RE: 's first endo appt

March 26, 2002

> Also, he wants her to

> have a I 123 scan on her thyroid on Thursday morning to rule out

> subacute thyroiditis before putting her on PTU. What is this scan

> like? Has anyone had it? Is it invasive or painful or lengthy?

Not painful or invasive. You must take a little pill, and then lie on

a scanner type thing 3 times in the same day.

Very easy. When I had mine it was Christmas time, they were softly

playing Christmas carols in the room I was in, it was all dark and

warm. I feel asleep!

After they took all the " pictures " they needed, they had to wake me

up.

Val

March 26, 2002

> Also, he wants her to

> have a I 123 scan on her thyroid on Thursday morning to rule out

> subacute thyroiditis before putting her on PTU. What is this scan

> like? Has anyone had it? Is it invasive or painful or lengthy?

Not painful or invasive. You must take a little pill, and then lie on

a scanner type thing 3 times in the same day.

Very easy. When I had mine it was Christmas time, they were softly

playing Christmas carols in the room I was in, it was all dark and

warm. I feel asleep!

After they took all the " pictures " they needed, they had to wake me

up.

Val

March 26, 2002

Hi ! The beta blocker is temporary until her thyroid levels get under

control. She probably won't have to take it for more than a couple of

months. I only took mine for a few days. The PTU kicked in really fast for

me. So don't worry too much over that. It's better for her to sleep than

to not, anyway, with all this going on with her health! Also, the lowered

white blood cell count and liver damage are VERY rare. As long as your

doctor is monitoring this, and it appears he is, everything will be fine.

As far as the physical activity, it all depends on how quickly she responds

to the PTU and/or beta blockers as for how long she'll have to refrain from

physical activity. Once her thyroid levels are in the normal range, her

doctor will probably tell her it's OK to start moderate activity again.

Everyone is different. The only time I have to slow down is when my heart

rate is up from being hyper. That's really only amounted to a few weeks

over a period of 7-almost-8 months for me. Some people on here I know have

stopped all physical activity long term. I think it depends on how healthy

and active you are to begin with. Since is young and appears to be

athletic, I'm guessing she won't be on restriction for too terribly long!

This issue with physical activity is NOT the Graves' Disease. It's the

elevated heart rate from the hyperthyroidism. She's not condemned to a life

of inactivity. I'm sure she'll be glad to hear that! Now, as for the

uptake scan, I didn't have that done, so I can't tell you how that is. But,

I'm pretty sure it is non-invasive. It does require ingestion of some

radioiodine, though. My doc diagnosed Graves' from the look and feel of my

goiter and the fact that my mother had it. And as for the blood work, I can

imagine how hard that will be for her, but it's inevitable. My 11-year-old

faced the possibility of blood work to test for mono, and she went into a

horrible panic-crying and all. Luckily, the doc decided that since she

doesn't play any sports (so, no risk for ruptured spleen), that it wasn't

necessary to know for sure whether she had it or not. will get used to

it very soon! I've been poked so much in the last 8 months, I don't even

think about it any more! Just tell her to take deep breaths and look away!

Everything is going to be fine! Just keep telling her that and keep a

positive attitude. She'll have ups and downs through this, but eventually

she'll be feeling like her old self again! Remember we're here, and we're

thinking about both of you as you go through this.

I wonder, have you thought about hooking up with Amy, who is also 13?

It might help them to talk to each other while they're going through this.

I wouldn't suggest putting either of them on this forum, because we can

scare the bejeezus out of each other sometimes, but maybe they can exchange

emails privately.

