[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Neonatal Graves disease link for information #1069688

I think this book is really a great resource and wish I had the money that it cost to purchase it, but was so glad to see that parts of it were available to read. I was glad to see Dr. LaFranchi had written it, as I have had the pleasure in meeting with him in the past, so knew that this information was of great use. I also think that you actually may have answered a question that I may have to soon face with my son as he is 11 now, and we haven’t started treatment for his Graves disease, because he is just showing elevated antibodies, and no thyroid disfunction at this time(but labs are due to be done again). So thank you as well.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Eye Masks #1068921

I have tried a few masks but found that the best treatment for my eyes has been a hot compress. I always have just taken a washcloth and got it wet, rung it out, and placed in a ziplock bag, and heated it for about 10 seconds in the microwave. Wrap with another dry towel and it helps alot. I also tried the cold, but it never really helped me that much. I have also used the eye drops, but have found that the eye gel works so much better, although it says for night use, I have used it in the day. I really thought it was great when I would have to go see the eye doctor and he would put this medication in it(I have no idea what it was)that would numb my eyes. Oh man I would walk around for about 24 hours with no pain. It was great. Although it always left my face with a yellow tint on it under my eyes. I guess I should find out what that med was, just incase I ever have more eye problems again.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: What’s your input on conference speakers? #1071134

Oh man after seeing that your going to have an Endo for Neonatal Graves I so really wish I could attend. Is there a way that it will be recorded and possiably veiwed on the site after it is all over?
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: What’s your input on conference speakers? #1071129

I wish I could attend the conference but the cost is to much for us since I’m having to travel to other states for Ava’s medical care, but thought that this one is also something that would be great . An eye specialist.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Confused on how GD effects me now ? #1069206

I believe that almost everything I saw here is so right on, but also thought I could add a bit to it. There is always the chance of TED(mine did not come until years later after RAI). I also suffer from pretibial myxedema long after my thyroid was ablated. As far as fluctuations in medications, I have had to have it upped, but not alot mostly during pregnancies. During times not being pregnant, it has pretty much stayed the same. I have always ended up needing to stay on the higher dose after the pregnancy, which is not like most. Just be aware that the TED and myxedema can happen after an ablation(Not commen though). We also can end up with ostioperosis(I think I spelled that wrong), so bone density testing would be good to get when you start to get older. Other than those few things, I myself think it is pretty much all covered. I don’t want to scare you, but remember most of the things I have mentioned are not of what the doctors will call normal. Then again I am not normal…LOL
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Unemployed, no insurance – meds running low… #1069491

I have been where your at, but it has been many years ago. There were some ways around all the costs. One was that I had found a local medical clinic that would see me for little to no cost, and they also had a pharmacy that would do scripts on a sliding scale fee, depending on the income. They would fill the scripts for no charge at that time, and later they did bill me for the small sum. I would give your local Health department a call, and see if they could guide you in the right direction. They should be able to help in some way. There are also some places(like a clinic I found in Arlington TX) that had meds on hand to give to the low income people that came there.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Armour off the Market 07/15/2009 ? #1069736

I just called the manufacture of Armour thyroid, and my local pharmacy. The pharmacy is not sure as to what is going on, and doesn’t have certain strengths in stock, and don’t know when they will get it in. But the manufacture of the Armour said that they have not made any announcements about discontinuing Armour, and that they are still producing it. I also called about the availability of the Armour and it says that certain strengths are on short term back order. The 1/4 grain or 15mg are on short term back order are exspected to be available early Aug 2009, and 1/2 grain or 90mg are exspected to be available the week of July 20th.
I still have half of my perscription to fill, which is 100 of 90mg, but it seems that I will be getting the 180mg of the Armour instead(which is what the doctor ordered anyway) I have played the backorder game for over a year now with the 180mg(having to fill with the 90mg)the cost has gone up for me as well, so it doesn’t shock me that they are now back ordered on the others as well. The pharmacy said that they can get the 180mg no problem.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Worried Mom Questions #1070335

Hello Worried Mom,
I think that your thought on the happening to quickly is right on, it sometimes takes awhile to level out thyroid hormones. Follow your gut. Also as far as having children, with having ablation, alot of the things I have read actually say to wait to have RAI until child-bearing years are over. I myself did not know that, and am one of the ones that had complications during pregnancy because of Graves, although very few do have the type of problems I have it can make it harder to deal with. Also I myself would check into the cautions on cancer related issues as far as RAI is concerned. If there is any kind of history of this type of thing in your family, you may want this info.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Armour/Thyrolar?? Any advisement? #1070553

