Dental work

June 15, 1999

Dixie,

I've just been diagnosed with AIH, and I too have just started to have gum

problems. Never before in my life, 1 cavity when I was a child. Boo on

this. No amount of brushing seems to help.

>From: meles@...

>Reply- onelist

> onelist

>Subject: [ ] Dental work

>Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 05:01:32 -0500

>

>From: meles@...

>

>At the beginning my teeth and gums were in bad shape.. in that .... I mean

>bleeding gums and very uncomfortable teeth... if you know what I mean...

>Prior to this AIH thing My teeth were beautiful, maybe not so pretty but

>clean

>and cavity free with no gum disease. today 3 years later I do not have

>teeth

>problems any more but I do experience days of teeth brushing in excess. Is

>that

>just part of the disease thingy....

>Love and Light

>Dixie

>

>Geri Spang wrote:

>

> > From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

> >

> > Barb,

> > I'm seeing my dentist this coming Friday and feel a little anxiety after

>my

> > episode with infection caused by a tiny cat bite. Have you had to have

>any

> > dental work done besides cleaning since you've been on

>immunosuppresants?

> > I haven't needed a filling for years but I'm a little nervous about the

> > prospect of having my teeth drilled, etc., if work is necessaray.

> > Take care,

> > Geri

> >

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June 17, 1999

Check out http://www.hugnet.com

" Payne, Jan " wrote:

>

> From: " Payne, Jan " <jdpayne@...>

>

what the problem is/was--with fillings for

> those with RA....

> what kind of material is ok....what do we need to watch for.....etc?

>

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

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April 26, 2001

hi,

i JUST went thru this last month with my, then 16 1/2 month old!! he was

starting to show signs of dental decay so we went to a ped dentist in our

area and were advised to have the dental work done--original diagnosis was

front 4 teeth (on top) capped with composite caps and each of his 4 molars

capped with stainless steel caps. well, we went round and round with the

dentist and his partner and finally came to an agreement on what we would do.

we ended up going to the hospital for the procedure so that it could all be

done at one time--the other option is to have it done in the dentists office

(and in our case would require several visits because of his age, they can't

give them very much of the drug at a time), with just some minor drugs to

make the child drowsy (this is fine for older kids but with little ones it is

tough because they can't understand or be told what is going to happen to

them and they get nervous and can't relax when given the drugs), not that i

know if the anesthesia in the hospital was really any better, as sawyer was

disoriented and nervous when he woke up and was hysterical crying when i got

into recovery to hold and nurse him!!

but, all in all, i'm glad we had it done. they ended up pulling the 2 tiny

eye teeth on either side of his front teeth, capping the 2 front teeth and

capping the 2 upper molars. the 2 lower molars weren't as bad as they had

thought and they put sealants on them...

it is a very difficult thing to decide to do--anesthesia is a scary prospect

and any dental work, especially on such young children is a hard call!!

i would suggest seeing at least 2 ped. dentists (or try to find any holistic

dentists in your area!!) and get all the info you can from all of them and

then try to determine what is the best course for you and your kids...

i did get ALOT of flack from the office staff over the non-vaccination

issue--at first they tried to intimidate me into vaxxing (like i'm gonna run

out, all of a sudden, just cause they say so and get my kid loaded up with

shots--all at once, no less--just so he can have a dental procedure that has

absolutely nothing to do with vax-preventable disease anyway), then when they

realized i wasn't gonna budge, they then tried to tell me that the hospital

wouldn't admit him without being up to date (untrue), then the tried to scare

me--one of the dentists even called me at home to warn me and give me a heads

up that i should get my exemption papers in order " just in case anyone

questions me on it " . i also found out that they contacted an epidemiologist

to ask if the dental work was a contraindication to an unvaxxed kid--which

they were told it had no bearing on any dental work that might be done...can

you imagine??!!

needless to say, nothing ever came of any of it, but it did force me to get

my exemption finally written up (not that i really should need it for years

yet--it's supposed to only be needed for admission to school), and it gave me

the opportunity to go head to head with the office staff and the

preadmissions people at the hospital and with the anesthesiologist who was

'just curious' what my religious beliefs were that kept me form vaxxing (none

of your business, i told her--they are just my sincerely held religious

beliefs). i weathered it all just fine, stood my ground, was heard and

understood (for the most part) and got my child taken care of the way I

wanted him to be taken care of. also, we skipped the flouride treatment that

they routinely do after dental procedures, too, so be aware that you have the

option to do that...

