Question:

Patricia, It sounds like you may have Syndrome X, insulin resistence, that may or not be a precursor to type II diabetes.  Apparently in Syndrome X, there is enough insulin to cover the food, but risk factors for other things like cardiovascular disease are the same. My daughter has insulin resistence, probably.  She does MUCH better with a low carb diet.  You might want to consider the Zone Diet or even the Atkins Diet. These will cause your post prandial response to lessen.  Exercise is important too.  In addition, all of your symptoms indicate problems along the hypothalmic pituitary adrenal axis.  You could very easily have secondary hypothyroidism and the doctor most probably would have missed it.  Do you have low body temperatures, averaging under ninety eight degrees?  Do you have hypothyroid symptoms?  My daughter does better on large amounts of T3 medications, despite normal thyroid blood tests.  Fortunately she has not yet developed PCOS.  Here is her "story" on this web site. http://members.tripod.com/~TDmagicmom/altFAQ.html   Follow the link at the bottom for alternative hypothyroid treatments information.  Good luck!!  BL

Response:

I was told I had polycystic ovaries in February, 1971, when my gynecologist took a peek inside when we thought I had an ectopic pregnancy.  I then had difficulty in conceiving (another bonus from PCOS, but with a bit of Clomid, my son was born in April, 1972.  During a follow-up exam, I complained to my doctor about these hairs on my chin.  I was gaining weight.  My periods were very irregular, and when in 1981 I went for 4 months without one (and not sexually active, either), I had endometrial biopsies and a 3 hour glucose tolerance test.  Since no one said anything, I presume the tests were either negative or at the worst, inconclusive. No one told me there was an actual name for all these problems I was having.  I was diagnosed with diabetes in April, 1985. Peg "I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch."                                            [Gilda Radner] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello… A few months ago I was diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). One of the side effects (correct term ?) of this syndrome/disease is that it causes women to be insulin resistent (among a host of other things like obesity,unwanted hair growth,to much testosterone,acne, so on & so forth) My doctor said,as he told me of this diagnosis,that I would most likely have diabetes within 5 years !! Why the 5 years,how he knows this I don’t know. He did not elaborate & I was trying to absorbe all he just told me & did not think to question him at length. Anyways,he did a fasting glucose test that was normal,but I am still concerned. I have not been feeling all that well,headaches daily,tiredness,thirsty amoung other stuff & wonder if it could be my sugar levels. I HAVE NO HEALTH INSURANCE so I can not go back for more testing or follow up care. I have to do it on my own as much as possible. So here are my question’s to you: 1) Does anyone in this group know anything about or have PCOS ? 2) I want to check my own blood sugar levels occasionally using a glucometer (I have one at home)  What should I consider normal ?   Should I check AFTER eating as well as BEFORE ? How soon after eating ? What would be normal level after eating ?? This morning I checked it for the first time and it was 97. This was before eating breakfast & I had nothing to eat since dinner.  Any suggestions or ideas ?  Is checking once enough ?? If I were to develop diabetes,HOW would I know ? (Remember I have no acces to medical care)                                     Thanks for your input !!!                                  Patricia in Southern California

Response:

During a follow-up exam, I complained to my doctor about these hairs on my chin.  I was gaining weight.  My periods were very irregular, and when in 1981 I went for 4 months without one (and not sexually active, either), I had endometrial biopsies Since no one said anything, I presume the tests were either negative or at the worst, inconclusive. No one told me there was an actual name for all these problems I was having.

Peg, I had all the problems you are now describing, for several years before I was diagnosed.  as a matter of fact, since my son was born 19 years ago.   I am wondering now, JUST HOW LONG have I been diabetic and not known it?  I know that as a small child, I used to have "hungry headaches" as my mother called them.  I used to have times that I would have strange unexplained instances of restless legs, throwing up, bad headaches, etc. I know that I was seriously ill at least twice right before diagnosis in 1993, enough that my doctor was giving me compazine to help me keep food down.   And I already had the gastroparesis by that time, which would indicate some measure of poor control before diagnosis. Makes one wonder, doesn’t it? Bev

Response:

Hello… A few months ago I was diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). One of the side effects (correct term ?) of this syndrome/disease is that it causes women to be insulin resistent (among a host of other things like obesity,unwanted hair growth,to much testosterone,acne, so on & so forth) My doctor said,as he told me of this diagnosis,that I would most likely have diabetes within 5 years !! Why the 5 years,how he knows this I don’t know. He did not elaborate & I was trying to absorbe all he just told me & did not think to question him at length. Anyways,he did a fasting glucose test that was normal,but I am still concerned. I have not been feeling all that well,headaches daily,tiredness,thirsty amoung other stuff & wonder if it could be my sugar levels. I HAVE NO HEALTH INSURANCE so I can not go back for more testing or follow up care. I have to do it on my own as much as possible. So here are my question’s to you: 1) Does anyone in this group know anything about or have PCOS ? 2) I want to check my own blood sugar levels occasionally using a glucometer (I have one at home)  What should I consider normal ?   Should I check AFTER eating as well as BEFORE ? How soon after eating ? What would be normal level after eating ?? This morning I checked it for the first time and it was 97. This was before eating breakfast & I had nothing to eat since dinner.  Any suggestions or ideas ?  Is checking once enough ?? If I were to develop diabetes,HOW would I know ? (Remember I have no acces to medical care)                                     Thanks for your input !!!                                  Patricia in Southern California

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Question:

BTW, For an accurate reading of thyroid function, the following is far superior to the standard thyroid panel: Free T-3 (not Total T3) Free T-4  (not Total T4) 3rd generation TSH. If either Free T-3 or Free T-4 is low, hormone treatment may be considered. If either is very low, hormone treatment with whatever combinations of medicine (T3, T3/T4 and/or T4 preparations) are needed to lift the ‘free’ values into, ideally, the upper-normal ranges, and will give a dramatic boost to mental and physical functioning. (Based on information from my former MD, John Dommisse, which he used to sucessfully treat my hypothyroidism – see www.galaxymall.com/health/nutrnl_mtblc    ) Paul

Response:

Hello Everyone; I am currently experiencing problems with weak functioning Thyroid and Adrenal glands.  I am attempting to find some natural ways to boost these functions without resorting to hormones. I was seeing a naturopath who had put me on a multi-vitamin supplement that contained bovine thyroid, liver and adrenal tissue.  This seemed to be working, but I have issues with taking such things for a number of reasons. (I’m a vegetarian, and I don’t feel this was actually remedying the problem, only providing a temporary "cure") Does anyone know of any foods or natural means of balancing out glandular functions? All information is greatly appreciated Thank-you Sundari

Response:

Choosing foods as advocated by Dr. D’Adamo in Eat Right 4 Your Type, web site www.dadamo.com may be of assistance.  No cost, no products, no potions. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello Everyone; I am currently experiencing problems with weak functioning Thyroid and Adrenal glands.  I am attempting to find some natural ways to boost these functions without resorting to hormones. I was seeing a naturopath who had put me on a multi-vitamin supplement that contained bovine thyroid, liver and adrenal tissue.  This seemed to be working, but I have issues with taking such things for a number of reasons. (I’m a vegetarian, and I don’t feel this was actually remedying the problem, only providing a temporary "cure") Does anyone know of any foods or natural means of balancing out glandular functions? All information is greatly appreciated Thank-you Sundari

Response:

From my personal experience with hypothyroidism and adrenal stress (high free cortisol) you might consider a few items: – Poor protein assimilation (usually on a strict vegetarian diet). At one point I developed significant problems trying to eat a low starch vegetarian diet, and had to start taking thyroid hormone. – Exercise. In moderation, unless you are really debilitated, regular movement will release stress-reducing hormones and increase thyroid hormone secretion. – Unhealthy fats. Whenever I eat something that contains significant ‘toxic’ fat (Chinese food or, the last time I remember, fried potato skins at TGI Fridays <g), I feel the next day like I’m having a hangover (my diet is normally very ‘clean’). Regular eating of these fats will over time damage the immune and endocrine systems. – Other toxins. I had hypothyroid symptoms constantly until I had my mercury fillings removed. After I had them out and detoxed the mercury, they went away (but for awhile returned because of the diet problem I mentioned above). I also consider added sugars in the large amounts most people ingest to be, if not directly toxic, antagonistic to good nutrition. I no longer need thyroid hormone, or any others, but I believe that taking the hormone over a period of time may actually have helped give the gland a rest and allowed for its normal function when I stopped taking the hormone. Paul

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Question:

I have seen brief references in my reading to a link between OSA and hypothyroidism.  Do any of you have any information on this? Thanks Kate

Response:

k…@aol.com (K8F) writes:

I have seen brief references in my reading to a link between OSA and hypothyroidism.  Do any of you have any information on this? Thanks Kate

Hypothytroidism may lead to symptoms of sleep apnea. Thus, in doing an evaluation for suspected OSA, it is important to have thyroid levels checked. If they are low, replacement therapy can eliminate the OSA. Reference: Phantom of the Night — Jerry Halberstadt. *President, New Technology Publishing, Inc: Health & Business Resources *Principal, FORESIGHT: Visionary business plans. * PHANTOM SLEEP PAGE <http://www.newtechpub.com/

*<halbe…@world.std.com

* 6 W.Blvd. POB 1737, Onset MA 02558 USA.

