NEW MEMBER

[Guest guest]

I was having the typical symptoms and after a goiter appeared, the

doc decided to xray it. Multi-nodules and a suspicious cold nodule

on the left side. Since they couldn't determine if it was cancer,

surgery was decided to investigate further. When surgeon looked at

it, he saw the thyroid was not working at all and the other had so

many cysts, it was inoperable too. So there you have it, a total

thyroidectomy. I am not sure what this original disease was (Hashi

or Graves), but I do know that my late mother and her mother both

had it (both died of breast cancer). Two of my mother's sisters and

one of her brothers all have thyroid disease.

My most recent blood test came out as follows: (05/20/06)

TSH 0.026

Thyroxine (T4) 7.4

T3 Uptake 35

Free Thryoxine Index 2.6

I will be having a laprascopy done on 06/29/06, so my ob-gyn ordered

another series of test. He was also concerned about my thyroid, but

I have more information perhaps by Tuesday.

In Texas_Thyroid_Groups , Jan

wrote:

>

> Why did you have a thyroidectomy?

>

> Do you have any recent labs that you would like to post?

>

> The doc list is in " Files. "

>

>

> kady williams wrote:

> Hello everyone,

>

> I have joined this group because I live in Texas and want to

know more about this sometimes dreadful disease I have with people

close to me. I live in Fort Worth, Texas. I had a total

thyroidectomy in 2004, but have not fully recovered yet. I heard

that it's a long process. I still have hypo symptoms and need

adjustments on my meds quite frequently. I recently started taking

Armour after several years on Levoxithryrone and had it adjusted

down to .10 mg because I was overmedicated all this time. I've lost

some weight and even though I try to eat nutritiously, I still have

severe IBS. I just don't know what to do. If anyone can give me

some insight on doc, rememdies, etc that can help me, I sure

appreciate your help.

>

> Kady

>

>

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

> Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously

low rates.

>

[Guest guest]

The first thing I notice about your labs is that your doc has run the older indirect "full thyroid panel," with the semi-useful Total T4, the obsolete Free Thyroxine Index, and the totally useless and obsolete T3 Uptake which does not measure T3 levels. T3 Uptake measures thyroid binding proteins and is used in a calculation together with the total T4 to yield the Free Thyroxine Index, an estimate of your free T4 levels. There is no reason to run these obsolete tests when your thyroid hormone levels can be measured directly with Free T3 and Free T4 tests. When you say you were overmedicated all the time, did you have symptoms of overmedication or did your doc

say you were overmedicated based on your TSH? Kady wrote: I was having the typical symptoms and after a goiter appeared, the doc decided to xray it. Multi-nodules and a suspicious cold nodule on the left side. Since they couldn't determine if it was cancer, surgery was decided to investigate further. When surgeon looked at it, he saw the thyroid was not working at all and the other had so many cysts, it was inoperable too. So there you have it, a total thyroidectomy. I am not sure what this original disease was (Hashi or Graves), but I do know that my late mother and her mother both had it (both died of breast cancer). Two of my mother's sisters and one of her brothers all have thyroid disease. My most recent

blood test came out as follows: (05/20/06) TSH 0.026Thyroxine (T4) 7.4T3 Uptake 35Free Thryoxine Index 2.6I will be having a laprascopy done on 06/29/06, so my ob-gyn ordered another series of test. He was also concerned about my thyroid, but I have more information perhaps by Tuesday.In Texas_Thyroid_Groups , Jan wrote:>> Why did you have a thyroidectomy? > > Do you have any recent labs that you would like to post?> > The doc list is in "Files."> > > kady williams wrote:> Hello everyone,> > I have joined this group because I live in Texas and want to know more about this sometimes dreadful disease I have with people close to me. I live in Fort Worth, Texas. I had a total thyroidectomy in 2004, but have not fully recovered yet. I heard that it's a long process. I still

have hypo symptoms and need adjustments on my meds quite frequently. I recently started taking Armour after several years on Levoxithryrone and had it adjusted down to .10 mg because I was overmedicated all this time. I've lost some weight and even though I try to eat nutritiously, I still have severe IBS. I just don't know what to do. If anyone can give me some insight on doc, rememdies, etc that can help me, I sure appreciate your help.> > Kady

Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football ’06 - Go with the leader. Start your league today!