Holly

's first endo appt

Hey everyone. . .your support has been tremendous and I took much

information from this group to our first endo appt. is my 13

year old daughter who is now officially diagnosed with Graves. I

have a few urgent questions about some things we were told yesterday

and any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated. 's

resting heart rate yesterday was 123! So scary. The first thing the

endo did was to prescribe Tenorim (?) a beta blocker. She took 12 mg

of that last night and was able to sleep for the first time in a long

time, but I'm concerned about a beta blocker at a young age. Any

words on this? Is this a normal procedure? Also, he wants her to

have a I 123 scan on her thyroid on Thursday morning to rule out

subacute thyroiditis before putting her on PTU. What is this scan

like? Has anyone had it? Is it invasive or painful or lengthy? Any

info I can give before Thursday will be great. She has to have

bloodwork today to check her liver function before going on the PTU

and then every week for the next 4 weeks and bloodwork for a 13 year

old is fairly traumatic. . .so we'll definitely have a cranky few

weeks ahead. Also, the doc is scaring me with some of the possible

side effects of the PTU. . .lowered white blood cell count etc. He

has of course taken her off all physical activity because of her

eleveated heart rate, but this is a girl who is in the middle of

volleyball season and just off basketball season and now is being

told not to do anything. She doesn't want me to talk about it with

her coaches because they'll think she's " different " and won't play

her next year even if she's better. Remember how your brain worked

in Junior High? So, it's tough around here lately. Please put your

collective brains and hearts together and give me some hope! I have

survived off the information and love from this group and I know you

won't fail me now! Thanks in advance. . . Baird

March 26, 2002

I'm just now reading this and my heart just breaks for your daughter. It's

so tough just being a teenager. I'm sure you've gotten many helpful

responses about your specific questions, but I wanted to offer my support for

and you!

I was 39 when diagnosed, but would have LOVED to have had my Mom jump in with

both feet and stand beside me as I fought this battle as you are doing with

. Bless you both!!

Doris

March 26, 2002

I'm just now reading this and my heart just breaks for your daughter. It's

so tough just being a teenager. I'm sure you've gotten many helpful

responses about your specific questions, but I wanted to offer my support for

and you!

I was 39 when diagnosed, but would have LOVED to have had my Mom jump in with

both feet and stand beside me as I fought this battle as you are doing with

. Bless you both!!

Doris

March 26, 2002

She doesn't want me to talk about it with

> her coaches because they'll think she's " different " and won't play

> her next year even if she's better. Remember how your brain worked

> in Junior High?

I know you have so much on your mind but do take her concerns seriously.

You should be able to come up with quite a lot of info - testimonials as

well as a dr.'s okay - concerning the likelihood of her being well enough

to participate in sports next year to present to her coaches. Just

knowing that you're with her in this should help her face the inevitable

discussion you and/or she will have to have with the coaches.

Take care and good luck, Fay

________________________________________________________________

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/.

March 26, 2002

--- Val - Thanks for the info on the scan. How long did it take all

together? We go in at 8:45 a.m for a 9:15 scan. Will we be there

all day, or do they take all the pictures 1,2,3 right away? Maybe

I'll bring some of Em's favorite music for her to listen to. That's

a great idea!

In graves_support@y..., " Valkyrie J. Liles " <valkyrie@m...> wrote:

>

> > Also, he wants her to

> > have a I 123 scan on her thyroid on Thursday morning to rule out

> > subacute thyroiditis before putting her on PTU. What is this

scan

> > like? Has anyone had it? Is it invasive or painful or lengthy?

>

> Not painful or invasive. You must take a little pill, and then lie

on

> a scanner type thing 3 times in the same day.

>

> Very easy. When I had mine it was Christmas time, they were softly

> playing Christmas carols in the room I was in, it was all dark and

> warm. I feel asleep!

>

> After they took all the " pictures " they needed, they had to wake me

> up.

>

> Val

March 26, 2002

--- Val - Thanks for the info on the scan. How long did it take all

together? We go in at 8:45 a.m for a 9:15 scan. Will we be there

all day, or do they take all the pictures 1,2,3 right away? Maybe

I'll bring some of Em's favorite music for her to listen to. That's

a great idea!

In graves_support@y..., " Valkyrie J. Liles " <valkyrie@m...> wrote:

>

> > Also, he wants her to

> > have a I 123 scan on her thyroid on Thursday morning to rule out

> > subacute thyroiditis before putting her on PTU. What is this

scan

> > like? Has anyone had it? Is it invasive or painful or lengthy?

