Wow!
 

I've been thinking about you too Mrs. D!!!! I was going to hunt up this post to ask. Both you and Roxie were on my mind. I'm just so glad the big C scare is over. The island is calling you. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! :hug:

But do let us hear from you every now and then.

Billye

The waiting part is over....
 

No sirens or fire alarms to respond to!
Go play! - j

Glad the cancer scare is over. I do have a friend that had her thyroid removed about five years ago and she is doing fine.
My husband has issues with high cholesterol and in fact, I was thinking of posting about this. The statin drugs have been difficult for him. The one he has recently started taking...Crestor (sp?) seems to be a little better. I did read on the Internet that Zetia combined with Niacin gets either the same or almost the same results. I am looking for more information...
I hope you continue to feel better.

YAY Mrs D!!!!!:hug:

Soooo good to hear this, MrsD. I hope you have a lovely, happy vacation and come back all rested up and raring to go...


Cathie

P.S. Will post a little on my own thyroid biopsy, if I can find the thread...

:hug: Sending vibes for whatever you need them for: Comfort, peace, healing...any and all of the above.

That is so great and I'm happy for you. This trip can be a celebration. Don't party too much. Take care

Thanks, everyone....
 

It is nice to have support here. I don't ask often, but it is wonderful that you are all here, when I needed you!

You know I'd like to share this thing....medical anxiety is just very hard to deal with, and I don't think the medical establishment does much to help and in fact creates MORE. They make "fun" of the internet, and don't want us to contribute many times.

I've been thinking today, --I managed to lower my total cholesterol 50 pts from last reading. The LDLs down 20... but that was not reinforced and I did not get a pat on the back. Instead I got another Lipitor lecture, from my doctor's partner 2 wks ago and yesterday from my regular doc. So what are we supposed to do...? go home guilty? Not to mention the lab screw up and Caremark screw up... and this was over a relatively minor thing...I guess that is why I got so anxious. How can we TRUST doctors anymore? I am still doing the major work, in avoiding harm, and trying to stay healthy. And I have good insurance and still don't have my lisinopril yet! Caremark is not going to get the rewritten RX this time:rolleyes: ... I am taking it to Costco today (lower prices on copay which mine is a %) ! I am drafting a major complaint with Caremark, now that I am off work and have that extra stress energy available now!:confused:

That's just fantastic news Mrs D, i am so happy for you. :)

You are not alone in the "Lipitor" lecture. I think I posted here some time back that my Internist thinks it should be put in drinking water... If they do that, I will have to find something other than water to drink.

Why are they lecturing you? I would think they would be happy to see that you have been able to drop it. Perhaps it will even drop more. By the way, how did you do that, if you don't mind me asking?

You are not alone in feeling mistrust with your doctors. This issue for me has improved though, when I got rid of some of my doctors. I find it stressful having to watch out for my own care without the medical knowledge one needs to do so...

Cathie

well, each person is different...
 

The fact that the whole cholesterol shebang was CREATED from faulty data, and then massaged and twisted to look good, when there is little truth, well, that bothers me alot.

So yesterday, my doctor shootches up to me to do the blood pressure...
this is when she usually delivers her coup... putting my arm against her side and sliding on the cuff... She says " I take Lipitor you know, and it works" ...just like when she wanted me on HRT a few years ago.

So I say, good for you...if you like that then go for it. I will try Zetia, and when the new Merck non flush Niacin extended release comes out, I'll try that. But no statins for ME.

This is a personal choice...and we all it appears, will have to make it.
Dan...you should read The Cholesterol Myths on how the data has been massaged mathematically from the start. The benefits are just not there.
And if you have no serious sequelae then you are lucky. When Lipitor goes off patent we will start to see the negative studies more often, and not have to hunt for them the way I do now.(but they already exist) As I see it, liver damage, heart muscle damage from low CoQ-10 levels, memory loss similar to Alzheimer's, increased hostility and aggression, liver cancer and PN are just too much risk for a drug with little behind it.

You know I have a friend who had a massive right sided stroke, at work. She is 47. Has no risk factors. Normal blood pressure, low cholesterol, not overweight, nada. She did have history of migraines. Well while she was in intensive care, after her dramatic pTA treatment which dissolved the clot...
one of her doctors automatically put her on Lipitor. She consulted with her neuro, and he agreed...she didn't need it. Since her miraculous recovery, she has not had one headache. (the thought was she dissected her carotid artery lifting heavy stuff helping her mother move. This triggered a blood clot which blocked her internal carotid.) Her carotid healed and she is now back to normal, and NOT taking Lipitor. It is just an example of a prescription reflex with no throught as to the quality of life for the patient. Just because the drug company is persuasive.

