New to group

[Guest guest]

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT WWW.STOPTHETHYROIDMADNESS.COM HOW MUCH MEDICINE ARE YOU

ON? DID YOU TAKE ARMOUR?

CW

-- new to group

I am new to this group and I am very excited to learn more about

hypothyroidism. I have a VERY challenging thyroid. I have tried the

natural medicine and now I am on synthetic. I gained several pounds

over the last 3 years. I have decided to hit the gym over the last

year. I really love my time at the gym. I workout 4-6 days a week. I

run on the treadmill,ride 5 miles on the bicycle,spend 30 minutes on

the eliptical machine on the weight loss program,and participate in a

Powerpump class 2 times a week. I do watch what I eat and only drink

water. I have given up all sodas and tea. In the last 9 months of

working out,I have lost only 7 pounds!!! I do see a difference in

muscle toning,but the weight loss is slow process. My doctor feels

that I am doing fine. I believe things could be better. Does anyone

have any advice on what I can do to see better results.

Thanks---

[Guest guest]

imrescued wrote:

>

> Hello everyone, as you can see I'm new. I was labeled with this

> hypothyroidism alittle over 2 years ago....

How is it that you were " labeled " but not treated?

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Wow no meds, that's crazy. What doctor diagnosed you with hypothyroidism

and didn't give you medication? Fire him/her immediately. I'm glad your

baby is doing good. Many times serious brain damage can occur to a fetus

whose mother goes un medicated. Definitely find a doc who will treat you

because even if you feel okay bad things can be occurring in your body. You

probably have high cholesterol which can lead to heart problems. Do your

research. You can start here. www.stopthethyroidmadness.Com

cw

-- New to group

Hello everyone, as you can see I'm new. I was labeled with this

hypothyroidism alittle over 2 years ago. I would really like to know

more about it, but in english. The only thing that I have taken for it

is Kelp then I got pregnant and the prenatal vit. I was taking had it

in it. Through the pregnancy I had forgotten all about it, but now the

baby is here and I remember that I have it. DOES THAT SOUND CRAZY? The

symptoms are back. I look forward to learning from everyone.

[Guest guest]

Dear Camille,

So glad to read your first post, so glad you jumped into the conversation. I'll put your surgery date on the calendar, and know we have a few Dr. Hey patients here, and I'm sure they will chime in. We do have members that their revision didn't include fusion all the way to the sacrum, a few, most of us that have had revision have had ours extended to the sacrum. Those only fused to L5, please jump in and give Camille a picture of what that is like. I went a year fused to L5 , after a decompression/lami that extended my fusion mass from L3 to L5 thinking I would get years before needing to be fused to the sacrum, I got a year till my low back pain waranted fusing me to the sacrum. The decompression/ Lami did eliminate my hip pain which was my major complaint,but I didn't really "get" my low back pain till the hip pain was gone, as the hip pain masked the low back pain. I did try to really wait, did injections and Celebrex and med's but it seemed like it was better to go on to plan "B" and fuse me to the sacrum, so we did. Did Dr. Hey say that they may have to fuse you further in the future? Not to say that you will, but you should keep it in mind, and be willing to know that another surgery may loom in the future. There has been much conversation on this subject in the past here, just type decompression/lami into the subject box on the messages part on the site, you'll hear both Edie's and my journey through this. Please know I'm not a doctor, just a patient like you, but I too was told about the same things as you. You must be willing going into this to know you may get a good result and be able to go years like that, and then maybe not. Should be your choice. Ask to speak to Dr. Hey's patients that have had similar surgeries, an extention of the fusion without fusion to the sacrum, to see how they are doing. I had a good disc too at the bottom, and my doc while figuring I'd eventually need it extended to the sacrum, wanted me to get the benefits of full movement since I was young(40), but I don't think either of us thought I'd get only a year till it needed to be extended. Know that is just me, your experience maybe different.

Glad to hear from you, I did a bit of lurking back when I first was members in these groups, but with chiming in you get the benefit of personal support and the ability to ask questions of someone whos been through it. look forward to hearing more from you!

