Re: Re: the Safety of long term use of proplythouracil

[Guest guest]

>>> shen@... 06/13/03 12:26 PM >>>

Hello ,

As I understand it, he attacks of vasculitis can affect different parts of

the body so not everyone would have the same reaction but I can tell you what

happened to me. I had taken ptu for 8 years. About a year ago, I developed a

sore throat. The doctor first thought I had a virus, then an infection.

When I became unable to swallow, I was sent to an ear nose throat specialist.

One vocal cord was paralyzed and I was promptly put in the hospital where I

received IV antibiotics. The infection cleared but the sore throat remained. I

also had headaches, cough, and runny nose. The ENT doctor could see that my

larynx was badly swollen . He did a biopsy. The results were uncertain. He

suspected throat cancer even though I had none of the risk factors.

( Incidently, 96 % of people who develop throat cancer are smokers, another good

reason to quit.) Finally, I was sent to the University of Virginia, where a

rheumatologist came up with the connection between ptu and my symptoms. I

almost didn't believe her. I could find no information about it until I

discovered Pub Med. My symptoms have slowly improved although I fear my voice

is permanently damaged.

It tires easily and I can no longer sing.

I was able to control my Graves for 8 years with ATDs. Usually, I just

took 2, 50mg tablets of ptu a day. I have learned that Tapazole is safer. This

type of reaction occurs much less often with it. The doctors will not prescribe

it for me.

I do not like RAI and I need to do something about the Graves which has now

been untreated for a year. I am considering surgery. Aileen

[Guest guest]

Aileen Fletcher

Assistant professor of Art

New River Community College

Dublin, Va. 24084

nrfleta@...

, ext. 4468

>>> shen@... 06/13/03 12:26 PM >>>

Hello ,

**As I understand it, he attacks of vasculitis can affect different parts of the

body so not everyone would have the same reaction but I can tell you what

happened to me. **I had taken ptu for 8 years. *About a year ago, I developed a

sore throat. *The doctor first thought I had a virus, then an infection.

When I became unable to swallow, I was sent to an ear nose throat specialist.

*One vocal cord was paralyzed and I was promptly put in the hospital where I

received IV antibiotics. *The infection cleared but the sore throat remained. *I

also had headaches, cough, and runny nose. The ENT doctor could see *that my

larynx was badly swollen . He did a biopsy. *The results were uncertain. **He

suspected throat cancer *even though I had *none of the risk factors. *

( Incidently, 96 % of people who develop throat cancer are smokers, another good

reason to quit.) *Finally, I was sent to the University of Virginia, where a

rheumatologist came up with *the connection *between ptu and my symptoms. *I

almost didn't believe her. I could find no information about *it until I

discovered Pub Med. *My symptoms have slowly improved although I fear my voice

is permanently damaged.

It tires easily and I can no longer sing. *

***I was able to control *my Graves for *8 years with ATDs. Usually, I just took

2, 50mg tablets of ptu a day. *I have learned that Tapazole is safer. *This type

of reaction occurs much less often with it. *The doctors will not prescribe it

for me. *

*I do not like RAI *and I need to do something about the Graves which has now

been untreated for a year. *I am considering surgery. Aileen

PS My email was down all weekend so I am resending.

[Guest guest]

I had this link, thought you might want to browse it, if you haven't already.

It is a link to the 's Hopkins Vasculitis Center, the link is the

" Causes " page, but there is more on vasculitis on their site.

http://vasculitis.med.jhu.edu/whatis/causes.html

The causes of most vasculitides are currently unknown. It is clear, however,

that the immune system plays a critical role in the tissue damage caused by

vasculitis. The immune system, normally a protective organ of the body, becomes

“

hyperactive†in vasculitis because of some unknown stimulus, leading to

inflammation within the body’s tissues. Inflammation in blood vessel walls

leads to

narrowing of the vessels. The resulting inadequate blood supply to a

particular tissue or organ results in damage.

lil deb