Remission odds/ ADD too

[Guest guest]

,

>Sing it, Pam L!

Same chorus, only slightly improved lyrics each time.

>I wonder how " smooth decreases " are supposed to be done.

Nice descriptive turn of a phrase if you ask me... and coming from

scientists ! Wonder if they had to have a big discussion over that. :-)

>Do you have a

>suggested methodology?

We each seem to find our own correct path, though they are all similar. I

know you have followed many conversations on the subject, so you will

understand what I am saying, or not saying depending on your point of view.

LOL

I wish there was a method carved in stone, as we would not need this list or

the boards for such matters.

>I am currently on 50mg PTU, and still feel like I'm draggin'. (Blood work

done yesterday).

So the results will guide you.

>True, I've only been at this low dose for a week,

But will only show a trend as two weeks is the least amount of time for

accurate readings.

>I

>think I should decrease to 33mg today and tomorrow, as I feel >sedated.

This is where we choose the path.

I choose slightly hypo over fast change. Did I suffer needlessly ? I will

never know.

> What

>is the lowest dose that can suppress antibodies?

THIS is the $64,000 question. Lots of opinions.

And since I have never had antibody tests, I do not have results to prove

anything I have done or gone through as far as the antibodies.

Antibodies can change. I believe my time NOT working extra hours for

antibody test $ was more valuable in my healing.

I would have needed about $3,000 in addition to my normal income, during the

final 9 months of treatment, to get ALL the tests to really be positive of

everything going on.

Then... it could have changed because I was so stressed out from working a

FULL seven days a week. I was already working 7 days a week, but had

everything spaced out , so I can take needed breaks each day. In addition,

any time I am working too much, my diet suffers horribly. Exhaustion leads

to very poor, comfort eating... I deserve this kind of thinking, rather than

Does this have any nutritional value at all ? :-)

As far as my " smooth decreases " ... once I hit 50 mg. of PTU it quickly

became apparent the next steps down would be REALLY difficult to choose pill

shard sizes three times a day.

And I STILL needed the PTU, because if I forgot my shard, within an hour I

started the body sensations of hyper. They always went away starting in

about 20 min. after the shard, and continued subsiding up to one hour. IF...

I delayed my shard, the hyper got really bad. Eyes burning, heart thumping

faster and faster, I started shaking, and wanted to kill anybody... just

anyone... for the pleasure of the sport. Can we say " Graves' Rage " ?

This is where my old signature line " 12 1/2 mg. DOES make a difference "

stems from.

This is when I obtained PRESCRIPTION Bugleweed and Lemon Balm.

They both affect all thyroid labs and decrease antibodies.

I worked out my own system of reducing using these. The herbs lasted longer

than the PTU, but care must be taken as the smoothness of them can catch a

person off guard. I messed up only a couple of times, and found myself TOO

hyper because I did not feel the suddenness' of PTU wearing off.

This is NOT a do-it-yourself cure that any newbie should even consider

without a real doctor and real labs every four weeks... BTW.

My advantage at that point was the fact that I then had three years of

experience, so I DID do-it-myself. But I never trusted myself enough to

change much without my four week labs.

Experience teaches us that anytime we are close to our set point, hypo and

hyper symptoms will NOT guide you. They feel the same for the most part.

Back in the archives there are posts of me asking for everyone help trying

to figure out if I was hypo or hyper, and what the heck I could depend on to

judge. I remember Terry was the one that got me to see my handwriting DID

look different hypo / hyper. I also figured out, after discussion, I could

measure my finger nail / toe nail growth. I measured, and kept track on a

calendar each time I cut them.

For ME... these things were a consistent I could see with my own two eyes.

I also found for ME, appetite was a huge flashing neon sign. Not only did it

change when my PTU wore off, but there was a bigger picture. The more hypo I

was, the harder it was to force myself to eat. Really hypo and I was so

nauseous I didn't even care if I did get worse. No way could I eat at all.

The fact that I was one of the unlucky ones that lost my sense of taste and

most smell, did not help this at all. Food differences were only in

temperature and texture for years.

We all blamed the PTU, as it is listed as a known side effect. I still chose

to stick with PTU. Least of the evils ya know.

The good news is I was unable to taste the PTU.

The really sad news is once I was no longer on PTU, my smell and taste did

not return. This went on and on.

Move forward in time....

I finally gave in and considered my life long depression was not something I

was able to snap of of. In desperation, I gave in and tried an anti

depressant.

God... I can still just cry over this...

The antidepressant worked.

My sense of taste and smell returned.

And my Burning Tongue Syndrome went away.

Only small indications of many.

Maybe if I had gotten treatment for depression( among other things ... that

caused the depression ... big sigh ) I would never have fallen into Graves'.

But... look where it has led me. :-)

I now use my particular experiences and talents ( talents many consider

disorders ) to help fit these Graves' puzzle pieces together.

They 'say' remission is impossible in this country.

They 'say' swallowing nuclear waste is a GOOD thing.

I have learned so much, and continue learning.

Where will all of this lead me ?

Right now I am very concerned over the emerging radioactive brain scan, they

want to prove is the best diagnosis for ADHD.

Couple this with the pharmaceutical companies in the beginning set up stages

to get all adults that are over worked and so tired they misplace their car

keys pretty regular, to believe they TOO have ADD and treatment is available

They will be selling legal speed to any adult that manages to become

convinced this is their problem. They only rely on self reporting in adults,

and you are aware , I am sure, this is never factual.

The 'holistic snake oil peddlers' are out in force for those that think

natural' is better. 'That stuff can't hurt you.'

WE know better, but look at this nations population as a whole.

Any adult that wants the possibility of earning more money can get a

diagnosis too.

Employers are even in on the game. I see many having their boss ask them if

they have ever been diagnosed ! Well ya... Get that employee on speed and

get more for the wages you are paying them. After all... the doctor is

always right... and the employee would be closely monitored, so it would not

become a drug problem.

The young Moms are trying to do it all, and this makes sense to them... why

they can not do it ALL... must be a disorder ...and it gives them the

additional benefit of excuses for anything they choose in their past. They

want so badly to do the best for their children, they buy into this garbage.

And then, as the genetics of ADD are learned by these adults, the brain scan

will sound like a normal test for their child.

You heard it here first folks... PseudoADD ( my word ) will soon be the next

fad. That train has left the station. But the radioactive brain scan is

still sitting up there on the ledge.

So and All...

I do what I can. I CAN help with ATDs and Graves'.

The future ????

More than you were expecting I bet. = :-o

-Pam L-

3 1/2 years Graves', TED, and PTU. Remission due to SLOW reduction of PTU

(despite an incompetent endo ! ), improved lifestyle, excellent nutrition,

herbs, and looking at the big picture.

Pills alone only help the symptoms. We must help our bodies to heal.