Colorado Springs

[ ] New to group

Hi, my name is Camille H. and I've been "lurking" here for a while and finally got the nerve to chime in. I've been a member at another forum, but Anyway, I'm scheduled for revision surgery on 4-23-08 with Dr. Hey in Raleigh, NC. I live in GA. My flatback has not gotten nearly as progressed as many of yours did.Icantill stand up straight, with a conscious effort. It just feels better to lean forward.Apparently, I still have one good disc in the very bottom (L5-S1) so he's not recommended fusion all the way down to my sacrum/pelvis. He also says the disc above my fusion is okay too. I was fused from T5-L3 via Harrington Rod and Dwyer Instrumentation back in 1984 @ age 19. To put the last 24 years in a nutshell, I'll just say PAIN.And that is certainly something that you all understand.The bottom 2 discs of my original fusion did not take (after a year in a body cast), therefore the slight movement over the years has caused some hardware to break and come loose.Dr. Hey is planning to go back in (posterior only) and re-fuse those bottom two, and two more below that with pedicle screws, rods, and cages. He says it'll be approx. a 5 hour surgery. The combined total of my last two surgeries A/P was 17 hours, so a 5 hour one sounds like a piece of cake, huh.Anybody else just fused to L5 during revision?After years and years of research, I was expecting to be fused down to S1, so this was a nice surprise.This forum has been very helpful to me and I thank all of you.Sorry my first post looks like a novel. I made a conscious effort to be concise.....oh well!camille

[Guest guest]

Hi Camille, I had my revision surgery with Dr. Hey in May of 2007. It was certainally a relief to finally find a doctor that seemed to understand what is going with my back I had original scoliosis surgery at age 17 with the Harrington rod fusion and spent 9 months in a body cast. I did well until about 26 years later My story is pretty much the same as most everyone else in this forum.

I was fused to the sacrum when Dr. Hey performed my revision surgery and when he was describing what his plan was for my revision surgery he explained different techniques, which one would he recommended for me, etc., based on my own situation. My L5-S1 was in fair condition and as he explained to me that in his experience with cases similar to mine, when the L5-S1 wasn't included in the initial revision it would be a matter of a short period of time before that area would need fusion, so he recommended fusing all the way down. I was fine with that, as I respected his knowledge and experience. I still have some issues that may require more surgery (will find out more when I see him on Friday) but if it means more surgery then I'm willing to do that.

I take it as a good sign that he's basing his decision for your correction on your individual circumstances instead of the "we fuse everyone all the way down" across the board treatment.

Throughout my almost year since my surgery, any time I had questions and/or concerns he and his staff have responded to each concern, they listen and comprehend, and follow-up with care and professionalism. I don't know if you've had past experiences with other professionals who seem to want to get you out of their hair once they've performed surgery, as I have, but the level of care I've received from Dr. Hey and his team - I have no complaints and still feel like an individual, not just a post-op patient.

Though I still have some pain issues am seeing him Friday on an evaluation basis, as a separate entity from my initial visit/surgery, I have total confidence in him and truly believe he won't leave me hanging with schrugged shoulders. I remember several of the nurses at the hospital saying "there's only one Dr. Hey" - and I agree! I have all the confidence in the world in him, as you can tell.

I hope you get the best results and have a speedy recovery.

G

[ ] New to group

Hi, my name is Camille H. and I've been "lurking" here for a while and finally got the nerve to chime in. I've been a member at another forum, but Anyway, I'm scheduled for revision surgery on 4-23-08 with Dr. Hey in Raleigh, NC. I live in GA. My flatback has not gotten nearly as progressed as many of yours did.Icantill stand up straight, with a conscious effort. It just feels better to lean forward.Apparently, I still have one good disc in the very bottom (L5-S1) so he's not recommended fusion all the way down to my sacrum/pelvis. He also says the disc above my fusion is okay too. I was fused from T5-L3 via Harrington Rod and Dwyer Instrumentation back in 1984 @ age 19. To put the last 24 years in a nutshell, I'll just say PAIN.And that is certainly something that you all understand.The bottom 2 discs of my original fusion did not take (after a year in a body cast), therefore the slight movement over the years has caused some hardware to break and come loose.Dr. Hey is planning to go back in (posterior only) and re-fuse those bottom two, and two more below that with pedicle screws, rods, and cages. He says it'll be approx. a 5 hour surgery. The combined total of my last two surgeries A/P was 17 hours, so a 5 hour one sounds like a piece of cake, huh.Anybody else just fused to L5 during revision?After years and years of research, I was expecting to be fused down to S1, so this was a nice surprise.This forum has been very helpful to me and I thank all of you.Sorry my first post looks like a novel. I made a conscious effort to be concise.....oh well!camille

[Guest guest]

Hi a

Welcome!

I would a good place to start is the files section and the old posts, then

come and post questions.

Have you made anything yet?

