Guest guest Posted May 16, 2001 Report Share Posted May 16, 2001 Hi..Joann is it ? You didn't sign, so I'm not sure.. From what you stated, your policy does not cover any treatment of obesity, your condition is MORBID OBESITY, which actually has a separate clinical diagnosis. Several people have had exclusions for obesity and have been approved on appeal based on the difference between obesity and morbid obesity. Another thing is, since your plan is self-funded, if you do not get approved the first time, you would eventually appeal to your company, which depending on it's size, should be a lot more personal than an insurance company. You would be able to tell them how it would benefit them, in better overall health which also correlates to better productivity a lot of the time because you end up having more energy. It would improve morale and you would have more company loyalty if a company showed they valued you and your health. I wouldn't automatically assume it won't work. Plus, many people have gone to Dr Baltasar in Spain (member of American Society of Bariatic Surgeons) and self-paid when all else failed with their insurance company. There is hope out there, you just need to be willing to fight for yourself and your health because you're worth it! Good luck! Anita Pre-pre-op in Denver (waiting to switch insurance companies during company's open enrollment in Sept 2001..researching since August, 2000) > Hi,everyone! > > I don't know where to start. First I want to thank all of you for > this group. It has been so helpful to me. > > I am 30 years old, a few month shy of 31. I weigh (my heaviest)326 > lbs. I am 5ft, 5in tall with a BMI of 52. I suffer from clinical > depression. I was diagnosed in 1994 and have been on medication > since. I have been obese for as long as I can remember. I was > resigned to deal with it. > > I have been to various doctors who link my weight and my lack of self > confidence to my weight--surprise! I felt I have no reason to either > live or die. This past Saturday, I was severely depressed. I > convinced myself that I will do what I have to just to live. I felt > no joy in life. I was just going to survive until it was time to die. > And I prayed that God would not make me wait forever. > > Then on Sunday, at work, an old friend came in. We stood there > catching up on the past five years. I told her she looked wonderful. > She was thin when I knew her back in the day, but I had heard she > gained a lot of weight, and now she looked so good. She told me about > this operation BPD/DS. It was like hope smacked me right in the head. > > I was so interested, so happy. I could not wait to do everything I > needed to. I wanted to start researching right away. Everything was > going fine until today I hit hurdle number one. I need the input from > all of you on how to proceed so that one day I am reporting from a > much smaller body. > > My employer, Hay Group has a third party administered health insurance > plan. Amerihealth is our plan adminstrator. Hay Group's plan policy > specifically says they do not cover any treatment of obesity. I spoke > to our benefits specialist in HR and asked her to explain this third > party stuff. She explained that Hay funds their plan, and that > Amerihealth just administrates it. She said that the Hay Group tells > Amerihealth what can and cannot be covered. Does this mean that Hay > Group will have to approve this operation for me? Does it mean that > Amerihealth has no say? Do I stop here--that there is no hope for me? > Is there anyone out there who either works/ed for Hay, has/had > Amerihealth or this type of health plan? > > I don't even know where to begin. Please any information would help > me. After talking to the benefits girl, I was so upset. I was shot > down before I even started. Where should I start in my quest to get > the operation done. I have researched it day and night since Sunday. > I am sure it is the answer for me. I need to start the ball rolling. > Tell me how--please! I live in Philadelphia and would go to NYC, Mt. > Sinai to have it done (I want it done LAP.) > > I appreciate any help! Also, if you guys can give me an idea of how > long the hospital stay is, that would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2001 Report Share Posted May 16, 2001 At 2:47 AM +0000 5/17/01, jo-ann_engels@... wrote: > >My employer, Hay Group has a third party administered health insurance >plan. Amerihealth is our plan adminstrator. Hay Group's plan policy >specifically says they do not cover any treatment of obesity. ... Do >I stop here--that there is no hope for me? No, they exclude " obesity, " but with a BMI of 52, you are not merely obese, or even morbidly obese (BMI>40), you are, officially, super-morbidly obese (BMI >50 , official terminology, not an insult). There is an attorney who monitors this list (Walter?). You might consult him about proceeding. From what I have seen him do previously, you would seem to have a case. Good luck, Steve (who is now just morbidly obese, 2 weeks post-op) -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve Goldstein, age 