sorry to go on and on, but we just went thru this and wanted to give you the

good and bad of what we went thru!! GOOD LUCK!!

brigit,

in albany, ny

April 26, 2001

oh another thing--don't let the dentist make you feel as though this has

happened to your kids becasue you nursed on demand or didn't brush their

teeth!!!!!! that is ridiculous!! i really don't think that god designed our

teeth to rot out of our mouths in the first few years of our lives if our

mothers nurse us when we're hungry--puh-leeese!! also, until recent history

(like 15 years), no one brushed their kids teeth at this age--and i NEVER

knew a kid with rotten baby teeth. there are 3 of them in my other son's 1st

grade class of 19 students!!!!! the dentist knew that sawyer didn't take a

bottel, so he couldn't call it 'bottle-mouth' which is what it is commonly

referred to, so he called it 'classic nursing decay'--can you imagine??!!

how does this type of thinking explain that my older son has absolutely

BEAUTIFUL teeth and i nursed him on demand, at night too, or the fact that i

DID brush sawyers teeth--i'm actually pretty anal about that..or how about

all the kids that are given bottles at night and don't get rotten teeth?? or

kids who drink crap corn syrup juice or iced tea all day long and have great

teeth--it just happens and the truth is that they really don't know why it

happens to some kids and not others--weak teeth, poor enamel, predisposition

to it, ultrasounds during pregnancy, diet, mom's dental condition during

pregnancy--the list of possibilities goes ona nd on and that's why it is so

hard to determine why iot happens to one and not another...don't beat

yourself up over this, but do get them taken care of and do start a routine

of good oral hygenie--they'll need it in the future!!

ok, i'm done!!

brigit

April 26, 2001

I breastfed on demand, including night, for 18 months. I am still

nursing during the day - on demand. I still don't brush my 18 month

old's teeth, although we will be changing this soon. I did not start

doing my 3 year old's teeth until he was this age. Neither of my

children have any problems with their teeth. This is because they

did not inherit a predisposition to weak enamel. I just wanted to

tell you that because it seemed that you were blaming yourself for

their teeth problems. Breastfeeding had nothing to do with this - it

would have happened with formula, and it might have been worse.

Fresh breastmilk has anti-bacterial properties to it that formula

does not.

I would personally be concerned about the baby teeth. When it hurts

to eat, many healthy foods are avoided and nutritional deficits can

occur. I think having unhealthy baby teeth can lead to unhealthy

gums, which can lead to adult teeth having problems as well. I mean,

it seems if the infection can get to the roots of the baby teeth, the

bacteria can get down to the adult teeth as the baby teeth are on top

of them.

Sorry your family is going through this!

> my children are going to require caps, fillings and possible

removal of some

> of their baby teeth. my children are 4 and 20 months. i breast fed

them on

> demand including at night and was not good at brushing their teeth.

my

> children would just cry and be so upset i felt abusive holding them

down to

> brush. so i asked my mother if she brushed our baby teeth and she

said she

> didn't worry too much about it - most of my friends responded the

same. well

> because my kids' teeth are genetically malformed with weak enamel

they now

> have some problems. i would like to wait and just see what happens

since they

> are baby teeth- and not do all that dental work which will require

> hospitalization and surgery. i have heard though it is bad to have

cavities

> for your general health. my oldest has grown out of the upsetedness

and my

> littlest one has finally calmed down a bit about it. the tooth

brushing has

> seemed to stop the problem from progressing. so my questions: 1)

can i wait

> for the baby teeth to fall out 2.) how bad is it to wait and see

3.) do i

> have a tetanus concern regarding surgery ( i think this might be a

dumb

> question but i had to aask it) 4.) anyone know of a good dentist

for kids in

> the dallas/ fort worth metroplex- texas.. thank you !

April 26, 2001

Try this...

http://www.talkinternational.com/mfdsindex3.htm

I am not a medical doctor,

nor do I portray one on t.v.!

