tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post2677238884522937354..comments2024-03-14T03:43:02.583-04:00Comments on EPBOT: Highs And Lows, Plus More Potter Pics!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-84838459780246194962015-01-14T16:02:45.177-05:002015-01-14T16:02:45.177-05:00Hi Jen,
A little late to the party, but I wanted ...Hi Jen,<br /><br />A little late to the party, but I wanted to let you know that if you haven't been, please be checked for Celiac disease. It often co-occurs with Hashimoto's (I have several friends with both). I myself have only Celiac, but before I was diagnosed and gave up gluten, I had very severe anxiety, agorophobia, and depression. These almost completely resolved once my autoimmune inflammation was under control, but they come right back if I am exposed to gluten :(<br /><br />Good luck, hopefully you will feel better as your body becomes balanced!<br /><br />KateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-47895591454200255582014-12-23T09:29:24.320-05:002014-12-23T09:29:24.320-05:00Dear Jen,
I have "basic" hypothyroid an...Dear Jen,<br /><br />I have "basic" hypothyroid and both my endocrinologist and my psychologist will tell you that my depression is linked to it. My sister had almost non-existent vitamin D levels and she ended up on an anti-depressant. I know you have anxiety, not depression, but just because something isn't a major side effect doesn't mean that the correlation isn't there. Good luck and keep up the good work!<br /><br />PS -- I'm also insanely jealous of John because my hearing loss is in the cochlea and isn't bad enough for an implant but is bad enough for hearing aids. There's no surgery to fix mine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-30257383510584191442014-12-18T08:03:06.566-05:002014-12-18T08:03:06.566-05:00Are you nuts, recommending iodine for someone with...Are you nuts, recommending iodine for someone with Hashimoto? Hashimoto thyreoiditis is an autoimmune diesease. The patient's own immune systems attacks and slowly destroys the thyroid gland. Stimulating the thyroid with iodine only speeds up that process. In fact, Hashimoto sufferers should try to avoid a high iodine intake!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-73470301498306062612014-12-13T15:13:57.291-05:002014-12-13T15:13:57.291-05:00I have Hashimoto's as well. I also have Addiso...I have Hashimoto's as well. I also have Addison's Disease. There are some amazing support groups out there and it looks like tons of support here. Gotta love the Epbot peeps! I take Vit. D as well and it does help. Mine thyroid and adrenals are completely dead though, so my treatment will be lifelong. Lots of hugs and prayers! Never get discouraged when dealing with a diagnosis. There will be good days and bad days, and worse days, and there may be times when your meds need adjusting, but just hang in there. Amy K. Perkinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-22002388745962008892014-12-13T14:34:19.712-05:002014-12-13T14:34:19.712-05:00Thanks! He may not be as gorgeous as Lily, but whe...Thanks! He may not be as gorgeous as Lily, but when it comes to relaxing, he's a pro! ;-)Elincellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07556954677179715429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-67336220662664112882014-12-12T17:45:11.117-05:002014-12-12T17:45:11.117-05:00Yep! Vitamin D + treatment for Hashimoto's wor...Yep! Vitamin D + treatment for Hashimoto's worked for me. I have an added wrinkle that I can't break down the supplemental T4 correctly, so I take mostly T3 supplements. Thyroid meds helped the tiredness; the vitamin D restored my "cheerful unflappability" Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-29644720842231973852014-12-12T07:43:49.558-05:002014-12-12T07:43:49.558-05:00WOW. Even here, I am proud of all my Hashi Peeps!...WOW. Even here, I am proud of all my Hashi Peeps! Its amazing that there are so many of us but so few people know about this disease! And I have found us all to be very supportive and willing to share our struggles an successes. Just like my Epbot Peeps! :-) There is good out there, and we are proof. (Wow, I say peeps a lot when I write...)Mandee Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05435596509119636434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-45806514512938019882014-12-11T13:08:32.411-05:002014-12-11T13:08:32.411-05:00Welcome to the Hashi's club! As someone who ha...Welcome to the Hashi's club! As someone who has struggled with panic attacks for many years I can tell you with certainty that anxiety is related to your thyroid and it is going to get better! I spent years working with therapists, taking anti-anxiety meds, reading all the anxiety books (Claire Weekes, Edmund Bourne etc.), doing the breathing exercises etc. but my panic and fear of panic just seemed to get worse. Once I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and