[cathycnm]

in reply to: Synthroid -questions…. #1072457

Mickey – Interesting on Texas and the Vit D – I would have thought that being that far south, they would score higher. It is the sunshine vitamin. I know the Canadians have done some interesting research on it due to the prevalance of the deficiency there. It is a common deficiency since we started using more sun screen – so folks often need supplements. I wonder if Texans are just using more sunscreen or less products fortified in the vitamin. Interesting, though. I lived in Galveston for a time – what is the saying about the politician "You go to __ll and I’ll go to Texas" – I still have a magnet on my frig with that saying ” title=”Smile” />

[cathycnm]

in reply to: and it begins #1071307

Hopeful – Most hyperthyroid is Graves. It is, as we so frequently discuss, an autoimmune disease that fools the thyroid into producing more hormone than needed by basically turning off the feedback to the thyroid that enough is enough. The other kinds of hyper and usually related to nodules that produce too much hormone. So, if you don’t have nodules and you have hyper – it is a fair assumption that you have Graves.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Any connection #1071314

Snyder95 – I have spent most of my career in women’s health and have never heard of a connection either. The mirena does release a small dose of progesterone – but these exert more of a local effect than the progesterone in birth control pills and much less than your own body does during natural monthly peaks.

I think it is easy to look back at what we did just before we were diagnosed and wonder. I was on parathyroid hormone (just started) and had also just stopped hormone replacement therapy (as in estrogen/progesterone) when I got my first symptoms of Graves. I mean it was within a couple of months – and I wonder to this day if there is a connection (I am still comptemplating reporting this to the FDA as a possible adverse effect of the parathyroid injections). We know hormone shifts might be a factor – such as the thyroid issues commonly associated with pregnancy, menopause, etc.

I concur with Ski that it is probably a whole cascade of events that include both genetics and environment that trip the trigger. It is interesting to hear your mirena story – thanks for sharing that with us.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Finding current research on TED=graves eye disease #1071322

Lakeview – I cannot answer your questions but I will comment on your last statement. We know the disease because it is inside our skin. Recently, I became depressed, irritable, my eyes got worse, my muscles ached each day on my walk. I was sure my TSH was too low. Labs were normal. I was freaked out. They did a T3/4 – which did show a high T4 (might be normal on levothyroxin). My PCP said initially she though I might be hypo – but I was not falling asleep at 9 PM each night. I felt hyper. At first it felt like no one was listening – my labs were normal – it must be my job. I, too, blamed my job. Then, my med was tweeked down ever so slightly. A cloud lifted. It took a few weeks to get the docs to listen and during that time, I felt aweful (again). But in time they did listen.

It is my opinion that my endo knows a whole lot about Graves – way more than I do about some aspects of it. It is also my opinion that I know what is going on inside my skin better than anyone else. It reminds me of my midwifery days when some women only wanted to see a provider who was also a mom. Because we had been through birth as a patient, it made a difference to them. I don’t know how many endos out there have Graves. I doubt it is 0 and I doubt it is a million. But until someone goes through it, I don’t think they can know the experience like we do.

As far as the TED resources – I have the book that was recommended on this site. I am sure others know more. Hang in there – I think the eyes are one of the hardest things to deal with related to Graves. Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Cardiac CT #1071481

Ski and Hyperm – Thanks much. It seems so odd – my sister was just saying that I have always paid the most attention to health of anyone in our family – through too much junk food in my younger years. I guess I just need to wait on the scan result to see what the next step is. I feel like I am climbing the rockies – and just when I think I am about to the summit – another, higher peak appears. It was the failure on the osteoporosis med that lead to early Graves diagnosis and treatment – now it is a routine work health screen that uncovered the cholesterol issue. And I had to plead for the first bone scan a bit cause they said my risk was too low to be screened so soon. I guess in all this I am thankful for being a practitioner and knowing how to work the system and get the screenings I need. And, for today, my depression is gone as my thyroid dose is dropped. Happiness is really all any of us wants in life. Happiness facilitates health – but health by itself is not happiness. And so off to put steer dung on my hedge and enjoy a bit of a rainy afternoon in the garden. The Lakota would say I got this lesson so I can learn more about happiness – and that is life. When I quit learning, I am dead. C

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Lack of Support #1071892

RNFQueen – I am in Montrose – so close but not neighbors. When I first had Graves – it was hard on a lot of relationships – my daughter, my boss, etc. Lot’s of folks were mad at me. And I was just mad – short tempered, etc. Things are better now that my levels are stablizing – but I was hyper again recently and got edgy with folks. I think once you are feeling better, then you can look at the situation and see if it is an unhappy marriage or just the illness talking. I recently told my daughter that I was going to have my TSH drawn before every major decision from now on – and if it is off, I table the decision until it is normal again. That is a bit of an joke but with a strong thread of reality in it. If you get to Montrose – email and maybe we can have coffee. What are you taking in school?