Brenda,
Please do a little trick I like to call search…Search the web, these meds have there own site.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Autoimmune disorders #1070363

If it were me I would try an internal medicine doctor. They seem pretty good at looking for the zebra’s so I have been told. My aunt has Diabetes, and hypothyroid, but never could loss weight, they checked her for all kinds of things, found the problem(I have no idea what it was)and now she is several hundred pounds lighter, all thanks to this type of doc. All the other docs chalked it up to the diseases, and her over eating(which wasn’t the case). Anyway good luck,
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: RAI or NO…What is Your Opinion!!…HELP! #1070817

I had RAI, of course I look back on it now, and think to myself I should of given myself the chance to go into remission. I was hyper for over a year before the RAI actually worked causing me to go hypo. The hypo part of this was pretty bad, I had problems remembering how to spell my own name, but at that point it was because I was way to hypo. I had a hard time remembering to go to the doc, and to even take my meds. It was bad. Then after getting the thyroid back into check, I was feeling pretty good. I still had problems off and on for awhile, until I found the right meds for me. I can say that the TED has gotten pretty bad in my case, as well as it affecting my skin on my legs. It’s pretty nasty looking honestly. I have found that in my case, since it doesn’t seem to have a thyroid to attack it likes everything else so to speak. I am only 35(for a few more months anyway), so that doesn’t help, when your looking at the age factor. You might want to weigh the good against the bad with the cancer thing, do you have a family history of this type of issue? Do you have a really good doctor to care for you post RAI? I ask this because if the doctor doesn’t know what to look for then how do you know if you should even do it? Have you thought about the fact that either way you will be on meds? Why RAI really if it tends to send you one way or the other anyway? These are questions I would be asking myself if had this option again. The fact is that with the Anti thyroid drugs you might have another chance at not having to take meds, with RAI it will be a for sure thing. I also want to say that hypo is not at all what is cracked up to be. I honestly think that I felt better when I was hyperthroid. There is my opionion and thoughts on the issue. Good luck in any choice that you make,
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Confusing Test Results #1070397

Sorry desided to pull my own post. Would hate to have someone upset about my wording.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Orbital Decompression DONE! #1071441

I have a question about this, I myself haven’t had the Decomp done, but was wondering a bit about it. Since everyone is mentioning double vision, did any of you have it before going in to have the decomp done? I ask because I have had it for several years now, but not like most, as mine is not all the time. I don’t know that I want to have the Decomp done at this time, but it doesn’t mean I won’t at some time in the future. I get to be one of those that probably won’t just because my risk of complications are alot higher than most anyway, so I must really be uncomfertable with my looks before going threw this, either that or almost blind. So if someone could answer these questions I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Armour/Thyrolar?? Any advisement? #1070550

I hate doing this, but I would hate for C to get the wrong info about Thyrolar and Armour. So I checked on the make up of these two drugs. Armour thyroid is a disected pig thyroid that contains both T3 and T4. Thyrolar is a synthetic drug that contains T3 and T4. The ratio on this is 1 part T3 to 4 parts T4. Like I was saying I take Armour thyroid and I also have a family member that took Thyrolar, but has stopped since they stopped making the dose that she took and the cost more than doubled to get her what she needed. I have also run into issues of this same type with the Armour thyroid. So depending on dosage would depend on the cost. For instance, if you take 180micrograms of one it may have to be split by giving you two 90micrograms of the drug which is what causes the cost to go higher. It has for me anyway, and that is also what happend to my family member.
I hope this may help you in the choice of one or the other, or maybe even neither.
Good luck,
Valarie

[bradybunch6x1]

in reply to: Armour/Thyrolar?? Any advisement? #1070549

Well I checked it out and it is Armour thyroid that is both T4 and T3. I was starting to think I was loosing it. It wouldn’t suprise me though, since I tend to forget things.
I also wanted to let C know that I have had a good results from the Armour thyroid, as long as the pharmacy kept giving me the Armour and not the generics. It has helped me with thought, and sleep, as well as less hair falling out unlike when I was on synthetic T4.
Valarie

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