Robin

Posted by: " prohr " prohr@... prohr

Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:01 pm

Hi, I am new to this group and very excited to learn some new things. I am

very interested in anything that has to do with using raw vegetables

and natural foods. My name is a and I live in Indianapolis, IN. I

have three children 28, 9, and 6 with a 4 year old granddaughter.

a,

--

Warmest Regards,

Robin Little

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the welcome Robin. I have not tried anything yet, but am going

through the files and trying to learn.

a

Joint pain and allergy free

http://mymonavie.com/prohr

[Guest guest]

Hi Camille,

Welcome to the group. I see has your surgery date on the

calendar and we will all be pulling for you! I am sure you are

getting into that period before surgery where you can feel a

little " edgey " ....but we are here to help you stay calm!

I do hope that you get a number of good years out of you last disc. I

think the research is inconclusive on this if my memory serves me. I

can't recall if I read that some people never need further

fusion....or if there is an average number of years you can expect. I

believe some of it will depend on factors that are uniquely you, as

well of the new balance of the spine once this next surgery is

accomplished.

Since you have already had anterior surgery I wonder if that is also

a consideration in the plan to do a little at a time? I know there is

evolving thinking about the need for the anterior support when fused

to S1 and perhaps the slower approach of a few levels at a time also

gives you body a chance to " consolidate " so that if further fusion

becomes necessary the posterior approach will be sufficient?

Anyway....looking forward to hearing how your preparations are going

and hoping you join in more!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

_Back Pain and Chronic Pain Message Boards / Register_

(http://messageboard.spine-health.com/register.php?agree=Agree)

Why don't you try this group??? I haven't had any luck with this

group. I asked a question about a procedure and didn't get a response from any

person who had it done. I found another group through HealthBoards, too.

Hope you have better luck with these groups!

MI

**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car

listings at AOL Autos.

(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)

[Guest guest]

I live in the Portland, OR

area and only know about my own doctor, Flemming. I searched the NW

when considering this surgery and he was the one whose name kept popping up

when I researched/considered several sources of information.

He immediately

diagnosed my condition as flatback syndrome and has a lot of experience with

treating it. I had my surgery in February 2007 and have no regrets. As far as I’m

concerned he’s a talented doctor who’s caring, knowledgeable, easy

to talk to and he listens to boot.

You might

consider meeting with him to get his opinion on your diagnosis. Perhaps he can

suggest another surgeon closer to where you live.

I wish you the

best in your search.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of _CaveGirl_

Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 1:53

PM

Subject: [ ] New to

Group

Can anyone recommend an orthopedic surgeon in the Seattle, WA

area

experienced with flatback syndome?

I believe I have flatback syndrome. I had a herrington rod fused with

my spine in 1983 due to scoliosis ( " S " curve) and have recently been

experiencing severe pain in my lower back and numbness in my left hip

and leg. While doing online research, I read a description of this

syndrome and it fits me to a tee - from the pitching forward (at the

waist), to the bending of the knees - my knees are always bent when I'm

standing up or laying on my back - my left knee more than my right.

In addition to looking for a referral, I'm just reaching out to others

in the hopes of getting more information about the syndrome. I think

my knowledge of the surgery I had when I was 13 is sadly lacking, and

stumbling upon this information by accident, I'm a little scared about

the number of people who've had to have surgery again.

Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Hi CG (sorry, I just can't address you as cave girl!)

Welcome to the group.

You are not the first, nor probably the last, to stumble upon

information on the internet and suddenly find yourself back in

the " scoliosis vortex " . I know there are two sides to every coin, and

yes, many of us were able to go a number of years without too much

thought or care toward our backs as our original surgeons pretty much

promised....therefore it comes as a bigger surprise to suddenly find

out that which you thought was well in the past is becoming a part of

your life again.

There are a number of us here that know exactly what you are going

through and there are tons of old messages to search through, as well

as a section of the group under " Files " that will keep you reading

for quite some time. And then there is the old " ask questions and we

will answer as best we can " part of the group! No matter what your

status is or how things go from here on out, I think you will better

able to help yourself if you educate yourself on some of the dynamics

of the surgery you had as a child/teen. You will find that you are

much better able to understand what any surgeon or doctor you see

will want to explain to you, and of course you will be able to ask

more detailed questions. When we were teens our parents pretty much

took care of that...so it is news to us.

As a rule we don't actually " recommend " a doctor, what we try to do

is point members to information and other patients who have

experience with a particular doctor/surgeon. Maybe its a nuance, but

I don't think anyone here would ever want to feel that they had

promoted a particular doctor and then hear that the outcome was not

all that great. What we do feel comfortable doing is pointing you to

a list of names of surgeons who are well known in the field of our

particular problems and recommend that you at least consider getting

an opinion from one of them if a more local doctor you end up seeing

recommends surgery. Make sense?