[Guest guest]

Both. I had several symptoms of overdosage and when I mentioned

it to my doc, she said well let's run a lab test first, and results

showed below.

> > Hello everyone,

> >

> > I have joined this group because I live in Texas and want to

> know more about this sometimes dreadful disease I have with people

> close to me. I live in Fort Worth, Texas. I had a total

> thyroidectomy in 2004, but have not fully recovered yet. I heard

> that it's a long process. I still have hypo symptoms and need

> adjustments on my meds quite frequently. I recently started taking

> Armour after several years on Levoxithryrone and had it adjusted

> down to .10 mg because I was overmedicated all this time. I've

lost

> some weight and even though I try to eat nutritiously, I still

have

> severe IBS. I just don't know what to do. If anyone can give me

> some insight on doc, rememdies, etc that can help me, I sure

> appreciate your help.

> >

> > Kady

>

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

> Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football '06 - Go with the leader. Start

your league today!

>

[Guest guest]

I have my first follow-up appointment with Dr R. on Wednesday. I'll check to see if he did a cholesterol panel and see if there has been any improvement. I've been taking cod liver oil pretty consistently for the past 3-4 months or so.

Another reason I started the cod liver oil is that it is high in vitamin A. I was told that most vitamin A supplements are "beta carotene" that has to be converted to Vitamin A. In cod liver oil it is in the form of actual Vitamin A. Apparently hypothyroid folks don't convert the beta carotene into Vitamin A like we should??? I haven't researched this to verify.

BTW, I have found taking the liquid is much easier then the capsule. The capsules tend to "repeat". It is not just me. I have read this also.

Kim

From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of Judy PSent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 5:51 PMTo: Texas_Thyroid_Groups Subject: Re: new member

Thanks for the information Kim, I'll definitely read more about the cod liver oil... Judy

In Mercola's newsletter today there was an article about cod liver oil being very effective. It even had a study with Lipitor versus cod liver oil.I have refused to start the statin drugs as well. From what I understand Armour is supposed to help the cholesterol come down. I'm still new to all this as well.KimJudy Wrote:My cholesterol is high too. Do you think the Armour will help me with that? I've also started exercising again now that I have a little energy and that should help too. I won't take lipitor or any of those drugs so I've got to find a natural way to get the numbers down.

Groups are talking. We´re listening. Check out the handy changes to Yahoo! Groups.

[Guest guest]

I live in Amarillo and go to Dr. Brantley. He is very good and I think he is much cheaper (he's in my insurance plan, so I only have to pay my co-pay.) He does order whatever tests you need. I'm not sure if he is accepting new patients or whether you have to be referred. It wouldn't hurt to just call his office to see if you can get in. > Wow! Thank you all so much for the information. I feel like I am on the right path now, > and hopefully will be able to have an idea of what is happening to me very soon.> > Can anyone tell me what kind of price range I can expect from Dr. ? > Unfortunately he is not covered by my insurance plan.> > Kim, thanks for the healthcheckusa website. I am going to get my blood work through > them just as soon as I have the money.> > applegirl016> > ---------------------------------> Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free.>

[Guest guest]

Haha Jan thinks Armour smells bad. That's kinda like some people think feedyards smell bad, but in the Texas Panhandle it smells like money. To me Armour smells like "health". luv ya and take care..............Jan wrote: ie- Why was your

thyroid removed? Did you have thyroid cancer? Which thyroid meds are you on? If you are on levothyroxine, it would be 200 mcg or .200 mg. 200 mg would be enough to kill a horse. If you do not do well on a T4 med, there are other alternatives. You can add a small amount of Cytomel, which is synthetic T3. Quite a few of us take Armour Thyroid, which is an extract of natural dessicated porcine thyroid. It is made from the thyroid glands of US-raised, corn-fed, USDA-inspected food-grade hogs. It contains T3, T4 and trace amounts of all other naturally occurring thyroid hormones. (It

smells bad, but it works good.) Welcome to the group! jan ie Brown <frankiebrown1972sbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote: Hello my name is frankie I had my thyroid removed a little over a year ago. Still working out the meds I am up to 200 mg. I still have some things that are just not right. I would like to talk to someone who has had tyroid problems and has had a baby. Mansfield, Tx

[Guest guest]

Hi Chris!