(But my husband,Mike,is!!!)

Laurie>Bucyrus,Ohio

mother to (13),Donovan(8),

Buck(4),Luke(3), and (1)

2 csecs,3 VBACs(1 partial waterbirth,

1 complete waterbirth)

Please visit us at our website

http://www.goldenprideweb.com/drmikeandlaurie

4.) anyone know of a good dentist for kids in

the dallas/ fort worth metroplex- texas.. thank you !

November 16, 2001

If we're all such cowardly little soldiers about our teeth...how did we ever give BIRTH?? I did it 3 times (first one being a breech with forceps - ouch! I left a 5 year gap after THAT experience, and after that, the dentist never seemed quite so bad!)

As a child I had a dentist who seemed to use equipment he worked with his foot!! Again, since modern methods, there shouldn't be any pain. But, years ago, I noticed the injections left me really wobbly (this is LONG before any known thyroid problems) and I didn't feel safe driving the car afterwards for about 30 minutes. They told me I could have injections without adrenaline. They were much better, same painkilling, and I've had them ever since. I know we're from different sides of the 'pond', but is it the same stuff do you think?

Keep well everyone,

Peta x

November 16, 2001

Hi Pam,

No need to worry. Novocaine, Lidocaine, xylocaine,etc all come w/o (without) epinephrine and work quite well. I would suggest you call your dental office before your appointment to make sure they have the "without stuff" ready for you. Without the epinephrine the shots do not last quite as long but generally you are sufficiently numb that you don't feel the additional shots. It might also inspire your dentist to work a bit faster.

Whenever I have to fill out a medical or dental form that asks about allergies I put "epinephrine" and other "vaso-constrictors". They make many people jittery and anxious. I've been doing that since my early teens - a zillion years before my short-lived bout with Graves/HyperT.

Hope your dental appt goes well. Good luck, Zoey

Dental work

This is exactly what I need to know NOW ! I had read the same thing about ephedrine...nowI have a tooth ache and go in Monday. But the thought that it might not work as well hasme so upset, I can think of not much else. In the past he has to keep giving me shots as we go along, as due to my hyper, the stuffwears off to soon. But he doesn't do the next shot till I feel the PAIN. So you canimagine how calm I am during the work. = :-o I tend to not sleep well for several nights before dental work, knowing the drill. LOLAnd I find I must take the whole day off to recover. I just do not feel right after dentalwork. Kind of spaced out. And, yes, right after I get a shot, my heart flips out. Ithought it was just the panic of the pain and fear of the shot...till I read about theephedrine. Oh dear, I am not looking forward to this weekend. Worry and a toothache. I am off topick up the pain pills to get me through. I was a brave little soldier and said I couldwait till Monday.-Pam-

November 16, 2001

Well, Pam....I gotta say, you're a much braver little soldier than I would

have been! Whenever I've felt any kind of pain with my teeth, I'm

sitting right there in the dentist's office until he's got time to fit

me in! I've learned not to put up with the pain; it's too stressful.

I realize that it's too late for this dentist's visit, but next time get

in there right away! Plant yourself right there until you can be

seen and get the problem taken care of. I'm sure the stress that

waiting puts you under isn't good for you. Charge ahead! It's

worth it.

Donna

http://trak.to/life

www.reliv.com

Take control of your health!

Pam wrote:

This is exactly what I need to know NOW ! I had

read the same thing about ephedrine...now

I have a tooth ache and go in Monday. But the thought that it might

not work as well has

me so upset, I can think of not much else.

In the past he has to keep giving me shots as we go along,

as due to my hyper, the stuff

wears off to soon. But he doesn't do the next shot till I feel

the PAIN. So you can

imagine how calm I am during the work. = :-o

I tend to not sleep well for several nights before dental

work, knowing the drill. LOL

And I find I must take the whole day off to recover. I just do

not feel right after dental

work. Kind of spaced out. And, yes, right after I get a shot, my

heart flips out. I

thought it was just the panic of the pain and fear of the shot...till

I read about the

ephedrine.

Oh dear, I am not looking forward to this weekend. Worry

and a toothache. I am off to

pick up the pain pills to get me through. I was a brave little

soldier and said I could

wait till Monday.

