[cathycnm]

in reply to: Monitoring TSH after RAI #1075425

Thanks Ski! I will see if I can get one in January before I go see my endo for this and my osteoporosis – that will be about 2 months. I will wait to see if he calls – otherwise, I will call him in a few days. I would give anything not to bounce like that again! I felt like a wooden puppet with a migraine for 5 weeks. Next time, I am getting a bungie cord first ” title=”Smile” />

[cathycnm]

in reply to: thyroid illnesses and diet coke #1075433

Lynn- I am retaking pathophysiology for my post masters as we speak and I think we are discovering so many new things about autoantibodies and the immune system at this time, that any answer might be the wrong one in a few weeks, months or years. I also think it depends on the disease you are talking about – some of them, they are finding immune complexes in the tissue that is impacted suggesting auto immunity. I am honestly amazed that just about every illness seems to have some sort of immunity/inflammation from what we are finding. How much of that turns out to be auto immune is anyones guess.

That is general – I don’t know specific for Graves and always having blood antibodies.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: thyroid illnesses and diet coke #1075429

Lynn – That is interesting. Certianly coke in place of milk and juice, etc is replacing nutrition with non-nutrition. And coke does have some phosphoras promoting in the body – which decreases calcium absorption – so with osteoporosis, I have to limit this. And it does have caffiene – which can be lead to increased heart rate and constriction of vessels. Those things are (heart) seem to bother me the most about its use in Graves disease. In fact, befor RAI, the only times I had real problems with fast pulse was after just one coke!!! I got zooming at 120 pretty easily. That and it made my sleep issues (insomnia) quite a bit worse if I had it after 1 PM.

That said – all things in moderation and there are caffiene free types. I limit to 1-2 per day and drink up at lunch only.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Graves….RAI….hypo….now this! #1075456

Sounds like you are off to a good start. One recipe I love with spinach is to but that crescent roll dough in those pop open cans. You take the dough out and lay if flat (in one piece) on a cookie sheet. They spread it with a "little good for your heart" oil. Then put some grated cheddar cheese and some spinach on top (I use frozen and it works fine. Then roll it up from the short side. Then glaze it with a beaten egg and pop it in the oven at 350 until brown. This is the recipe that turned my 16 year old step grandson around as far as spinach.

Also – you will absorb more of the iron if you take it with something high in vit C – like OJ or a vit C tab. And don’t take it with milk, as this binds the iron. Hmmmm – well maybe the cheese and spinach recipe has that drawback but you would still get a fair amount of iron from it. Good luck – funny on her being across the hall ” title=”Smile” />

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Graves….RAI….hypo….now this! #1075454

Here is more info on the blackstrap mollasses – look under cane molasses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molasses

Let us know how it went with the dietitian!

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Graves….RAI….hypo….now this! #1075452

Kallicat – Good luck – glad you have RDs across the hall. The American Dietetic Assn has a nice web site, too – I believe it is http://www.eatright.org but if that does not work you can google it. Please ask them about he molassas and iron pan also – unless their is newer research – that is correct.

I just returned from my PCP and talking about lipids (cholesterol and LDL) – funny, she suggested a couple glasses of red wine a week to bring the HDL back up. And, of course, everything I was doing to prevent this – flaxseeds, fish oil, low fat, etc to lower the LDL. I can hear my dear mama talking to me today – even though she is no longer alive. I sure learned a lot growing up with a dietitian! I may ask for a referral myself – as weight mgt, lipids and osteoporosis are a lot to juggle, too.

My PCP and I decided to wait on meds for the lipids, as I am still in a moderate risk range – and see if fixing the thyroid will help with this before we mess with anything else. I will fax this to my endo, too, to see what he says. What a journey this is turning out to be!

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Graves….RAI….hypo….now this! #1075449

Killikat – Well, sounds like you are on a health roller coaster and I can identify. BTW – I have noticed I drop into the 50’s fairly often with blood sugar since this started but I have had some tendency that way my life and have a dad who had metabolic syndrome as a kid and my mom’s dad was insulin dependant diabetic – so my new high cholesterol has really been creeping up for awhile.

So – as a nurse-midwife I dealt with lots of anemia. I am assuming yours is an iron deficiency, from what you said. A couple of remedies that might work: Be sure you cook in an iron skillet as much as possible; try a tablespoon full of blackstrap molassis daily if you can stand it and it does not though your sugar/diet off and talk to a pharmacist about the thyriod/iron issue. There are many kinds of iron that are absorbed in different ways – so find out which you can take with your thyroid.

On the carbs – it is usually best to go with complex carbs because they take longer to digest. Whole grains, etc. These may help with your cholesterol.

Lastly, you might benefit from a referal to a dietitian! Ask your PCP to refer you. My mom was a dietitian and I was always amazed at all she knew about getting everything matched for people with multiple issues. I think you may find this really helpful and most hospital dietitians can see you on an outpatient basis through a referral. I think, given your situation, this might help a lot. Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Where can I get help if I don’t have any insurance? #1075458

Lewis – I don’t know your area but would suggest a couple of things. First of all, she may want to check with the Medicaid office in your State to see if she is eligable for benefits through them based on income. She could also check with the County Health Dept to see if they offer any services that would benefit her – or if they can refer you – they often have a good idea of what services exist for the non-insured in your area even if they don’t offer these directly. Last, as I believe Ski has mentioned, is to check to see if there are any university clinics in your area that provide care to uninsured.