I saw a new doctor (actually a p.a.) this

past Friday and am waiting my test results. I see her husband in the morning

so maybe they will be back by then. When I called to make the appt. I stressed

that I used alternative therapy and Armour and they said the p.a. would work

with me. I will keep you posted.

Judy

From:

Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ]

On Behalf Of

Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006

8:56 PM

To:

Texas_Thyroid_Groups

Subject:

Re: New Member

Another new member here...not a new member to thyroid

troubles,

however. Judy...I am in your area. I live in Spring also! And

trust me, in the last 15 years I think I've seen just about every

endo on this side of town. None of them worth a hoot, in my

opinion. I'm trying to do a little research and see if I can find

SOMEBODY who will listen to me rather than toss prescriptions my

way. Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say, " Hi, neighbor! "

>

> Hi. My name is Judy and I am new to the group. I was diagnosed

with hypothyroidism about 4 years ago but have not been successful

with finding a doctor in The Woodlands/Spring area to work with me

in maintaining my levels. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

>

> judy

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, Joni,

Do you know a lady named G?

She is a friend of mine that you might have met at the support group.

Judy

From:

Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ]

On Behalf Of Joni

Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006

10:00 AM

To:

Texas_Thyroid_Groups

Subject: Re:

Re: New Member

Hi Ladies,

I live in The Woodlands. I go to Dr. McManus, she

doesn't take insurance, but she is very helpful, kind, understanding. I

am a unique case, with alot of other problems and she has stood by me

every step of the way. To me she has been worth the money. She is a

wellness doctor and will listen to you and is open to suggestions..

She has a group support meeting every second wednesday of each month.

Everyone is welcome, if you are interested to going and meeting her prior let

me know and I'll forwardthe info to you. Once a month she has a (free)

breakfast at Egg and I to explain what she does.

Joni

Re: New Member

Another new member here...not a new member to thyroid

troubles,

however. Judy...I am in your area. I live in Spring also! And

trust me, in the last 15 years I think I've seen just about every

endo on this side of town. None of them worth a hoot, in my

opinion. I'm trying to do a little research and see if I can find

SOMEBODY who will listen to me rather than toss prescriptions my

way. Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say, " Hi, neighbor! "

>

> Hi. My name is Judy and I am new to the group. I was diagnosed

with hypothyroidism about 4 years ago but have not been successful

with finding a doctor in The Woodlands/Spring area to work with me

in maintaining my levels. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

>

> judy

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Ruth,

You have come to the right place for moral support AND information. It

sounds as if the Mtx & pred is not keeping your flare under control. You may

want to make an appointment with your Rheumy to talk over the variety of

options that are now available.

Please stay in contact and let us know how you are doing. We all truly

care about each other. I have found such comfort reading and e-mailing these

friends.

Kind Regards,

Pat

Austin, TX

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth

Welcome and glad you found us. Sorry you had to be looking but glad

that you were. I to felt like you did alone and that no one understood

but unlike you I did not have a supportive spouse in this as she

divorced me after a year and half of having stills.

I also like you never had the high fevers but smaller ones .but the ack

and pains know them to well fact some times no most of the time with

they would move away to another place not connected to my and my life .

I have enjoyed remission and was lucky it happened during my divorce and

move back to calif. Things have changed but that is life even with out

stills. Just jump on in ask what you want and some one here is sure to

respond with some thing. I know I come here for info and a good laugh

now and then. This is also a place I use to express my redneck ness I

never did get that later in life I was flat out born with it and love it

to LOL so welcome and now you're no longer a stranger

Hugs all

Marty the redneck

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Ruth. Sorry your here but you have found a great place &

wonderful people who can relate to what your going through. I think we all have

felt alone with this disease. Everyone here is very supportive & helpful your

not alone anymore.