-Pam-

November 16, 2001

Thank you Zoey,

And the correct spelling to boot.

I got the pills and stopped and did a small job. Find I am getting shaky

already.

Home for the night now, so just took one of the pills and my PTU. So before it

kicks in I

wanted to thank you for your swift reply. It is not the fear of pain from the

shot I

dread. Its the pain of the tip of the drill I must feel before the next shot.

Which comes

after the part where he taps the tooth to be sure it is the right one. Why do

they do

that? I always ask to skip that part, and the response is. OK I'll be easy when

I do it.

Sheesh ! Well, I have the weekend to consider my options. I am sure the without

stuff is

the smart choice.

And Donna,

Thank you too. He would have fit me in today, but it was a long way from my

job

today, and I didn't like the idea of over 2 hr. drive in addition to a long work

day. I'm

finishing now at 9:00. It would have made it midnight. Figuring an hour in the

CHAIR...

So you can see how being a brave little soldier suddenly doesn't look quite so

brave.

I can't believe I told all of you my dirty little secret about all of this. I

am such a

baby about this stuff. Though now with the Graves diagnosis, I think I may

understand why

I tend to agonize over it more than some. At least that's my story, and I'm

sticking to

it.

-Pam- trying to figure out how to stop thinking about it. The tape player in my

head is on

auto rewind. :-(

November 17, 2001

In a message dated 11/17/2001 12:07:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, pladd@... writes:

I can't believe I told all of you my dirty little secret about all of this. I am such a

baby about this stuff. Though now with the Graves diagnosis, I think I may understand why

I tend to agonize over it more than some. At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to

it.

Dear Pam,

It is funny you are writing about this. This past summer, I found I had to undergo some dental work, and was a total WRECK. I wrote to the board asking for advice to calm me down, as during the appointment following the X-Rays where he told me what I needed done and was about to begin, I bolted from the chair and left. I got advice here, calmed down somewhat, and just finished the work--a filling, a root canal, and gum scaling (one quadrant at a time). I was kind of a baby, but I did it. I can totally relate to what you're saying. I just kept telling myself that it was NOT a fatal disease, it wouldn't kill me, I just had to get through it. Somehow I did, and you will, too.

Good luck,

AntJoan

November 17, 2001

AntJoan,

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Sounds like you must have pretty good teeth

if that

sent you out the door. It must have seemed like a lot for you. We have no

minerals in our

water, so those of us locals, born before fluoride, have more fillings than

teeth. But I

am here to tell you , it does not get much easier with practice.

I only started having alot of gum problems when my hyper started and went for

so long

undiagnosed. It now makes sense to me, as I find when my levels are off, NOTHING

heals.

Though this is only my own theory. And once I have been treated for hyper. my

gum problems

have all but disappeared. I had gotten so tired of being told to brush my teeth

more. I

have never in my life brushed less than 3 times a day. But the dental people had

that look

of unbelief before Graves. Of course they now say thyroid has no affect on teeth

of gums.

Sheesh ! At least I am no longer beating myself up over it, thinking I am at

fault.

Thanks again, I'm hanging in there, -Pam-

November 18, 2001

Hi Jen,

Sheesh, here we are working so hard on taking care of our thyroids, and

battling the

doctors, and then we get a tooth ache. Saw your post on the doctor. Sounds to me

like you

are doing all the right stuff. I sure will keep my fingers crossed for you on

your cool

normal levels. Good job !

As to the dentist doubting gum disease caused by hyper....I then asked my endo

and he

said yes, it could be the reason. This is the guy that always says nothing else

is caused

by thyroid. <sigh> My personal reason to believe this is true, is that I find

when my

levels are off, NOTHING on my body heals right or in good time. Then as soon as

I get back

to within normal for me ranges, my cuts, scrapes, aches and pains go away or get

better. I

also notice when I am going the wrong way thyroid wise, one good indication is

my gums

start bleeding more and I start getting sores in my mouth.

If you still have problems with your gums, you might try spacing the cleaning

closer

together than 6 mo. At my peak, I did it every 3 mo. and that did help a bit.