Response:

Don’t know of colleration between sleep and hypothyroidism but I’ve had a life long sleep disorder and twelve years of hypothyroidism that is being treated with Synthroid. Any ideas? Martine

Response:

In article <1998070104031600.AAA27…@ladder01.news.aol.com

,

  ehrenc…@aol.com (Ehrenclou) wrote:

Don’t know of colleration between sleep and hypothyroidism but I’ve had a life long sleep disorder and twelve years of hypothyroidism that is being treated with Synthroid. Any ideas? Martine

I have been on Eltroxin for two years now for hypothyroidism and it has helped with night sweats which I used to have about three or four a week, now I don’t get any!  Also I found that I wasn’t so depressed and did not worry quite as much, so I slept better. Hope this helps. —–== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==—– http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp   Create Your Own Free Member Forum

Response:

My Pulmonary specialist is sending me for blood work up to check for hypothyroidism which she feels could be contributing to my increasing fatigue level after seven great months on CPAP. Depending on the results of the blood work, and if there is no sign of thyroid problems, she will then send me in for another sleep study to see if my pressure should be increased. My question: How does the Thyroid contribute to sleep problems?? Thanks, Shep

Response:

I am hypothyroid with Hashimoto’s disease.  In addition, I have some sleep disorder problems including apnea and I just began treatment for narcolepsy.    Hashimoto’s disease, which is a main cause of hypothyroidism, is an autoimmune disease which affects a lot of different systems in the body.  A few medical resources state it is possible for Hashimoto’s and/or hypothyroidism to cause either narcolepsy or insomnia…  apparently it affects people in different ways.   It sounds as if you may be a male???   Thyroid problems are less common in males than females, so it is good that your doctor is suggesting testing. I do not know if a specific mechanism linking Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism with sleep problems has been established.  The books I have found on either subject are not very informative about the connection, there is a connection stated.  Just having the hypothyroid problem alone is enough to make you very tired.  The thyroid is the gas pedal and thermostat for the entire body.  When you are hypo you become sluggish and cold and with the other things that go wrong it takes a heck of a lot out of you.  8 hours of sleep hardly ever seemed like anywhere near enough for me. I can tell you from my own experience that the onset of hypothyroid symptoms seemed to coincide with my increased sleepiness/narcolepsy.  Being on Synthroid to replace the thyroxin my body should be making helped relieve some of the sleepiness, as did the cpap machine.  However, I was still falling asleep at work while reading, writing or using the computer…  also, reading at home and watching TV was deadly.  I am still new to the narcolepsy medicine so I can’t yet tell if it is doing it’s job and eliminating falling asleep with little advance notice. Good luck with the tests and the cpap.   Ask your doctor about getting tested for Hashimoto’s disease anti-bodies.   I’ll bet you anything that if you are hypothyroid you have Hashimoto’s also.  It is good to know if you are because it affects other systems in the body.  Expect eye and stomach problems, and problems with joints and muscles, too. Sparky  

Response:

Question:

diabetes (i was 16).  It eventually grew back in.

One source of hair loss can be thyroid problems.  If anyone with diabetes (or without DM) has excessive hair loss that individual should see a physician and have thyroid activity checked.  Pills for thyroid problems may be prescribed and the excessive hair loss stopped.

Response:

Oh, sure I have an idea.  Hair loss is a common hypothyroid symptom, and it is my contention that many diabetics, like my daughter, have hypothyroidism that has gone undetected in the usual tests.  Does she have other hypothyroid symptoms?  If you want my file on my conjecture on T3 problems in diabetes, e mail me.  BL

BL would you please send me a copy of the file. Debbie

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I am a 54 year old female who has been a type 2 diabetic for 15yrs. I started taking insulin in 1994.  The hair in the top and front of my head came out and would not  grow back,  I finally saw a Dermatologist  who said "We can try Rogaine and see if it works." Boy, did it ever work!  Within 2 weeks everyone was commenting on how well my hair was growing in.  In @ 2 mos time I stopped wearing wigs and/or having weaves done to bury the baldness. The nair on the top of my head still has a few areas of scant growth  but I have no doubt that sufficient growtrh will be the result of using Rogaine 2x a day.  Tell your niece to check with her doc, for approval and give it a try.  What has she got to loose?

Response:

hi.  i lost some of my hair when i first was diagnosed with diabetes (i was 16).  It eventually grew back in.

How long did it take for your hair to fall out? after you were diagnosed? —   — — -+Jennifer+- Saturday = Babysits 5 mo. old Nephew Monday = Sweet 16 BDAY!

Response:

I have a 20-yr-old niece who is diabetic and losing her hair.  My husband’s friend who has diabetes says that hair loss is very common among diabetics, and the only thing that can help is Rogaine.  But he’s a man; I don’t know if it applies to women too. I’ve tried doing research on this subject on the Internet, but haven’t found much that speciffically  relates to this problem.  Does anyone have any ideas or input?  Thanks!

Oh, sure I have an idea.  Hair loss is a common hypothyroid symptom, and it is my contention that many diabetics, like my daughter, have hypothyroidism that has gone undetected in the usual tests.  Does she have other hypothyroid symptoms?  If you want my file on my conjecture on T3 problems in diabetes, e mail me.  BL

Response:

hi.  i lost some of my hair when i first was diagnosed with diabetes (i was 16).  It eventually grew back in.  

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a 20-yr-old niece who is diabetic and losing her hair.  My husband’s friend who has diabetes says that hair loss is very common among diabetics, and the only thing that can help is Rogaine.  But he’s a man; I don’t know if it applies to women too. I’ve tried doing research on this subject on the Internet, but haven’t found much that speciffically  relates to this problem.  Does anyone have any ideas or input?  Thanks!

Response:

I have a 20-yr-old niece who is diabetic and losing her hair.  My husband’s friend who has diabetes says that hair loss is very common among diabetics, and the only thing that can help is Rogaine.  But he’s a man; I don’t know if it applies to women too. I’ve tried doing research on this subject on the Internet, but haven’t found much that speciffically  relates to this problem.  Does anyone have any ideas or input?  Thanks!

