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Linda R.
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Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 7:54 pm
Location: Utah

Hello. I'm new.

Post by Linda R. »

Hello. My name is Linda and I'm new to this site and I'm trying to figure out how to introduce myself to everyone. I've been diagnosed with Graves Disease/hyperthyroidism. I'm reacting to the Methimazole. I have itchy rash patches all over me. I'm taking Aller Tec, Benedryl and prescription hyrdrocortisol??? to manage the hives. It seems to have helped to be on the beta blocker as far as my heart rate and blood pressure. I'm not in remission in fact my numbers are showing that it's pushing me into type 2 diabetes. I have a moderate case and but my numbers are still high. I'm not thrilled with the idea of RIA at all (actually not any of the options but there's not much choice with this) and I'm leaning more towards the surgery...if I can't get this under control with medication. I'd rather wait to use PTU as a back up if needed. My purpose for talking today is that I usually talk to my daughter about what's going on and she just left for an 18 month mission for our church. I realized that I was writing about my health more than I think I should...she needs to be focused on her mission. My friend, JoAnne, introduced me to this site... So, I'm taking a leap of faith in introducing myself to new people to help me process what I'm experiencing. Is that ok? I hadn't thought about the filler ingredients in the medications as to being a problem...since I am intolerant to several things. I feel like I'm an 80 year old woman in a 45 year old body... it can be challenging to remain cheerful when I'm feeling like my health is staring me in the face. I'm in pain alot, nauseated constantly, weak as could be but I'm up, I can move, I can breathe, I can type, I can change how I think about what's happening to me and how I respond to it all is where my agency counts...it's just hard and I sometimes want to cry but then I'm thinking that I have a family who needs me to keep it all together and focus on the positive. Anyway, I thought I'd just write down what's going on in my heart and thank you all for the patience in allowing me to do it.
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JoAnn
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Post by JoAnn »

Hi Linda, I'm glad you posted. You will be amazed at the love and support of this board. I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to mention to the board that you are gluten intolerant and have other food sensitivities, and even though you haven't been officially diagnosed with MC, you seem to have many symptoms of it. I'm also going to mention that they tested you for celiac, but it was negative. Linda and I attend the same church and she found out that I had problems with gluten and came to me last December wondering how I managed. She's been through lot and as she posted above, has recently found out that in addition to her food sensitivities, she is dealing with Graves disease. I know this board will wrap their arms around her and give her the emotional support and advice she needs to find her path to healing. Love JoAnn
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. John Wayne
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Joefnh
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Post by Joefnh »

First hello Joann, it's good to see you again.

Linda hello and welcome to the group! You have a great friend, Joann has been a ray of sunshine here on this site for quite a while. You most certainly are always welcome to come here and write whatever is on your mind and ask whatever you like, this is a great group of people here and you can now consider yourself part of this family....welcome!!

It does sound like you are dealing with a few different issues all at once, that can be confusing and frightening. I can empathize a bit as I have a few health irons on the fire at the moment as well. Like you, I just started taking a heart med to help with a rapid heart rate and a bit of high blood pressure, the atenolol did help that. I'm a 80 year old man in a 47 year old body...I totally understand your version of that statement.

First up as I'm sure Joann has mentioned getting your diet under control is important, you don't have to wait for a doctor to tell you what your body is already telling you. When we react to certain foods, our bodies are telling us we should not be eating that food, its that simple. I'm not sure if you have been able to fully address the gluten and other dietary issues yet, but those are very important and will most likely help with your other health issues, often all of these issues are connected. Many of us have found that once our dietary issues were understood and addressed, many of the other health issues improved.

I'll let others talk about the Graves disease, I know there are several folks here who deal with thyroid issues (both hyper and hypo) so I'm sure someone will chime in shortly.

I'll finish this note with a simple welcome to group Linda, we look forward to hearing more about your journey.
Joe
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tex
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Post by tex »

Linda,

In addition to what I posted on your other thread, another reason why you need to end the allergic reaction as soon as it is practical to do so, is the problems that can develop in your GI system, if the mast cell reactions in your skin are allowed to continue. While the two issues may seem to be disconnected, they actually are linked. While there are slight differences (such as the mucosa on the surface of the interior of the intestines), the epithelia of the skin and the epithelia of the intestines (and the rest of the GI tract) are very similar, and both are loaded with mast cells. Consequently, what happens with one, influences the other.

For example, many of us who have MC also have skin issues (eczema and similar problems) that occur only when our MC is active, and vice versa. That means that if we allow the inflammation in one location to continue, the other epithelia is going to also become inflamed, and clinical symptoms will often be triggered. One of the common symptoms is nausea, which is associated with gastric inflammation, because the entire GI tract can be involved, not just the intestines.

If you would like to learn more about mast cell issues for people who have food sensitivities and/or autoimmune diseases, please read the articles at the links listed in my first post in the thread at this link:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17780

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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tex
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Post by tex »

Joe,

Regarding your heart rate/BP issues, have you been checked (recently) for the antibodies that mark Grave's disease?

It's always something, isn't it.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Joefnh
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Post by Joefnh »

Hi Tex, I was last tested for thyroid about a year ago and those results were fine. What I will need to look up is what type of test for the thyroid function was performed.

I'm actually going into see a neurologist this week for a consultation and I'm guessing they will want to run another thyroid test fairly soon.
Joe
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