After

thyroid treatment I have changed slowly to 4 mo., now 5 mo. But think I may go

back to 4

mo. as this up and down with PTU may still be affecting things a bit. Though no

where near

as much as before.

Which brings up the mouth wash. The one from my dentist does help. It is

Peridex and

they say it is Swedish....but I see on the label it says manufactured in Phoenix

Az.( you

see thyroid is not my only confusion) I use it a lot each day when problems

arise, and do

not rinse it out or eat or drink for a while after I use it. I can then count on

some

relief in about 2 days.

Thanks for the post. I don't feel quite so crazy. :-)

-Pam- on the count down till CHAIR time 20 hr. and 30 min. = :-o

November 18, 2001

Hi Pam,

Your post rang bells for me! About six years ago I had all kinds of

problems with my teeth! I have always been a good brusher and flosser and

every six months I would go to the dentist for regular cleanings and

checkups and I would be told the same thing. " Are you sure you floss every

day? " Your gums are so inflamed and you have gingivitis " I did everything

they asked, I even used their special mouthwash which really wasn't that

great and I had always used listerine or scope or oral B, I've tried them

all. This of course was years before I was diagnosed hyperthyroid. I never

would have guessed there was a connection! I will have to ask my dentist

the next time I see him. Which should be soon seeing as I have been feeling

a toothache coming on every now and again!

Jen in Canada

November 18, 2001

Hi Jen, Pam & others,

I just went to the dentist for my half-yearly cleaning, and while I was in

there (and the hygienist was telling me to " floss better, more often, etc. " ,

the dentist came in and I told him I had Graves' and he told the hygienist

this would mean I would have more problems with my gums and sores in my

mouth...so, you are right! This has to do with all autoimmunes, from what

he was saying.

Also, when I went to see my GP, she gave me instructions to let my eye

doctor know I had Graves', next time I saw him too.

Arlene

Re: Dental work

>Hi Jen,

> Sheesh, here we are working so hard on taking care of our thyroids, and

battling the

>doctors, and then we get a tooth ache. Saw your post on the doctor. Sounds

to me like you

>are doing all the right stuff. I sure will keep my fingers crossed for you

on your cool

>normal levels. Good job !

> As to the dentist doubting gum disease caused by hyper....I then asked my

endo and he

>said yes, it could be the reason. This is the guy that always says nothing

else is caused

>by thyroid. <sigh> My personal reason to believe this is true, is that I

find when my

>levels are off, NOTHING on my body heals right or in good time. Then as

soon as I get back

>to within normal for me ranges, my cuts, scrapes, aches and pains go away

or get better. I

>also notice when I am going the wrong way thyroid wise, one good indication

is my gums

>start bleeding more and I start getting sores in my mouth.

> If you still have problems with your gums, you might try spacing the

cleaning closer

>together than 6 mo. At my peak, I did it every 3 mo. and that did help a

bit. After

>thyroid treatment I have changed slowly to 4 mo., now 5 mo. But think I may

go back to 4

>mo. as this up and down with PTU may still be affecting things a bit.

Though no where near

>as much as before.

> Which brings up the mouth wash. The one from my dentist does help. It is

Peridex and

>they say it is Swedish....but I see on the label it says manufactured in

Phoenix Az.( you

>see thyroid is not my only confusion) I use it a lot each day when problems

arise, and do

>not rinse it out or eat or drink for a while after I use it. I can then

count on some

>relief in about 2 days.

>

>Thanks for the post. I don't feel quite so crazy. :-)

>

>-Pam- on the count down till CHAIR time 20 hr. and 30 min. = :-o

>

November 18, 2001

In a message dated 11/18/2001 6:53:49 PM Eastern Standard Time, pladd@... writes:

.. The one from my dentist does help. It is Peridex and

Dear Pam,

Can you tell me where to find the Peridex?

Thanks,

AntJoan

November 19, 2001

Hi AntJoan,

Finally , a tiny way I can help, after all your good advise.

The Peridex is prescription, and I get it at my dentists office. If your

dentist does

not have it, perhaps you could have him call in a prescription to the pharmacy.

Let me

know if there is anything else I should read off the bottle for you.

Since this has been an ongoing thing for me, I really have tried everything,

and found

this to be the only one that works. It is not a great taste, and I have gotten

used to it.