This is a huge issue – I know there were a couple years in my life where I was working 3 part time jobs (fortunately I got insurance through one of them most of this time) – but I was working more than full time between the three and had to chip in a ton towards my benefits due to being "part time" so scaled down my health insurance coverage due to cost. I am thankful I had stable benefits when Graves hit. (The osteoporosis med I am on is 800-1,000 a month for 24 months – I pay $45.00 a month). I have also had my own patients refused care (when I knew they needed to be seen and referred them) due to insurance. I have some idea the cost of not having insurance and wish you the best. Please let us know how it goes.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Thank You for the Validation #1075532

Nancy – Just a quick follow-up. I called my PCP to ask about the cholesterol, LDL, HDL, etc. Left a message for her nurse (I know them all pretty well – small town and I am part of the medical community). Got a call back 15 minutes later saying I needed to see my PCP ASAP – I go Weds. Betcha I leave with an RX for this – I am very active and my diet, while not perfect, is pretty good. I rarely have red meat or fried food. Eat a fair # of fruits/veggies. Cheese is my biggest factor due to the osteoporosis, so I do get a couple servings a day but go with the low fat when I am home. So, while I could tweak it – this is definately primarily coming from someplace other than poor diet/exercise. My PCP is an internist – so I am in good hands. I will let you know!

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Just Had RAI done Thursday and Friday #1075471

Wayne – Welcome! Unfortunately, this is not nuts. My endo was saying that in the city where he practices, the dump scans all trash and anything radioactive cannot go in there. So, he said if I was still menstruating and I bled much, I would have to put the kotex in a trash bag in my garage for 6 months – and let them de-radioactivate. Fortunately, I am menopausal. I have visions of dogs and other vermine in trash bags in the garage. I live in a semi-rural town about 1 hour south of my endo – no scanner here. I could throw out nuclear weapons and be OK – well, you know. If I lived in Denver, then my endo says that scanners at the dump are more sensitive and can actually tell you which isotope is in the trash can. They know I131 is medical waste and just put it in a seperate section of the dump. So, it is not just the hospital folks – this actually comes from dump regulations for your locale, as well. Or such is my understanding.

That said – I think it is horrific if this was not explained first or in a more humanizing way. I hope you can give them some constructive feedback about your experience – hopefully make things better for those who follow.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Graves Eye Disease #1075481

Bobbi – You raise a point about make-up. My eyes are mild, but they have the constant "bags" beneath them. I have been told that "I never would have known that was thyroid; it looks like you did not sleep much last night". It has aged my appearance – probably I am the most sensative to it. We look older after we don’t sleep well, too, I think. I have wondered about using make-up products like the ones used for "the day after no sleep". I have been afraid those might make my eyes drier, etc. I do have a tendency toward allergies, etc. But maybe I would feel more zest if I did not see this tired looking woman starring back at me in the mirror. I would love to know more about effective make-up or other strategies to fit into my 60-80 hour work week. Thanks!!!

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Thank You for the Validation #1075531

Nancy – Thanks! I have probably eaten better then last 6-8 months than ever and I do get a lot of exercise – 10,000 steps most days and at least 5,000 everyday with rare exception. This is the first elevation – so I am considering waiting 6 months to let the thyroid stabilize and re-checking. I will ask both my internist and endo, too. There is just not much heart risk in my famly history but my granddad did have type 1 diabetes. I am concerned about metabolic syndrome – though my weight is just 1/2 pound over normal BMI with a full bladder. My BP is great. I feel safe giving it a little more time – but will let my docs know. It is in the moderate risk range now – I am usually minimal to low risk so it bears a close eye. I will let you know how it goes. Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Thank You for the Validation #1075529

OK – Now I feel a bit helpless. I just did my employee physical for the year and my score dropped a few points from last year. And that was down a few points from the previous. Mostly, my blood lipids and weight (up only 6 total pounds from last year, and some of that might be that I am drinking a ton of fluid in the AM due to my diuretic). Still – I am now at moderate risk on my lipids. I know all this is part of the plan and it will get back to normal once my thyroid is regulated. My diet is better than ever – not to say it has no room for improvement – but it is a lot better than when my scores were better. I get 10,000 steps a day in regularly. I did accidentally eat a little ceral a few hours before the test – but I would not think that would throw it off that much.

So, I have lost 10 pounds since December – when I blossomed up 15 in about a month with the sleep meds. My docs are pleased with where I am and say it protects bone to be up a few pounds. So, I am blowing off the weight loss stuff.

Things I want to work on are the lipids – but I realize that might be pointless until this is regulated. I also need to work on work stress – which I think is partially thyroid related, too (chicken or egg, which came first?)

How long does it take for lipids to get back to normal once thyroid is regulated? Any suggestions for helping that along? Thanks!

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Thank You for the Validation #1075528

Thanks, Ski – I feel like I can finally talk about the elephant in the living room here. I agree with what that psychologist said. Soical support is huge and something that I am challenged with – my job is isolated (though a good cause with some perks I like) and I am doing online school that has taken me away from some of my networks for a few months. I did hire one of my life coach colleagues for some extra support now. This group is wonderful. I hope to make it to one of your conferences – the next 2 falls are so busy with school. Do you ever have conferences other times of the year? I would love to go meet everyone in person and learn more about Graves, too. C

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Just Diagnosed #1075593

Tiffany – Wow – small world – my daughter is in Deatsville but closer to Prattville for shopping. I will be there over Christmas – time to buy tickets.

Sounds like you got answers and a plan! I felt better once we got that far!!!! BTW – if you need to do the low iodine diet for your scan – there is a low iodine diet cookbook you can get through Amazon. It is a little pricey but the recipes are good enough to keep using! It really helped me know how to shop and the food really was tasty. I bought my endo a copy for the other patients because I can’t imagine how many goofs I would have made without that.

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