Well, today is day 49 from my switch from Tirosint/generic liothyronine to Armour. I'm disappointed that I didn't have a night and day experience but considering I started out on 60 mg alone and have now finally worked up to 120 mg/per day, things could have been a lot worse. I've been taking 60 mg at 7 AM and another 60 mg at 1 pm for three weeks and I'm trying to decide if I feel any better than I did on the synthetics. My peace of mind, as nutty as it may sound, is great. The ridges on the side of my tongue have improved dramatically. Not sure if it is related but it's a good thing because it is painful. I was hoping to loose the fatigue but have not. It has improved so it would be fair to assume my continued WD means my MC is still an active part of the picture and contributes to the fatigue. I haven't had labs done yet so I may be in for a rude awakening but in general, I would guess they will hit the same mark as before. My doctor did not want to increase my dose beyond 90 mg but was willing to let me try, warning that he won't go any higher. It's a wait and see for right now until we can see some numbers. I am thankful he has an open mind. I'm not sure, at this point, if 120 mg is a tad too high because I did have slight and infrequent little flutters when I first started that dose but now I don't notice it as much. I've experienced being over-medicated twice since my thyroidectomy so I have no doubt what it feels like.
Most recently, I believe taking too much hormone, sparked an MC flare in which I started Entocort again. It has not done anything more than settle night time rumblings so I've started the tapering process again. My GI is now wants regular visits for follow up so I'm kicking myself in the behind for that one. I've made it clear I have D, have had it since 2007, and will not take prednisone again or try a biologic. I know I have to check in with them but it's frustrating to take time off work and waste my time for a visit that consists of reviewing what I just stated above and getting a pat on the back and a big bill. I'm sure it's frustrating for them too but when I am careful with my diet I have no stomach aches so dealing with the D is what I'm used to. I struggle with the thoughts that I may be doing more harm than good by having continued inflammation. I was hoping switching to Armour would be that last piece of the puzzle.
Even though I haven't had the Ta-Da!!! experience that I wanted, I know I am doing better because I am basically working a part time job in addition to my regular job because I am involved with writing a centennial book for my my Village and my free time has been consumed by this project. I love it and know I would have never been able to do this a few years ago. I struggle at times but I have improved so I need to be satisfied with baby steps and keep moving forward. I don't feel as plagued with brain fog as I used to so for that reason alone I will declare Armour a success. I know I could make improvements with my diet. I avoid all gluten but know I've had slips with soy and dairy. It doesn't' change my D at all but I do notice a stomach ache with soy and achey finger and toe joints with dairy. The same with legumes and nightshades...... I don't know if they do or don't bother me since I have no clear indicators but eat them more regularly than maybe I should.
My next step is to take the plunge and declare my new internal medicine doc as my primary and sever all ties with my endo and PCP. I have not notified them yet of the change. Spring is the time for my annual ultrasound and the anxiety that goes with it. Now I will not be under the care of an endo and that makes me a little nervous. Although, when I look back to 2013 and the three endos I had...... their title did me no favors. If I have issues in the future I will need to establish a new endo (new facility) and go from there knowing that my new doc will be supportive and I will have already been taking Armour successfully so there should be no reason to change.
Update on MC and switch to Armour
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Update on MC and switch to Armour
Deb
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
Deb,
Your update definitely sounds more upbeat, so you're clearly feeling better. And good for you for taking on the part time work. Being able to do that has to be very gratifying.
I have to agree with you that you haven't lost much by parting ways with your previous 3 endos. How could anyone be able to feel well and perform at their best when they're constantly at odds with some guy in a white coat pretending to be helping when he actually couldn't care less about how his patients feel as a result of his indifference to their needs.
Surely, if we keep searching, some day we will find the last piece of the puzzle in those MC cases that refuse to respond to treatment. The odds are stacked against us because the disease is able to select the triggers to which it responds, and it rarely provides any hints that would help us to figure out what they are.
Good luck with your thyroid test results, and the upcoming scan.
And thanks for the update.
Tex
Your update definitely sounds more upbeat, so you're clearly feeling better. And good for you for taking on the part time work. Being able to do that has to be very gratifying.
I have to agree with you that you haven't lost much by parting ways with your previous 3 endos. How could anyone be able to feel well and perform at their best when they're constantly at odds with some guy in a white coat pretending to be helping when he actually couldn't care less about how his patients feel as a result of his indifference to their needs.
Surely, if we keep searching, some day we will find the last piece of the puzzle in those MC cases that refuse to respond to treatment. The odds are stacked against us because the disease is able to select the triggers to which it responds, and it rarely provides any hints that would help us to figure out what they are.
Good luck with your thyroid test results, and the upcoming scan.
And thanks for the update.
Tex
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.
Thanks Tex, things still may not be ideal but at least I'm still moving forward.
I've been collecting articles, stories, pictures, etc. for the past eleven months and am now trying to put it together in a book. I have a few people helping me but it was a project that should have started three years ago. The history is amazing. It's too bad I have to work everyday because this could easily be a full time job. The best part has been talking with the elders in the Village who have the best stories. Just not enough time in the day.
I've been collecting articles, stories, pictures, etc. for the past eleven months and am now trying to put it together in a book. I have a few people helping me but it was a project that should have started three years ago. The history is amazing. It's too bad I have to work everyday because this could easily be a full time job. The best part has been talking with the elders in the Village who have the best stories. Just not enough time in the day.
Deb
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
2007 CC
2013 thyroid cancer- total thyroidectomy
2013 Hashimoto's - numbers always "normal"
2017 Lyme's Disease
I hear you. Writing takes a lot of time. And taking shortcuts doesn't help the quality of the finished product.
Good luck getting it finished on schedule.
Tex
Good luck getting it finished on schedule.
Tex
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.