started treatment I got much better - I was floored! I spent all those years of white knuckling my way through life and thinking I was just being a baby, couldn't cope with stress, wasn't doing enough exposure therapy when in reality my anxiety had physiological roots and I was sick. This has been a revelation for me and I think it will be for you too. I honestly have days when panic doesn't even cross my mind which is a huge change from constantly feeling like there's a cartoon devil on my shoulder whispering "wouldn't it be terrible if you had a panic attack right now?" <br /><br />There is a lot of controversy and opinions in the Hashimoto's community about which medicine is best, what supplements to take and what diet to follow but I would recommend starting with the book, "Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause." And then start trying things to find out what works best for YOU. Personally I have found that taking Selenium supplements and going gluten free has helped me with anxiety the most. Most people with Hashimoto's have nutritional deficiencies (like Vit D) and Selenium is a big one. I was also extremely reluctant to go gluten free and scoured the internet for proof that it was all a fad and didn't really work but I found that it does play a role in autoimmune disorder, especially thyroid stuff. I decided to try it for 3 weeks and felt so much better that I won't go back! The Hashimoto's 411 group on Facebook is a good resource of things that have worked for other people.<br /><br />Best of luck to you, treating Hashimoto's can be a roller coaster of finding out what works best for you but the good news is that worst is behind you! It's going to get better!<br /><br />-SaraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-42698058746007418642014-12-11T10:48:48.991-05:002014-12-11T10:48:48.991-05:00My oldest cat (13 y.o.) developed the over-groomin...My oldest cat (13 y.o.) developed the over-grooming a few years ago and would lick himself bald in some spots. The vet told me it was seasonal and treatable, but not serious, so I never did anything about it. Early last year, in an effort to stop his habit of regurgitating meals on a regular basis, I changed from store brand cat food (which they always loved and thrived on) to IAMS and the change is remarkable. I can't remember the last time he over-groomed, and he looks and acts like a youngster now. Plus, he doesn't throw up any more. IAMS may not be the answer for your cat, but it might be worth a try to change him to a premium food for a while and see what happens. Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-40458414988127459332014-12-11T10:34:38.146-05:002014-12-11T10:34:38.146-05:00Elin, he is adorable!Elin, he is adorable!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-50322905937372855662014-12-11T05:49:00.209-05:002014-12-11T05:49:00.209-05:00Glad to hear everyone's health is on the up an...Glad to hear everyone's health is on the up and up. Lily is a beautiful cat, although I would have like to see her in a Christmas onesie...<br /><br />Out of curiosity, how busy was Universal/Harry Potter when you went? Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08026958225478081382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-55658642144556074352014-12-10T16:09:39.756-05:002014-12-10T16:09:39.756-05:00Jen,
I am so glad that you are doing so well! I ...Jen,<br /><br />I am so glad that you are doing so well! I am also very happy for John as well and didn't remember his hearing situation. As for your diagnosis I am going to recommend a diet for you that may help. I have a whole bunch of autoimmune diseases and this diet has helped. I have more energy and can walk without limping. It called "The Virgin Diet" by JJ Virgin. She says that most autoimmune diseases are caused by food intolerances causing the body to be in state of constant inflammation. My husband and I started this diet and within two days my joint pain went away. He also lost 30 pounds in 5 weeks; I lost twenty. Before you try any medication please check out this diet. Books are available at Barnes and Nobles and through Amazon. The diet itself is very hard but the results have been so worth it.<br /><br />Maureen<br /><br />P.S. It was great to see you in Pittsburgh!