot tub

(which I don't use..) My regular M.D. said she thought the welts were caused

by the sun or were maybe psoriasis. Sheesh!!!

Anyway, the diet worked for me. I have no more rash. Here's the link:

http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/library/healthguide/en-us/illnessconditions/to

pic.asp?hwid=hw171614

I'll look at the rest of your mail later. I have to run for now.

~Robin

_____

From: pdoty64 [mailto:pdoty64@...]

Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2004 10:00 AM

Subject: [ ] Re: Help!!