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Post by kat on Feb 8, 2015 11:32:02 GMT -6
Hi Everyone...Winter has been brutal here in PA. Cannot wait to turn the clocks AHEAD in March. I hope everyone is feeling well on whatever thyroid medicine you are taking. It was one year February 6th that I went back to the levoxyl. A journey I will never forget but I have gratitude for all who gave support and encouragement. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANET/ Hope all is well with you. HAPPY VALENTINES to everyone. All of you are always in my heart, prayers and thoughts...Love...Kat
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Post by Janet on Feb 8, 2015 14:36:58 GMT -6
Hi Kat I am so happy to see you post  Winter has been bad here but not like last year. It's 33 here today, that's like a heat wave for Chicago in Feb. LOL I am so glad your Levoxyl is working well for you. Thank you so much for the Happy Birthday  I hope everybody is doing well. Janet |
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Post by Janet on Feb 17, 2015 21:20:30 GMT -6
Hi Everybody,
I hope you are all doing well. 
However ... I never see many people posting any side effects. We need to hear the GOOD and the BAD experiences
just like the board we originally met on.
I know there are people still struggling and we really need to hear from you and see you post all of your
experiences, blood work, side effects and even "feeling great" comments. After all, that's why I worked so hard
to make this board for us (and I was so absolutely happy to do it) when the other one was so rudely taken away from us.
I hope this finds you all well and "thyroid happy" BUT if it does or doesn't - we are all here to support one another.
Also what is everybody taking? I am taking Levoxyl and feeling pretty good but not like before the recall 
Janet
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Post by Janet on Mar 5, 2015 1:33:47 GMT -6
I copied this from searching I did today.
Bonnie, I think you are still hypo from everything I have read. See below:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. But in general, any problems you have tend to develop slowly, often over a number of years.
At first, you may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and weight gain, or you may simply attribute them to getting older. But as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms. Hypothyroidism signs and symptom may include:
Fatigue
Increased sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Dry skin
Unexplained weight gain
Puffy face
Hoarseness
Muscle weakness
Elevated blood cholesterol level
Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
Thinning hair
Slowed heart rate
Depression
Impaired memory
Swollen tongue or scalloped tongue
When hypothyroidism isn't treated, signs and symptoms can gradually become more severe. Constant stimulation of your thyroid gland to release more hormones may lead to an enlarged thyroid (goiter). In addition, you may become more forgetful, your thought processes may slow, or you may feel depressed.
Advanced hypothyroidism, known as myxedema, is rare, but when it occurs it can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms include low blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased body temperature, unresponsiveness and even coma. In extreme cases, myxedema can be fatal.
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Post by Janet on Mar 5, 2015 1:51:37 GMT -6
Bonnie,
I don't think Levoxyl is perfect but I am not really having the issues that you are.
I am so sorry this is so difficult for you but it seems you really need to find a Dr or go to an emergency
room if you feel so bad that you are seriously talking about where to be buried!!!
I am very concerned about you and think you need to seek emergency medical help ASAP!
Janet
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Post by kat on Mar 5, 2015 6:42:44 GMT -6
Hi Everyone..... I am so tired of winter and cold///.Happy March to all. I am feeling so much better. I really believe the essence of the new levoxyl is the test of time and patience. I cannot take anything else and always remember the terrible, dark days on Sandoz and being HYPO. I go for blood work on March 20th and pray everything continues to be NORMAL. When my CANCER returned last year, I already have a compromised immune system, I really do not know if I would have had the strength without the levoxyl to continue the ongoing battle that is yet to be won. A close and dear friend of mine was diagnosed with kidney cancer, a nodule on his lung and a blood clot in his stomach. He is a diabetic (like me) and has Parkinson's disease and NEVER whines or complains. He goes to a job five days a week and also lost his only SON four years ago. Life is not easy but the faith in God and the necessary friend support systems and coping skills will make it easier. I pray for everyone on this Forum everyday and again thank Janet for all her time and effort into making this a reality. I have talked to many people on the new levoxyl who have made the necessary adjustments and moved on with their lives. God Bless all of you and stay consistent on whatever thyroid medicine you are taking...Love...Kat
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Post by kat on Mar 5, 2015 12:58:50 GMT -6
Hi Again...I wanted this addendum to my previous message. Bonnie and everyone who is blaming levoxyl...instead of using Pfizer to analyze the levoxyl pills we are currently taking let us all pitch in and hire an INDEPENDENT CHEMIST and everyone will send their pills and have a second and concurrent analysis along with Pfizer. Karen from the old blog can be contacted and has the necessary resources in this field and can be trusted to find a reputable Chemist and resolve the results and contact us. I call Pfizer and express gratitude for the levoxyl. I hope that I receive feed back on the hiring of the Chemist. Then if it is not the PILL then what?  ??.......Kat |
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Post by Janet on Mar 5, 2015 21:01:03 GMT -6
Kat,
Sounds good to me. I have contacted Karen and asked her to be admin of this board. She has so much knowledge and could be
so helpful. I hope she is willing to do this.