Response:

Question:

I posted the following message a few weeks ago, but only saw one response to it. So I am posting it again, in case some new people see it who can comment on it. Sorry if you’re looking at it for the second time. ————————————————————————— – – Who here has had surgery for turbinate reduction? I don’t mean intermediate measures for reducing swollen turbinates such as somnoplasty, freezing, cautery, or laser reduction. I mean real surgery with a knife, cutting out part of the turbinate. I have had two laser reduction procedures and two turbinate somnoplasties, and still have problems with swollen turbinates. An ENT I went to recently said that it’s because the bone on one side is also overgrown, not only the mucosa. So the only thing that would work is standard knife surgery. But he didn’t seem very enthusiastic about it. Said there can be problems with it, over-drying of nose, etc. Results aren’t always good. Nose has to be packed afterwards (which sounds terrible to me), and one has to stay home for a week. So he didn’t recommend it, although he said it’s the only option for reducing my swollen turbinates. I should mention that steroid sprays do nothing for me, although I’ve used them for years. The only medicine that works in reducing the swelling is oxymetazoline (Afrin), which shouldn’t be used regularly. So, I would like to hear others (patients and doctors) experience with this surgery. Results, side-effects, recovery, etc. Thank you, Mike

Response:

It’s not the packing that’s nasty, it’s the later unpacking. After they’ve planted a foot on your forehead and ripped several yards of gauze out of your nostril you begin to wonder if somehow the inner end got stuck to your brains

Now I just had surgery May 25th, and while the packing removal wasn’t the most pleasant experience, they don’t (or shouldn’t) use gauze anymore. Both levels of packing were one peice. The lower was like a tampon (ask your wife), and the upper was 1/3 the size and teardrop shaped. They are like sponges that expand to absorb the fluid. With Tylenol #3 and lidocaine spray, the fear and anticipation of the removal was worse than the actual event. Nadine

Response:

I just had Turbinate Reduction surgery on May 20, along with enlarging the opening to the right maxillary sinus and removal of a polyp that filled the entire maxillary cavity (right max. sinus was totally blocked). I do have a mildly deviated septum, but my ENT did not feel it needed to be fixed, as it is not a significant contributor to my problems…..the Turbinate Resection surgery was not bad at all. He did indeed remove some (I think 1/3 to 1/2, is what he said)of the bony turbinates (standard knife surgery), and a small amount of the overlying mucosa (more bone than tissue). (He is an experienced ENT, with 25 yyears of surgery behind him — he also doesn’t really believe in removing only the enlarged tissue in cases like mine — he said the removal of the underlying bone was the key to making a difference — and he preserved as much tissue as possible)..      My ENT did not need to use packing (he avoids it unless necessary — I gathered from him that he only uses it in cases of excessive bleeding), and I was astounded at not only the immediate result of being able to really breathe for the first time in years, but I had no pain at all, post-operatively. I did have crusting, some discomfort in that it feels like the inside of your nose is just that — crusty…I had one huge headache the day of the surgery, for which I took one Tylenol (never even touched the pain meds he gave me just in case). I had local anesthesia, so I had some vague sense of what was going on (I’m not sure I would do that again!)….but couldn’t be more pleased with the results. I went for 3 post-op visits to remove crusting and irrigate — it wasn’t bad at all, just uncomfortable, by the time I felt any pain it was over.  I’m at one month today and feel better than I have in YEARS….I would say my nose feels slightly dry, some days more than others, and on a few occasions mildly sore and sensitive to environmental irritants…..but even the dryness is improving now. I use only plain moisturizing saline drops, and irrigate twice daily.      The only other discomfort I’ve had has to do with the maxillary sinus — mucus, congestion, small amt. of post-op bleeding for a day or 2, small amt. of drainage….until I could start irrigating and gently blowing my nose to get rid of the mucus. as i continue to heal I still have some mucus clearing, but the turbinates healed incredibly well and fast. All in all, I am VERY happy with the results.      Write if I can give you any more information…….Michele

Response:

Michele – Thanks for the note.  That’s great that you are feeling so good. Where are you?  Who was your doctor?  I’m scheduled for surgery next week. I realize that everyone is different, but after reading some of the posts here, it is nice to read a positive post. So much of what we read here is negative and down right scary, it’s good to read some positive posts.  I too, look forward to feeling better and being able to breath like a "normal" person. Thanks, Lisa. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Michele wrote:

I just had Turbinate Reduction surgery on May 20, along with enlarging the opening to the right maxillary sinus and removal of a polyp that filled the entire maxillary cavity (right max. sinus was totally blocked). I do have a mildly deviated septum, but my ENT did not feel it needed to be fixed, as it is not a significant contributor to my problems…..the Turbinate Resection surgery was not bad at all. He did indeed remove some (I think 1/3 to 1/2, is what he said)of the bony turbinates (standard knife surgery), and a small amount of the overlying mucosa (more bone than tissue). (He is an experienced ENT, with 25 yyears of surgery behind him — he also doesn’t really believe in removing only the enlarged tissue in cases like mine — he said the removal of the underlying bone was the key to making a difference — and he preserved as much tissue as possible)..      My ENT did not need to use packing (he avoids it unless necessary — I gathered from him that he only uses it in cases of excessive bleeding), and I was astounded at not only the immediate result of being able to really breathe for the first time in years, but I had no pain at all, post-operatively. I did have crusting, some discomfort in that it feels like the inside of your nose is just that — crusty…I had one huge headache the day of the surgery, for which I took one Tylenol (never even touched the pain meds he gave me just in case). I had local anesthesia, so I had some vague sense of what was going on (I’m not sure I would do that again!)….but couldn’t be more pleased with the results. I went for 3 post-op visits to remove crusting and irrigate — it wasn’t bad at all, just uncomfortable, by the time I felt any pain it was over.  I’m at one month today and feel better than I have in YEARS….I would say my nose feels slightly dry, some days more than others, and on a few occasions mildly sore and sensitive to environmental irritants…..but even the dryness is improving now. I use only plain moisturizing saline drops, and irrigate twice daily.      The only other discomfort I’ve had has to do with the maxillary sinus — mucus, congestion, small amt. of post-op bleeding for a day or 2, small amt. of drainage….until I could start irrigating and gently blowing my nose to get rid of the mucus. as i continue to heal I still have some mucus clearing, but the turbinates healed incredibly well and fast. All in all, I am VERY happy with the results.      Write if I can give you any more information…….Michele

Response:

Turbinates are baffles that extend from the outer walls of the right & left nasal cavities into the cavity or airway itself. They help to control air flow & humidify/warm inhaled air. They are composed of a core of bone (a shelf of bone protruding out of the wall) & are covered by mucosa. If the bone is too large &/or the mucosa swollen the airway will be blocked preventing air flow through that side of the nose. The sinus cavity on that side of the face may also be blocked so it can’t drain. This can cause sinusitis, sinus headaches, etc.. If the problem is intermittent i.e. comes & goes it most likely is due to swollen mucosa which swell on exposure to pollutants, pollens & other airborne irritants. If this is the problem avoidance of irritants & nasal drops/sprays should suffice. If the problem is constant it is most likely due to excess bone & surgical debulking of the turbinate is required. The entire turbinate need not be removed & most of the mucosa should be spared to prevent a dry nose with bleeding etc. after surgery. A sheet of plastic is placed between the septum in the middle of the nose & the sidewall from which the turbinate has been debulked. This prevents scar tissue from forming between the raw surface on the turbinate & the septum. If this scar tissue forms it can also hamper air flow. Packing is not required you only need something to prevent the scar tissue bridge from forming. — Best wishes ___________________________________________ Aaron Stone MD Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery 2080 Century Park East, Suite 1110 Century City Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310)843-9021 FAX(310)277-6510 e-mail – ast…@earthlink.net http://www.aaronstonemd.com ICQ #19116074 Accept no substitutes, demand a Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery for your cosmetic & reconstructive Plastic Surgery needs! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -MS wrote:

I posted the following message a few weeks ago, but only saw one response to it. So I am posting it again, in case some new people see it who can comment on it. Sorry if you’re looking at it for the second time. ————————————————————————— – – Who here has had surgery for turbinate reduction? I don’t mean intermediate measures for reducing swollen turbinates such as somnoplasty, freezing, cautery, or laser reduction. I mean real surgery with a knife, cutting out part of the turbinate. I have had two laser reduction procedures and two turbinate somnoplasties, and still have problems with swollen turbinates. An ENT I went to recently said that it’s because the bone on one side is also overgrown, not only the mucosa. So the only thing that would work is standard knife surgery. But he didn’t seem very enthusiastic about it. Said there can be problems with it, over-drying of nose, etc. Results aren’t always good. Nose has to be packed afterwards (which sounds terrible to me), and one has to stay home for a week. So he didn’t recommend it, although he said it’s the only option for reducing my swollen turbinates. I should mention that steroid sprays do nothing for me, although I’ve used them for years. The only medicine that works in reducing the swelling is oxymetazoline (Afrin), which shouldn’t be used regularly. So, I would like to hear others (patients and doctors) experience with this surgery. Results, side-effects, recovery, etc. Thank you, Mike

Response:

It is critical in the case of chronic sinusitis that an antrostomy (opening into the sinuses) be done.  All too often patients will only have turbinate reduction done, and still be left with a diseased sinus, when they should have had more definitive procedures done. For more information, please visit my website. Sincerely, Wellington S. Tichenor, M. D. 642 Park Avenue New York, New York 10021 212 517-6611 wtiche…@sinuses.com Visit our award winning website at: http://www.sinuses.com Sinusitis: A Treatment plan that works for allergy and asthma too Use our internal search engine to find information on the website. Any information must be discussed with your physician and should not be used as medical advice.   Aaron Stone MD wrote:

Turbinates are baffles that extend from the outer walls of the right & left nasal cavities into the cavity or airway itself….