>

> Not painful or invasive. You must take a little pill, and then lie

on

> a scanner type thing 3 times in the same day.

>

> Very easy. When I had mine it was Christmas time, they were softly

> playing Christmas carols in the room I was in, it was all dark and

> warm. I feel asleep!

>

> After they took all the " pictures " they needed, they had to wake me

> up.

>

> Val

March 27, 2002

> --- Val - Thanks for the info on the scan. How long did it take all

> together? We go in at 8:45 a.m for a 9:15 scan. Will we be there

> all day, or do they take all the pictures 1,2,3 right away? Maybe

> I'll bring some of Em's favorite music for her to listen to. That's

> a great idea!

I had to go back to the hospital 2 times after the first scan, so I

took the pill at 8 and they took pictures,then I had to go back at 12 noon and

again at 4 or so. Each time they took more pictures.

It did take all day but it wasn't physically invasive or

painful...just mentally taxing!

Val

March 27, 2002

I wondered about that myself. I know that I've been concerned about the

fact that my daughter (and her peers) are developing at a MUCH more rapid

rate than my generation did. I swear, I think it's all this genetically

engineered and steroid injected food we're feeding them. It REALLY makes me

mad. If we would just leave things the way God intended them, I think we'd

be much better off and HEALTHIER.

Off my soapbox....

Holly

Re: 's first endo appt

> > --- Val - Thanks for the info on the scan. How long did it take

all

> > together? We go in at 8:45 a.m for a 9:15 scan. Will we be

there

> > all day, or do they take all the pictures 1,2,3 right away?

Maybe

> > I'll bring some of Em's favorite music for her to listen to.

That's

> > a great idea!

>

> I had to go back to the hospital 2 times after the first scan, so I

> took the pill at 8 and they took pictures,then I had to go back at

12 noon and

> again at 4 or so. Each time they took more pictures.

>

> It did take all day but it wasn't physically invasive or

> painful...just mentally taxing!

Thanks again Val. You'd think they might have told me that a 9:15

test would take all day! I guess she'll miss another whole day of

school, or I could take her back and forth. But, it's great to know

there won't be any pain involved. Just answered the post of another

mom with a 13 year old daughter. Isn't this rather unusual? 'Spose

there are environmental factors at work here triggering these

autoimmune episodes? Just a thought.

>

> Val

March 27, 2002

I wondered about that myself. I know that I've been concerned about the

fact that my daughter (and her peers) are developing at a MUCH more rapid

rate than my generation did. I swear, I think it's all this genetically

engineered and steroid injected food we're feeding them. It REALLY makes me

mad. If we would just leave things the way God intended them, I think we'd

be much better off and HEALTHIER.

Off my soapbox....

Holly

Re: 's first endo appt

> > --- Val - Thanks for the info on the scan. How long did it take

all

> > together? We go in at 8:45 a.m for a 9:15 scan. Will we be

there

> > all day, or do they take all the pictures 1,2,3 right away?

Maybe

> > I'll bring some of Em's favorite music for her to listen to.

That's

> > a great idea!

>

> I had to go back to the hospital 2 times after the first scan, so I

> took the pill at 8 and they took pictures,then I had to go back at

12 noon and

> again at 4 or so. Each time they took more pictures.

>

> It did take all day but it wasn't physically invasive or

> painful...just mentally taxing!

Thanks again Val. You'd think they might have told me that a 9:15

test would take all day! I guess she'll miss another whole day of

school, or I could take her back and forth. But, it's great to know

there won't be any pain involved. Just answered the post of another

mom with a 13 year old daughter. Isn't this rather unusual? 'Spose

there are environmental factors at work here triggering these

autoimmune episodes? Just a thought.

>

> Val

March 27, 2002

I wondered about that myself. I know that I've been concerned about the

fact that my daughter (and her peers) are developing at a MUCH more rapid

rate than my generation did. I swear, I think it's all this genetically

engineered and steroid injected food we're feeding them. It REALLY makes me

mad. If we would just leave things the way God intended them, I think we'd

be much better off and HEALTHIER.