But once I rinsed with water....big mistake, makes it worse...besides washing it

away.

And Arlene,

Thank you so much. I shall be mentioning your dentists comment about Graves

and my mouth

today while I am in the CHAIR. At least you have confirmed my suspicions.

Doesn't it

sometimes seem like we must bang our heads on the desk too much . I just can't

take one

more lecture on tooth brushing and flossing. Because obviously it is all my own

fault.

-Pam- 4 hr. to go = :-o

November 19, 2001

Hi All,

I must have the greatest dentist. In the past two years of hyper/hypo

swinging, his (nasty) hygenist tried to get me to go for gum surgery, immediately,

and told me I would lose all my teeth if I delayed even a few months.

I told her I had enough on my plate and would prefer to wait no matter

what until my thyroid problem was somewhat more under control. To

make a long story short, our conversation (??) degenerated from there and

in the end I threatened to walk out right then. Then my dentist stepped

in. He backed me up and has ever since. His nasty hygenist

still cleans my teeth (every 4 months) but says nothing now. I was

concerned that she might be rougher, but she isn't. My dentist has

been keeping an eye on my gums and says they're fine now. I have

had about 8 root canals in the last year. I have actually lost count.

My dentist has complemented me on my hygene (instead of nagging me about

using floss more often and brushing more often). He says that thyroid

disease does definitely affect our dental health. As does the osteoporosis

I have. He says that dentists aren't quite sure of the exact 'how'.

He is truly wonderful. Knowing that I fear trips to the dentist like

most people on this board, he stops whatever he is doing about every 2

mins to see if I'm okay. The last trip for a root canal I didn't

even need the ativan (but I had it with me just in case).

I was having a crappy day today feeling sorry for myself but realize

how lucky I am in other ways. Writing and reading this information

is such a wonderful, empowering act.

Thanks all

Kate

Brett & Jen Howie wrote:

Hi Pam,

Your post rang bells for me! About six years ago I had all kinds

of

problems with my teeth! I have always been a good brusher and

flosser and

every six months I would go to the dentist for regular cleanings and

checkups and I would be told the same thing. "Are you sure you

floss every

day?" Your gums are so inflamed and you have gingivitis"

I did everything

they asked, I even used their special mouthwash which really wasn't

that

great and I had always used listerine or scope or oral B, I've tried

them

all. This of course was years before I was diagnosed hyperthyroid.

I never

would have guessed there was a connection! I will have to ask

my dentist

the next time I see him. Which should be soon seeing as I have

been feeling

a toothache coming on every now and again!

Jen in Canada

November 19, 2001

Hi Kate,

I noticed you talked about osteoporosis too, in this message. Boy, I have to put something out to everyone on this board - my GP just put me on natural estrogen. I am 57 years old and have completely gone through menopause, and had been using only PRO GEST cream (natural). But I have been having some really bad vaginal thinning and other problems in this area, and with the possibilities of osteoporosis, my doctor felt I should give estrogen a try, along with natural progesterone.

What do people feel about this? I know estrogen alone is not good for thyroid problems. This is estradiol, natural, and natural progesterone. But estrogen has some pretty nasty side-effects, too, besides how it affects our thyroid. I would love some feedback on this, since I had been completely, totally natural, no drugs, nothing until 6 months ago!