If you have massively high cholesterol... a genetic familial thing...then yes, consider aggressive treatment. These patients however are not common. If the drug companies had their way ALL of us would be on statins. In fact about 3 yrs ago Time and Newsweek had articles to that effect.

Well, Mrs. D--
 

--in my suspicious way, I posit that the reason you keep getting those Lipitor lectures despite your own cholesterol reductions from other methods is that you're costing somebody money along the way. Possibly your own doctor--there've been documented cases of docs receiving "incentives" from pharma companies for writing certain prescriptions--VERY unethical, of course, but these days docs are trying to increase their incomes any way they can (remember that New York Times article a few weeks back on phrama produced speaking engagements?).

And, given your position, you're dangerous to drug companies (and pharmacies) looking to maximize profit. (Watch your back. :p )

Seriously, this just points up how few practitioners actualy take time to research the drugs they prescribe. Most know only what the pharmaceutical reps tell them--the scantily clad, flirtatious, always buying lunch pharamceutical reps.

I still remember having those (friendly) arguments with my Dad's heart surgeon--the gentleman who started the now famous heart unit in Staten Island (and whose son I was tutoring for the SAT)--over statins; he said all the cardiac docs were all being told get that total cholesterol score under 100 whether the patient was otherwise a cardiac risk or not . . .I sent over a few articles, and he did become a lot more thoughtful about the subject.

you are absolutely right, Glenn...
 

:I-Agree: There are 3 copies of a revealing new study on doctor $$ kickbacks in psychiatry on this board:

Here is one link:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=22729

Now I know drug reps...I know they get a readout downloaded into their computer monthly on the # of Rxs written each month from their assigned doctors. I bet some of you didn't know this...but it is TRUE...
wanna read about it? http://www.cbc.ca/disclosure/archive...datatrade.html

So they come in and say... Dr. Blah Blah...your numbers are down this month.
If you get them up for me, I'll get you the $300 text book, vacation in Hawaii,
or even bucks... and it gets done. I have heard that if a doctor just calls a colleague and discusses the drug, the calling Doc gets bucks!

Then there is the ghostwritten study...where prestigious names are bought and plastered right on the study (never having done or even read it) to impress other doctors. This whistle was blown about 5 yrs ago.
Then there is the "hide negative studies" which the NY Attorney General sued Glaxo to reveal. Now you can read the truth about Paxil on their website. But only after being sued. Some of the medical journals have changed their criteria for publishing now. Negative studies are being required.

Basically it all boils down to bucks. And yes, we have laughed here about the Lipitor extermination squad planting a bomb in my car! LOL
(When the dangerous Redux scandal was brewing, I got into trouble with Ayerst personally...a rather feeble attempt to shut me up at work...that failed of course, and Redux was whipped off the market a few months later for causing heart damage and PPH. It was sort of like getting hit with a rubber band (you know when you shoot them at someone?)... I didn't bat an eye at that one! :hit-safe:

So happy to hear that our MrsD dodged a bullet and it going on vacation again. Will miss you much, as always, but sooooo glad you get to go.

:hug:

rose

gluten?, nuclear power plant? acupuncture? idodine overdose?
 

Hi Mrs. D.!

Did you once say that you are avoiding gluten? I ask, because I'm wondering if your thyroid problem might be partly due to an auto immune attack on your thyroid, as an auto immune reaction to one or more incoming food proteins that you may be "sensitive" to--like gluten (protein-like, in wheat, rye, barley, etc.), &/or casein, &/or soy proteins, &/or corn proteins, &/or yeast proteins, &/or egg proteins, etc (if you are "sensitive" to any of these proteins).

Also, have you ever been exposed to radioactive iodine releases from a "leaky" nuclear power plant that was upwind or upwater from you? (like 3 Mile Island, in PA, for example).

I agree with your refusing to take Statins, for all the good reasons you've stated!

If you like acupuncture, consider trying that too.

Do you use iodized salt? If yes, you might want to substitute a little kelp (not too much), instead, just in case you were getting too much iodine.

Hang in there, and be well! I have learned so much from you, over the years!

