[erobinson219]

in reply to: Osteopenia – Medicate or not? #1062268

Good advice.

My TSH was .02 and abnormal when it was last checked and I have since lowered my synthroid dosage. It wasn’t in that range for too long since I do get it checked once or twice a year. However, I probably was hyperthyroid for many years before diagnosed and treated so who knows how much damage that did. I did take steroids for a period of months for the TED more than 2 years ago now I think – so not sure if how much impact that had.

I do know that there is more I can do naturally to address this with exercise, supplements, diet and drinking plenty of fluids. I also had a vitamin D deficiency that I was treated for over 2 years ago with rx strength D. I have been remiss over the past year and need to get back on track.

I think what I am going to do is get the natural things in place, research the meds, and check my bone density in a year to see if it changed at all. If it gets a lot worse at that time, I can be in a more educated position to make the decision again to medicate or not.

I realize that I can’t go by all the reports online..but I do have some serous doubts and need more information before going down the med route.

Because one can still build bone – there is hope to reverse this naturally.

Thanks.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Osteopenia – Medicate or not? #1062265

I think I need to look for a doctor I can trust. That’s probably the first thing to do and wait on any medication until then. The doc who prescribed in the latest doc in the immediate care center I go to for just basic stuff. I think he’s ok for routine colds, spraines, etc – but am concerned about his judgment in latest research or outside his realm of experience – he’s a bit of an old coot – nice but not sure if he can call this one.

Maybe I should go back to my orthopedic guy and ask. Too bad I already know one – huh?

Thanks for the advice. I am going to keep reading from all sources. It scares me a bit not only how some people have bad reactions after only 1 pill – but that some more recent research shows no reduction in fracture even taking the meds for a long time. If that’s true then what is the point?

I am curious as to why taking thyroid medication such as synthroid can increase risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Osteopenia – Medicate or not? #1062263

Thanks for your response. I would be interest in the U of Washington reference. I started looking online and can’t believe what I am reading. i am scared enough to not take the pill I just paid $35 for (it would have been $84 a pill without my insurance). this is what i read so far –

http://www.topix.com/forum/who/sally-fi … 74R3RO3U92

http://www.healthiertalk.com/these-drug … bones-3260

Yikes. I think I’ll start with all the naturals and find out find out more.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Help ! Work Issues from Eye Issues #1069285

well,I worked form home this week and the change of lighting seemed to help some. But due to enormous amount of work currently on the plate, i was am putting in over 12 hours work a day on the computer. By wed, thu my eyes flared up real bad again. Now I think the computer work itself is part of the problem. Yikes – I won’t be able to do my job without most of the time at the computer.

Can my eyes survive computer screen use several hours a day?

Other than taking lots of breaks, I wonder if I should go out and spend a few hundred bucks on some specks that will help reduce the eye strain. With my eye prescription , this wil cost me about $500.

Also, I have to go to a plastic reconstructive orbital surgeon for the plugs. The first appt I can get is Sept 17 just for initial visit – GEEZ. So long a time to go yet and on;t even know if that is going to help anyway.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Help ! Work Issues from Eye Issues #1069284

I asked my boss if I could work from home this week and he was ok with it. I have to test the changes in the environments and narrow down what works and doesn’t. Home is a bit better since I can turn down the lighting and put the gooey gel in my eyes a few times a day. I already had my computer monitor changes so that’s not it. The overhead flourescent lighting seems to be particularly bad. Also my home seems to be more humid. I put my sunglasses on a lot but things don’t appear quite as clear reading a computer screen.

I think I have to try the plugs since this is just too unbearable. My quality of life and job performance have suffered. My whole outlook on life has suffered. I work for a very large company so they should have no issue with making accomodations for me – I just have to figure out what those are. They already said they would remove the bulbs over my cube. It’s worth a try but I doubt it will be enough.

If this situation actually qualified for disability that would be ok by me. I’d still get paid a good buck. Somehow I bet that it’s not that easy to qualify. Temporary maybe – until I try all options. But I fear that they will get rid of my position if I take too much time off or need too much accommodation.