Take Care,

Chris

windeler wrote:

Hi everyone,

I am so glad to have found you and could really do with some opinions

and advise.

My name is Ruth and I was dxd with AOSD 6 years ago after birth of

2nd daughter at age of 32. I just had a sore throat, then the rash,

and when doc did blood test he found arthritis. After referal to hosp

reumotology they said they were sure it is AOSD, but apart from mild

changes in temp I have never had fever. This confuses me, but many

symptoms are getting worse, I ache all over most days and am now on

25g of methotrexate and 7.5g of Prednisolone every day as my wrists

are really swollen and painful. Until 6 months ago it was mainly

aches and pains and just puffy fingers, but it is now effecting my

everyday life and seems to be getting worse.

I feel very alone with my symptoms, despite a very loving and

supportive husband and family. Any views would be so welcome and just

to know of anyone else in the same boat would be so helpful.

Many thanks for listening!!

Ruthx

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

Any questions? Get answers on any topic at Yahoo! Answers. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Welcome,

As you meet and learn about your new family here, you will find a

multitude of variability with the Dragon. I first came down with my

first symptoms when I was your age. I am 59 now.

You will find the people like Sharon, Melt and others who got the

Systemic JRA, Stills. Just because they started before they were 19.

Then others who (from what I have read) joined the fold in their late

20s to 30s. Then the rest of us. You will find no age related clikes

here. We all get along pretty well.

As Sharon said, use us to vent, relate or just commune. Join the Chat

tonight, we would like to meet you. There are frequently quite a

few " characters " on board and you never know where the conversation

will head.

Tom from PA

>

> hi all, just wanted to say hi...I came down with Still's in December

> the doctor's had a rough time finding out what was wrong with me

> because I'm 56 and this disease usually strikes teens and young

> adults. Everything seems to be going okay with some bad days popping

> up every now and again. I'm wanting to find out what the long term

> effects are for this so your input would be greatly

> appreaciated......mark

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Mark and you sound like most of us here. the docs having a devil

of a time figing out what's up LOL they told me the same thing I was to

old and a male as it hits mostly woman and a lot younger then I was then

I am now 48 and found out I was to become a dragon fighter redneck and

all when I was 41 . Talk about a mid life crisis LOL

Hugs all

Marty the redneck

[Guest guest]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the group. Sorry your here but glad you found us. This is a great

place for information & wonderful people with lots of knowledge.

Take Care,

Chris

kori stevens wrote:

hi all, just wanted to say hi...I came down with Still's in December

the doctor's had a rough time finding out what was wrong with me

because I'm 56 and this disease usually strikes teens and young

adults. Everything seems to be going okay with some bad days popping

up every now and again. I'm wanting to find out what the long term

effects are for this so your input would be greatly

appreaciated......mark

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

Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question

on Yahoo! Answers.

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the group :-) but sorry for the reason you have to be here.

Is that Mirfield near Manchester? I'm also from the UK, there are a few of

us here. I'm from Bognor Regis in West Sussex on the south coast though I

do get up to Manchester from time to time with work.

Like you Stills forced me to give up motorbikes though I scored a victory

last summer when after 7 years of not riding I finally felt I'd been well

enough for long enough to buy a new bike, which I promptly did!

This disease can be a real roller coaster but there is hope.

Graham (38)

West Sussex, UK

At 21:31 12/02/2007, you wrote:

>hi to all you stills members

>i will introduce myself

>my name is david but i prefer dave i am 45 years old. i have a

>wonderfull supportive wife and 2 very supportive children

>we all live in a little town in england called mirfield

>i contracted stills in june 2005 it nearly took my my life this was

>due to alot of inflamation and fluid around my heart and lungs.

>i was in intensive care for a short period of time but pulled

>through.stills was not diagnosed imediatly but after 4 weeks in

>hospital a blood test alerted the specialists to stills this was high

>ferritins 1575 i was put on 60mg of predisalone and this made a great

>differance i came home a week later but i was unable to work for 9

>months.i have made steady progress and the medication i am on at the

>moment is 15mg of predisalone 15mg methatrexate and 50mg of enbrel

>injection.

