Another Newbie

[Guest guest]

Hey (nice to see someone else spell the way my middle name is spelt, with a K) your email was pretty short considering. I am sorry that I cannot help you at all but I do know that you have come to the right place to get all of those questions answered.

Luv nne

Hi to everyoneMy name is and I've recently been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. I am also an insulin dependent type 2 diabetic with generally controlled high blood pressure, also on statin for cholestoral. I've been reading quite a bit on various websites but I am quite confused as to the test results. The only thing my doctor told me is that my test result was 5 and that the normal range is 10-20, does that mean anything to anyone? I'm really glad to have found this group and the people here seem to be more of a specialist then many in the medical profession.. In contrast to a lot of other doctors from what I'm reading my GP is really nice and always willing to refer me to a specialist. Unfortunatly the endocrine specialist is also the diabetic specialist I see once in a blue moon (shorter waiting lists ha!) but he is the patronising, speak to you as if you are a naughty and quite stupid child variety.

[Guest guest]

Absolutely , especially to those who have hypot but found out very early and had no problems, they really think you are trying to make more of it than you should - some nod and make the right noises but you can hear and see that they really do not believe a word you say either. here you are among friends who really do know how you feel because whatever your problems, one of us will have been there and done that.

Luv nne

Hi nneThanks for the welcome, it's great to find people who know what you've been going through. It's actually quite hard to explain to 'normal' people just how awful it makes you feel isn't it?

[Guest guest]

Hi nne

Thanks for the welcome, it's great to find people who know what you've been going through. It's actually quite hard to explain to 'normal' people just how awful it makes you feel isn't it?

Re: Another newbie

Hey (nice to see someone else spell the way my middle name is spelt, with a K) your email was pretty short considering. I am sorry that I cannot help you at all but I do know that you have come to the right place to get all of those questions answered.

Luv nne

Hi to everyone

My name is and I've recently been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. I am also an insulin dependent type 2 diabetic with generally controlled high blood pressure, also on statin for cholestoral. I've been reading quite a bit on various websites but I am quite confused as to the test results. The only thing my doctor told me is that my test result was 5 and that the normal range is 10-20, does that mean anything to anyone? I'm really glad to have found this group and the people here seem to be more of a specialist then many in the medical profession.. In contrast to a lot of other doctors from what I'm reading my GP is really nice and always willing to refer me to a specialist. Unfortunatly the endocrine specialist is also the diabetic specialist I see once in a blue moon (shorter waiting lists ha!) but he is the patronising, speak to you as if you are a naughty and quite stupid child variety.

Get a FREE AOL Email account with unlimited storage. Plus, share and store photos and experience exclusively recorded live music Sessions from your favourite artists. Click Here for more information.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for writing Della. It helps just to read each others' stories. I have had this disease for about 30 years! I have only met one person face to face in all those years who has this condition and could understand what I live with. I too am grateful for this group and am glad that you are here. I am 7 months into desensitzation now and am so glad that I did it. Janevalleycanadian <valleycanadian@...> wrote: I guess, seeing as I just made my first post with thesmoking

question, that I could introduce myself alittle!I have been on the list for about 8 months but haven'thad enough time to read the messages as much as Iwould like and so I have never posted! I joined afterbeing diagnosed with Samters last spring, after beinggiven Toradol in the ER and having a horrible reactionthat brought the crash cart and about 10 doctors to mybedside!! Thank goodness they never used the crashcart but I'm told it was close !! It was the ERdoctor who put my medical past together to figure outI have Samters. I did have another ER trip (yearsbefore that one) thanks to the aspirin allergy but wastold I did NOT have an allergy to aspirin, it was justan odd reaction of some kind ... if I could only callup that doctor now!!!My asthma and other allergies started with my firstpregnancy (12 years ago) and the sinus issues appearedwith my second pregnancy (9 years ago)! I've had

2polyp surgeries, one in 2004 and the last one was inDecember. I have to say that I have the best Sinusdoctor/surgeon ever !! I have recovered extremelyquickly from them and had no pain, plus he doesn't usepacking so I don't have to deal with that either :)I have enjoyed the posts so far and learned alot. I'mnot sure if I will ever have the desensitization doneor not but I am looking into it to see if anyone in myarea offers it. Once I research it enough then I willdecide.Thank you to all that do post and hopefully one day Iwill be knowledgeable enough to post and help peopleout like you have all helped me to understand more ofthis condition.Della__________________________________________________________Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, Della, and other new members.

It's funny that you post about Toradol, because I was recently

hospitalized and I had the hardest time getting pain control due to my

allergies (I also can't take Tylenol). This was a planned surgery and

hospitalization, and it was very frustrating. On Saturday, the day

after my surgery, the surgery residents came in and they suggested

Toradol as one of the possible medications I should take. I said, I am

pretty sure that is an NSAID. And they said, no, it's in a different

class than the drugs you mention (aspirin, ibuprofen). I said, oh, I

don't think so, and anyway, you're not giving it to me!