Off my soapbox....

Holly

Re: 's first endo appt

> > --- Val - Thanks for the info on the scan. How long did it take

all

> > together? We go in at 8:45 a.m for a 9:15 scan. Will we be

there

> > all day, or do they take all the pictures 1,2,3 right away?

Maybe

> > I'll bring some of Em's favorite music for her to listen to.

That's

> > a great idea!

>

> I had to go back to the hospital 2 times after the first scan, so I

> took the pill at 8 and they took pictures,then I had to go back at

12 noon and

> again at 4 or so. Each time they took more pictures.

>

> It did take all day but it wasn't physically invasive or

> painful...just mentally taxing!

Thanks again Val. You'd think they might have told me that a 9:15

test would take all day! I guess she'll miss another whole day of

school, or I could take her back and forth. But, it's great to know

there won't be any pain involved. Just answered the post of another

mom with a 13 year old daughter. Isn't this rather unusual? 'Spose

there are environmental factors at work here triggering these

autoimmune episodes? Just a thought.

>

> Val

March 27, 2002

Hey Holly,

Perhaps its more than food and genetic engineering. I wonder if anybody is

seriously looking at this. I've been pretty upset about the increase in

childhood asthma (probably because my first born is asthmatic). Its pretty easy

to believe that a situation is what it seems to be on the surface when you are

in the trenches (sorry about the mixed metaphor) but I think that you have a

point. Graves is autoimmune in nature, like asthma, and I wonder if there

aren't more kids out there who are undiagnosed.

Do you think we could find some similarities in these kids? So far they are all

girls and all around puberty. Is there anything else we could put together?

Laurel

Re: 's first endo appt

> > --- Val - Thanks for the info on the scan. How long did it take

all

> > together? We go in at 8:45 a.m for a 9:15 scan. Will we be

there

> > all day, or do they take all the pictures 1,2,3 right away?

Maybe

> > I'll bring some of Em's favorite music for her to listen to.

That's

> > a great idea!

>

> I had to go back to the hospital 2 times after the first scan, so I

> took the pill at 8 and they took pictures,then I had to go back at

12 noon and

> again at 4 or so. Each time they took more pictures.

>

> It did take all day but it wasn't physically invasive or

> painful...just mentally taxing!

Thanks again Val. You'd think they might have told me that a 9:15

test would take all day! I guess she'll miss another whole day of

school, or I could take her back and forth. But, it's great to know

there won't be any pain involved. Just answered the post of another

mom with a 13 year old daughter. Isn't this rather unusual? 'Spose

there are environmental factors at work here triggering these

autoimmune episodes? Just a thought.

>

> Val

March 27, 2002

Hey Holly,

Perhaps its more than food and genetic engineering. I wonder if anybody is

seriously looking at this. I've been pretty upset about the increase in

childhood asthma (probably because my first born is asthmatic). Its pretty easy

to believe that a situation is what it seems to be on the surface when you are

in the trenches (sorry about the mixed metaphor) but I think that you have a

point. Graves is autoimmune in nature, like asthma, and I wonder if there

aren't more kids out there who are undiagnosed.

Do you think we could find some similarities in these kids? So far they are all

girls and all around puberty. Is there anything else we could put together?

Laurel

Re: 's first endo appt

> > --- Val - Thanks for the info on the scan. How long did it take

all

> > together? We go in at 8:45 a.m for a 9:15 scan. Will we be

there

> > all day, or do they take all the pictures 1,2,3 right away?

Maybe

> > I'll bring some of Em's favorite music for her to listen to.

That's

> > a great idea!

>

> I had to go back to the hospital 2 times after the first scan, so I

> took the pill at 8 and they took pictures,then I had to go back at

12 noon and

> again at 4 or so. Each time they took more pictures.

>

> It did take all day but it wasn't physically invasive or

> painful...just mentally taxing!