>i have seen the specialist today and we are going to up the

>methatrexate to 25mg injection this is due to having a bad 3 weeks

>my intrests are motorcycles at the moment.i do hope to one day get

>fit enough to be able to take up my other intrests which are squash

>and i also used to be a semi professional singer this has had to stop

>due to not been able to get enough air into the lungs.

>i hope this has given all the members a little bit of background to

>myself

>p.s sorry about the spelling i was rubbish at english at school

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Dave!

> You have found a wonderful support group! I hope your

Rheumatologist

> continues to help you improve. We all pull for each other here~ Keep

us posted

> so that we can cheer you on!

>

>

> Kind Regards,

> Pat

> Austin, TX

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Dave!

> You have found a wonderful support group! I hope your

Rheumatologist

> continues to help you improve. We all pull for each other here~ Keep

us posted

> so that we can cheer you on!

>

>

> Kind Regards,

> Pat

> Austin, TX

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, first let me say that I think Dr. K is a great doctor. He is kind,

caring, very skilled and if he is ever to error he will error on the side of

caution which in and of itself gives one great confidence in him. I also think

the DS is a miricle and the best weightloss operation being done. That being

said, I did not have the results with my surgery that I had hoped. I only lost

50 lbs. I lost 10 the first month, 10 the second month and then I only lost 5

each month for the next 6 months. Then I stopped losing weight. I did,

however, lose 100 lbs before the surgery on a liquid protein diet, which took me

over a year. The most I lost in a month on that was 7 lbs. So you can see that

I have a very slow matabolism. After I lost the 100 I managed to put back on 30

lbs very quickly before I had the surgery. So all in all I have lost 120 lbs,

but the great part is that it has been 5 years and I HAVE NOT GAINED!! So for

that reason alone I do not consider the

surgery a failure. Being able to keep the weight off that I have lost is a

blessing in itself, as that is how I got so big in the first place. I spent a

good 35 years dieting and getting fatter and fatter. Everytime I lost 20 lbs I

would regain 30 or 40. Sure I still would love to lose another 100 lbs and my

bmi is still 48 (I am short) and I would love to go see if another surgery

could be of any help to me But...

My daughter is not a child. See is 36 and has a bmi of about 51. I had to be

a selfpay for my surgery and we will have to selfpay again for her. I would

rather put the money towards trying to get her done than to waste it on me

again. If I could have had this done when I was in my 30's maybe I would have

had better results and I know I would not have the co-mobilities that I do now.

Shirley

Jo wrote:

[Guest guest]

Shirley

That is a relatively small loss (50 pounds) for the DS.

What was your beginning weight or BMI? Does Dr K have an explanation?

Kristy

>

> Well, first let me say that I think Dr. K is a great doctor. He is kind,

> caring, very skilled and if he is ever to error he will error on the side of

> caution which in and of itself gives one great confidence in him. I also

> think the DS is a miricle and the best weightloss operation being done. That

> being said, I did not have the results with my surgery that I had hoped. I

> only lost 50 lbs. I lost 10 the first month, 10 the second month and then I

> only lost 5 each month for the next 6 months. Then I stopped losing weight.

> I did, however, lose 100 lbs before the surgery on a liquid protein diet,

> which took me over a year. The most I lost in a month on that was 7 lbs. So

> you can see that I have a very slow matabolism. After I lost the 100 I

> managed to put back on 30 lbs very quickly before I had the surgery. So all

> in all I have lost 120 lbs, but the great part is that it has been 5 years

> and I HAVE NOT GAINED!! So for that reason alone I do not consider the

> surgery a failure. Being able to keep the weight off that I have lost is a

> blessing in itself, as that is how I got so big in the first place. I spent

> a good 35 years dieting and getting fatter and fatter. Everytime I lost 20

> lbs I would regain 30 or 40. Sure I still would love to lose another 100 lbs

> and my bmi is still 48 (I am short) and I would love to go see if another

> surgery could be of any help to me But...

>

> My daughter is not a child. See is 36 and has a bmi of about 51. I had to

> be a selfpay for my surgery and we will have to selfpay again for her. I

> would rather put the money towards trying to get her done than to waste it

> on me again. If I could have had this done when I was in my 30's maybe I

> would have had better results and I know I would not have the co-mobilities

> that I do now.