The hormone link, especially in women, is interesting, as it seems

almost all people with Samters develop it in young adulthood. I

personally notice a huge worsening in my symptoms every month at the

beginning of my menstrual cycle.

Post as much as you like and try to get the answers you can!

Lori

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhe. Thanks for introducing yourself. I'm glad you are a part of

my group and that you are benefitting from the program. Good for

you!!

Take good care, Bee

>

> Dear Group,

> I have posted a couple of times and been " lurking " for about a

month

> now, and see that newcomers introduce themselves (I've never been

> part of an internet group before). That said, I'm " Rhe, " and am

> approaching my 50th birthday. I have been ill for about 15 years,

> and unable to work for 12. My main complaint was recurring

> sinus/upper respiratory infections and extreme fatigue and muscle

> pain. I followed the American low-fat ideas, and rarely ate red

meat

> or many eggs, drank skim milk, etc. In 2001 I was diagnosed with

> fibromyalgia, and had several months of physical therapy, which

> improved my condition somewhat. I also began following many of the

> Weston Price " Nourishing Traditions " principles, which I was

> initially blown away by, but also immediately realized made so much

> sense. In 1997, my chiropractor (unlike Doug's, she has given me

> much relief from pain over the years, and insists on low sugar/

white

> flour diet and home care such as exercise) suggested I had

candida.

> I did not have very many of the symptoms that she mentioned. And

the

> treatment was a diet consisting only of meat and green vegetables.

> If I had tried it then, I would have failed miserably and probably

> made myself sicker, because at the point I did not know about the

> benefits of the lower carb/higher fat diet. In researched the

> Specific Carbohydrate diet, I was introduced to Bee's site, and am

> now completely off candida feeding foods and getting my supplements

> in order. I am so thankful to have Bee and her site as a resource,

> because she has gathered everything I need to know in one place.

> Thank you, and I look forward to getting to know the group!

> --Rhe

>

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

I have been taking MTX for three months. I have had no ill affects from it. I am

up to 7 tabs (.25 tabs) each week. I had asked my Rheumy about having the

occasional wine or coctail and he said that it was ok as long as I did not have

any on the day that I take my medication and that I not get " hammered " .

I did get " the shoe " lecture. He strongly suggested that I trade in my cute

shoes for something more substantial. I have to admit I do have a bit of a

problem with my feet some days, and they do feel better when I wear my big old

walking shoes.

The only other restrictions he has given, were to advise him if I were going to

have any treatment with antibiotics. Apparently you have to stop taking the MXT

while on them. The only other medication take is ibuprofin, which while some

pharmacies would flag as a possible interaction, he says is widly used while

taking MXT. He is not terribly concerned feeling that the benefit outweighs the

risk. I do have labs done every monts and so far everything is good and my sed

rate has gone down considerably meaning there is less inflamation than before

starting the MXT

I have had no hair loss. It is still nice and shiny and I keep it colored and

trimmed as usual. I try to live as normally with this as possible, getting lots

of rest, eating well, and doing what exercise I can.

Hang in there

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan, and welcome. At 55 you are a bit younger than most of us, but your

honesty about being overweight gets you right in our groove! Yes, you are doing

the right things. I hope you are doing leg exercises to get your knee ligaments

in shape for what comes next.

Cycling should not have been so painful, but given that it was, it is the first

thing you will be able to do after surgery. I don't know exactly how bad your

other knee is, but give some time before you do the second one. TKR is the

longest recovery surgery there is, so do not be discouraged.

We will all write to you and keep your spirits up! You are not alone!

As many people here know, I am a tennis player, and I have gotten back on the

courts, now at 7 1/2 months. I am also doing 4 to 7 mile walks. To tell you

the truth, I am having more trouble with my right heel than I am with my right

TKR!

So keep exercizing, keep to your diet, and have a good surgery experience.

Well, as good as such a @#$$%^* & ( & * & thing can be!!!

All the best, Joan

________________________________

From: nan_j_h <njhorton0120@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Mon, July 12, 2010 3:42:48 PM

Subject: another newbie

Hi Everyone, I am also new here and wanted to introduce myself.

I'm 55 with two knees that show the effect of being overweight all of my life

and also having become an athlete 2 years ago.

My first TKR is scheduled in two weeks and the other one will be some time after

that.

In 2007 my doctor said I was looking at two knee replacements unless I got some

weight off. I've been going to Weight Watchers for 20+ years, but joined a more

intensive weight management program through my HMO and lost 60 lbs that I kept

off for over a year by becoming much more active. I joined a dragon boat racing

team and the 3x weekly workout and race schedule is great exercise. In addition,

I started cycling and walking.