. The sinus cavity on that side – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

of the face may also be blocked so it can’t drain. This can cause sinusitis, sinus headaches, etc.. If the problem is intermittent i.e. comes & goes it most likely is due to swollen mucosa which swell on exposure to pollutants, pollens & other airborne irritants. If this is the problem avoidance of irritants & nasal drops/sprays should suffice. If the problem is constant it is most likely due to excess bone & surgical debulking of the turbinate is required. The entire turbinate need not be removed & most of the mucosa should be spared to prevent a dry nose with bleeding etc. after surgery. A sheet of plastic is placed between the septum in the middle of the nose & the sidewall from which the turbinate has been debulked. This prevents scar tissue from forming between the raw surface on the turbinate & the septum. If this scar tissue forms it can also hamper air flow. Packing is not required you only need something to prevent the scar tissue bridge from forming. — Best wishes ___________________________________________ Aaron Stone MD Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery 2080 Century Park East, Suite 1110 Century City Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310)843-9021 FAX(310)277-6510 e-mail – ast…@earthlink.net http://www.aaronstonemd.com ICQ #19116074 Accept no substitutes, demand a Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery for your cosmetic & reconstructive Plastic Surgery needs!

Response:

Sometimes undiagnosed hypothyroidism can lead to swollen sinuses.  In some cases even with normal blood tests.  Do you have hypothyroid symptoms?   BL

Response:

BL 1204 <bl1…@aol.com

wrote in message

news:19990623112049.17093.00002845@ng-cs1.aol.com…

Sometimes undiagnosed hypothyroidism can lead to swollen sinuses.  In some cases even with normal blood tests.  Do you have hypothyroid symptoms? BL

In a recent physical, my thyroid level was normal.

Response:

<bla…@novagate.com

wrote in message news:7kqogb$ag2$0@205.138.138.3… You might investigate possible vasculits/autoimmune diseases..not likely though.

I asked my doc about this, I think because you’ve mentioned it before. She said my blood tests show no indication of such diseases.

Response:

Wellington S. Tichenor, M. D. <wtiche…@pol.net

wrote in message

news:376FB61A.616D@pol.net…

It is critical in the case of chronic sinusitis that an antrostomy (opening into the sinuses) be done.  All too often patients will only have turbinate reduction done, and still be left with a diseased sinus, when they should have had more definitive procedures done. Accept no substitutes, demand a Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery for your cosmetic & reconstructive Plastic Surgery needs!

Thank you for your comments, Dr. Tichenor. In my case, CT scans have showed (according to several ENTs) no need for sinus surgery. No defect in the sinus structure, no chronic infection (although I have very frequent sinus infections), and only a very slight septal deviation. Yet my turbinates (especially on the left side) are very swollen. Two laser procedures and two somnoplasties to reduce those swollen turbinates didn’t help much, so do you think in my case regular turbinate surgery might be the way to go? I know you have also written that one must find the cause of the turbinate swelling and treat it, not just treat this symptom. I’d love to find the cause and cure it, but in years I haven’t been able to find it, nor has any doc. As I wrote, the ENTS have all said that the CTs of my sinuses look OK. As for causes, most docs will say "allergy". Well, years of allergy shots didn’t seem to help me at all. Antihistamines don’t seem to help me at all, nor do cortisone nasal sprays. I irrigate frequently, which washes out the mucous, but doesn’t help with the swelling. Any other ideas about causes, and treatment of the cause? Thank you for your input, Mike

Response:

You might investigate possible vasculits/autoimmune diseases..not likely though.

Response:

In article <929503248.03…@news.remarQ.com

,

  "              MS" <dontwr…@here.com

wrote: I posted the following message a few weeks ago, but only saw one

response to

it. So I am posting it again, in case some new people see it who can

comment

on it. Sorry if you’re looking at it for the second time.

———————————————————————— —- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

– Who here has had surgery for turbinate reduction? I don’t mean intermediate measures for reducing swollen turbinates

such as

somnoplasty, freezing, cautery, or laser reduction. I mean real

surgery with

a knife, cutting out part of the turbinate. I have had two laser reduction procedures and two turbinate

somnoplasties,

and still have problems with swollen turbinates. An ENT I went to recently said

that

it’s because the bone on one side is also overgrown, not only the

mucosa. So

the only thing that would work is standard knife surgery. But he didn’t seem very enthusiastic about it. Said there can be

problems

with it, over-drying of nose, etc. Results aren’t always good. Nose

has to

be packed afterwards (which sounds terrible to me), and one has to

stay home

for a week. So he didn’t recommend it, although he said it’s the only

option

for reducing my swollen turbinates. I should mention that steroid sprays do nothing for me, although I’ve

used

them for years. The only medicine that works in reducing the swelling

is

oxymetazoline (Afrin), which shouldn’t be used regularly. So, I would like to hear others (patients and doctors) experience with

this

surgery. Results, side-effects, recovery, etc. Thank you, Mike

Mike: I had turbinate reduction surgery done 4 years ago and if I had known how much better I would be able to breathe, I’d have done it years before!  I equate the difference in breathing like sucking soda through a straw vs a milkshake. Anyway, I had to have the surgery done in pieces.  The first attempt was done under a local anaesthesia (which apparently I didn’t react well with) and had to go back the next day and get it completed under general anaesthesia.  I was in no pain, merely discomfort.  My nose was packed for a couple days and after the packing was taken out, some of the most disgusting stuff that I have ever seen came out (sorry, but you gotta be prepared!).  That lasted a couple more days but that may have been caused by the long-term NSAIDS that I had taken for for another problem. I was out of work for a week, but that was due partially due to vanity as I had some bruising (I also had my nose slightly redesigned, my dad’s hump didn’t look too good on me!).  Anyway, the only side-effects that I had from the surgery was nose bleeds and those I had cauterized with silver nitrate (which took care of a problem that I had had most of my life anyway). Since then, I have noticed that my nose is dryer than usual.  But on the other hand, I have noticed that I don’t get as congested when I catch whatever rhinovirus happens to be making the rounds. I’d have it done again in a heartbeat.  In fact, one of my co-workers needs to have it done and he is terrified.  Personally, I’d rather be miserable one week out of my life and be done with it…..but that’s just my opinion.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Michelle Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

I would like to hear from people who have had turbinate surgery. What was the operation like? What method was used? Did it cure or help alleviate your rhinitis symptoms? Or make them worse? Did your nose have to be packed afterwards? If so, what was that like? I would also be interested in hearing from doctors who perform these operations, regarding the method they think is best, success rate, problems, etc. I have severe congestion problems, including much swelling. The cortisone sprays don’t seem to help me, and neither did a couple years of allergy shots. CT scans of my sinuses do not show a need for sinus or septal surgery. But I am wondering if the turbinate surgery might help. Any advice people (including medical professionals) have would be appreciated. Thank you very much. If possible, I would prefer to receive e-mailed replies as well as seeing your reply posted to the newsgroup.  Please read the directions below for sending me e-mail. (Clicking the "Reply to Author" button will not work.) Thank you. Sincerely, Michael L. Spector If you have a legitimate e-mail message to send me, use the following e-mail address, but delete the 2 occurrences of the letter z: mikespect…@bigfootz.com Sorry for the trouble, but I am trying to avoid the scourge of spam. Please do not send me any unsolicited advertisements.

Response:

On Fri, 16 Jan 1998 14:37:56 -0800, "     ****" <a…@123.com

wrote: I would like to hear from people who have had turbinate surgery. What was the operation like? What method was used? Did it cure or help alleviate your rhinitis symptoms? Or make them worse? Did your nose have to be packed afterwards? If so, what was that like?