>

> Shirley

>

> Jo <moobabies@... <moobabies%40hotmail.com>> wrote:

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My beginning weight was 309. Dr. K does not have an explanation other than we

are all different with different mataboisms. He thought that I might have a

thyroid problem and I thought so too sinse my mother did and my daughter does

now. But everytime I have had my thyroid checked it says that it is normal. So

don't know. He may have had to cut my stomach a little bigger than most though

because he said that when he got in there my glabladder was so bad that I was

just like mush all the way into my pancreas and my stomach. He said because of

that he could not staple me but he did sew me about four times. He left a

feeding tube in just in care I got a leak because he said that those cases are

easier to get leaks. But lucky for me I did not.

Shirley

Kristy Cruise & Bielamowicz wrote:

Shirley

That is a relatively small loss (50 pounds) for the DS.

What was your beginning weight or BMI? Does Dr K have an explanation?

Kristy

>

> Well, first let me say that I think Dr. K is a great doctor. He is kind,

> caring, very skilled and if he is ever to error he will error on the side of

> caution which in and of itself gives one great confidence in him. I also

> think the DS is a miricle and the best weightloss operation being done. That

> being said, I did not have the results with my surgery that I had hoped. I

> only lost 50 lbs. I lost 10 the first month, 10 the second month and then I

> only lost 5 each month for the next 6 months. Then I stopped losing weight.

> I did, however, lose 100 lbs before the surgery on a liquid protein diet,

> which took me over a year. The most I lost in a month on that was 7 lbs. So

> you can see that I have a very slow matabolism. After I lost the 100 I

> managed to put back on 30 lbs very quickly before I had the surgery. So all

> in all I have lost 120 lbs, but the great part is that it has been 5 years

> and I HAVE NOT GAINED!! So for that reason alone I do not consider the

> surgery a failure. Being able to keep the weight off that I have lost is a

> blessing in itself, as that is how I got so big in the first place. I spent

> a good 35 years dieting and getting fatter and fatter. Everytime I lost 20

> lbs I would regain 30 or 40. Sure I still would love to lose another 100 lbs

> and my bmi is still 48 (I am short) and I would love to go see if another

> surgery could be of any help to me But...

>

> My daughter is not a child. See is 36 and has a bmi of about 51. I had to

> be a selfpay for my surgery and we will have to selfpay again for her. I

> would rather put the money towards trying to get her done than to waste it

> on me again. If I could have had this done when I was in my 30's maybe I

> would have had better results and I know I would not have the co-mobilities

> that I do now.

>

> Shirley

>

> Jo <moobabies@... <moobabies%40hotmail.com>> wrote:

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would rather put the money towards trying to get her done than to

waste it on me again.

=======================

Shirley...Nothing would be WASTED on you because YOU are WORTH it!

Having said that...I understand the mother's point of view and I agree

with you completely that getting the surgery done, for your daughter,

before co-morbids do their dastardly deeds is a great move.

Yep...it appears you have a slow metabolism...years of dieting and your

own stubborn " fat " genetics have done their best to see you don't

become too thin with the ds (lol). Keeping that 120 pounds off is more

than success...it's a MIRICLE!

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

Yes it is a miricle and I would do it all over in a second even knowing that I

would only lose 50 lbs. Sometimes I think that if I had not lost the weight

before surgery I probably would have lost more but still ended up close to

where I am now anyway.

Shirley

wrote:

[Guest guest]

Sometimes I think that if I had not lost the weight before surgery I

probably would have lost more but still ended up close to where I am

now anyway.

===================

Shirley

I think you are a wise woman. I think some of our bodies just have a

very STRONG setpoint where it stops, settles in and refuses to budge.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

Ester,

Welcome. I'm sorry Still's Disease has brought you here but you have found a

wonderful source for information & some very caring people who understand when

no one else does.

My name is I'm 45. I was diagnosed a year ago the 29th of March after

being sick off & on for while. I don't feel great but when I look back to how I

was a year ago I'm doing ok all things considered! I hope you get to feeling

better quickly.