" Boot camp " exercises over the dragon boat off-season caused inflammation in one

knee - too much kneeling and lunging. Because my knees hurt so badly, I

curtailed walking and cycling and have since put on 15 lbs.

I know now what an active life is like and don't want to lose that. I'm still

about 40 lbs overweight and want to have two good knees so I can get back to the

activities I've grown to love.

Nan J H

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan,

Good luck with your surgery. With your active lifestyle you should do fine with

the surgery and rehab. The rehab will be frustrating at first but will get

better and you should do fine.

Jeff

________________________________

From: nan_j_h <njhorton0120@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Mon, July 12, 2010 10:42:48 AM

Subject: another newbie

Hi Everyone, I am also new here and wanted to introduce myself.

I'm 55 with two knees that show the effect of being overweight all of my life

and also having become an athlete 2 years ago.

My first TKR is scheduled in two weeks and the other one will be some time after

that.

In 2007 my doctor said I was looking at two knee replacements unless I got some

weight off. I've been going to Weight Watchers for 20+ years, but joined a more

intensive weight management program through my HMO and lost 60 lbs that I kept

off for over a year by becoming much more active. I joined a dragon boat racing

team and the 3x weekly workout and race schedule is great exercise. In addition,

I started cycling and walking.

" Boot camp " exercises over the dragon boat off-season caused inflammation in one

knee - too much kneeling and lunging. Because my knees hurt so badly, I

curtailed walking and cycling and have since put on 15 lbs.

I know now what an active life is like and don't want to lose that. I'm still

about 40 lbs overweight and want to have two good knees so I can get back to the

activities I've grown to love.

Nan J H

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

hi Nan,

What did you find was the main difference between the HMO weight loss

program and Weight Watchers? The GI program seems effective also.

I do believe that weight is important. I feel the weight that I recently

put back on has definitely slowed my recovery from my THR.

Do you take any anti inflammatory medicine? My surgeon just put me on

pills which I have not taken yet but am considering.

Reen

[Guest guest]

Reen - the HMO program was a group program (25 participants) closely monitored

in a 900 calorie liquid diet (OptiFast) with a lot of behavioral classes, etc.

It worked very well - I was 100% compliant to the program, but I developed an

infection in my lower colon at the 12th week and was hospitalized, so I quit the

program before it ended officially. I believe the fasting portion was supposed

to go on for 16 weeks. Just typing the word " OptiFast " makes me nauseous. ;-)

I am taking ibuprofen and codeine for pain, but will have to stop 10 days before

the surgery (next weekend).

The other thing I didn't mention in my intro was that I do have osteoarthritis

in both knees and that was diagnosed 12 years ago.

NJH

>

> hi Nan,

> What did you find was the main difference between the HMO weight loss

> program and Weight Watchers? The GI program seems effective also.

> I do believe that weight is important. I feel the weight that I recently

> put back on has definitely slowed my recovery from my THR.

> Do you take any anti inflammatory medicine? My surgeon just put me on

> pills which I have not taken yet but am considering.

> Reen

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Nan,

Long term use of liquid diet products does seem to have a toll after

awhile. I remember a family member back in the 80's who used Slim Fast for

long

term, did lose a lot of weight, but developed problems with urinary tract

and kidneys for a brief period.

Best of luck with your surgery and we will be anxious to hear how you do.

Reen

[Guest guest]

Hi. I'm Judy. I've has PA for over 30 years. Just last year the Dr. put me on

Methotrexate, and the PA went away about 95%. I was " in heaven " . But...I

relocated to another state and have no insurance, so I had to quit the

Methotrexate. My new Dr. (at a free clinic) refuses to put me back on it again

because 4 years ago when I had breast cancer, I got a huge overdose of

radiation, and my Dr. believes going on Methotrexate may cause cancers to

return. Does anyone know anything about this?? I'm seeing this Dr. again

tomorrow, and need to be armed with facts.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this info. Now, I really don't know what to do!! The free clinic I go

to does not carry the other drugs such as Enbrel, or any other expensive meds

for psoriatic arthritis. In fact, the Dr. I saw (a volunteer) has NEVER even

seen nor knows anything about psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. That makes me

feel really confident...not.

Judy

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info, . I found out that my Dr. is a 2nd year intern. But

their decisions are overseen by a Dr. who is not a med. student. Yes, I can get

the Methotrexate from them, but they really don't want me to go on it because I

previously had breast cancer and had an overdose of radiation given to me. They

think the Methotrexate will cause a new cancer to appear.

Judy

[Guest guest]

needymeds.com

This site has info on how to get almost any medication for free. I've used it

in the past and it has been a great tool.

-Eileen