I had an operation a few weeks ago that included turbinate surgery. It was totally painless and totally successful. My nose was packed for two days after the operation. The packing was a absorbent tube that was inserted compressed flat – it expands to fill the space. I could breath through the tube while the packing was in. It was removed by squirting water into it to soften it and them gently drawn out – again totally painless. Ask about this type of packing – apparently not all surgeons use it. The surgeon wanted me to see an allergy specialist but my "allergic" rhinitis went away after the operation so I doubt that I will. — Steve ——————————————————– Stephen Wolstenholme: Author of Neural Network Shareware web page: http://www.tropheus.demon.co.uk

Response:

sounds like you have a nasal function problem. Please see my suggestions at http://www.ent-consult.com Most physicians today work on restoring nasal function, esp the cilia. Turbinate surgery can be used, by removing a part of the bone and spareing in cilia. This is called a submucus resection of the turbinate. Murray Grossan, M.D. In article <69oqvc$3a…@usenet50.supernews.com

, "     ****" <a…@123.com

wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I would like to hear from people who have had turbinate surgery. What was the operation like? What method was used? Did it cure or help alleviate your rhinitis symptoms? Or make them worse? Did your nose have to be packed afterwards? If so, what was that like? I would also be interested in hearing from doctors who perform these operations, regarding the method they think is best, success rate, problems, etc. I have severe congestion problems, including much swelling. The cortisone sprays don’t seem to help me, and neither did a couple years of allergy shots. CT scans of my sinuses do not show a need for sinus or septal surgery. But I am wondering if the turbinate surgery might help. Any advice people (including medical professionals) have would be appreciated. Thank you very much. If possible, I would prefer to receive e-mailed replies as well as seeing your reply posted to the newsgroup.  Please read the directions below for sending me e-mail. (Clicking the "Reply to Author" button will not work.) Thank you. Sincerely, Michael L. Spector If you have a legitimate e-mail message to send me, use the following e-mail address, but delete the 2 occurrences of the letter z: mikespect…@bigfootz.com Sorry for the trouble, but I am trying to avoid the scourge of spam. Please do not send me any unsolicited advertisements.

Response:

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LOVE this Earth – Help your Fellow Man. – The

ANSWER!! This is a response to your advertisement on Classifieds2000. ————————————————————————— — Summary of the Ad: Dealers and Distributors, LaundryDiscs & Related Product, SanDiego, California – San Diego http://www.classifieds2000.com/cgi-cls/ad.exe?P142+C266+R248344 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Murray Grossan wrote: > sounds like you have a nasal function problem. Please see my > suggestions at > http://www.ent-consult.com > Most physicians today work on restoring nasal function, esp the cilia. > Turbinate surgery can be used, by removing a part of the bone and > spareing > in cilia. This is called a submucus resection of the turbinate. > Murray Grossan, M.D. > In article <69oqvc$3a…@usenet50.supernews.com>, "     ****" > <a…@123.com

> wrote: > > I would like to hear from people who have had turbinate surgery. > > What was the operation like? What method was used? Did it cure > > or help alleviate your rhinitis symptoms? Or make them worse? > > Did your nose have to be packed afterwards? If so, what was that > > like? > > I would also be interested in hearing from doctors who perform > > these operations, regarding the method they think is best, > > success rate, problems, etc. > > I have severe congestion problems, including much swelling. The > > cortisone sprays don’t seem to help me, and neither did a couple > > years of allergy shots. CT scans of my sinuses do not show a > > need for sinus or septal surgery. But I am wondering if the > > turbinate surgery might help. > > Any advice people (including medical professionals) have would > > be appreciated. Thank you very much. > > If possible, I would prefer to receive e-mailed replies as well > > as seeing your reply posted to the newsgroup.  Please read the > > directions below for sending me e-mail. (Clicking the "Reply to > > Author" button will not work.) Thank you. > > Sincerely, > > Michael L. Spector > > If you have a legitimate e-mail message to send me, use the > > following e-mail address, but delete the 2 occurrences of the > > letter z: > > mikespect…@bigfootz.com > > Sorry for the trouble, but I am trying to avoid the scourge of > > spam. > > Please do not send me any unsolicited advertisements.

Response:

Has anyone had experience (either as a patient or doctor) with the laser method of turbinate reduction surgery? How does it compare with the other methods? If possible, I would prefer to receive e-mailed replies as well as seeing your reply posted to the newsgroup.  Please read the directions below for sending me e-mail. (Clicking the "Reply to Author" button will not work.) Thank you. Sincerely, Michael L. Spector If you have a legitimate e-mail message to send me, use the following e-mail address, but delete the 2 occurrences of the letter z: mikespect…@bigfootz.com Sorry for the trouble, but I am trying to avoid the scourge of spam. Please do not send me any unsolicited advertisements!

Response:

Question:

I’ll second that!  It can be messy and at first uncomfortable, but if you can get the gunk out, you’ll feel tons better. Also, a steam inhaler with tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and myhrr (just a drop of each) will also clear out your sinuses, and the oils have antibacterial effects which help prevent infections from taking hold.  If you don’t have a steam inhaler, a pot of boiled water and a bath towel draped over your head and the pot works just as well (just be careful and do not do it while the pot is on the stove!)  Breathe in through your nose, you may even feel the steam go right up between your eyes…then you know you’ve started to clear out. Orally, you can try a goldenseal root capsule with a 500mg tablet of vitamin C.  I don’t know why, but that seems to work as well for me as taking something like Sudafed.  And if your problems stem from allergies, try stinging nettle capsules.  Safe and they do wonders. Hugs, PJ. Astrology & New Age Garnered Images Astrology [ Where beauty moves and wit delights and signs of kindness bind me, there, oh there, wher'ere I go, I leave my heart behind me. (Thomas Ford, 1607) [

  Two yrs ago I developed chronic sinusitus (never had one before in my   life) and it can be nasty. I use nasal irrigation regularly and it has   been very effective. There are several methods but I use a stnd Water   Pik with a special attachment (called a Grossman irrigator- found it   thru a web site) that you place in your nostril. The basin is isotonic   saline- just salt added to warm water.  Homeopathic remedies and   other meds weren't effective. Nasal irrigation sound gross but I   even have my 6 yr old daughter do it and she didnt get a single cold   this entire winter!!   frank   What is recommended for sinus problems? PLEASE HELP!!!!     Cindy       Before you buy.

Response:

Thanks for the tips!! frank Also, a steam inhaler with tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and myhrr (just a = drop of each) will also clear out your sinuses, and the oils have = antibacterial effects which help prevent infections from taking hold. = Orally, you can try a goldenseal root capsule with a 500mg tablet of = vitamin C. I don't know why, but that seems to work as well for me as = taking something like Sudafed. Hugs, PJ.

Before you buy.

Response:

I have had great results with a product called Defendol.  My symptoms have been gone for 5 years. There are no side effects. Click on the link below and then go to Product Catalog to read about it. It's a Natural Medicine regulated by FDA. Alan -- http://www.futureopportunity.com

- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text - What is recommended for sinus problems?  PLEASE HELP!!!! Cindy

Response:

What is recommended for sinus problems? PLEASE HELP!!!! Cindy

-- A few weeks ago, I got some excellent results using a product I'd never tried before, J's Nose Drops, after having a really rough time with sinuses and allergies that weekend and not getting much relief with anything tried.  After the 3rd application (spaced over a number of hours), the relief was considerable. ... A doctor friend questions the safety of one of the ingredients, which contains iodine, but she is also sensitive to iodine. Cliff Gieseke, San Antonio, Texas Before you buy.

Response:

Which problem ? My problem was dry sinus in the winter that resulted in a bloody nose when I awoke. Tobasco sauce once a day stopped that. Gene - Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text - What is recommended for sinus problems?  PLEASE HELP!!!! Cindy

Response:

Sinus congestion

Response:

I have had great results with a product called Defendol. My symptoms have been gone for 5 years. There are no side effects. Click on the link below and then go to Product Catalog to read about it. It's a Natural Medicine regulated by FDA. Alan

I've suffered horrible sinus problems for nearly 20 years. The reason: poor nutrition. Sinuses can be a canary in the coal mine kind of indicator. More fruits and vegetables, less dairy and sucrose should serve as a tonic. For extra insurance, I recommend a formula called Respir-All from Now Foods. It contains quercetin, nettle extract, bromelain and licorice. It's a tad expensive (around $14 for a 3 week supply, but worth it. I'm now completely symptom-free. Before you buy.