Believe it or not, there are a few areas of the country where even

though the population is large there are not " big " names in adult

scoliosis, at least not well known to this group. And since Seattle

happens to be one of those areas, the best I can do is suggest you

use the physician finder in the Scoliosis Research Society's home

page and start there. You will only have to agree to their terms to

log in:

http://www.srs.org/find/

The SRS require that 20% or more of a members practice must be

dedicated to deformity, and anyone who is spending time with this

group is probably going to at least be able to have an initial

evaluation of where you are at. You will no doubt need xrays and

those will be useful even if you decide to travel to see another

specialist.

A quick look in Seattle shows 5 names, 3 of them appear to specialize

in adult spine, aging spine and degenerative conditions....thats what

you are looking for. In alphabetical order they are Reginald Knight,

Walter Krengel and Theodore Wagner. Their contact info is on the SRS

site.

Do you know how long your fusion is and at what levels you are fused?

Looking forward to getting to know you better.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

I had Meningitis within one week of being bitten. I guess it varies from person

to person and from one Lyme strain to another. Thankfully I have no long term

effects from the Meningitis, because I have enough to deal with as far as what

Lyme has done to me!

Barbara

[ ] New to Group

How long do you have to have Lyme before it goes into your brain. and

can you get meningitis from it being in your brain?

[Guest guest]

, I do not have anything to share about your condition. Just wanted to

welcome you to the forum. I'm sure that one of us can share some common

experiences and ideas.

Get well & be well Bill  

From: <nessa1880@...>

Subject: New to group

spinal problems

Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 11:39 AM

Hello everybody,

My name is and I joined this group because I was just told by

my physicians assistant that I have pars defect. I was at a follow up

for medication, for another problem, and I mentioned to her my life

long issues with my hips out of alignment which has caused me more

problems the older I get. I see a chiropractor when I can afford it

and it really helps. I was born with hip clicks but that was it. The

PA asked if I did sports at all and I did do cheerleading for 1 year

which resulted in a fall from a stunt but I wasn't that bad. The only

thing I can think of was several years ago I hurt my back really bad

when I was working at a veterinary office and lifted a 40# bag of dog

food. Is it possible this is what caused the fractures? I was told I

have bilateral fractures.

I'm curious if anyone else has this and can share their experience. I

am being send to a spine doctor, just waiting for the scheduler to

call me back. I'm kind of nervous and would love to talk to others

who have more knowledge in this area.

Thank you,

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the welcome Bill. I'm getting a little nervous about

all of this. Ever since I found out about my back I feel like I'm

noticing more pain. I'm sure it's because I'm paying more attention

to it but it's not like it limits my life or anything. Sometimes I

take some Ibuprofen for the pain and it goes away, sometimes I need a

chiropractic adjustment. I think I have spondylolithiasis because the

RN said I had slippage of a disc on the x-ray. I'm a religious person

so I've been praying alot about this. Anyways, it's nice to meet you.

>

> From: <nessa1880@...>

> Subject: New to group

> spinal problems

> Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 11:39 AM

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hello everybody,

>

> My name is and I joined this group because I was just told

by

> my physicians assistant that I have pars defect. I was at a follow

up

> for medication, for another problem, and I mentioned to her my life

> long issues with my hips out of alignment which has caused me more

> problems the older I get. I see a chiropractor when I can afford it

> and it really helps. I was born with hip clicks but that was it.

The

> PA asked if I did sports at all and I did do cheerleading for 1

year

> which resulted in a fall from a stunt but I wasn't that bad. The

only

> thing I can think of was several years ago I hurt my back really

bad

> when I was working at a veterinary office and lifted a 40# bag of

dog

> food. Is it possible this is what caused the fractures? I was told

I

> have bilateral fractures.

>

> I'm curious if anyone else has this and can share their experience.

I

> am being send to a spine doctor, just waiting for the scheduler to

> call me back. I'm kind of nervous and would love to talk to others

> who have more knowledge in this area.

>

> Thank you,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm sooo glad it does not limit your activity!!! Many are like me with titanium

hardware attached to our spines. Constant pain limits my life to a great degree

along with getting older. Fortunatly I have a good pain Doc. He broke his back

when he was a teen. He knows severe pain and how it affects everything. Bet of

luck and hope you win the battle and the war over pain.

Bill 

From: <nessa1880@...>

Subject: Re: New to group

spinal problems

Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 7:15 PM

Thank you for the welcome Bill. I'm getting a little nervous about

all of this. Ever since I found out about my back I feel like I'm

noticing more pain. I'm sure it's because I'm paying more attention

to it but it's not like it limits my life or anything. Sometimes I

take some Ibuprofen for the pain and it goes away, sometimes I need a

chiropractic adjustment. I think I have spondylolithiasis because the

RN said I had slippage of a disc on the x-ray. I'm a religious person

so I've been praying alot about this. Anyways, it's nice to meet you.