Thanks again Val. You'd think they might have told me that a 9:15

test would take all day! I guess she'll miss another whole day of

school, or I could take her back and forth. But, it's great to know

there won't be any pain involved. Just answered the post of another

mom with a 13 year old daughter. Isn't this rather unusual? 'Spose

there are environmental factors at work here triggering these

autoimmune episodes? Just a thought.

>

> Val

March 27, 2002

Well, there's Gail Devers, the runner; Ben Crenshaw, the golfer; and a

women's soccer player from the Olympics, but I can't remember her name. Gail

Devers won gold, after having Graves' for 8 years undiagnosed and dropping

down to 88 lbs. This within a year of being diagnosed and treated, I think.

Re: Re: 's first endo appt

Hi ,

I had an idea about your daughter and her concern about sports and the

coach.

How about researching famous athletes that have Graves. And maybe TV or

movie stars ?

I have heard of several, but I do not follow this sort of thing.

So, fellow list members, what about a list famous athletes and such ?

And , what about making this a wonderful holiday for your daughter, with

special

things like lunch out, and maybe a little clothes shopping in between scans

?

Make a lousy day into a wonderful one. I am guessing if she had to go in and

out of school

it would put her in the spot of having to keep explaining it to others, that

she might

find it easier to not have to go into.

Just an idea.

-Pam-

March 27, 2002

Well, there's Gail Devers, the runner; Ben Crenshaw, the golfer; and a

women's soccer player from the Olympics, but I can't remember her name. Gail

Devers won gold, after having Graves' for 8 years undiagnosed and dropping

down to 88 lbs. This within a year of being diagnosed and treated, I think.

Re: Re: 's first endo appt

Hi ,

I had an idea about your daughter and her concern about sports and the

coach.

How about researching famous athletes that have Graves. And maybe TV or

movie stars ?

I have heard of several, but I do not follow this sort of thing.

So, fellow list members, what about a list famous athletes and such ?

And , what about making this a wonderful holiday for your daughter, with

special

things like lunch out, and maybe a little clothes shopping in between scans

?

Make a lousy day into a wonderful one. I am guessing if she had to go in and

out of school

it would put her in the spot of having to keep explaining it to others, that

she might

find it easier to not have to go into.

Just an idea.

-Pam-

March 27, 2002

Laurel,

I have also seen several young boys. They seem to be about 9 yr. to 11 yr. old

But the more common theme, I believe is females, during hormone changes.

I believe Graves takes a group of things gone wrong, and then the hormones could

be the

thing that is the final straw , so to speak.

We may end up with more young girls on this list, as I now have my eyes peeled

for them,

and will continue to try to invite their moms to this list. So our percentage of

young

girls could end up being higher than on other lists. Time will tell.

The young gals simply pull my heart strings, and I see the wonderful veterans

here are

willing to help. Good combination I think.

Holly, :-) I though you had mentioned some people like this.

Are you still feeling better ?

-Pam-

March 27, 2002

Laurel,

I have also seen several young boys. They seem to be about 9 yr. to 11 yr. old

But the more common theme, I believe is females, during hormone changes.

I believe Graves takes a group of things gone wrong, and then the hormones could

be the

thing that is the final straw , so to speak.

We may end up with more young girls on this list, as I now have my eyes peeled

for them,

and will continue to try to invite their moms to this list. So our percentage of

young

girls could end up being higher than on other lists. Time will tell.

The young gals simply pull my heart strings, and I see the wonderful veterans

here are

willing to help. Good combination I think.

Holly, :-) I though you had mentioned some people like this.

Are you still feeling better ?

-Pam-

March 27, 2002

Pam and Laurel -

I wonder too if it's something with puberty for these young ones? All the

hormonal changes that somehow are the " trigger " for GD? Makes me think there

is some hormone connection, especially with all the women here who developed

GD during/after pregnancy. Talk about hormone changes! There must be

something to this.

Pediatrician told me not too worry too much about my kids developing GD just

because I have it. Too late - already started! Can't imagine having to go

through puberty and GD as a kid. These girls are going to become some strong

women after all this!

