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  #1   ^
Old Mon, Sep-10-18, 20:26
nawchem's Avatar
nawchem nawchem is offline
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Posts: 8,701
 
Plan: No gluten, CAD
Stats: 196.0/158.5/149.0 Female 62
BF:36/29.0/27.3
Progress: 80%
Default Will I be ok without any thyroid medication?

I don't have access to the T3 medication I've been taking since 2010. I ordered some from Mexico, it hasn't arrived and not sure they sent it. I ordered on Aug 5th, they never answered when I inquired the status. I've been taking half my usual, means I'm very dysfunctional, almost fired from my job, not attending my class anymore.

I will run completely out this Friday, my dr, who told me she won't treat my thyroid can't see me for 2 weeks.

Is there any solution? I have Hashimotos have lost 1/3 of my thyroid tissue. I have had high reverse T3 the 2 times I've been put on T4 containing meds. So excrutiating I don't think I can stand doing that to myself again.

What happens to me? Should I visit south of the US in person and try to bring something back?

This is on top of my untreated sleep disorder where I wake up 50 times a night.
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  #2   ^
Old Mon, Sep-10-18, 22:42
Ms Arielle's Avatar
Ms Arielle Ms Arielle is online now
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Posts: 19,177
 
Plan: atkins, carnivore 2023
Stats: 200/211/163 Female 5'8"
BF:
Progress: -30%
Location: Massachusetts
Default

Thyroid is complicated. Often if a doc knows the situation, they can offer other options to get meds asap.

As I said, thyroid is complicated. I have only half, and it seems to manage; on the other hand, my niece has zero, and must have supplement.

I was under the impression that the tissue will not produce as well when on meds.... left me with the impression that sometimes it cannot pick up the pace when meds are reduced.

But I don't consider myself an expert here. Just something you need to check out further.

As for your sleeping, or not, sleep is critical to good health. WOrth getting to the bottom of that. Do you feel safe where you are? Or is there noise that is intermittent, where a white noise would smooth over the erratic disruption? Hopefully not aches and pains keeping you awake.
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  #3   ^
Old Mon, Sep-10-18, 23:05
nawchem's Avatar
nawchem nawchem is offline
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Posts: 8,701
 
Plan: No gluten, CAD
Stats: 196.0/158.5/149.0 Female 62
BF:36/29.0/27.3
Progress: 80%
Default

That's interesting half a thyroid! Does it run in your family?

I have antibodies to my thyroid, when my own thyroid production increases it makes the protein antigen and my immune system attacks and destroys the tissues. So ideally I need to take enough medication to stop my thyroid production.

I am feeling very awful, crying and angry and just like a person that didn't sleep all night. It is my cpap machine. It technically expired 7 years ago! My dr said she wouldn't help me with thyroid or sleep after a whole year of going nearly every week crying and begging for help. I switched to another dr in this medical group. I just laid the sleep problem on her, not knowing this medication distribution problem would pop up.

I really like the neurologist my dr sent me to he ordered asap sleep study. Now I'm waiting for the sleep unit to walk to their fax machine and pick up the drs order. I have a sleep apnea like disorder instead of stop breathing my brain senses oxygen decrease and I wake up in all the rem cycles. I remember my dreams!
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  #4   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 11:02
nawchem's Avatar
nawchem nawchem is offline
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Posts: 8,701
 
Plan: No gluten, CAD
Stats: 196.0/158.5/149.0 Female 62
BF:36/29.0/27.3
Progress: 80%
Default

I'm really worried, I have to have my glucose taken every week a few times for my class and since I cut my thyroid back every class it is higher. For a few weeks it was 105, then 121, then 152, I haven't taken it the last 2 weeks. I break out in sweats. My hair is falling out again.

I had a heart arrhythmia associated with low thyroid PSVT that I took medication for but it went away when I got thyroid treatment.

I have the chance for a $3000 scholarship but I have to write essays and make a resume on their format and I don't have energy.

I've never heard of anyone having the awful medical care that I have.