Carol
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

Best wishes for a relaxing vacation
 

MRSD
You have always been so helpful to me on this forum. I do wish all the best for you. So many people have offered such good medical ideas thus far I really have nothing to add - except to say good health to you and my wishes that all goes well for you.
Re; statins - I too have had high cholesterol. It runs in the hight 200's (now is 277) but has been in the 400's. I refuse the statins also. Take cod liver oil, niacin, etc. My mother is a very healthy 87 and has the same cholesterol levels (very high) all her life. (no meds for it)
Enjoy your summer. Hope you can continue to keep us updated.
Sydney

I knew about the perks that docs get for prescribing stuff. I once saw a special on a 20/20 kind of show that someone went into a meeting of pharmacy reps and doctors and some guy wore an undercover camera and recording device.

During this meeting, there were trips raffled off and "incentives" to prescribe this and there was also "incentives" for the doctors not to send patients to specialists so it was cost effective (or something to that effect) it was about 10 years ago. But I never forgot that some doctors were paid NOT TO do stuff. That much I remember.

And I have a question about the tobacco companie. If everyone knows and admits that Lung Cancer is attributable to cigarette smoking (I"m not talking about the smokers, they have an addiction), my question relates to the continued existence of the tobacco companies.

If the government knows that cigarettes kill people, and warnings are even on the packs of cigs themselves, would someone please explain WHY these tobacco companies are allowed to keep making the tobacco.

I went on a tobacco website once and it offered "ways to quit smoking". It actually offered tips. I even saw a commercial once on tv that was from a Tobacco Company.

I mean, isn't this an oxy-moron. The tobacco company giving advice on quitting, but they are still allowed to manufacture the product.

I watched the 60 minutes segment a long long time ago when the whistle was blown on the fact that tobacco companies knew how bad nicotine was.

But cigarettes are still made. And sold. And I still don't get it. I know it's all about money, but jeez. It's killing people. And no one puts these tobacco guys out of business????

Melody

I'm thankful for the thread about the cholesterol lowering drugs. What an eye-opener this was. My doctor is retesting my cholesterol in about 5 months. She says if it's not down enough she's putting me on a drug. She didn't say which one just that she was going to put me on one. I don't think so. I have enough problems dealing with the PN I already have. I'm certainly not going to do *anything* to make it worse on purpose! And the PN sides seem to be the lesser of some of the side effects of these kinds of drugs. And not just the statins.

I found a message board that discusses all these kinds of drugs and there are many people there that have experienced bad sides from the cholesterol lowering drugs.

http://www.spacedoc.net/board/index.php

thanks for that link!
 

and here is another with more horror!

http://www.askapatient.com/viewratin...445&name=ZETIA

I notice that many of the people who are posting take both Zetia and
a statin.

I wonder if some of the side effects are the result of the lower cholesterol itself and not the drug? Cholesterol provides benefits to the body..and is not the "devil" the drug industry has painted it.

I am still going to try the Zetia (I haven't filled the Rx yet tho)...and try it.
Today I could not get Rx list .com to load this drug. Wonder why?

Niacin remains the only other alternative.
Other natural ones are
soluble fiber
Niacin (which causes the flush and needs periodic liver tests).

Good news about the lump, enjoy yer vacation. The Zetia and statin thing was one I found over 2-3 yrs ago when you steered me to Zetia. most of the info I saw had it combined for a 'kick' effect when the statin wasn't doing enough- rather than increase the statin, they piled on zetia. That's why I had to twist my doc's arm about it, she was sold on Lipitor (thought it should be a food additive for the world) ans was surprised and thought twice about the whole thing when the Zetia alone did the job for me. I wasn't a major problem, just a 245 that Lipitor brought down to 125, but the Zetia brought it to 130 or so. She was surprised (thought it was only to be used in combination w/Lipiyor when high numbers (300 and more) were evident, and had a doubt or two removed.

Catch 22
 

Ask your doctor why people with high cholesterol have longer life spans than those with lower cholesterol levels.:winky:

Calcium/parathyroid stuff
 

mrsD recommended I post this question in this thread, as it might have to do with parathyroid problems, so here goes!

I had to have my thyroid removed back in January. Now, all my life I've had problems with leg cramps if I drank too much milk or ate too much cheese, etc., but after the surgery, the doctors wanted me to take calcium, so I started getting serious about taking it. The muscle cramps started after a couple of days and got progressively worse, till even the muscles in my arms were spasming. My toes were curling! I have heart rhythm problems and that got worse also. Anyway, I realized the cramps started after I began taking the calcium so I stopped for a few days, then the cramps faded. I started the calcium up again and the same thing happened; I repeated a couple more times just to be sure. mrsD suggested contacting the endo to be tested for parathyroid problems. I'm thinking now, the parathyroid thing has been going on for many years due to the milk problems.

