It let me back on after I got some help. Thanks to those of you who took the time to fix me and who also sent me emails and sites to check out...

The burning pain is fired up again-maybe stress has aggravated it. This began right after I had radioactive iodine for a thyroid scan. AlkaSeltzer and ice has helped some. I am a little better today than I was yesterday. Does iodine sometimes do this to PN?

The pneumonia is much better now. I have no bacteria left in my whole body good, bad or otherwise, thanks to the antibiotics.

The surgeon is concerned about how surgery will affect me. Hesuggested waiting 6 months for a repeat Ultrasound. The Endocrinologist and Internist still insist the thyroid has to come out. I don't see myself waiting 6 months. If I had not had childhood radium exposure, I might think about that.

I had hoped I might find someone who could do the least amount of cutting, etc., so the flareup might be at a minimum-don't care about the scar. I did found an out-of-state endocrine surgeon, affiliated with a university, who has done minimally invasive surgery with conscious anesthesia. He also does some type of block, which is supposed to help with pain during recovery. I vascilate between wanting it done here, hoping for the best and then the above option.

Dahlek, early on when I first was diagnosed with PN, I had IVIGG's. Every time bloodwork was run right after the IV's, my autoantibodies would either be considerably reduced or within normal range.

My suggestion on finding an Endocrinologist is to ask other patients who they have seen that they are happy with. Frankly, I would take a good Nurse Practioner over a doc who Uh huhs and Hmmms all through the appointment any day of the week...

Thank you for all of your support,
Cathie