Re: Re: 's first endo appt

>Laurel,

>

>I have also seen several young boys. They seem to be about 9 yr. to 11 yr.

old

>

>But the more common theme, I believe is females, during hormone changes.

>I believe Graves takes a group of things gone wrong, and then the hormones

could be the

>thing that is the final straw , so to speak.

>

>We may end up with more young girls on this list, as I now have my eyes

peeled for them,

>and will continue to try to invite their moms to this list. So our

percentage of young

>girls could end up being higher than on other lists. Time will tell.

>The young gals simply pull my heart strings, and I see the wonderful

veterans here are

>willing to help. Good combination I think.

>

>Holly, :-) I though you had mentioned some people like this.

>Are you still feeling better ?

>

>-Pam-

>

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

>The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

>Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

>Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

endorsement of

>the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

-----------

>

March 27, 2002

Pam and Laurel -

I wonder too if it's something with puberty for these young ones? All the

hormonal changes that somehow are the " trigger " for GD? Makes me think there

is some hormone connection, especially with all the women here who developed

GD during/after pregnancy. Talk about hormone changes! There must be

something to this.

Pediatrician told me not too worry too much about my kids developing GD just

because I have it. Too late - already started! Can't imagine having to go

through puberty and GD as a kid. These girls are going to become some strong

women after all this!

Re: Re: 's first endo appt

>Laurel,

>

>I have also seen several young boys. They seem to be about 9 yr. to 11 yr.

old

>

>But the more common theme, I believe is females, during hormone changes.

>I believe Graves takes a group of things gone wrong, and then the hormones

could be the

>thing that is the final straw , so to speak.

>

>We may end up with more young girls on this list, as I now have my eyes

peeled for them,

>and will continue to try to invite their moms to this list. So our

percentage of young

>girls could end up being higher than on other lists. Time will tell.

>The young gals simply pull my heart strings, and I see the wonderful

veterans here are

>willing to help. Good combination I think.

>

>Holly, :-) I though you had mentioned some people like this.

>Are you still feeling better ?

>

>-Pam-

>

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

>The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

>Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

>Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

endorsement of

>the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

-----------

>

March 27, 2002

Holly,

I agree with you. I only buy organic milk and meat at this point, since I

think the cows are the most dangerously drugged and hormoned beasts!

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 11:40:50 -0500

> To: " 'graves_support ' " <graves_support >

> Subject: RE: Re: 's first endo appt

>

> I wondered about that myself. I know that I've been concerned about the

> fact that my daughter (and her peers) are developing at a MUCH more rapid

> rate than my generation did. I swear, I think it's all this genetically

> engineered and steroid injected food we're feeding them. It REALLY makes me

> mad. If we would just leave things the way God intended them, I think we'd

> be much better off and HEALTHIER.

>

> Off my soapbox....

>

> Holly

>

> Re: 's first endo appt

>

>>> --- Val - Thanks for the info on the scan. How long did it take

> all

>>> together? We go in at 8:45 a.m for a 9:15 scan. Will we be

> there

>>> all day, or do they take all the pictures 1,2,3 right away?

> Maybe

>>> I'll bring some of Em's favorite music for her to listen to.

> That's

>>> a great idea!

>>

>> I had to go back to the hospital 2 times after the first scan, so I

>> took the pill at 8 and they took pictures,then I had to go back at

> 12 noon and

>> again at 4 or so. Each time they took more pictures.

>>

>> It did take all day but it wasn't physically invasive or

>> painful...just mentally taxing!

>

> Thanks again Val. You'd think they might have told me that a 9:15

> test would take all day! I guess she'll miss another whole day of

> school, or I could take her back and forth. But, it's great to know

> there won't be any pain involved. Just answered the post of another

> mom with a 13 year old daughter. Isn't this rather unusual? 'Spose

> there are environmental factors at work here triggering these

> autoimmune episodes? Just a thought.