Thanks,

Arlene

Re: Dental workHi All, I must have the greatest dentist. In the past two years of hyper/hypo swinging, his (nasty) hygenist tried to get me to go for gum surgery, immediately, and told me I would lose all my teeth if I delayed even a few months. I told her I had enough on my plate and would prefer to wait no matter what until my thyroid problem was somewhat more under control. To make a long story short, our conversation (??) degenerated from there and in the end I threatened to walk out right then. Then my dentist stepped in. He backed me up and has ever since. His nasty hygenist still cleans my teeth (every 4 months) but says nothing now. I was concerned that she might be rougher, but she isn't. My dentist has been keeping an eye on my gums and says they're fine now. I have had about 8 root canals in the last year. I have actually lost count. My dentist has complemented me on my hygene (instead of nagging me about using floss more often and brushing more often). He says that thyroid disease does definitely affect our dental health. As does the osteoporosis I have. He says that dentists aren't quite sure of the exact 'how'. He is truly wonderful. Knowing that I fear trips to the dentist like most people on this board, he stops whatever he is doing about every 2 mins to see if I'm okay. The last trip for a root canal I didn't even need the ativan (but I had it with me just in case). I was having a crappy day today feeling sorry for myself but realize how lucky I am in other ways. Writing and reading this information is such a wonderful, empowering act. Thanks all Kate Brett & Jen Howie wrote: Hi Pam, Your post rang bells for me! About six years ago I had all kinds of problems with my teeth! I have always been a good brusher and flosser and every six months I would go to the dentist for regular cleanings and checkups and I would be told the same thing. " Are you sure you floss every day? " Your gums are so inflamed and you have gingivitis " I did everything they asked, I even used their special mouthwash which really wasn't that great and I had always used listerine or scope or oral B, I've tried them all. This of course was years before I was diagnosed hyperthyroid. I never would have guessed there was a connection! I will have to ask my dentist the next time I see him. Which should be soon seeing as I have been feeling a toothache coming on every now and again! Jen in Canada

November 19, 2001

Hi Arlene

I was always healthy until Graves Disease. But looking back,

I did have a lot of ugly symptoms going through menopause which I just

ignored. I have always been active, and did not change weight at

all from the time I was in high school until just about 2 months before

the diagnose of GD. Now I am 40 lbs heavier, I have osteoporosis,

I have severe depression, and my heart is still giving me palps, and tachycardia

which requires propranalol . In other words, my thyroid disease seems

to have triggered all sorts of other problems.

I'm very nervous about being on estrogen and progestrogen. I

am taking the synthetic version at the moment. The reason I didn't

go on them when I was first post menopausal is that there is a family history

of breast cancer and FRT is linked to it. At the moment I feel that

I have not been very healthy for so long. I have finally gone back

to my former GP who works 60 miles from me. I've always had the feeling

he cares and that I needed a doctor who cared. He has talked me into

trying FRT. I will be on it for a month and then he wants to see

me. He's talking frequent mammograms and I'm thinking he doesn't

have to have them and hasn't experienced that bruised painful sensation.

But I will try his way for one month. He wants me to call him in

just 2 weeks to let him know how it's going. He feels I should notice

major improvement in quality of life in just 10 days. After 3 days

I'm not impressed but it's too early. What seems to be happening

to me is like going back to menopause. Horrible night sweats.

And I've started waking every day with an ugly headache. If you think

of it, ask me in a month what I think of it and I may be able to tell you

more.

Kate

Arlene Houghton wrote:

Hi Kate,

I noticed you talked about osteoporosis too, in this message.

Boy, I have to put something out to everyone on this board - my GP just

put me on natural estrogen. I am 57 years old and have completely

gone through menopause, and had been using only PRO GEST cream (natural).

But I have been having some really bad vaginal thinning and other problems

in this area, and with the possibilities of osteoporosis, my doctor felt

I should give estrogen a try, along with natural progesterone.

What do people feel about this? I know estrogen alone is not good

for thyroid problems. This is estradiol, natural, and natural progesterone.

But estrogen has some pretty nasty side-effects, too, besides how it affects

our thyroid. I would love some feedback on this, since I had been

completely, totally natural, no drugs, nothing until 6 months ago!

Thanks,

November 19, 2001

Wow, Kate,

Your history and mine are very similar. I have been on estrogen replacement with progesterone now for around 2 weeks, and I am very very wary of it also.

I think that prior to my diagnosis of Graves' and my major thyroid storm before this, I probably had some kind of thyroid problem for years because my hair had thinned and I had other symptoms which could have also been menopausal, but could have been thyroid related too. But they weren't so bad as to be too noticeable, except the hair. Otherwise, I was very healthy. We should both talk with each other in a month or so, after being on estrogen longer! Thanks so much,

Arlene

PS: The first week I was on HRT, I thought I was going to be gaining all kinds of weight, but now I think I have stabilized. This was a major concern to me, as well as other health concerns.