>

> From: <nessa1880@. ..>

> Subject: New to group

> spinedisorderssuppo rtgroup@gro ups.com

> Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 11:39 AM

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hello everybody,

>

> My name is and I joined this group because I was just told

by

> my physicians assistant that I have pars defect. I was at a follow

up

> for medication, for another problem, and I mentioned to her my life

> long issues with my hips out of alignment which has caused me more

> problems the older I get. I see a chiropractor when I can afford it

> and it really helps. I was born with hip clicks but that was it.

The

> PA asked if I did sports at all and I did do cheerleading for 1

year

> which resulted in a fall from a stunt but I wasn't that bad. The

only

> thing I can think of was several years ago I hurt my back really

bad

> when I was working at a veterinary office and lifted a 40# bag of

dog

> food. Is it possible this is what caused the fractures? I was told

I

> have bilateral fractures.

>

> I'm curious if anyone else has this and can share their experience.

I

> am being send to a spine doctor, just waiting for the scheduler to

> call me back. I'm kind of nervous and would love to talk to others

> who have more knowledge in this area.

>

> Thank you,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, I've been lurking for a while and thought I'd say hello. I've been

fermenting for several months now, and love it. I have both Fallon and Katz's

books and they are very informative and interesting, to say the least. I don't

necessarily agree with everything they say, but they've certainly given me more

ways to prepare foods than I knew existed! I started with sauerkraut and sour

dills (doesn't everyone?) and have expanded to various vegetables, such as okra,

cauliflower, squash, beans, tiny onions, and carrots. I've tried a couple of

different fruit mixtures and liked Katz's version except for the garlic.

Fallon's version was way too spicy and I tossed it.

I experimented with making pickles earlier, cooking them in vinegar and canning

with a pressure cooker, and was not satisfied - too highly seasoned and vingary,

and started looking for another way to preserve vegetables, and stumbled onto

fermentation and am really glad that I did.

Someone was wondering what tomatoes were bred from - they were bred from wild

tomatoes. I've grown the wild ones before, and they are very tiny and

delicious. The plants get tall and lanky, and the tomatoes are like currant

tomatoes, very small, about the size of a fingernail. They grow wild in South

Texas and Mexico and further south. I had them come up in my yard last year and

transplanted them into a bed and enjoyed them all season. I'm in Houston; they

volunteered because i grew them the year before and some of the tomatoes fell to

the ground and they sprouted this last spring. Yes, they and peppers and

eggplants (and potatoes) are solanums and are perennials (maybe not potatoes,

though); I've had peppers live several years, and had one monster eggplant that

got huge and lived about 5 years until a freeze got it last winter.

A question - I've been making kefir and it's so much better than the

store-bought stuff. Anyway, the last couple of times I've made it, I've gotten

curds and a lot of whey instead of kefir. I think I left the grains in the

fridge too long without using them. Does anyone know if they can be

revitalized, or should I get some more?

I got mine on e-bay, from a guy who calls himself " bacteriapimp " . Very

reasonable for his kefir and kombucha, much cheaper than the companies that Katz

talks about in his book.

Good to meet everyone

[Guest guest]

Replies below ...

On Thu, Aug 28, 2008 at 5:04 PM, E. A. Hamel <eahamel@...> wrote:

> Hi, I've been lurking for a while and thought I'd say hello. I've been

fermenting for several months now, and love it. I have both Fallon and Katz's

books and they are very informative and interesting, to say the least. I don't

necessarily agree with everything they say, but they've certainly given me more

ways to prepare foods than I knew existed! I started with sauerkraut and sour

dills (doesn't everyone?) and have expanded to various vegetables, such as okra,

cauliflower, squash, beans, tiny onions, and carrots. I've tried a couple of

different fruit mixtures and liked Katz's version except for the garlic.

Fallon's version was way too spicy and I tossed it.

Fallon's book is amazing in the way a good leader

is amazing ... it inspires and gets people going in a new

direction. Her followers, however, have improved

on the recipes (and adopted some of the traditional

recipes she espouses! The glory of the Internet is you

can actually FIND some of those old recipes!).

> I experimented with making pickles earlier, cooking them in vinegar and

canning with a pressure cooker, and was not satisfied - too highly seasoned and

vingary, and started looking for another way to preserve vegetables, and

stumbled onto fermentation and am really glad that I did.

Yeah. I made 4 batches of pickles a couple of years

ago, all with the same cukes. The fermented ones

tasted the best! They don't keep forever though.