I don’t think anyone realizes how much your eyes affect your ability not only to see – but how you feel and how you think. That part is hard to understand or expect others to – but it is real for sure.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Vitamin D Deficiency #1071915

what is greek yogurt????

my passion right now – other than trying every cheese in the store that is being sampled – is freshly made mozzerella. i probably can’t totally blame my thyroid and vitamin condition on the craving for this but it is like a pregnancy craving…. i want to leran how to make it at home now

let’s see if getting the vitamin D deficiency under control changes that – i will be very interested in knowing if my body was yelling at me or not

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Vitamin D Deficiency #1071913

I wonder if that’s why I crave cheeses right now…

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Dexamethasone withdrawal #1073509

It has been since end of Jan since I took my last dex pill and in Feb it was the wrost with the joint pain. I have to say that I may finally be turning the corner on this one. The pain – especially in my knees is still there but so very much less – and getting better every week. I finally felt good enough to start walking this past weekend – about a half mile. It felt good. I have hope that I am now getting past this – and never want to take this drug again!!!

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Artificial tears and eye makeup #1071907

Before and after photos is a great idea. Brave too.

I have to use eye makeup – just some light mascara and liner – or else I look REALLY bad in my opinion. I will try the waterproof stuff again –and make sure I find a decent non-irritating remover so I can "water" my eyes during the day. Not sure if I can do anything for one eye being bigger than the other now. That is a recent development. The doc says one eye is getting samller – less bulge. Good news on the improvement – bad news on the new odd look.

Thanks.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Vitamin D Deficiency #1071911

Thanks for the info. I find this just fascinating. My doctor put me on 5000 units a day for 5 days and then said to take once a month. I will get it checked again and monitor it since it may very well be linked to other issues that could be helped thru maintaining propoer levels. I am going for my first bone density sacn this weekend so I will find out just where I am with any bone loss situation. Hope it’s not too bad.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Autoimmune Disorders #1073369

I looked back at my thyroid lab tests done and I can’t find any for Free T3. The tests doen are TSH 3rd Generation, T4 Total, T3 UPtake, T4 Free Calculated and T3 Total. All these are now in normal range. I also had Thyroid Peroxidase AB, Thyroglobulin and Thyrogloublin AB, TBII, TSI. All of these are not normal.

My allergies have been very tough to deal with. I have been getting weekly shots for a year now and am very slowly progressing. Much more slowly than most other people. I wonder if Graves has anything to do with that.

The positive ANA with nucleolar pattern is a new thing I have to find out more about when I see a rheumatologist. I feel like my health is going in the wrong direction.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Autoimmune Disorders #1073362

I was justed tested and got a positive ANA result with a titre of 1:320 and a nucleolar pattern. It says that the result is associated with systemic sclerosis. This is also called scleroderma. I have to go to a rheumatologist now for evalluation and further tests. I am hoping that this is not going to be the final diagnosis. Not sure if it is realetd to Graves or if I may have another auoimmune disorder yet or not. The RF result was normal so it does not sound like it could be RA. I searched the site and it does not appear that anyone else discussed this disorder before so I hope that means there is a good chance that I don’t have it since it does not seem to be associated. Too early to tell what it means yet. I would be interested in anyone that did get positive ANA results with a nucleolar pattern though. What else can it possibly mean?

I wonder if there is a board like this for other automimmune disorders such as scleroderma to check in with.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Treatments for Eyes #1073505

I have not yet tried night-time ointments. thanks for the tip!

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Are normal levels always normal? #1072938

Part of what i struggle with is what is related to my graves disease and what is just me? For instance, I talk a lot. Is that thyroid hormone? If I talk more or less is that T4 talking? I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to figure that stuff out. especially since I can’t really remember what I was like before being first diagnosed at the age of 31 and now I am 54.

[erobinson219]

in reply to: Weight Loss Success Stories #1073030

I am interested in the idea of going to a nutritionist. No one ever eecommended that to me before. Does insurance cover that? What doe it cost and how often does one need to usually go?

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