Also, after reading some of the comments on this thread, something else occurred to me. While in the military, I was assigned to two different installations that are now major Superfund sites (researched this due to multiple medical people asking me if I'd been exposed to radiation) but since I was not in the Middle East during the depleted uranium usage, I didn't think anymore about it. Until...I found a listing for a "minor" nuclear "incident" at one of the installations I was at, during the time I was there. So I guess the thing I'm wondering is, could that have aggravated what was originally a fairly minor parathyroid problem?

Like many of you, I was on statins for many years and had worsening leg pain with no obvious source, so after hearing scuttlebutt about it, I did some research and decided to quit taking it. I had eaten a good diet (almost no eggs, butter, low-fat milk, careful about all fats) had still not been able to get my cholesterol levels below 180, so I'm now on niacin, and have developed lesions on my liver, which the doctors say are benign and aren't concerned about, but I have pain in my upper right side almost continually now, on top of everything else! I'm 57 and am almost chairbound and helpless. I've had three mini-strokes and have the short-term memory and retention ability of a five-year-old, so I'm getting really frustrated dealing with just getting quality healthcare from the VA.

Anything the members can suggest to help me get a bead on getting some quality of life back would be super-appreciated! I take so many different medications that it's a challenge just to keep track of what I've taken and what not, and getting refills, etc. So, set me straight, guys and gals!!! Thanks a million in advance! Dawn

This is the link to the parathyroid thread:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ht=parathyroid

I would like to know what drugs you take now.
SSRIs can cause muscle cramping too. This is due to their effects on lowering dopamine during long term use.

I'd also suggest heavy metal screening...with your military background. Also all the vaccines you have had?

Hi Dawn,

If you suspect you have a parathyroid problem, you could have a blood test (PTH) and see what results you get. There are some other blood tests that go hand in hand with the PTH. What are your calcium levels?

Cholesterol is not just from one's diet, our bodies make it. Some people over produce cholesterol no matter how restricted their diet.

Muscle cramps can have a range of causes. One frequent cause is dehydration so be sure you stay hydrated.

Pain in your right side? Do you have gallstones? An ultrasound could rule that out.

What does your doc say about your symptoms?

Hope you find all the answers you seek. Good luck in your quest. Let us know what you doc has to say.

lump
 

I have an enlarged thyroid I had an aspiration 2 yrs ago I did not feel a thing The dr was great I am supposed to have another ultrasound done but my neck is so messed up now with arthritis I have not done that It involves leaning your neck back for a period of time.

Hope you do ok with your testing etc It is always something it seems.

Darn it, did I still not get to the right thread? LOL, please bear with me, I'm a little befuddled! mrsD, the med list is pretty long, let's see: levothyroxin 75mg/day, omeprazole 80mg/day, metaprolol 150mg/day, propafenone 100mg/day, fish oil, calcium 600mg/vitD400mg/day, gabapentin 600mg 3/day, methocarbamol 1000mg 3/day, niacin 500mg/day, cetirizine 10mg/day, hyoscyamine 0.125mg prn, Lortab 7.5 3/day. I have a prescription for Soma but can't take it unless I stop taking the pain med, so I just don't take it often, but needless to say, anything that causes me additional muscle spasms I don't tolerate very well at all. Calcium level in August was 9.2. They didn't test for magnesium but thyrotropin was 2.97, if that helps. That's the stimulating hormone, isn't it? Shouldn't they know what the exact T3/T4 levels are? Didn't test for that though.

Yes, they had me on an SSRI for several years, but I couldn't really tell that it improved my mood at all, and dried my mouth so bad I could barely talk. I originally had the disc collapse about 6 years ago and went downhill pretty quickly. The VA had me on SSRIs for depression/PTSD, but when my health had deteriorated to the point that I could no longer work in my profession, I was in even worse shape emotionally and going down fast. Then I started reading about SSRIs and quit them immediately, and bingo! I started adjusting. The withdrawal was a little rough, but hey, I was alive and not planning my funeral. Now, I wouldn't recommend those at all, I really feel they almost drove me mad.

When I could no longer work at all, I just tried to develop some hobbies and read more, and learn what my new limitations were. From reading and researching, I'm thinking my doctors are averaging about 15 years behind the rest of the medical community, so getting up-to-date information seems to be up to me. Thank goodness I have this forum now, I can read what is happening to others like me and how they have handled it, what works for them.

They took my gallbladder a couple of years ago, I did have stones, but it didn't stop the pain. LOL, Mom says we have a family history of gallstones so it would have been a problem eventually anyway! Thanks for the well-wishes, I'll try to keep ya'll up to date on the VA saga, as it unfolds. Sometimes it's like a soap-opera!