RE: question about starting ATD's

[Guest guest]

Hi Jody,

I'm trying to remember to take my PTU & beta blocker every 8 hours, but I'm

failing miserably. I'll remember to do it and see that I have another hour or

so, and then I'll forget. I've even remembered on time when I'm away from my

desk and think to myself that I'll take them as soon as I get back. I'll forget

withing seconds. This darned brain fog is so frustrating. Is it really bad if

I'm an hour or two late for a pill? Any suggestions on how to remember? I've

tried lots, but they always leave me wondering what it is I'm supposed to be

remembering ;-)

Take care,

Tori

In a message dated Mon, 15 Jul 2002 10:11:39 AM Eastern Standard Time,

luckystrike@... writes:

> If you do start out on PTU, the general starting dose is usually between

> 300mg and 450 mgs. a day...they are 50mg tablets, and it is extremely

> important to take them EVERY 8 hours. And they taste

> yucky, but the taste

> does lessen after a while.

[Guest guest]

Hi Tori,

I give myself a 30 minute leeway either direction. The thing that has

helped me is that I am now the proud owner of 3 single strip, 7 day pill

caddies, I fill them each up on Sunday. One is by my bed so I can take the

first pill in the morning.

One is either at 'my place' at the table <this one is yellow> for afternoons

and I have my second dose in that...if I am going anywhere I throw it into

an empty pocket in my purse...the 3rd one is beige and that sits near the

computer. If I haven't taken my pill I can see it in a second.

Also, if I see it is getting near time, but not quite there, I will put it

right in front of me so I am very aware a dose is coming up. I now have a

little white pill and a pretty purple pill in every compartment.

This works for me, others have alarm clocks, but I found I kept forgetting

to reset it for the next dose time ;-)

There is a gal on mediboard who saw Dr. Arem today. She is still on cloud

nine from the visit...so I am excited that you will be seeing him next week

too!

Here is the link if you want to read about it

http://www.mediboard.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001636

Jody

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[Guest guest]

..

>

> This works for me, others have alarm clocks, but I found I kept

> forgetting

> to reset it for the next dose time ;-)

>

What about an alarm watch that you would wear non-stop?

I think it will get easier. I just started taking my supplements again

after an unwise hiatus and I marvel at how organized I managed to be with

my meds and supplements two years ago. If I could do it, I really think

anyone can. It did take a lot of energy though.

Take care, Fay

P.S. I have a friend who had home births, great experiences. I haven't

seen Lona's references but I don't think that radiation like that has

been done in years. I do remember hearing about my father's friends who

had radiation treatment for acne in the '50's who had serious

repercussions. It's mind-boggling.

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[Guest guest]

You can get little pill reminders at some drug

stores that will beep 1, 2, 3, or 4 times a day

for you to take your meds, so you don't have to

reset it. It would be really nice if you could

wear one on your wrist, since I lost mine the

first week I got it!

Kit

--- cf young wrote:

> .

> >

> > This works for me, others have alarm clocks,

> but I found I kept

> > forgetting

> > to reset it for the next dose time ;-)

> >

> What about an alarm watch that you would wear

> non-stop?

> I think it will get easier. I just started

> taking my supplements again

> after an unwise hiatus and I marvel at how

> organized I managed to be with

> my meds and supplements two years ago. If I

> could do it, I really think

> anyone can. It did take a lot of energy though.

>

> Take care, Fay

>

> P.S. I have a friend who had home births, great

> experiences. I haven't

> seen Lona's references but I don't think that

> radiation like that has

> been done in years. I do remember hearing about

> my father's friends who

> had radiation treatment for acne in the '50's

> who had serious

> repercussions. It's mind-boggling.

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________

> GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!

> Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for

> less!

> Join Juno today! For your FREE software,

> visit:

> http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

cf young wrote:

>

> > This works for me, others have alarm clocks, but I found I kept

> > forgetting

> > to reset it for the next dose time ;-)

>

> What about an alarm watch that you would wear non-stop?

My telephone can do scheduled appointment alerts, and I dare say

those organiser things they (practically) give away at garages

can.

Almost every thing seems to have scheduling, I have a " post-it

note " style program for the computer here, which will pop up a

beeping post-it note at regular intervals, Windows 98 and later

or have a scheduler that can pop up a window.

Hell even my stereo can switch itself on if you can figure out

the slightly bizarre translation of the instruction, not that it

is much good as a reminder...

I think mobile phones or watches are best, dedicated boxes are

too expensive when all most of us need is a beep from something

we carry around most of the time....

I wonder if SMS messages are reliable enough to make it a

service?

[Guest guest]

,

It looks like you have gotten some good responses to your questions. I just

wanted to write and applaud you for doing some research into this. My first

doctor didn't want to do ATD's either, and after researching it, I found a

doctor who would do the drugs instead of RAI. My advice, along with

everyone else's, is to find a doctor who is more knowledgable about the

thryoid. I called several endos and actually asked, " How many thryoid

patients do you have? " , " How many opted for this treatment or that? " Ask

questions and don't be afraid to tell them what YOU want. I've found, as

have many people on this board, that I usually know more about this disease

than the doctors I've dealt with. Sometimes that's scary, but it can also

be empowering. I've been on ATD's for about 6 months now and have reached

" normal " thryoid ranges. Still not in remission, but am hoping. This is

after my first doctor told me my hyperthryoidism was too severe to even

consider ATD's. Good luck with your treatment and get on those ATD's as

soon as possible. It can't hurt to try them and as Jody says, once you

swallow that radioactive iodine pill, you can't take it back. That was the

main reason I opted for the ATD's (as I was also " crazy " with the hyper

state which made it hard to choose), that if it didn't work I could always

try the RAI if I decided to. At this point, I think I'd rather have surgery

than RAI, but everyone finds their own path. OK, this is way longer than I

meant it to be!

Make sure you get monitored correctly while on ATD's. I did end up with a

doctor (I've gone through a few) who put me on too high a dose of Tapazole

and I ended up in hypOhell, which everyone on here will tell you is just

awful. As long as you have someone who can get that bloodwork done every 4

weeks or so, you should be fine! BTW, feel free to ask any other questions

you might have.

Kristi

question about starting ATD's

> My Dr. started me on propranolol last week to control my palpitations and

help me sleep. We have doubled my dosage 1 40mg. tablet 4 times a day now,

and it still is not working. After not sleeping all night last night and

dealing with these palpitations all night, I have decided to call him today

and ask him to start me on ATD's. When I asked him about it initially he

did say he never used that treatment, and has only treated a handful of

hyperthyroid patients for which he felt RAI was the best treatment. If you

remember from my previous posts he also told me it would be best and that

the ATD's are only used with pregnant people. He also told me about the

side effect of a low white cell count. After being a member of this list

though, I have decided I want to try the ATD's in spite of what he has told

me. I think he will do what I ask, however I want to be well informed

before I ask. I did order Elaine's book and was going to wait until I read

it to start treatment. I have changed my mind thought since the beta

blockers are not helping much with my symptoms. Which ATD would be the best

for me to ask him to start me on? In other words which one have most people

had the best luck with? Do I need him to do any lab work before starting me

on this? How often do lab tests need to be preformed after starting the

meds? And what tests should be preformed? Sorry for all of the questions,

I just want to know what I am doing before I call him. I was going to make

an appointment with an Endo instead, but from what I am hearing most of them

want to talk you into the RAI also so I may as well just stick with my GP.

I can tell that he has not dealt with this at all though because one of the

things he recommended that I take was a Kelp supplement! I know I will have

to tell him what to do because he is obviously clueless!

>

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