I've been written up so many times at my job now. Luckily they can't keep anyone working there and no one will the take job. I don't know if I should take a leave of absence I can barely function.

I'm taking my National Certification exam on Friday. I guess I'll try to just sit and study and work and not worry.

Last edited by nawchem : Tue, Sep-11-18 at 11:33.
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  #5   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 11:17
Ms Arielle's Avatar
Ms Arielle Ms Arielle is online now
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Plan: atkins, carnivore 2023
Stats: 200/211/163 Female 5'8"
BF:
Progress: -30%
Location: Massachusetts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nawchem
That's interesting half a thyroid! Does it run in your family?


No, two very different causes to our problems. I had a tumor and the docs wanted the easy way out to take half the organs in my neck area. Lazy.

Quote:
I have antibodies to my thyroid, when my own thyroid production increases it makes the protein antigen and my immune system attacks and destroys the tissues. So ideally I need to take enough medication to stop my thyroid production.


why would you think for one minute that these meds are optional?

Quote:
I am feeling very awful, crying and angry and just like a person that didn't sleep all night. It is my cpap machine. It technically expired 7 years ago! My dr said she wouldn't help me with thyroid or sleep after a whole year of going nearly every week crying and begging for help. I switched to another dr in this medical group. I just laid the sleep problem on her, not knowing this medication distribution problem would pop up.


Do what ever you must to get your meds asap , and at the dose you function best on. BOrrow money if you need to.

Quote:

I really like the neurologist my dr sent me to he ordered asap sleep study. Now I'm waiting for the sleep unit to walk to their fax machine and pick up the drs order. I have a sleep apnea like disorder instead of stop breathing my brain senses oxygen decrease and I wake up in all the rem cycles. I remember my dreams!


"Walk" made me laugh. Figure you meant "talk".

Your brain is trying to keep you alive. Right now you are in emergency mode, and need to step thru this one step at a time. YOU CAN DO THIS. It is made much harder with a groggy brain. Caffeine is a short term fix. Will help you function during the day to get each step done. ( On top of work and studies.)
YOU CAN DO THIS.
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  #6   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 11:35
nawchem's Avatar
nawchem nawchem is offline
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Posts: 8,701
 
Plan: No gluten, CAD
Stats: 196.0/158.5/149.0 Female 62
BF:36/29.0/27.3
Progress: 80%
Default

Thanks Arielle!

Do you take any medication for thyroid?
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  #7   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 11:36
Ms Arielle's Avatar
Ms Arielle Ms Arielle is online now
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Posts: 19,177
 
Plan: atkins, carnivore 2023
Stats: 200/211/163 Female 5'8"
BF:
Progress: -30%
Location: Massachusetts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nawchem
I'm really worried, I have to have my glucose taken every week a few times for my class and since I cut my thyroid back every class it is higher. For a few weeks it was 105, then 121, then 152, I haven't taken it the last 2 weeks. I break out in sweats. My hair is falling out again.


Isnt this ALL due to the low thyroid hormones???

Quote:

I had a heart arrhythmia associated with low thyroid PSVT that I took medication for but it went away when I got thyroid treatment.


ummmm, keep pressing for thyroid meds.

Quote:

I have the chance for a $3000 scholarship but I have to write essays and make a resume on their format and I don't have energy.


This is way so many students turn to drugs. Im NOT in favor of illicit drugs, no, no , NO. BUT coffee and caffeine is legal, and is used pretty much by every AMerican based on the long lines at the coffee shops in the morning. Used carefully caffeine can help you function a little better. REALIZE too much can kill you. Keep to the amount in a cup of coffee. Drinks like "bull" need to be carefully monitored for content and how many.

Quote:

I've never heard of anyone having the awful medical care that I have.


Actually you are not alone-- this seems to be the norm. When I learn as much as I can about my own condition, as you do about yours, you see how poor the medical system is to help us. So use the system to get what you need.