Take Care, Chris

Esther wrote:

Hi all, my name is Esther.

I joined the Still's group yesterday, and I have just got the confidence to post

an intro. Some of you will have met me a bit on the discussion board (thanks),

but I will tell my tale for you all now.

A little about myself: I am 29 yrs old, dob 27/12/1977, and work as a Doctor

training as a General Surgeon, for the last 4 1/2 years. I am married, but have

no children yet. I am mildly dyslexic, so I hope you will excuse any spelling

mistakes that my spell checker misses (or when I foget to use it). My hobies /

interests include christianity, playing violin, keeping pet frogs, playing board

games, and gardening. However, all of these are normaly pushed aside for far too

much studying!!!

Apparently, I was diagnosed with Still's disease in 1981, aged 3 1/2, due to an

episode of arthritis that lasted aprox 6 months. However, I and my parents were

not aware of this diagnosis, and I had no further trobble till I was 14 or 15.

Since then I have had joint symptoms of varying severity 2-3 times each year,

for 1-3 months at a time, which were put down to osteoarthritis by my GP (family

doctor) and myself, as Rhematoid factor was -ve, and no one seemed aware of the

previous Still's diagnosis. I also suffer from gastritis and IBS, and have

recovered from depression in this period. I have had worsening breathlessnes for

the last 3-4 years, which has been treated (completly unsuscessfully) as asthma,

and which has made me off sick for the last 4 weeks due to it's severity. On

monday this week, I saw my medical history on the GP's computer, and discovered

that the arthritis I knew I had had as a child was Still's disase. On further

reading, I descovered this may

be the cause for my brethlessness, and the same day I saw the ashtma consultant

I was wating to see, and was told if I had any asthma, it was completly

controled, and my breathlessness was likley due to something else. I am now

waiting for CT scans of my chest and sinuses, and an ECHO scan of my heart (most

probable cause for breathlessnes, I think), and appointments with an ENT doctor

and a Rheumatologist. Since Tuesday, my joints have became the worst they have

ever been, and I have started suffering from fatigue ++ as well. My current meds

are for my " asthma " , but that includes Prednisolone 35mg daily, being reduced by

5mg/week (inspite of worst ever symptoms!!). Hopefully in the next few weeks I

may get some real answers, and some treatment to start things improving, but

however much you know that in your head, it can be hard to realy believe things

are about to improve, when they seem so dyre....

Hope this isn't too long for an intro e mail, and that it covers things ok.

It's been realy usefull reading your messages etc in the last 2 days, it realy

helps to know that this isn't just something I'm making up, or is in my head,

but that other people can survive throught it all, so prehaps I can too. It is

so helpfull being able to say these things, and not seem stupid, or over the

top...

Esther

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[Guest guest]

Hi again everyone.

I didn't get onto my email yesterday, and I find this morning that my main

message from Saturday didn't send, so I am trying again with it at the end of

this message.

Also from your questions I think I forgot to mention I live in the UK.

Esther

Saturday's message:

Thanks for your replies and welcomes. As predicted, I forgot to run

spell check with last message, so you were all subjected to my awful

spelling, sorry.

To Barbara's question, it appears from my medical notes that my

doctors knew I had Still's when I was 3 1/2, but no, my parents had no idea,

they were just told it was a " polyarthritis " , and were allowed to

believe when it went into remission that it was cured, and that no follow up

was needed.

To Doug's question, I live in Blackpool at the moment - I have moved

around a lot with my job, which I think is one of the problems for my

GPs, it always is someone different!! However, if my breathlessness

(which is what is stopping me working at present) can be controlled /

treated by August, I will be starting work in New Zealand late August - how

is that for an incentive to get well!!! Unfortunately it is all

because there aren't enough UK Junior Doctor posts at present, and I am

competing in one of the most competitive areas, and can't find a job in the

UK from August - when my current contract expires. But I will not

worry about that until I have had my scans and started treatment, and

hopefully I won't need to worry even then.

On that note, good news today, I have now both my CT scan for my

lungs and my ECHO scan for my heart booked for the week after next, so

answers aren't that far away.

Esther

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