61 Lap BPD/DS on May 2, 2001 Dr. Elariny, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Virginia Starting (05/02/01) BMI = 51 BMI on 05/16 = 47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2001 Report Share Posted May 16, 2001 At 2:47 AM +0000 5/17/01, jo-ann_engels@... wrote: > >My employer, Hay Group has a third party administered health insurance >plan. Amerihealth is our plan adminstrator. Hay Group's plan policy >specifically says they do not cover any treatment of obesity. ... Do >I stop here--that there is no hope for me? No, they exclude " obesity, " but with a BMI of 52, you are not merely obese, or even morbidly obese (BMI>40), you are, officially, super-morbidly obese (BMI >50 , official terminology, not an insult). There is an attorney who monitors this list (Walter?). You might consult him about proceeding. From what I have seen him do previously, you would seem to have a case. Good luck, Steve (who is now just morbidly obese, 2 weeks post-op) -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve Goldstein, age 61 Lap BPD/DS on May 2, 2001 Dr. Elariny, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Virginia Starting (05/02/01) BMI = 51 BMI on 05/16 = 47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2001 Report Share Posted May 16, 2001 Jo-Ann: First, welcome to the group. I have to say that there is hope. Maybe not a whole lot but some. By definition morbid obesity (a BMI of over 40) is a very different thing from obesity. And even though many insurance policies exclude surgery for obesity they may well pay for surgery for morbid obesity. Often the benefits coordinator doesn't even know that. The way to go about it is to go to a surgeon who will agree to apply to your insurance company for coverage. He will write a LOMN (letter of medical necessity) and submit it. Then the company either will approve or deny and if they deny you can fight it. This doesn't sound very hopeful but it may be the best shot you have. Hospital stays can be as short as three or four days or if you have complications much longer. Every surgery and patient is different. Good luck and don't give up hope till you have tried every way. Regards. Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 240http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html New Member > Hi,everyone!> > I don't know where to start. First I want to thank all of you for > this group. It has been so helpful to me.> > I am 30 years old, a few month shy of 31. I weigh (my heaviest)326 > lbs. I am 5ft, 5in tall with a BMI of 52. I suffer from clinical > depression. I was diagnosed in 1994 and have been on medication > since. I have been obese for as long as I can remember. I was > resigned to deal with it. > > I have been to various doctors who link my weight and my lack of self > confidence to my weight--surprise! I felt I have no reason to either > live or die. This past Saturday, I was severely depressed. I > convinced myself that I will do what I have to just to live. I felt > no joy in life. I was just going to survive until it was time to die. > And I prayed that God would not make me wait forever.> > Then on Sunday, at work, an old friend came in. We stood there > catching up on the past five years. I told her she looked wonderful. > She was thin when I knew her back in the day, but I had heard she > gained a lot of weight, and now she looked so good. She told me about > this operation BPD/DS. It was like hope smacked me right in the head.> > I was so interested, so happy. I could not wait to do everything I > needed to. I wanted to start researching right away. Everything was > going fine until today I hit hurdle number one. I need the input from > all of you on how to proceed so that one day I am reporting from a > much smaller body.> > My employer, Hay Group has a third party administered health insurance > plan. Amerihealth is our plan adminstrator. Hay Group's plan policy > specifically says they do not cover any treatment of obesity. I spoke > to our benefits specialist in HR and asked her to explain this third > party stuff. She explained that Hay funds their plan, and that > Amerihealth just administrates it. She said that the Hay Group tells > Amerihealth what can and cannot be covered. Does this mean that Hay > Group will have to approve this operation for me? Does it mean that > Amerihealth has no say? Do I stop here--that there is no hope for me? > Is there anyone out there who either works/ed for Hay, has/had > Amerihealth or this type of health plan?> > I don't even know where to begin. Please any information would help > me. After talking to the benefits girl, I was so upset. I was shot > down before I even started. Where should I start in my quest to get > the operation done. I have researched it day and night since Sunday. > I am sure it is the answer for me. I need to start the ball rolling. > Tell me how--please! I live in Philadelphia and would go to NYC, Mt. > Sinai to have it done (I want it done LAP.)> > I appreciate any help! Also, if you guys can give me an idea of how > long the hospital stay is, that would be great!> > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2001 Report Share Posted May 17, 2001 My insurance also said that it did not cover treatment for obesity. However, there was a catch. It also said UNLESS MEDICALLY NECESSARY. The surgery IS medically necessary according to the doctor, so I was approved with no problem. Check the literature in your plan again. Good luck!! Jenn >From: j.engels@... >Reply-To: duodenalswitch >To: duodenalswitch >Subject: New Member >Date: Thu, 17 May 2001 03:16:22 -0000 > >Please use this e-mail if responding to my message. Thanks > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2001 Report Share Posted May 17, 2001 Jo ann? Hi and welcome to the group. My insurance is run like that also. I went to the top employer (I work for the county so it was the county commissioner for me). I got her support and she fought like hell for me. She forced the insurance company to approve the surgery. Basically that's what happens, the administrator of the plan follows the guidelines set by the actual employer so if the employer says "cover it" then they should. Its really all a pain in the butt! Also, check and see if they have an exclusion for "obesity" or "morbid obesity". If they just exclude treatment for obesity then you can fight them and say you are morbidly obese and it must me covered. Good luck. Jodie W.Age 28BMI 49.9Dr. HessMarch 28, 01/325 lbsPaid By Coresource and Aetna04-06-01 Down 20 pounds!04-20-01 288, Down 37 lbs!05-14-01 276 lbs, down 49 lbs!!! ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.237 / Virus Database: 115 - Release Date: 3/7/01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2001 Report Share Posted May 17, 2001 Jo ann? Hi and welcome to the group. My insurance is run like that also. I went to the top employer (I work for the county so it was the county commissioner for me). I got her support and she fought like hell for me. She forced the insurance company to approve the surgery. Basically that's what happens, the administrator of the plan follows the guidelines set by the actual employer so if the employer says "cover it" then they should. Its really all a pain in the butt! Also, check and see if they have an exclusion for "obesity" or "morbid obesity". If they just exclude treatment for obesity then you can fight them and say you are morbidly obese and it must me covered. Good luck. Jodie W.Age 28BMI 49.9Dr. HessMarch 28, 01/325 lbsPaid By Coresource and Aetna04-06-01 Down 20 pounds!04-20-01 288, Down 37 lbs!05-14-01 276 lbs, down 49 lbs!!! ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.237 / Virus Database: 115 - Release Date: 3/7/01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2001 Report Share Posted May 17, 2001 Jo ann? Hi and welcome to the group. My insurance is run like that also. I went to the top employer (I work for the county so it was the county commissioner for me). I got her support and she fought like hell for me. She forced the insurance company to approve the surgery. Basically that's what happens, the administrator of the plan follows the guidelines set by the actual employer so if the employer says "cover it" then they should. Its really all a pain in the butt! Also, check and see if they have an exclusion for "obesity" or "morbid obesity". If they just exclude treatment for obesity then you can fight them and say you are morbidly obese and it must me covered. Good luck. Jodie W.Age 28BMI 49.9Dr. HessMarch 28, 01/325 lbsPaid By Coresource and Aetna04-06-01 Down 20 pounds!04-20-01 288, Down 37 lbs!05-14-01 276 lbs, down 49 lbs!!! ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.237 / Virus Database: 115 - Release Date: 3/7/01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2001 Report Share Posted May 17, 2001 Jo-ann, I can't answer your other questions, but one thing you should check on, which HAS made a difference to other people, is that your plan may not cover obesity but what about MORBID OBESITY? With all due respect, you seem to qualify (as do we all on this site), many plans do make a distinction, covering one but not the other. Why not check it out? Marcia > New Member > > > Hi,everyone! > > I don't know where to start. First I want to thank all of you for > this group. It has been so helpful to me. > > I am 30 years old, a few month shy of 31. I weigh (my heaviest)326 > lbs. I am 5ft, 5in tall with a BMI of 52. I suffer from clinical > depression. I was diagnosed in 1994 and have been on medication > since. I have been obese for as long as I can remember. I was > resigned to deal with it. > > I have been to various doctors who link my weight and my lack of self > confidence to my weight--surprise! I felt I have no reason to either > live or die. This past Saturday, I was severely depressed. I > convinced myself that I will do what I have to just to live. I felt > no joy in life. I was just going to survive until it was time to die. > And I prayed that God would not make me wait forever. > > Then on Sunday, at work, an old friend came in. We stood there > catching up on the past five years. I told her she looked wonderful. > She was thin when I