> Someone was wondering what tomatoes were bred from - they were bred from wild

tomatoes. I've grown the wild ones before, and they are very tiny and

delicious. The plants get tall and lanky, and the tomatoes are like currant

tomatoes, very small, about the size of a fingernail. They grow wild in South

Texas and Mexico and further south. I had them come up in my yard last year and

transplanted them into a bed and enjoyed them all season. I'm in Houston; they

volunteered because i grew them the year before and some of the tomatoes fell to

the ground and they sprouted this last spring. Yes, they and peppers and

eggplants (and potatoes) are solanums and are perennials (maybe not potatoes,

though); I've had peppers live several years, and had one monster eggplant that

got huge and lived about 5 years until a freeze got it last winter.

Thanks! I was the one asking, and it's good to know.

I'm working on having us grow more of our own food.

> A question - I've been making kefir and it's so much better than the

store-bought stuff. Anyway, the last couple of times I've made it, I've gotten

curds and a lot of whey instead of kefir. I think I left the grains in the

fridge too long without using them. Does anyone know if they can be

revitalized, or should I get some more?

I highly doubt it needs to be " revitalized " . Today's kefir comes

from an unbroken line to the curds grown 1,000 years or

so ago. The grains are very stable and phage proof. Phages

are what usually kill cultures (phages and competing

bacteria) but kefir is really, really robust. I call it the Borg

of bacteria. Assimilate or die!

That said, it changes depending on the environment.

It is very sensitive to raw milk: it will change depending on

the milk. Also on the type of milk: mine does NOT like non-organic

milk at all. But for right now, I'd guess the issue might

be temperature. In hot weather, it ferments very quickly,

which makes the kefir separate.

You can solve this by putting the fermenting container

in a bigger container filled with water. This lowers the

temps just enough that it ferments nicely. You can also

use an ice chest with a bit of ice in the bottom. Or you

can ferment in the fridge .. it will just ferment slower (this

is kinda how they do pilsner beer too: some ferments do

better at low temps).

If it's not temp, you might have too many grains for

the amount of milk.

When it separates like that, it makes GREAT cheese!

Just filter it in cheesecloth or a coffee filter. It might take a day

or two to get " cheeselike " as the water drips out, but it's

good cheese.

Or you can run the curds and whey thru the blender and

they get more kefirlike again.

> I got mine on e-bay, from a guy who calls himself " bacteriapimp " . Very

reasonable for his kefir and kombucha, much cheaper than the companies that Katz

talks about in his book.

The people offering grains are multiplying like, like ... well, like

kefir grains! Some people offer them for free too.

>

> Good to meet everyone

Nice to meet you too!

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi all my name is I have Spina Bifida L3. Nice to meet you all!

>

Hello there , nice to meet you too. Welcome to our group

.

[Guest guest]

Hi Welcome to our group! I hope you find support and information. Dawn

Dawn E.

I would rather be hated for who I am

than to be like for who I am not ~Author Unknown

From: citi_sue <no_reply >

Subject: Re: New to group

spinal problems

Date: Monday, January 5, 2009, 11:37 PM

>

> Hi all my name is I have Spina Bifida L3. Nice to meet you all!

>

Hello there , nice to meet you too. Welcome to our group

.

[Guest guest]

Hi !

A hearty welcome to the group!

---

--- lisamarien1981 <lisamarien1981@...> wrote:

> Hi all my name is I have Spina Bifida L3. Nice

> to meet you all!

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome! Are you on oral doxy or IV? I am on both oral doxy & flagal and

fortunately haven't had too many problems with the die-off toxicity some of

you have experienced. However, I believe I was infected in May 2008 when I

visited WI/MN, so much shorter time than you.

Glad to have you hear - you'll get lots of support & info!

Kathy - Reno, NV

On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 9:58 PM, macsstax <macsstax@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hello all,

>

> I found this group a couple of days ago after having a probable Lyme

> diagnosis last week.

>

> My name is , and I think I contracted Lyme in the early 80's after a

> trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota.

> A short time after returning home I had a brain infection that the hospital

> couldn't identify, so I believe that may have been an early symptom.

>

> Subsequent tests over the years were always negative, despite having all of

> the classic symptoms, except the bullseye rash.

>

> I've been very ill for many years now, and had to go on disability in the

> early 90's. My doctor just gave me a probable diagnosis last week and put me

> on Doxycycline.

> I'm having some pretty severe die off and feel pretty wretched.

>

> Looking forward to getting to know you all, and hoping to find some

> answers.

>

> -

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm Kim and I moved to western Mass. 2 years ago where I finally got

diagnosed--but picked up Lyme in '03 while living in Westchester County, NY.

Sorry to hear you have gone so long without being diagnosed. Unfortunately,

your story is all too common.