>>

>> Val

>

March 27, 2002

Hi Pam. I'm feeling good. I won't say great, yet, because I still get tired

around 3 in the afternoon, and that old irritability thing is still there in

the evenings. But, for the most part, I feel " normal " . I think my levels

are at least close to normal, if not normal. Thanks for asking!

Holly

Re: Re: 's first endo appt

Laurel,

I have also seen several young boys. They seem to be about 9 yr. to 11 yr.

old

But the more common theme, I believe is females, during hormone changes.

I believe Graves takes a group of things gone wrong, and then the hormones

could be the

thing that is the final straw , so to speak.

We may end up with more young girls on this list, as I now have my eyes

peeled for them,

and will continue to try to invite their moms to this list. So our

percentage of young

girls could end up being higher than on other lists. Time will tell.

The young gals simply pull my heart strings, and I see the wonderful

veterans here are

willing to help. Good combination I think.

Holly, :-) I though you had mentioned some people like this.

Are you still feeling better ?

-Pam-

March 27, 2002

Hi Pam. I'm feeling good. I won't say great, yet, because I still get tired

around 3 in the afternoon, and that old irritability thing is still there in

the evenings. But, for the most part, I feel " normal " . I think my levels

are at least close to normal, if not normal. Thanks for asking!

Holly

Re: Re: 's first endo appt

Laurel,

I have also seen several young boys. They seem to be about 9 yr. to 11 yr.

old

But the more common theme, I believe is females, during hormone changes.

I believe Graves takes a group of things gone wrong, and then the hormones

could be the

thing that is the final straw , so to speak.

We may end up with more young girls on this list, as I now have my eyes

peeled for them,

and will continue to try to invite their moms to this list. So our

percentage of young

girls could end up being higher than on other lists. Time will tell.

The young gals simply pull my heart strings, and I see the wonderful

veterans here are

willing to help. Good combination I think.

Holly, :-) I though you had mentioned some people like this.

Are you still feeling better ?

-Pam-

March 27, 2002

Holly and All,

I've wondered about this myself, but we raise most of what we eat and we

very seldom eat out or eat fast food.

We do live in an area with chemical factories. Saturday we were out to pick

up a few things near the town northwest from us and you could smell

chemicals in the air. So there was a factory that had released chemicals.

I feel the chemicals have something to do with this because more companies

release them then we are told.

My husband worked two years for a chemical waste dump and the things he saw

were unbelievable. They had an accident of chemical releases across the

street from the place he worked. The one guy injured has brain damage and

will never work again. When my husband went to work for this company they

showed him a red phone that was direct from the company that owned the

landfill and was told they would be called for emergencies, in two years the

phone was never used and they have releases daily. The day of the chemical

accident no one was told. My husband smelled the stuff in the air right

across the street. When he asked no one would talk. My husband was forced

out of his job and threatened because he knew they weren't in compliance

about what went in the landfill. The landfill was had a license to dump

certain things, others were suppose to be okayed from the EPA. This didn't

happen and my husband was asked to dispose of some wood. When he picked the

wood up it burned through his leather gloves, he coughed and blew blood for

3 wks. When he asked about what it was no one would answer, that is when

he was forced out of his job. It isn't the EPA themselves, I think it is

the inspectors and they look the other way for a buck. Where these

factories are they are cleaning up a brook that ran through the properties,

a superfund clean up. There are guys that told my husband in the 60s when

these factories were new that they checked the water weekly in this brook.

The one man told my husband when he came out of the brook with the samply

his boots and pants were gone from standing in the water filling up a test

tube.

Maybe I will get in trouble for this. My agriculture man that comes to

inspect told me this is common. Illegal dumping in landfills and they've

actually moved people and changed their identity to testify.

We have a high rate of brain tumors, leukemia, thyroid disease and thyroid

cancer and rare cancers in our county. We've talked of moving but where do

you go?!

> engineered and steroid injected food we're feeding them. It REALLY makes me

> mad. If we would just leave things the way God intended them, I think we'd

> be much better off and HEALTHIER.

>

> Off my soapbox....

>

> Holly

I agree with this one.

Debbie R.

>

March 27, 2002