Response:

Ze I've suffered horrible sinus problems for nearly 20 years. The reason: Ze poor nutrition. Sinuses can be a canary in the coal mine kind of Ze indicator. More fruits and vegetables, less dairy and sucrose should Ze serve as a tonic. For extra insurance, I recommend a formula called Ze Respir-All from Now Foods. It contains quercetin, nettle extract, Ze bromelain and licorice. It's a tad expensive (around $14 for a 3 week Ze supply, but worth it. I'm now completely symptom-free.     There are several companies which make quercetin plus bromelain     products. .. End  of  message ___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR]

Response:

I agree with you about the importance of proper nutrition. Defendol is a medicine which deals with removing the effects of environmental pollutants. Pollution is a problem which seems to be getting worse all the time, and this is a way to help deal with that. It’s another approach. Alan — http://www.futureopportunity.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had great results with a product called Defendol. My symptoms have been gone for 5 years. There are no side effects. Click on the link below and then go to Product Catalog to read about it. It’s a Natural Medicine regulated by FDA. Alan I’ve suffered horrible sinus problems for nearly 20 years. The reason: poor nutrition. Sinuses can be a canary in the coal mine kind of indicator. More fruits and vegetables, less dairy and sucrose should serve as a tonic. For extra insurance, I recommend a formula called Respir-All from Now Foods. It contains quercetin, nettle extract, bromelain and licorice. It’s a tad expensive (around $14 for a 3 week supply, but worth it. I’m now completely symptom-free. Before you buy.

Response:

Defendol is a medicine which deals with removing the effects of environmental pollutants.

What is in it?

Response:

I suffer quite a bit. Not severe infections where antibiotics are necessary, but continuous over production of mucous accoring to the specialist I saw. I was put on a c..steroid inhaler which helped tremendously fro the first few months. However the problem persists, but not quite as bad. I have  tried everything. I take all the right nutritional supplements, but I can’t cut out dairy produce, I like them too much.  Steam inhalation with some mixtures of essential oils certainly help but only temporarily. I have come to the conclusion I am stuck with it. Guess I just have to quit smoking. But what about everything else in the air? Wishing you an abundance of all you desire, Regards, Ray ?: http://communities.msn.co.uk/RAYSNEWAYS ?: www.sixfigureincome.com/?160200 ?: http://alladvantage.com/go.asp?refid=KBK864

Response:

Nice post AF. What makes it real is that you have been there and done that. This a always where one can find the best info. However the diary products may have a different effect on each person. Jan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -You are NOT stuck with chronic sinusitis. First, dairy has NOTHING to do with mucus production.  That is an old wive’s tale.  Several well designed studies have proved the supposed link between dairy and sinusitis  (and otitis) to be a bunch of baloney, now mostly promulgated by the sort of weirdos who don’t want anyone else to eat foods they don’t find politically correct.  Unless you have a rare and specific dairy allergy, you can eat dairy until the cows come home with no negative effects on your sinuses.  I get so tired or reading this folkloric nonsense on the internet.  MILK DOES NOT CAUSE MUCUS PRODUCTION OR THICKENING, PERIOD.   Steam inhalation is only  a mild help, at best, for most people. Smoking is a *very* bad thing to do in any case, but ESPECIALLY with chronic sinus disease.  It will *never* get better if you keep smoking. Period. Once you quit smoking, you have basically three *proven* options, or "alternatives"  for effective sinus therapy. 1) Drugs (not always  good over the long term, but for many people with seasonal or occasional sinusitis and rhinitis,  it is perfectly rational to use steroidal inhalers and oral (not spray) decongestants and antihistamines, and antibiotics ONLY in the case of a documented bout of acute infectious sinusitis secondary to chronic structural problems).  There is, unfortunately, virtually no evidence that the frequently mentioned herbal medicines (goldenseal, echinacea, astragalus, ephedra) are any better than proper pharmaceutical drugs.  In fact, only goldenseal and ephedra appear to have any real effect on sinus disease, and then only as mild decongestants easily trumped by OTC pseudoephedrine and guaefenesin preparations.  No solid evidence exists that echinacea and astragalus, supposed "immune system boosters," can alleviate sinusitis.    * On the subject of drugs, NEVER use Afrin-type (oxymatazoline) inhaled decongestant products for more than one day in a row, or more than a few days a month.  These drugs have some place in the treatment of sinus disease, but they are "addictive" and cause "rebound" effects — the more you use, the worse your underlying disease gets and the more you need the drug, just like cocaine.  Oral decongestants — especially standard 60 mg (2x 30 mg) pseudoephedrine tablets (Sinutab, Sudafed) are fine for most people, but are also contraindicated for some patients. 2) Surgery: the gold standard, and what cured me and many people I know of life-wrecking sinus problems.  Functional Endoscopic (and now laser-guided) Sinus Surgery, or FESS, is used to reshape the structural anatomy of the sinus cavity, straighten the septum, remove dead and diseased tissue . . .  it can be a miracle.  But it is expensive and painful, though low risk.  If you do it, find an ENT surgeon who has done it *hundreds* of times and your odds of a good outcome increase dramatically.  Sometimes it needs to be done twice or three times to really take.  I worship my surgeon, who gave me my head back. 3) Pulsatile irrigation.  Saving the best for last, Dr. Murray Grossan has come up with a cheap, all-natural alternative therapy for chronic sinusitis.  It is a simple tip that attaches to a standard "Waterpik" device and delivers a pulsed stream of saline solution (you can make this yourself) through the sinus cavity. This not only cleans out the accumulated mucus, but also cleans surfaces, opens passages, and most importantly, the pulsatile stream restores proper ciliary motion, which is damaged by mucus accumulation (and, for you, by smoking.) Do it once or even twice a day and you may find that your sinus problems disappear or are massively alleviated very quickly.  The tip is about $17, a waterpik device is less than $50.  The setup will last a year at least, and saline is virtually free if you make it yourself. Read about the Grossan method at: http://www.ent-consult.com Note: I am in no way affiliated with Dr. Grossan or his company (although he is a nice guy), and have no financial interest in the Grossan tip.  I merely endorse it as a very satisfied customer.  It is the best "alternative" approach to sinus disease I am aware of. Note also: I am a layperson, not a medical doctor or medical professional of any kind. I am not even a chiropracter with a delinquent license.  This is informal advice based on personal experience. ANYONE with serious sinus problems should see a medical professional, particularly an ENT or Allergist.   AF

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I suffer quite a bit. Not severe infections where antibiotics are necessary, but continuous over production of mucous accoring to the specialist I saw. I was put on a c..steroid inhaler which helped tremendously fro the first few months. However the problem persists, but not quite as bad. I have  tried everything. I take all the right nutritional supplements, but I can’t cut out dairy produce, I like them too much.  Steam inhalation with some mixtures of essential oils certainly help but only temporarily. I have come to the conclusion I am stuck with it. Guess I just have to quit smoking. But what about everything else in the air? Howdy. You are NOT stuck with chronic sinusitis. First, dairy has NOTHING to do with mucus production.  That is an old wive’s tale.  Several well designed studies have proved the supposed link between dairy and sinusitis  (and otitis) to be a bunch of baloney, now mostly promulgated by the sort of weirdos who don’t want anyone else to eat foods they don’t find politically correct.  Unless you have a rare and specific dairy allergy, you can eat dairy until the cows come home with no negative effects on your sinuses.  I get so tired or reading this folkloric nonsense on the internet.  MILK DOES NOT CAUSE MUCUS PRODUCTION OR THICKENING, PERIOD.

allergic reactions to milk are rare? do you have proof of this? and don’t those allergic reactions often include mucus production? Remove one ‘m’ from mpinet to use your reply option….. "Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes." Life may have no meaning. Or even worse, it may have a meaning of which I disapprove. Ashleigh Brilliant

Response:

In article The belief that dairy causes sinus congestion, sore throats, or ear infections in otherwise non-allergic individuals is widespread and utterly false.   The poster in question suggested that s/he consumes a lot of dairy, and always has.  Presumably s/he has not always had sinus problems.  The poster also indicated that s/he smoked.  That is a *much* more likely and common cause of sinus and other respiratory problems

Thanks for letting me know it’s OK to keep with the dairy products. By the way I think it was me who said I smoked, not the original poster. Wishing you an abundance of all you desire, Regards, Ray ?: http://communities.msn.co.uk/RAYSNEWAYS ?: www.sixfigureincome.com/?160200 ?: http://alladvantage.com/go.asp?refid=KBK864

Response:

before the candida and parasite scares (now both fading into obscurity like the malarkey they were). I see you are still at it. You think they are fading. Not so….and they never were malarkey. Jan

Ahhhhh Jan – Can’t you just Let it Be – even just one time?? You’re incorrigible… k

Response:

.  Great to see you, Kingoff, ka&g, Karuna,  Nightfall, Rich and a few others still holding the reasonable fort.