I hope everybody's doing well and thanks Kat for that suggestion. I feel pretty good with what I am taking but I'm in, if
everybody wants to do that.
Sorry I haven't be on much. I am sad to say my dog passed away and I have just been so very depressed and missing her
so much. Not the one in my picture but my sweet little Schnauzer Slinky.
Janet
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Post by Karen on Mar 6, 2015 9:36:45 GMT -6
Janet: I am so very sorry to hear about your Slinky passing away. I am living on the edge myself with Whisper as she is 12 years and 8 months old. I have never had a collie live over age 13. However, her bloodwork is excellent, she walks a half mile twice a day, and she is doing so well. It is so important to give our kiddos exercise. As well as ourselves.
My heart goes out to you Janet. Hopefully the pain of her loss will pass quickly. Spring is coming and that is always renewing and healing.
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Post by Janet on Mar 7, 2015 8:28:30 GMT -6
Karen, Thanks so much! I am just so sad. She was only 8 and had a horrible disease that just hit her out of nowhere. It's IMHA and fully explained on this site. www.vin.com/animalicious/default.aspx?pid=756&catId=5860&id=5774643. I have had dogs my entire life and never ever heard of this disease. I just miss her so much. She was so sweet and smart and funny. The morning is hardest - waking up to her no longer being here. Our other dog Rigby, pictured here is sad too but he's starting to come around. They were very bonded. I hope your dog lives to be 20 Sounds like she is in excellent health. Thanks again Karen, I know you get how hard this is ... |
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Post by kat on Mar 7, 2015 19:34:39 GMT -6
Hi Everyone....Janet, I am so SORRY about he loss of your precious SLINKY. My two SOUL-=Cats...Harley and Ozzie went to CAT COTTAGE on the OTHER SIDE and I have TWO PSYCHO BABIES...KAYLEY AND BENNIE WHO keep me running ALL the time. again, my deepest sympathy. I know having Rigby NEVER replaces Slinky but I know it helps. Karen....WELCOME back. I really missed you. Hope you are feeling better.....Love...KAT
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Post by Karen on Mar 7, 2015 22:20:53 GMT -6
Sue: I also noticed I have not been getting notifications by e mail when a new message posted.
I have not been active due to my being hypo again and when the TSH went over 10.0 the A Fib came back, yet not as severely. I had heart beats of 125 per minute in lieu of 150-200. At any rate, now that I am on my way back to normal thyroid, AGAIN, I am three days without A Fib. Fortunately, ALL is OK. I new it was thryoid, and told the DRS of my past history, but when I came out of the hospital last Monday the instructions were to decrease the thyroid to 75 mcg. I took the initiative and started the 125. I was able to talk to a cardiologist last Wednesday and he confirmed my feeling, that the thyroid was the primary issue to address here and I should definitely be on the full strength thyroid to get rid of the A Fib. So that is something we must consider when one has long term hypothyroid and is over 50. A FIB is NO fun. It is definitely a life threatening event. My blood PT levels were within therapeutic levels so there was no concern about throwing a clot that could cause a stroke. This was done ONLY on Natural VIT E with all 8 parts(4 parts tocopherols and 4 parts tocotrienols). The hospital DR at Sharp Memorial in SAN even approved it. She was very aware of its ability to be used as an anticoagulant. She was not aware however of the hypothyroid connection to A FIB which I found common among DRS,
I don't find fault with the DR - just be sure and be AWARE of your body and its needs and never be afraid of asserting yourself with DRS, They are only human beings like us. Most do NOT keep up with the research.
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Post by Janet on Mar 8, 2015 0:09:48 GMT -6
Hi everybody, Thanks for the posts about my sweet dog. I miss her so much but am focusing on Rigby and getting past the horrible sad. I put a new picture of him on just now. He is just so cute He isn't really a small dog. He's really gotten tall and weighs about 33 pounds. Does anybody know how to put this board on a search engine?? I am working on it but could use any help. I am checking on that now and will keep trying. |
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Post by Janet on Mar 8, 2015 0:29:53 GMT -6
Ok ... I have submitted our board to bing.com search. I am not sure what happens now LOL
I also submitted it to appear in this boards forum page for searching. It make take a week to show up.