knew her back in the day, but I had heard she > gained a lot of weight, and now she looked so good. She told me about > this operation BPD/DS. It was like hope smacked me right in the head. > > I was so interested, so happy. I could not wait to do everything I > needed to. I wanted to start researching right away. Everything was > going fine until today I hit hurdle number one. I need the input from > all of you on how to proceed so that one day I am reporting from a > much smaller body. > > My employer, Hay Group has a third party administered health insurance > plan. Amerihealth is our plan adminstrator. Hay Group's plan policy > specifically says they do not cover any treatment of obesity. I spoke > to our benefits specialist in HR and asked her to explain this third > party stuff. She explained that Hay funds their plan, and that > Amerihealth just administrates it. She said that the Hay Group tells > Amerihealth what can and cannot be covered. Does this mean that Hay > Group will have to approve this operation for me? Does it mean that > Amerihealth has no say? Do I stop here--that there is no hope for me? > Is there anyone out there who either works/ed for Hay, has/had > Amerihealth or this type of health plan? > > I don't even know where to begin. Please any information would help > me. After talking to the benefits girl, I was so upset. I was shot > down before I even started. Where should I start in my quest to get > the operation done. I have researched it day and night since Sunday. > I am sure it is the answer for me. I need to start the ball rolling. > Tell me how--please! I live in Philadelphia and would go to NYC, Mt. > Sinai to have it done (I want it done LAP.) > > I appreciate any help! Also, if you guys can give me an idea of how > long the hospital stay is, that would be great! > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2001 Report Share Posted May 17, 2001 Jo-ann, I can't answer your other questions, but one thing you should check on, which HAS made a difference to other people, is that your plan may not cover obesity but what about MORBID OBESITY? With all due respect, you seem to qualify (as do we all on this site), many plans do make a distinction, covering one but not the other. Why not check it out? Marcia > New Member > > > Hi,everyone! > > I don't know where to start. First I want to thank all of you for > this group. It has been so helpful to me. > > I am 30 years old, a few month shy of 31. I weigh (my heaviest)326 > lbs. I am 5ft, 5in tall with a BMI of 52. I suffer from clinical > depression. I was diagnosed in 1994 and have been on medication > since. I have been obese for as long as I can remember. I was > resigned to deal with it. > > I have been to various doctors who link my weight and my lack of self > confidence to my weight--surprise! I felt I have no reason to either > live or die. This past Saturday, I was severely depressed. I > convinced myself that I will do what I have to just to live. I felt > no joy in life. I was just going to survive until it was time to die. > And I prayed that God would not make me wait forever. > > Then on Sunday, at work, an old friend came in. We stood there > catching up on the past five years. I told her she looked wonderful. > She was thin when I knew her back in the day, but I had heard she > gained a lot of weight, and now she looked so good. She told me about > this operation BPD/DS. It was like hope smacked me right in the head. > > I was so interested, so happy. I could not wait to do everything I > needed to. I wanted to start researching right away. Everything was > going fine until today I hit hurdle number one. I need the input from > all of you on how to proceed so that one day I am reporting from a > much smaller body. > > My employer, Hay Group has a third party administered health insurance > plan. Amerihealth is our plan adminstrator. Hay Group's plan policy > specifically says they do not cover any treatment of obesity. I spoke > to our benefits specialist in HR and asked her to explain this third > party stuff. She explained that Hay funds their plan, and that > Amerihealth just administrates it. She said that the Hay Group tells > Amerihealth what can and cannot be covered. Does this mean that Hay > Group will have to approve this operation for me? Does it mean that > Amerihealth has no say? Do I stop here--that there is no hope for me? > Is there anyone out there who either works/ed for Hay, has/had > Amerihealth or this type of health plan? > > I don't even know where to begin. Please any information would help > me. After talking to the benefits girl, I was so upset. I was shot > down before I even started. Where should I start in my quest to get > the operation done. I have researched it day and night since Sunday. > I am sure it is the answer for me. I need to start the ball rolling. > Tell me how--please! I live in Philadelphia and would go to NYC, Mt. > Sinai to have it done (I want it done LAP.) > > I appreciate any help! Also, if you guys can give me an idea of how > long the hospital stay is, that would be great! > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2001 Report Share Posted May 17, 2001 Jo-ann, I can't answer your other questions, but one thing you should check on, which HAS made a difference to other people, is that your plan may not cover obesity but what about MORBID OBESITY? With all due respect, you seem to qualify (as do we all on this site), many plans do make a distinction, covering one but not the other. Why not check it out? Marcia > New Member > > > Hi,everyone! > > I don't know where to start. First I want to thank all of you for > this group. It has been so helpful to me. > > I am 30 years old, a few month shy of 31. I weigh (my heaviest)326 > lbs. I am 5ft, 5in tall with a BMI of 52. I suffer from clinical > depression. I was diagnosed in 1994 and have been on medication > since. I have been obese for as long as I can remember. I was > resigned to deal with it. > > I have been to various doctors who link my weight and my lack of self > confidence to my weight--surprise! I felt I have no reason to either > live or die. This past Saturday, I was severely depressed. I > convinced myself that I will do what I have to just to live. I felt > no joy in life. I was just going to survive until it was time to die. > And I prayed that God would not make me wait forever. > > Then on Sunday, at work, an old friend came in. We stood there > catching up on the past five years. I told her she looked wonderful. > She was thin when I knew her back in the day, but I had heard she > gained a lot of weight, and now she looked so good. She told me about > this operation BPD/DS. It was like hope smacked me right in the head. > > I was so interested, so happy. I could not wait to do everything I > needed to. I wanted to start researching right away. Everything was > going fine until today I hit hurdle number one. I need the input from > all of you on how to proceed so that one day I am reporting from a > much smaller body. > > My employer, Hay Group has a third party administered health insurance > plan. Amerihealth is our plan adminstrator. Hay Group's plan policy > specifically says they do not cover any treatment of obesity. I spoke > to our benefits specialist in HR and asked her to explain this third > party stuff. She explained that Hay funds their plan, and that > Amerihealth just administrates it. She said that the Hay Group tells > Amerihealth what can and cannot be covered. Does this mean that Hay > Group will have to approve this operation for me? Does it mean that > Amerihealth has no say? Do I stop here--that there is no hope for me? > Is there anyone out there who either works/ed for Hay, has/had > Amerihealth or this type of health plan? > > I don't even know where to begin. Please any information would help > me. After talking to the benefits girl, I was so upset. I was shot > down before I even started. Where should I start in my quest to get > the operation done. I have researched it day and night since Sunday. > I am sure it is the answer for me. I need to start the ball rolling. > Tell me how--please! I live in Philadelphia and would go to NYC, Mt. > Sinai to have it done (I want it done LAP.) > > I appreciate any help! Also, if you guys can give me an idea of how > long the hospital stay is, that would be great! > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2003 Report Share Posted January 23, 2003 I had a doctor try to tell me that I no longer had Graves too. I don't see that doctor anymore, make a statement like that and, ok, your stupid, I'll spend my money elsewhere. I finaly got my TSI tested, came back at 95 (under 135 is negative), but I don't quite understand that yet, it's still not 2% right?, it's more than that. Jen M New member > > Hi everybody... I am 52 , diagnosed with both Graves and Hashimoto in 2000. > Had RAI in Sept. 2000.. We moved from NY to Florida a year and a half ago. > I did manage to find a DR that would write for Armour Thyroid.. but I > really am not satisfied with this guy... > and am looking for another DR. I am going to ask you guys a stupid question. > . The Dr. I am seeing now tells me that since I had the RAI > I no longer have Graves.. How can this be true??? I still feel like crap.. > my eyesight is getting worse as time goes on... I have tried disagreeing > with him but in his eyes I'm just a woman so what can I possibly know... > Is Graves ever really gone ?? > > Luci > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Hi Luci, Once you have Graves' disease, you always have it, although with proper treatment you can achieve remission. This happens when your immune system stops producing the antibodies that cause both hyperthryoidism and eye symptoms. Unfortunately, RAI causes these antibodies to increase. This, in turn, initiates eye symptoms and causes one's thyroid hormone levels to fluctuate. Your doctor may be inferring that since your thyroid gland is destroyed, you're no longer hyperthyroid. Then again, he may not understand the autoimmune nature of GD. Finding a new doctor sounds like a good idea. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Hi Jen, Your level of 95 % activity shows that your immune system is producing TSI. This level may not be high enough to cause symptoms, but if you're on ATDs and stop taking them your TSI will likely rise. Normal people who have no history of autoimmune thyroid disease and aren't at risk for developing it do not produce TSI. Their levels are <2 % activity. When you're in remission, you too will no longer be producing TSI and your level will be <2% or thereabouts. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Hi Jen, To make sure you're on the optimal dose of thyroid hormone for you, you need an FT4 and FT3 level at least for the first year. After you're stabilized and getting by on the same dose of replacement hormone from one year to the next, you can occasionally get by with a TSH alone. But not now. If you're seeing an endo and he doesn't realize this, you may want to find a PCP or Family Practice Doc who knows how to monitor thyroid hormone levels. To get your TSI down, you need to work on healing your immune system. Diet and nutrition are key elements. Sugar and saturated fats cause immune system changes that promote inflammation so you have to avoid them. You need to avoid any allergens, particularly wheat products, if you have gluten sensitivity, which is common in autoimmune thyroid disease. Stress also damages the immune system, and stress reduction methods help heal it. GD causes many nutrient deficiencies that also must be addressed for the immune system to heal. Immunomodulators, such as Nonu, Sterolins, glycocentials and similar products also help. Cigarette smoke induces both antibody production and relapse in people using ATDs so you need to avoid it. The GD archives on www.askwaltstollmd.com also have good information. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Hi Velvet, Welcome to the group. Your healing plan seems very sound. While you're doing your research, you might want to delve into psychoneuroimmunology, or the mind-body connection. Introduced by a team of Harvard Doctors in the 80's, it explains how our immune, endocrine and nervous systems all influence one another. Louise Hay's mention of creativity stems from an ancient Tantric tradition called chakras. According to this tradition, it is stifled creativity, particularly when we feel powerless about not being able to express ourselves that comes into play. Several years ago, one of our members from Spain, , wrote a wonderful explanation of chakras and health that you should be able to find in the archives. Good luck on your healing journey, elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Hi - I am from England (where all of this medication and operations etcs are performed free under our National Health Service..) But apart from that I am very grateful for these forums - I was booked to have Radioactive Iodine treatment on 7th Feb and decided I really ought to check on the net before doing anything permanent to my body. I am glad that I did. I have only been on a handful for the last week - I have Graves - hyperactive Thyroid and feel rotten most of the time. But I have cancelled my Radio treament and shall stay on medication for as long as it takes for me to be satisfied I have explored all of the alternatives... thank you all SO much for this I have just ordered a stack of books on Graves et al from Amazon and shall rest and have a fun year whilst I study up on the disease..I did physiology for part of my degree so I shall also access what University and Medical Research papers I can find too. I dont personally intend to get bogged down by this T score and that T in my life - I am now simply LISTENING to MY OWN body, mind and emotions - if I feel tired I nap or sleep, if I feel hungry I try to understand WHAT food my body is asking me to eat etcs and I use self hypnosis and FUN to make my day relaxed and enjoyable. apparantly Louise L Hay couples the Thyroid to blocks in creativity - to holding back etcs..to denying self expression....does that ring a bell with any of YOU? Have YOU been blocking your natural personality for years? well whatever the rights and wrongs of that apporach - I am going to have a thoroughly creative no holds barred year and see what that does for me wishing you all well and happy - and dont forget you are ALL vital vibrant INDIVIDUALS - BEFORE - you are your current T score Love yourself and tell your body every day that IT loves you - and itself Turn that immune system ON Velvet New member > > Hi everybody... I am 52 , diagnosed with both Graves and Hashimoto in 2000. > Had RAI in Sept. 2000.. We moved from NY to Florida a year and a half ago. > I did manage to find a DR that would write for Armour Thyroid.. but I > really am not satisfied with this guy... > and am looking for another DR. I am going to ask you guys a stupid question. > . The Dr. I am seeing now tells me that since I had the RAI > I no longer have Graves.. How can this be true??? I still feel like crap.. > my eyesight is getting worse as time goes on... I have tried disagreeing > with him but in his eyes I'm just a woman so what can I possibly know... > Is Graves ever really gone ?? > > Luci > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Hi Elaine, thanks for the reply, My TSI is at 95, but I did have RAI, I haven't found info yet that tells me what to change in my lifestyle to make it go down to 2%. I am currently taking .075 of synthroid and 10mcg cytomel am with 5 mcg cytomel pm. Just upped to that last week, but I can't seem to get the endo to run Ft3 and FT4's, only just TSH, I do blood again in 6 weeks, and I know he only ordered TSH again, I am close to being the old me again, but not there yet, I also now weigh 30 pounds more than I did before this mess started. Jen M Re: New member > Hi Jen, > Your level of 95 % activity shows that your immune system is producing TSI. > This level may not be high enough to cause symptoms, but if you're on ATDs > and stop taking them your TSI will likely rise. Normal people who have no > history of autoimmune thyroid disease and aren't at risk for developing it do > not produce TSI. Their levels are <2 % activity. When you're in remission, > you too will no longer be producing TSI and your level will be <2% or > thereabouts. Take care, Elaine > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Louise L Hay wrote You Can Heal Your Life - see Amazon etcs I am undfortunately too tired tonight to explain her philosophy so must direct you to the blurb on Amazon which would give you more of an idea or just type in Louis L Hay in your search engine and read that lot Velvet New member > > > > > > Hi everybody... I am 52 , diagnosed with both Graves and Hashimoto in > 2000. > > Had RAI in Sept. 2000.. We moved from NY to Florida a year and a half > ago. > > I did manage to find a DR that would write for Armour Thyroid.. but I > > really am not satisfied with this guy... > > and am looking for another DR. I am going to ask you guys a stupid > question. > > . The Dr. I am seeing now tells me that since I had the RAI > > I no longer have Graves.. How can this be true??? I still feel like > crap.. > > my eyesight is getting worse as time goes on... I have tried disagreeing > > with him but in his eyes I'm just a woman so what can I possibly know... > > Is Graves ever really gone ?? > > > > Luci > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 Louise L Hay wrote You Can Heal Your Life - see Amazon etcs I am undfortunately too tired tonight to explain her philosophy so must direct you to the blurb on Amazon which would give you more of an idea or just type in Louis L Hay in your search engine and read that lot Velvet New member > > > > > > Hi everybody... I am 52 , diagnosed with both Graves and Hashimoto in > 2000. > > Had RAI in Sept. 2000.. We moved from NY to Florida a year and a half > ago. > > I did manage to find a DR that would write for Armour Thyroid.. but I > > really am not satisfied with this guy... > > and am looking for another DR. I am going to ask you guys a stupid > question. > > . The Dr. I am seeing now tells me that since I had the RAI > > I no longer have Graves.. How can this be true??? I still feel like > crap.. > > my eyesight is getting worse as time goes on... I have tried disagreeing > > with him but in his eyes I'm just a woman so what can I possibly know... > > Is Graves ever really gone ?? > > > > Luci > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Velvet wrote: > Louise L Hay wrote You Can Heal Your Life - see Amazon etcs > > > apparantly Louise L Hay couples the Thyroid to blocks in creativity - to > holding back etcs..to denying self expression....does that ring a bell with > any of YOU? Have YOU been blocking your natural personality for years? Hi Velvet, all the women in my mothers family must have been blocked as well. I'm pretty sure this is a biological thing, probably you're born with a propensity, and something triggers it - possibly viral or bacterial infections. The is a murine model which is quite successful (?) in inducing a Graves' like condition in (specific types of) mice using an adenovirus which presents TSH receptor like structures. One student thesis from Norway (linked from my web page of UK resources) contends Yersinia Enterocolitica is a good candidate as a trigger. I don't think the trigger needs to be unique, i.e. this specific organism, any expressing TSH receptor like structures would do. http://www.wretched.demon.co.uk/UKthyroidlinks.html This approach whilst steeped in biochemistry and technical terms is the most satisfactory explanation I have found so far. We don't have enough studies on twin raised apart to guarantee it isn't whole families being emotionally stunted. Yersinia Enterocolitica is commonly found in private water supplies, but is also widely distributed. I was into canoeing and such as a kid, but if one infection/exposure is all we need it is going to be hard to prove an exposure to this or similar organisms. I guess we could try it in the mouse model? Simon -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.2.1 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQE+MebCGFXfHI9FVgYRAqPUAJoD3HAwCYcfl5jLsfO6t7Qveby+xgCgplcc 1rc6dCDQPrqLy/gj/dWXrCY= =db2n -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2003 Report Share