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Gonna sound superficial…hairdye question??? #1071841

I used Graves as a chance to go natural – other than adding a few highlights. And I like it!!! And it costs less and takes less time.

I hate the bags under my eyes and always being asked if I am tired. Or people telling me ways to improve my sleep under stress when my sleep is better now than it has been in years – Like, how tired to I look to them if they feel a need to tell me that? I feel self consious about it when that happens.

At the same time – I think your son will be glad you are there more than anything. My granddaughter is the one person who has never called grandma tired. Perhaps it is that she brings the sparkle back to my eye! I think a smile and an eye sparkle will take your son’s focus away from any temporary drug side effect. Enjoy.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Ponder this….. #1071784

Or make a list of three good things that happened during the day each night. Write it down.

For today my list is:
Eye plugs that are making a difference – I can read without using gallons of tears!
Having medical education so I can advocate for myself
Having enough of a tax return to invest in a small deep freeze and filling it full of healthy food (and my pantry, too) so I can get through summer semester without too much fast food.

Oh – one more – Spring and my yard and watching the first flowers bloom. C

[cathycnm]

in reply to: PREGNANCY, HELP!!! #1072345

YEA – Another child speaks that we can be healthy, normal people with Grave’s.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Flaxseed Oil #1071829

Yes, flaxseed oil is safe for us to take. If you use the whole flaxseeds, it is best to grind them up before consuming them, as otherwise they can pass right on through our GI system. The oil is great for cooking, etc, too.

The fish oil capsules should be safe, as well. It is the iodine that can get us into trouble. I believe that has been removed from the capsules but I am not 100% certian on that. Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Lack of Support #1071882

Jody – I am in rural CO, too. If you drop a note to my email on this site, perhaps we can network some. It sounds like you need some validation – as does your little girl. Drop a line if you want to network a little about rural CO. Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Vitamin D Deficiency #1071910

erobinson – There are a couple answers to your question. First of all – when we are hypo, I believe I read that it depresses vit D about 25 or 30%. I would have to look up exact #s. Like you, I am D deficient and have been on Rx megadoses for about 3 years now. The vit D we take has to be converted into an active form. I was told that I may lack one of the enzymes in this process. There are about 3 pre-genetic conditions they are finding in osteoporosis – that is one of them (I had osteo before Graves).

A whole lot of us are Vit D deficient and they are looking at raising the RDA. If is an oil soluble vit – so unless your doc tells you to take more than normal, you should not. It sounds like you are following with a doctor. I take 7,000 a day to stay in the theraputic range – that is a ton (the RDA is 400)!!! Vit D has been used in rat poisen – for for those reading this – don’t go out and take a ton of it without your doctor monitoring your levels. There are some good general recommendations on the national osteoporosis foundation site under the prevention tab.

So – if you are or have recently been hyper, there may be a connection with lower vit D levels. However – a lot of people are probably hypo vit D and don’t know it.

I don’t know of a link with Graves and melanoma – but I believe there may be a vit D link. I know they are finding D is probably a cancer preventing agent. It is more of a hormone than a vitamen. Hope that helps. Good luck on the D. Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: C-Reactive Protein and Graves #1071927

Yes – Folic acid reduces blood levels of homocysteine – or so says my pharmacology book. I just bought some since my cholesterol is high. C

[cathycnm]

in reply to: C-Reactive Protein and Graves #1071926

I think I just read in my pharm book that they are finding folic acid is also helpful with this. I will look it up again for sure and post. Cathy

[cathycnm]

in reply to: aspartame? #1071989

Mamabear – Funny on the cubes.

Dianne and all – Last summer, when my endo had me on the low iodine diet, I started reading lables because things like some types of soy had iodine. I had gone with the less expensive sugar free ice tea and drink mixes. WOW – I read the lable and said "I can’t believe I thought this was better than diet pepsi?" I switched to lipten brand then – it uses splenda and does not have the dyes. It is the only low calorie sweetner actually derived from sucrose. I am not sure if it makes me feel different. But I feel like it is a healthier choice. I never cared for water – though I do drink more now. With the diuretic for my osteoporosis (calcium levels), I have upped my fluids a lot this year. I feel good about the healthier choice even though it costs a bit more. Cathy

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