Re: Dental workHi Arlene I was always healthy until Graves Disease. But looking back, I did have a lot of ugly symptoms going through menopause which I just ignored. I have always been active, and did not change weight at all from the time I was in high school until just about 2 months before the diagnose of GD. Now I am 40 lbs heavier, I have osteoporosis, I have severe depression, and my heart is still giving me palps, and tachycardia which requires propranalol . In other words, my thyroid disease seems to have triggered all sorts of other problems. I'm very nervous about being on estrogen and progestrogen. I am taking the synthetic version at the moment. The reason I didn't go on them when I was first post menopausal is that there is a family history of breast cancer and FRT is linked to it. At the moment I feel that I have not been very healthy for so long. I have finally gone back to my former GP who works 60 miles from me. I've always had the feeling he cares and that I needed a doctor who cared. He has talked me into trying FRT. I will be on it for a month and then he wants to see me. He's talking frequent mammograms and I'm thinking he doesn't have to have them and hasn't experienced that bruised painful sensation. But I will try his way for one month. He wants me to call him in just 2 weeks to let him know how it's going. He feels I should notice major improvement in quality of life in just 10 days. After 3 days I'm not impressed but it's too early. What seems to be happening to me is like going back to menopause. Horrible night sweats. And I've started waking every day with an ugly headache. If you think of it, ask me in a month what I think of it and I may be able to tell you more. Kate Arlene Houghton wrote: Hi Kate, I noticed you talked about osteoporosis too, in this message. Boy, I have to put something out to everyone on this board - my GP just put me on natural estrogen. I am 57 years old and have completely gone through menopause, and had been using only PRO GEST cream (natural). But I have been having some really bad vaginal thinning and other problems in this area, and with the possibilities of osteoporosis, my doctor felt I should give estrogen a try, along with natural progesterone. What do people feel about this? I know estrogen alone is not good for thyroid problems. This is estradiol, natural, and natural progesterone. But estrogen has some pretty nasty side-effects, too, besides how it affects our thyroid. I would love some feedback on this, since I had been completely, totally natural, no drugs, nothing until 6 months ago! Thanks,

November 20, 2001

Kate, all I can say is..well done for giving up smoking!!! That is one hell of a hard thing to do! Hang on in there !! )

Love,

Peta xx

November 20, 2001

Last night I was so down about yet more weight gain that I pulled out all

my meds and there it was - my new anti-depressant may cause weight gain.

In fact now that I think of it I think the Dr said it would with me.

I hate short term memory loss and wish I could fix that. The sick

part is that I still feel that my synthroid is still not right.

The only clue that I had GD was my rapid heart beat - whicvh I'd always

had too. But it went up too high. Normal for me was around 100 bpm

and I went up to 150 bpm before I decided to see a doc. Then I quit

smoking for a month before seeing a doc because I knew I'd have to before

any doc would do anything.

I was working at an extremely stressful job and had taken time off

for stress in 92. When I returned the pressure was even worse although

applied more discretely. So when it was again recommended that I

go off due to stress I declined. Who needs to make it worse.

I had a debt I had promised to pay and when I was done, it didn't take

much to encourage me to quit altogether. I slept for the first six

months off work which doesn't strike me as GD, and then started to live

again. I can honestly say I have no idea when I developed the Graves.

But the female hormone thing went on forever. My doc said not likely

10 years but I can go back 12 years to the first symptoms.

I am not impressed yet with this HRT. Every night I wake up soaked

through and through. That had stopped years ago. What are these

medical people doing to us, trying to make us back where we were when menopause

was bad? I'll wait another week to ask. I'm kind of interested

in trying out the patch rather than pills. I take so much meds now

that I do get confused from time to time. I bought a 'dosette' but

never remember to fill it up. My vitamins are too large for it.

And if I do use it, I lose it, and don't know where I am.

Loss of memory, gain of weight, heart problems, and physical weakness

accompanied by muscle spasms seem to be what I have daily. How about

you? I don't see how the HRT is going to help this - perhaps the

memory a bit.

Kate

I haI was always healthy until Graves Disease.

But looking back, I did have a lot of ugly symptoms going through menopause

which I just ignored. I have always been active, and did not change

weight at all from the time I was in high school until just about 2 months

before the diagnose of GD. Now I am 40 lbs heavier, I have osteoporosis,