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-18865682550871745852014-12-10T14:32:20.132-05:002014-12-10T14:32:20.132-05:00My mother was diagnosed (accidentally) with Hashim...My mother was diagnosed (accidentally) with Hashimoto's. She had her C4-C7 vertibrae fused a while back and when she went in for a check up x-ray they found nodules on her thyroid. Cells found in the biopsy were consistent with Hashimoto's. Upon researching it, it explained a lot! She had been really sick for a while...lethargic, constant unexplained pain, painful/gritty eyes (Shogrun's Syndrome), low vitamin D, and much more. (Be aware, if you are diagnosed with one auto-immune disease, you might end up with others as well.) We searched for a doctor, but here in southern Indiana there aren't really any good endocrinologists. Finally we got our GP to refer us (I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism) to Vanderbilt in TN. But they haven't really done anything for her. She found out through her research that what she was going through when she was sick was a Thyroid Storm. She also found out that eating gluten free can help to alleviate some of the symptoms. She has been eating GF for about a year now and feels so much better. She got a lot of her information from the book called "Why do I still have thyroid symptoms when my lab tests are normal?" by Datis Kharrazian.<br /><br />Good luck to both of you!Kerisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-67360335004046726032014-12-10T13:57:00.772-05:002014-12-10T13:57:00.772-05:00I have hypothyroid issues. I am on Synthroid (it&#...I have hypothyroid issues. I am on Synthroid (it's been about 5 years) and while I've seen few other results from being "medicated," I have not had a single panic attack since my levels became controlled. When I was first diagnosed, my dr thought that my thyroid might never have produced any of the required hormone. Do lots of research...there are over 300 symptoms of hypothyroidism and you'd be surprised how many you may have (like ingrown toenails, heart burn and high blood pressure). I have all of these...well, had. The high blood pressure was resolved by the synthroid. Some people find that a natural thyroid (i think they source it from pigs) is more effective. And sometimes your levels look ok, but it's still not enough. There's a group on facebook called Hypothyroid Mom that is full of extremely useful information, and information that makes you kinda go "OOOOHHH! There's a reason I'm that way!!" it's actually pretty reassuring! and you don't have to be a mom to relate...I'm not a mom and I'm so happy I joined the group!Laurennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-66172860248280792762014-12-09T23:35:09.997-05:002014-12-09T23:35:09.997-05:00Thanks for the good news for all three of you! Onw...Thanks for the good news for all three of you! Onward and upward!FMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-4311642686652812472014-12-09T20:44:08.668-05:002014-12-09T20:44:08.668-05:00Jen, you are awesome. I'm sure you will do gre...Jen, you are awesome. I'm sure you will do great with the cruise and have a blast!<br /><br />John's hearing situation makes me wonder if I should push my hubby to have his nose looked at. He's been anosmic (no sense of smell) since he was a kid, most likely from getting kicked in the face when he walked in front of a swing set. Maybe that's fixable too.Cyndienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-74130794012440511072014-12-09T17:07:38.185-05:002014-12-09T17:07:38.185-05:00I also have Hashimoto's, diagnosed just over 5...I also have Hashimoto's, diagnosed just over 5 years ago after some time of feeling not great. I ended up seeking out an endocrinologist after falling off a figurative cliff 2 years ago, she eventually nearly tripled my dose of Synthroid (T4) and added an additional T3 medication. I also have an enlarged thyroid as a result of the autoimmune damage, so my doctors monitor it with ultrasound (and 1 horrible biopsy procedure I hope to never repeat). <br /><br />If it's not obvious from these comments, you're probably in for a learning curve because as a thyroid disease patient you have to advocate for yourself a lot. Basically KNOW YOURSELF like how you feel and changes in symptoms and KNOW YOUR OPTIONS for treatment, specialists, and so forth. One thing I'd recommend soon is to include in your next blood test (commonly 4-6 weeks after starting any medication, if that applies for you) the antibodies of Hashimotos. Initially my doctors wrote this diagnosis without technically confirming it, when it was checked I was clearly in autoimmune territory. There are other causes of hypothyroidism, but autoimmune is one of the most common. Ginanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-18231284524172691892014-12-09T15:11:31.489-05:002014-12-09T15:11:31.489-05:00That is SUCH good news on all fronts! Lily's f...That is SUCH good news on all fronts! Lily's fur is so pretty, I'm glad she's keeping more of it.:) John's news is so amazing-what a blessing for him!!<br />And check you out, (soon to be) world traveler! Good for you! You've totally got this. I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise, too. Lucinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-1862778094720614452014-12-09T13:55:24.622-05:002014-12-09T13:55:24.622-05:00Just echoing everyone else's comments about Ha...Just echoing everyone else's comments about Hashimoto's. A friend of mine was diagnosed a year or so ago. I'm glad they were able to diagnose it for you because from what I understand it is often missed or misdiagnosed. Take care!Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00876194958924300697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-6835078889720387312014-12-09T12:38:44.888-05:002014-12-09T12:38:44.888-05:00Finding and sticking with a brand of thyroid meds ...Finding and sticking with a brand of thyroid meds that works for you is extremely important!! There's so much more variance among brands/generics than people realize. It may take trial and error or you may luck out and find the right one on the first try. :)<br /><br />Another thing to research is how widely available the brands are - my pharmacy quit carrying the brand of meds that worked for me and I had to call around to find a pharmacy that still carried it (or at least could order it for me).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-17648590574984043592014-12-09T10:54:52.120-05:002014-12-09T10:54:52.120-05:00Hi Jen. Re your cat. Mine has an over-washing prob...Hi Jen. Re your cat. Mine has an over-washing problem on his forearms until he bleeds. I think he then likes the taste of his own blood. But a few applications of aloe vera jelly sort him out quickly and the fur grows back - until the next time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-45646868151559725082014-12-09T10:09:43.061-05:002014-12-09T10:09:43.061-05:00The synthroid medication can also exacerbate stres...The synthroid medication can also exacerbate stress and anxiety. It's a little researched side effect. I was under a great deal of stress at work when I was diagnosed and wasn't aware of that side effect. Basically, my stress was elevated, adding paranoia, erratic mood swings, and emotional outbursts to the problem. I was fired from my job because of that and I didn't find out about the side effect until after. I was only on the meds for a little more than 2 months. I've been off medication and my thyroid function has been fine for two months now. Had I known about the side effects, I would have been able to deal better with the situation and still have a job. Keep a record/journal of how you are feeling and keep practicing your SRB exercises. You already have a great head start on dealing with anxiety and have great support in John. You will be able to handle this and thrive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-2730969237002970502014-12-09T00:37:13.005-05:002014-12-09T00:37:13.005-05:00Yes i have no idea why they don't link it to p...Yes i have no idea why they don't link it to panic/anxiety. In dogs with low thyroid nervous behaviours are listed so why not in people? Another vote for the STTM site. Very helpful!T.L. Merrybardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03713406934061779754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-21021480792269677662014-12-08T22:25:07.624-05:002014-12-08T22:25:07.624-05:00Another thing that helps is iodine. You can actual...Another thing that helps is iodine. You can actually get iodine to apply to a patch of skin to be absorbed, and it's supposed to help. <br /><br />I haven't tried it, but I wish I had known about that treatment when I had thyroid issues, because the doctors had trouble figuring out how to treat me. One day I'd have my TSH levels tested and they'd be through the roof. The next week I'd go back and they'd bottom out. They couldn't plan a treatment, because they didn't know if they should raise my hormone levels or lower them.<br /><br />Anyway, I know that my thyroid issue had a lot to do with my emotional wellbeing. When my hormone levels were on one end of the spectrum, I'd be constantly hungry, energetic, and almost manically happy. On the other end of the spectrum, I would spend days on end forcing myself to eat. My heart rate was often rapid and erratic, and I felt anxious all the time. <br /><br />If I remember correctly, you once mentioned in a post that your anxiety came on suddenly. I wonder if a hormonal imbalance of some sort played a role in this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-63509369357418238762014-12-08T22:02:31.052-05:002014-12-08T22:02:31.052-05:00Yay, Lily! Yay, John! Yay, Jen! So glad to read th...Yay, Lily! Yay, John! Yay, Jen! So glad to read that all of you are well on the way toward excellent health and happiness. <br /><br />Beautiful photos of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley! Now that you have annual passes to Universal, do you think you will ever meet readers there like you do at Disney sometimes?<br /><br />After reading this post and all the comments, I really want to go get my thyroid, vitamin D, and iron levels checked just so I can at least rule out those things playing a part in my anxiety and depression.<br /><br />Good luck figuring out your Hashimoto's, and good luck on the cruise, Jen. May the force be with you! Can't wait to hear about it when you get back.<br /><br />KWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com