… well, sorta trying to… (hold the reasonable…) Really good to see you too.   The little bit of news I shared here a  few months ago continues to be  a happy story and the greatest miracle I have ever witnessed  -  a miracle of nature in my world view.

Very Best to you all. AF

k

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Well, the belief that dairy products cause an increase or thickening of mucus certainly COULD be widespread because of experiences like mine, because the way I avoid sinus problems is precisely by avoiding dairy!   Let me have something with milk or ice cream in it, and sinus stuffiness and headaches are extremely predictable, like clockwork.   I never get indigestion from them – I haven’t yet met a food that gave me indigestion, except maybe cheeseburgers, which I don’t like to eat anyway and haven’t had in many years – but the reaction always happens *after* the milk or ice cream has completely passed through my system. So if I want sinus problems on Saturday, having a milkshake on Friday is the best way I know to guarantee it.  Very small amounts of butter or hard cheese don’t bother me at all, and I can even handle one slice of cheese pizza or a (small) piece of veggie lasagna without reaction, provided that I don’t do it again for the next few days.  Yogurt in moderate amounts is okay too, but not mllk or ice cream!  Guess everybody’s different and unique, after all. FWIW, I had more than my share of sinus and earache problems as a kid, being brought up in a milk drinking family. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nice post AF. What makes it real is that you have been there and done that. This a always where one can find the best info. However the diary products may have a different effect on each person. Jan Thanks Jan.  Yes, SOME people are allergic to dairy products, although the commonest symptoms of that allergy are gasto-intestinal, not respiratory.  But other than allergy-mediated cases, which are not all that common in the US,  there is simply no mechanism whereby dairy could cause mucus production or mucus thickening, and quite a few careful studies prove it.  The belief that dairy causes sinus congestion, sore throats, or ear infections in otherwise non-allergic individuals is widespread and utterly false.  

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Topic:  Sinus Problems

So Unless you have a rare and specific dairy allergy, you can eat So dairy until the cows come home with no negative effects on your So sinuses.  I get so tired or reading this folkloric nonsense on the So internet.  MILK DOES NOT CAUSE MUCUS PRODUCTION OR THICKENING, So PERIOD. Shakyes   replied: Sh I’d have to agree with this except that allergy to milk isn’t all that Sh rare and worth considering if it’s a year-round problem.  Given that Sh this person’s problems are cyclical, it’s probably more likely to be an Sh inhalant problem which could be treated with several forms of allergy Sh treatment. Sh When I was allergic to milk, I used to have a horrible time with my Sh sinuses when I’d eat or drink milk products.  Even the smallest amount Sh hidden in a vitamin pill would cause me to stuff up.  Now that I am no Sh longer allergic to it, I can eat it all day without problem.     Gaylen, how did you become no longer allergic to milk?     P.S.  After I gave up drinking cow’s milk, my twice yearly strep     throats seemed to have dis-appeared. .. End  of  message  19 Mar 00  23:54:58 ___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR]

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before the candida and parasite scares (now both fading into obscurity like the malarkey they were).

I see you are still at it. You think they are fading. Not so….and they never were malarkey. Jan

Response:

Topic:  Sinus Problems

AF Said person also said s/he smoked, an incredibly common cause of sinus AF problems.  And said person said s/he ate dairy all the time, yet the AF sinus problems were "cyclical."  Some sort of interaction between AF smoking and seasonal allergic triggers (hayfever, cedar fever, etc.) is AF the likeliest cause.  the Grossan irrigation method, plus quitting AF smoking, is the most natural alternative therapy.  Seasonal allergies     Aaron, a recent poster said their sinus problem was helped by taking     bromelain; quercitin; nettles; and licorence (sp). AF On another note, latest figures now show alternative medicine to be a AF 27 billion dollar unregulated, unaccountable industry with no ethical AF obligations to treat the needy, no standards for professional AF accreditation, and incredibly sloppy standards for scientific AF verification of claims. If it quacks like a duck, it is a duck.     Based largely because of a lack of an industry friendly regulatory     agency, say like a "Natural Health Administration."  Having the     same agency regulate both pharm drugs and nutritional supplements     does not appear to work in practice.  Alt health heads do not     want a pharm drug oriented agency to regulate nutri supplements.     Plus medical schools still do not teach much nutritional medicine     at the lower educational levels.     If the medical community really took natural/nutritional medicine     to their heart, many medical problems would disappear. AF Guess I’m sorta back.  But only for a day or two.  I won’t get sucked AF into this quicksand of a newsgroup again! Warm regards to old friends. AF Cheers!     Actually no one should get involved in endless arguments on any     topic.  Much better to say a few words of wisdom about good health     ideas. .. End of message             19 Mar 00  23:37 ___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR]

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Milk allergy is not uncommon, but not as common as the anti-milk PC police would have you believe.  It concentrates in certain ethnic populations, and generally causes severe gastro-intestinal distress that is unmistakable and generally causes a smart person to realize they shouldn’t be eating dairy products.

I agree here.  My son is very allergic to milk and not only has severe gastro-intestional distress, but his eczema flairs up.  I wonder about the digestive iritation affecting the sinuses negatively?  Just a thought. <snipped Guess I’m sorta back.  But only for a day or two.  I won’t get sucked into this quicksand of a newsgroup again! Warm regards to old friends.  Cheers!

More like viper pit lately.   Wear heavy rubber boots.  : ) So nice to see you, Foxy, no matter the duration of stay.   And, I hope your life is going as well as your stock portfolio.  : ) Connie

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nice post AF. What makes it real is that you have been there and done that. This a always where one can find the best info. However the diary products may have a different effect on each person. Jan Thanks Jan.  Yes, SOME people are allergic to dairy products, although the commonest symptoms of that allergy are gasto-intestinal, not respiratory.  But other than allergy-mediated cases, which are not all that common in the US,  there is simply no mechanism whereby dairy could cause mucus production or mucus thickening, and quite a few careful studies prove it.  The belief that dairy causes sinus congestion, sore throats, or ear infections in otherwise non-allergic individuals is widespread and utterly false.   The poster in question suggested that s/he consumes a lot of dairy, and always has.  Presumably s/he has not always had sinus problems.  The poster also indicated that s/he smoked.  That is a *much* more likely and common cause of sinus and other respiratory problems (also in the people who live with the smoker).  When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras. Most of the time you’ll be right. Hope you are doing well.  Re our previous conversation, the stock of Elan PLC, the drug company I recommended for investment here several months ago, has risen from 27 to 44 since then, for a gain of 17 points, or roughly 40 percent since late November.  They have just had their new Alzheimer’s drug (betabloc) approved for clinical trials in England, and their revolutionary new pain medication is on  the FDA fast-track for approval in the US for — you guessed it — neuralgia and neuropathy, because early evidence shows it is a better drug for those kinds of pain

Great news and it has been tested against Neurotin? than anything else on the market  and it is an utterly new class of analgesic.  Elan has recently begun research in cancer therapy (they partnered with Liposome Inc.).  I say there’s probably still upside on this stock, though it is now trading at a 52-week (and all time) high and the big fast gain has already been realized.   While alts keep guessing and basing opinions on personal experience, massive advances are coming in proper, scientific medical research.  And you can make money on this trend to boot, if you invest in well-managed companies with promising new technologies. AF

Thanks for the info. If it’s better than Neurotin, I would like to try it.  Wonder how long it will take to have it approved?  Hope you are doing well too! Jan

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Unless you have a rare and specific dairy allergy, you can eat dairy until the cows come home with no negative effects on your sinuses.  I get so tired or reading this folkloric nonsense on the internet.  MILK DOES NOT CAUSE MUCUS PRODUCTION OR THICKENING, PERIOD.  