Herx reaction (severe symptoms due to die-offs) can be miserable. You can get

many tips on ways to help your body remove the toxins from members of this

group. I myself don't feel qualified to give you advice because nothing eased

my herxing (probably due to the long hot daily showers I was taking)--my LLMD

suggested not doing that until I was feeling better. The proper diet: low carb,

hi fiber, hi quality protein, no sugar, alcohol or caffeine; and nutritional

supplements are important.

Unfortunately, this is one of those diseases where the treatment makes you

feel a lot worse initially. When you are feeling better watch the new

documentary " Under Our Skin. " It's out on DVD. I waited until I was feeling

better and had family with me to watch it. My daughter (21) now understands the

complexity of the disease and treatment--and the politics of Lyme.

Best wishes,

Kim

[ ] New to group

Hello all,

I found this group a couple of days ago after having a probable Lyme diagnosis

last week.

My name is , and I think I contracted Lyme in the early 80's after a trip

to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota.

A short time after returning home I had a brain infection that the hospital

couldn't identify, so I believe that may have been an early symptom.

Subsequent tests over the years were always negative, despite having all of the

classic symptoms, except the bullseye rash.

I've been very ill for many years now, and had to go on disability in the early

90's. My doctor just gave me a probable diagnosis last week and put me on

Doxycycline.

I'm having some pretty severe die off and feel pretty wretched.

Looking forward to getting to know you all, and hoping to find some answers.

-

=

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the welcomes and info all!  I really appreciate it!

-

From: KTOvrutsky@... <KTOvrutsky@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] New to group

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 3:03 PM

Hi ,

I'm Kim and I moved to western Mass. 2 years ago where I finally got

diagnosed--but picked up Lyme in '03 while living in Westchester County, NY.

Sorry to hear you have gone so long without being diagnosed. Unfortunately,

your story is all too common.

Herx reaction (severe symptoms due to die-offs) can be miserable. You can get

many tips on ways to help your body remove the toxins from members of this

group. I myself don't feel qualified to give you advice because nothing eased

my herxing (probably due to the long hot daily showers I was taking)--my LLMD

suggested not doing that until I was feeling better. The proper diet: low carb,

hi fiber, hi quality protein, no sugar, alcohol or caffeine; and nutritional

supplements are important.

Unfortunately, this is one of those diseases where the treatment makes you feel

a lot worse initially. When you are feeling better watch the new documentary

" Under Our Skin. " It's out on DVD. I waited until I was feeling better and had

family with me to watch it. My daughter (21) now understands the complexity of

the disease and treatment--and the politics of Lyme.

Best wishes,

Kim

[Guest guest]

I think the first thing is to make sure you have a doctor or doctors that are

very knowledgeable and experienced so that they can treat you properly.

Secondly, it is very important that you educate yourself about this disease.

Thirdly, weight gain is one of the symptoms. Fourthly, read StoptheMadness on

the Internet. It's Shoman's website which will give you scads of

information including symptoms, treatments, testing, doctor referrals, etc.

Fifthly, take a deep breath and relax. None of this can be handled instantly,

even though all of us would want it to. There are plenty of knowledgeable people

on here, so you already accomplished part of what you need to do for yourself.

You reached the right people with whom to talk about what you're going through.

Welcome, and feel free to ask anything. Someone will know the answer or at least

where to go to find it.

 

 

Roni

<>Just because something

isn't seen doesn't mean it's

not there<>

From: Ms Sheri <kembaluv@...>

Subject: New to group

hypothyroidism

Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 6:30 AM

Hi all,

I am new to this group.  I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about a year ago

and was put on levothyroxin at about 50mcg after a few months they increased it

to about 75mcg.  During the summer my mom passed away so with all the stress the

meds did not seem to help so my dr increased my dosage to 88mcg.  A few weeks

ago they did a sonogram on my thyroid and found 2 nodules.  based on the film

they decided to do a biopsy.  I was really freaking out about the thought of

it.  It was a traumatic experience for me. I actually had to call for the

results afterwards because no one called me when they said they would. They

called me into the office to tell me it was benign but i developed Hoshimoto's

disease and needed to see and Endocrinologist - this i had to pay a copay for. 

it took a total of 5 min in the office when he could have told me this over the

phone.  I went to see him and he told me that the hospital did not take enough

tissue to make an

adequate judgement and i have to do the biopsy AGAIN.  I was really upset about

this. Because when i did it the first time they- the hospital - assured me that

the dr knew what she was doing and did this many times etc.  Anyway... i have

been reading alot about thyroid and diet.  I am wondering if taking an increased

amount of iodine (through using kelp or nori) with the meds i am taking is ok.