Quote:

I've been written up so many times at my job now. Luckily they can't keep anyone working there and no one will the take job. I don't know if I should take a leave of absence I can barely function.


Do you need the money??????? If you take a leave, they will fill the job with a warm body. You will have to wait until that replacement person is gone to get the job back. WIll that work for you?

Take naps. I often sleep better by raising my head, and sleeping on my side, with my head tipped back. Like someone is about to give me mouth to mouth resuscitation. Even 15-20 minutes actually helps the brain work better in my personal experience.

You will likely need to stop all caffeine by a certain time. FOr me it is 6pm. Otherwise I am too wired to get to sleep no matter how much I try.

Also , sweets and carby foods raise serotonin. THis is a double edged sword. serotonin is a calming hormone, and is boosted by these foods. But it also saps your need to go-go-go.

Just take one day at a time!!!!

Make a written to do list-- reduce the strain on your brain. My kids use their phones to put in reminders like a scheduled event, to do a particular thing at a particular time. ie. one son puts in his meds reminders.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS !!!
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  #8   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 12:47
nawchem's Avatar
nawchem nawchem is offline
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Posts: 8,701
 
Plan: No gluten, CAD
Stats: 196.0/158.5/149.0 Female 62
BF:36/29.0/27.3
Progress: 80%
Default

Thanks for reading Arielle, it takes a weight off my mind to share this problem. Once I get my sleep study the doctor said he could give me a small amount of a stimulant. It sounds like the road to ruin taking stimulants to stay awake, then sleep medicine. Since I've slept into 2 car accidents, might be necessary.

I've sent a 2nd inquiry to the pharmacy, I prepaid for my medication. They've been great over the last 8 years.
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  #9   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 16:04
Ms Arielle's Avatar
Ms Arielle Ms Arielle is online now
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Posts: 19,177
 
Plan: atkins, carnivore 2023
Stats: 200/211/163 Female 5'8"
BF:
Progress: -30%
Location: Massachusetts
Default

Fingers crossed.

On long drives, I have often opened the window to have a big breeze on my face. Cold morning air whipping across the face is rather sobering. lol

Plan ahead, and keep yourself safe!!!

AN aside-- when my 13 year old confessed he used 'Bull" at lunch time at Scouts, I flipped. At summer camp he was staying up late, then needed to function during the day. NOT good. Bone headed move. But a save place to learn such a lesson, as he is not driving a car. Just a sail boat, and running here and there. {shaking head]

L-tyrosine and ADD meds do not work for those that are not ADD---apparently this can be a drug of choice for college students. THAT is a boneheaded move, as it has consequences for those that dont have ADD/ADHD. NEGATIVE consequences. Caffeine is a better choice. And a few jumping jacks. lol
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  #10   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 17:04
Emmie618 Emmie618 is offline
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Plan: Protein Power
Stats: 340/144/145 Female 62 inches
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I do not understand why your doctor will not treat your thyroid. If any doctor said that to me, I'd find another doctor.

With your talk of getting T3 via mail order, you seem to be self treating. NO ONE should ever self treat with thyroid hormones--that's why they are Rx only in the US. You can easily kill yourself with the wrong dosage.

All your symptoms could be traced to low thyroid, so you need a doctor to treat you ASAP.
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  #11   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 18:04
Ms Arielle's Avatar
Ms Arielle Ms Arielle is online now
Senior Member
Posts: 19,177
 
Plan: atkins, carnivore 2023
Stats: 200/211/163 Female 5'8"
BF:
Progress: -30%
Location: Massachusetts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by nawchem
Thanks Arielle!

Do you take any medication for thyroid?