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Post by Karen on Mar 8, 2015 9:51:20 GMT -6
Janet:
I was wondering if changing the name of the forum to (something like) "Continuation of the Old Mary Shomon Forum, "Levoxyl Shortage Effecting Patients" would help past commentors find us and maybe attract new people. Wording has to be worked out on that suggestion!
I hope to get myself logged in correctly this afternoon so I don't have to prove I am human every time I make a comment.
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Post by kat on Mar 8, 2015 12:24:45 GMT -6
Karen...I am so sorry about your continuing issues with thyroid medicine . Our new Medical Profession does not know how to treat people like us who do not fit into the MEDICAL NORM. I hope what you are doing works and you get healthy SOON. I do not agree with renaming this Forum except if we include JANET the individual who put all her time and effort into making this happen. I still think Mary was cruel for just wiping out the old blog. Some of were not ready to be cut loose and still needed the support. Maybe there is a way to tell people about the former relationship with the Mary Shomon Blog and just move on. I pray for all of us every single day and night...Love...Kat
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Post by Karen on Mar 9, 2015 13:40:13 GMT -6
I never thought about that KAT - you are right!
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Post by Janet on Mar 10, 2015 1:14:12 GMT -6
Hi, Thank you Kat and Karen but we can call it anything you guys want as long as it gets noticed. I am hoping it shows up in a search soon. I checked and it isn't now but it stated it may take a week. Janet |
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Post by karenandcollie on Mar 11, 2015 8:04:31 GMT -6
Janet:
I am now logged in. My Avatar comes out as "Moderator" Can you change that, if not no problem.
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Post by karenandcollie on Mar 11, 2015 9:01:57 GMT -6
I have been reading up on Prednisone. It was mentioned a few times on this forum, but I am not sure who is taking it.
I understand Prednisone is the synthetic version of Cortisone and Hydrocortisone with a LOT of dangerous side effects. I took it years ago to reduce sinus swelling. Did the doctor ever suggest the natural version? I am copying a section from a Book" Prescription Alternatives", written in 2003 by Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD, with Virginia Hopkins, MA on the natural versions of Prednisdone, which are Cortisone and Hydrocortisone.
" Hydrocortisone (Natural): This hormone is another classic example of drug company profits taking precedence over your health. When Prednisone and the other synthetic patentable and much more profitable cortisone-type drugs were invented some 50 years ago, hydrocortisone was all but forgotten, and research on it came to a standstill.
"Prednisone and the other synthetic cortisones are renowned for their nasty, life-destroying side effects. And yet, for many people who need them, low doses of cortisone or hydrocortisone, the natural forms of glucocorticoids, cause few or minimal side effects. If you are taking a synthetic cortisone and want a wonderful source of good information on cortisones, read the book "The Safe Uses of Cortisol" by William Mc Jefferies, M. D. , FACP(Charles C Thomas Publisher, 1996).
"Cortisone and cortisol are important glucocorticoid adrenal hormones that regulate dozens of functions in the body, but especially inflammation and immune response. They are widely used to treat autoimmune diseases such a lupus and arthritis, because of their immune-suppressing properties , and severe inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and psoriasis. They are also used to treat adrenal insufficiency, a condition of "tired" adrenal glands that aren't producing enough hormones. People with transplanted organs usually take cortisone-type drugs for life to supess their body's rejection reaction.
"A lot of low level adrenal insufficiency, especially in women, is diagnosed as chronic fatigue. It is not severe enough to show up as Addison's Disease, a severe deficiency of cortisone, but it is enough to cause chronic fatigue, low blood pressure and chronic allergies. Again if you think you might fall into that category, read Jefferie's book.
"Taking hydrocortisone drugs can suppress your own adrenal function if you take too much over a long period of time. They should be used with great care, in the smallest possible dose to alleviate symptoms, over the shortest possible period of time.
"Chronic stress over a long period of time is what usually causes tired adrenal glands, and rest is the best medicine. Licorice root in a tea or tincture form can also be helpful, as it supports glucocorticoid function. Some of the nutrients important to adrenal function include vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E."
I hope readers find this information helpful!
Karen
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??.......Kat