Posted January 24, 2003 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Velvet wrote: > Louise L Hay wrote You Can Heal Your Life - see Amazon etcs > > > apparantly Louise L Hay couples the Thyroid to blocks in creativity - to > holding back etcs..to denying self expression....does that ring a bell with > any of YOU? Have YOU been blocking your natural personality for years? Hi Velvet, all the women in my mothers family must have been blocked as well. I'm pretty sure this is a biological thing, probably you're born with a propensity, and something triggers it - possibly viral or bacterial infections. The is a murine model which is quite successful (?) in inducing a Graves' like condition in (specific types of) mice using an adenovirus which presents TSH receptor like structures. One student thesis from Norway (linked from my web page of UK resources) contends Yersinia Enterocolitica is a good candidate as a trigger. I don't think the trigger needs to be unique, i.e. this specific organism, any expressing TSH receptor like structures would do. http://www.wretched.demon.co.uk/UKthyroidlinks.html This approach whilst steeped in biochemistry and technical terms is the most satisfactory explanation I have found so far. We don't have enough studies on twin raised apart to guarantee it isn't whole families being emotionally stunted. Yersinia Enterocolitica is commonly found in private water supplies, but is also widely distributed. I was into canoeing and such as a kid, but if one infection/exposure is all we need it is going to be hard to prove an exposure to this or similar organisms. I guess we could try it in the mouse model? Simon -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.2.1 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQE+MebCGFXfHI9FVgYRAqPUAJoD3HAwCYcfl5jLsfO6t7Qveby+xgCgplcc 1rc6dCDQPrqLy/gj/dWXrCY= =db2n -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 Hi Velvet, Please be careful. Once the meds wear off, you're likely to have a rebound of hyper symptoms. It's important to wean off meds slowly. Like if you decide you absolutely don't want to be on them, you have to wean over a course of a few weeks. Either way, though, you have to keep a close eye on your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature etc. and watch for other signs of hyperT. While thyroid storm is rare, it can indeed occur, especially in the elderly and in warm months and in people who have infections. Please keep us posted on how you're doing and re-consider this. Weaning off meds slowly will allow you to get your levels where you want them. Then you can try keeping them there with alt med and stress reduction. You'll likely succeed but you don't want to blow it from the start. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 Hi Velvet, Please be careful. Once the meds wear off, you're likely to have a rebound of hyper symptoms. It's important to wean off meds slowly. Like if you decide you absolutely don't want to be on them, you have to wean over a course of a few weeks. Either way, though, you have to keep a close eye on your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature etc. and watch for other signs of hyperT. While thyroid storm is rare, it can indeed occur, especially in the elderly and in warm months and in people who have infections. Please keep us posted on how you're doing and re-consider this. Weaning off meds slowly will allow you to get your levels where you want them. Then you can try keeping them there with alt med and stress reduction. You'll likely succeed but you don't want to blow it from the start. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 Hi and yes, thanks for the thoughts. I will of course be taking things a bit at a time but I am fed up with my body ANd the medical profession ( which I believe is something like 20 years a BEHIND biochemistry disciplines) dictating my life and feel it is about time I was boss again.. I just intend to work at finding the optimum way to re establish being the boss and Get On With Life So Far - it is working. I feel excellent and energized but naturally taking things slowly and surely. But MY way not its... Velvet - The Determined Re: New member Hi Velvet, Please be careful. Once the meds wear off, you're likely to have a rebound of hyper symptoms. It's important to wean off meds slowly. Like if you decide you absolutely don't want to be on them, you have to wean over a course of a few weeks. Either way, though, you have to keep a close eye on your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature etc. and watch for other signs of hyperT. While thyroid storm is rare, it can indeed occur, especially in the elderly and in warm months and in people who have infections. Please keep us posted on how you're doing and re-consider this. Weaning off meds slowly will allow you to get your levels where you want them. Then you can try keeping them there with alt med and stress reduction. You'll likely succeed but you don't want to blow it from the start. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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