Will it help or harm me even more?  On top of the thyroid issues I have fibroids

and low platelets 9 have an appy with the hemotologist next week).  I just need

lots of help.  Btw..i have gained 10 lbs with this thyroid issue.  i have always

been a skinny person so 10 lbs is alot for me. I am also vegetarian.  I eat fish

and cheese though.  Any suggestions or advice will help. Thanks

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

[Guest guest]

I am sorry for the loss of your mother and also sorry that you had the

additional stress of having your nodules messed around with by an apparently

incompetent operator.

I have Hashimoto's and also had nodules (shrunk or disappeared now) ....it's

quite common.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/thyroid-nodules/DS00491/DSECTION=causes

excerpt:

" Your thyroid gland consists of two lobes that resemble the wings of a

butterfly. The thyroid takes up iodine from food you eat and uses it to

manufacture two main hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These

hormones maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help

control your body temperature, influence your heart rate, and help regulate the

production of protein. Your thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, a hormone

that regulates the amount of calcium in your blood.

It's not known what causes most nodules to develop, but the following factors

are sometimes involved:

* A lack of iodine in your diet

* Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic

inflammation †" and underactivity (hypothyroidism) †" of your thyroid gland

* A genetic defect of receptors that release thyroid-stimulating hormone

(TSH)

* Radiation treatments to your head or neck in childhood

Several types of nodules can develop in your thyroid gland: "

Although it doesn't say so above, I am leaning to the idea that autoimmune

thyroiditis is to do with nutrient starvation and consequent methylation

abnormalities.

Personally I don't take kelp due to the alleged contamination issues (arsenic

and other nasties) and also because I just don't know yet about whether it is or

isn't a good idea to take iodine (any form/s) for Hashimoto's ...I don't have

enough evidence to push me from my current position of " not now " .

I'm not sure what site Roni was referring to ...I think she probably meant

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

which is Janey someone rather than Shoman.

However following Roni's fifth piece of advice to " take a deep breath " will help

a great deal ...getting stirred up and emotional {as we do } puts more stress

on our adrenal function and it seems that adrenal insufficiency is at the root

of many hypothyroid problems. Doing a bit of good quality breathing is helpful

at any time ...it distracts the mind

The " madness " siite will keep you occupied for sometime! There is also a

iodine group where some of the people do seem to take extraordinarily large

amounts of iodine (together with important supplements) ...there's a whole

protocol. It's somewhat experimental but (to my mind) based on some solid

foundations but (also to my mind) it is not the totality. Some on this list

frown deeply about the whole iodine issue for a plethora of reasons ...

iodine/

Low levels of zinc, copper, foltate, magnesium, Vit B12, Vit D3 will stop the T4

replacement being utilised correctly as will a low ferritin level (iron store)

....I believe that should be around 70. Because you are non meat eating you may

be low in B12.

For me, I would not want my nodules messed about with again, nor would I be

happy to pay for a five minute session of nothingness with a so-called expert

....they seldom are (in my experience).

You don't indicate how old you are but it is very common for Hashi' to reveal

itself at hormonal-shift times (after babies, menopause) so that may be

someothing to factor in to you plan to get well again.

Wish you better.

Trish

>

> Hi all,

> I am new to this group. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about a year ago

and was put on levothyroxin at about 50mcg after a few months they increased it

to about 75mcg. During the summer my mom passed away so with all the stress the

meds did not seem to help so my dr increased my dosage to 88mcg. A few weeks

ago they did a sonogram on my thyroid and found 2 nodules. based on the film

they decided to do a biopsy. I was really freaking out about the thought of it.

It was a traumatic experience for me. I actually had to call for the results

afterwards because no one called me when they said they would. They called me

into the office to tell me it was benign but i developed Hoshimoto's disease and

needed to see and Endocrinologist - this i had to pay a copay for. it took a

total of 5 min in the office when he could have told me this over the phone. I

went to see him and he told me that the hospital did not take enough tissue to

make an adequate judgement and i have to do the biopsy AGAIN. I was really

upset about this. Because when i did it the first time they- the hospital -

assured me that the dr knew what she was doing and did this many times etc.

Anyway... i have been reading alot about thyroid and diet. I am wondering if

taking an increased amount of iodine (through using kelp or nori) with the meds

i am taking is ok. Will it help or harm me even more? On top of the thyroid

issues I have fibroids and low platelets 9 have an appy with the hemotologist

next week). I just need lots of help. Btw..i have gained 10 lbs with this

thyroid issue. i have always been a skinny person so 10 lbs is alot for me. I

am also vegetarian. I eat fish and cheese though. Any suggestions or advice

will help. Thanks

>