No. Doc doesn't test carefully. So depend on output of one instead of two.
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  #12   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 18:09
Ms Arielle's Avatar
Ms Arielle Ms Arielle is online now
Senior Member
Posts: 19,177
 
Plan: atkins, carnivore 2023
Stats: 200/211/163 Female 5'8"
BF:
Progress: -30%
Location: Massachusetts
Default

You might plan ahead to develop a going to bed procedure. You shouldn't need drugs to go to sleep, if I'm understanding this all correctly. It's about getting the waking up fixed. I use white noise at night, aka tv, set on a PBS station as the volume is not increased during ads which would wake me.
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  #13   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 20:19
nawchem's Avatar
nawchem nawchem is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 8,701
 
Plan: No gluten, CAD
Stats: 196.0/158.5/149.0 Female 62
BF:36/29.0/27.3
Progress: 80%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Emmie618
I do not understand why your doctor will not treat your thyroid. If any doctor said that to me, I'd find another doctor.

With your talk of getting T3 via mail order, you seem to be self treating. NO ONE should ever self treat with thyroid hormones--that's why they are Rx only in the US. You can easily kill yourself with the wrong dosage.

All your symptoms could be traced to low thyroid, so you need a doctor to treat you ASAP.


My dr left practice suddenly and I've been dealing with the replacement. I ended up calling insurance they had approved my treatments, I finally realized holdup was getting the dr to sign off on what I needed thyroid wise and sleep study. She told me outright she wasn't going to help me and that was our last conversation. I started with new dr in the same group, I only asked for the sleep study and she ok'd it right away.

I saw a terrific thyroid dr who got me feeling terrific, the medication I like isn't on my insurance list and the reverse T3 isn't on their list either. So I stayed with my dosage and have gotten my own tests. Pharmacist told me they can tell insurance I need the drug and get covered, old doc had no reason not to help.

STTM site has a good explanation of all thyroid meds and the one from Mexico which I've done the best on has additives that are mostly foodlike except for talc. The other types have more chemicals that I don't metabolize well. The US Phizer version isn't awful, just not great.

I have had zero luck with Endocrinologists who just put me on synthroid. I end up with high rT3 which they claim no knows what it means. On top of remaining hypothyroid I get heart palpitations, high blood pressure and insomnia on synthroid, but they don't believe me.

My terrific dr is $400 and only gives 2 month prescriptions, she doesn't take insurance and I can't afford that right now.
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  #14   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 20:32
nawchem's Avatar
nawchem nawchem is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 8,701
 
Plan: No gluten, CAD
Stats: 196.0/158.5/149.0 Female 62
BF:36/29.0/27.3
Progress: 80%
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ms Arielle
No. Doc doesn't test carefully. So depend on output of one instead of two.

Gosh Arielle Mass should have some great drs with the great colleges around there. Mary Shomon's list of recommended thyroid drs has worked well for me every time. I haven't found 'specialist' to be the key but compassion and problem solver to be the important qualities. I also check out the other patients- if their all tired looking, overweight, pale and have poor hair quality the dr never pans out for me.

One of my issues is my life right now, school 8am and work until 11pm. I can never fall right asleep, I have to upwind after work. After I get my phlebotomy license I have to do my internship at lab corp that's graveyard and still work.

I tell myself one hard year, then I can sleep all I want. Have to get some grit, people have dealt with far harder things.
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  #15   ^
Old Tue, Sep-11-18, 21:41
Ms Arielle's Avatar
Ms Arielle Ms Arielle is online now
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Posts: 19,177
 
Plan: atkins, carnivore 2023
Stats: 200/211/163 Female 5'8"
BF:
Progress: -30%
Location: Massachusetts
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I think you are REMARKABLE!!!

I should look into Mary Shomon's list.

NO most doctors are terrible, even the umass doctors are not necessarily good. Maybe better than average, but I want MORE than average. WAY more. I feel like I am a g pig most of the time. Especially as I often know more than some of the docs I see regarding my own personal issues.

Yes, you need to make a winding down pattern. You follow the same sequence of events over and over, and then speed up the events. Of course, theses things must be conducive to going to sleep. Like: drop bag, get quick bite, take Mg, shower, warm cup of tea.Light reading then lights out. I used a pattern to get my kids to go to sleep at night. They still use it. Just takes a bit longer on nights they are out on the town ie scout night.
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