I’d have to agree with this except that allergy to milk isn’t all that rare and worth considering if it’s a year-round problem.  Given that this person’s problems are cyclical, it’s probably more likely to be an inhalant problem which could be treated with several forms of allergy treatment. When I was allergic to milk, I used to have a horrible time with my sinuses when I’d eat or drink milk products.  Even the smallest amount hidden in a vitamin pill would cause me to stuff up.  Now that I am no longer allergic to it, I can eat it all day without problem. Gaylen

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What is recommended for sinus problems?  PLEASE HELP!!!! Cindy

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Two yrs ago I developed chronic sinusitus (never had one before in my life) and it can be nasty. I use nasal irrigation regularly and it has been very effective. There are several methods but I use a stnd Water Pik with a special attachment (called a Grossman irrigator- found it thru a web site) that you place in your nostril. The basin is isotonic saline- just salt added to warm water.  Homeopathic remedies and other meds weren’t effective. Nasal irrigation sound gross but I even have my 6 yr old daughter do it and she didnt get a single cold this entire winter!! frank What is recommended for sinus problems? PLEASE HELP!!!! Cindy

Before you buy.

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BL1204      Try stinging nettles.  Take a max of two freeze dried caps every two hours as needed.  It works well Frank – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been to my doctor and tried all kinds of drugs to clear my sinus passages (he’s now thinking I may be allergic to my two cats, which I’ve had for quite some time). I’ll stand on my head if I have to; does anyone have any alternative suggestions? Thanks, Talion Well, it could be the cats, but have you tried eliminating milk?  It  can be mucous forming.  Also, my daughter has been helped by thyroid hormone. (despite normal blood tests).  Do you have chronically low body temperatures or other hypothyroid symptoms?  BL

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Try aromatherapy.  Great book with many remedies is Aromatherapy by Valerie Gennari Cooksley.  Eucalyptus is best essential oil, also tea tree, hyssop, juniper, lavender, lemon, pine, rosemary and sandalwood.  Put a few drop in boiling water; make tent with towel and inhale.  Many other remedies in her book.  Everything I have used it for so far has worked! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been to my doctor and tried all kinds of drugs to clear my sinus passages (he’s now thinking I may be allergic to my two cats, which I’ve had for quite some time). I’ll stand on my head if I have to; does anyone have any alternative suggestions? Thanks, Talion

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I’ve been to my doctor and tried all kinds of drugs to clear my sinus passages (he’s now thinking I may be allergic to my two cats, which I’ve had for quite some time). I’ll stand on my head if I have to; does anyone have any alternative suggestions? Thanks, Talion

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I’ve been to my doctor and tried all kinds of drugs to clear my sinus passages (he’s now thinking I may be allergic to my two cats, which I’ve had for quite some time). I’ll stand on my head if I have to; does anyone have any alternative suggestions? Thanks, Talion

Well, it could be the cats, but have you tried eliminating milk?  It  can be mucous forming.  Also, my daughter has been helped by thyroid hormone. (despite normal blood tests).  Do you have chronically low body temperatures or other hypothyroid symptoms?  BL

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These same symptoms bothered me and that’s why I quit, it’s been 4 days and my cough is minimal, but my sinuses and postnasal drip are still here…….I also have water in my right ear that will not go away quitting will get rid of these irksome problems Bean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The daily sinus headaches I was having pre-quit, quit the same day I did…gone completely. Ditto. Do I feel healthier?  HELL YES. Ditto.  I’ve progressed from being a wan, hacking, middle-aged smoker to being a veritable athlete, paddling, hiking, swimming, and biking hither and yon. Edna Pearl   OF

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None of that stuff is gonna go away completely until you give them up 100%. You are just teasing and feeding your addiction. I did suffer the stuff you mentioned for a few months after giving up. Felt a little like I was constantly at the beginning stages of a cold. Bren MMMMM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m still smoking trying to cut back and quit. I have been smoking 20 years 2 packs. I have been having a very Dry Mouth, stuffy nose, chest congestion, and Horrible Post Nasal Drip. Do these symptoms sounds familiar to X-smokers? My questions is: Does this get better when you quit, or at least cut way back. Do you feel healthier? I’m sick and tired of having these on-going health problems. CCCrunchie

Response:

The daily sinus headaches I was having pre-quit, quit the same day I did…gone completely.

Ditto. Do I feel healthier?  HELL YES.

Ditto.  I’ve progressed from being a wan, hacking, middle-aged smoker to being a veritable athlete, paddling, hiking, swimming, and biking hither and yon. Edna Pearl   OF

Response:

Hi CCCrunch…actually, your symptoms sound like a cold/flu aggravated by the still-smoking. I found that my heavy-duty smoker’s cough abated almost immediately…(within the first three weeks).  This particular quit, the postnasal drip and stuffy sinus hung around for a month, but is now gone. The daily sinus headaches I was having pre-quit, quit the same day I did…gone completely. but NOTE:  I started Zyban about 8 days before I quit. During that 8 days I cut back smoking considerably, but none of my smoking-related symptoms abated in the least during that time.  I think you gotta quit completely to get well. Do I feel healthier?  HELL YES.  I can take a deep deep breath, way down to the bottom-most reaches of my lungs, and not cough or even feel like it.  I can laugh and not have a coughing spasm at the end of it.  I can get on the stairmaster and feel good.  I do not have a daily "sinus condition" or headache.  I still have some "throat clearing" which seems to be my way of repairing damage/getting out the junk.  I climbed around the ruins of Pompeii and the Parthenon without having to stop to catch my breath once. (that was AMAZING to me!) set a quit date, make a plan, and stick around here getting ready, and then GO FOR IT  :)  .  We’re happy to have quitters! /varcie Two months, two weeks, 22 hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds. 2278 cigarettes not smoked, saving $461.62. Time NOT spent smoking: 1 week, 21 hours, 50 minutes.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m still smoking trying to cut back and quit. I have been smoking 20 years 2 packs. I have been having a very Dry Mouth, stuffy nose, chest congestion, and Horrible Post Nasal Drip. Do these symptoms sounds familiar to X-smokers? My questions is: Does this get better when you quit, or at least cut way back. Do you feel healthier? I’m sick and tired of having these on-going health problems. CCCrunchie

Response:

I’m still smoking trying to cut back and quit. I have been smoking 20 years 2 packs. I have been having a very Dry Mouth, stuffy nose, chest congestion, and Horrible Post Nasal Drip. Do these symptoms sounds familiar to X-smokers? My questions is: Does this get better when you quit, or at least cut way back. Do you feel healthier? I’m sick and tired of having these on-going health problems. CCCrunchie

Response:

it takes time for the body to heal itself. give it time…you took a long time messing it up. it does get better…big time !!! odat, frank Three years, four months, one week, 11 hours, 15 minutes and 1 second. 61273 cigarettes not smoked, saving $9,191.33. Life saved: 30 weeks, 2 days, 18 hours, 5 minutes.

Response:

These same symptoms bothered me and that’s why I quit, it’s been 4 days and my cough is minimal, but my sinuses and postnasal drip are still here…….I also have water in my right ear that will not go away quitting will get rid of these irksome problems Bean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The daily sinus headaches I was having pre-quit, quit the same day I did…gone completely. Ditto. Do I feel healthier?  HELL YES. Ditto.  I’ve progressed from being a wan, hacking, middle-aged smoker to being a veritable athlete, paddling, hiking, swimming, and biking hither and yon. Edna Pearl   OF

Response:

None of that stuff is gonna go away completely until you give them up 100%. You are just teasing and feeding your addiction. I did suffer the stuff you mentioned for a few months after giving up. Felt a little like I was constantly at the beginning stages of a cold. Bren MMMMM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m still smoking trying to cut back and quit. I have been smoking 20 years 2 packs. I have been having a very Dry Mouth, stuffy nose, chest congestion, and Horrible Post Nasal Drip. Do these symptoms sounds familiar to X-smokers? My questions is: Does this get better when you quit, or at least cut way back. Do you feel healthier? I’m sick and tired of having these on-going health problems. CCCrunchie

Response:

The daily sinus headaches I was having pre-quit, quit the same day I did…gone completely.

Ditto. Do I feel healthier?  HELL YES.

Ditto.  I’ve progressed from being a wan, hacking, middle-aged smoker to being a veritable athlete, paddling, hiking, swimming, and biking hither and yon. Edna Pearl   OF

Response:

Hi CCCrunch…actually, your symptoms sound like a cold/flu aggravated by the still-smoking. I found that my heavy-duty smoker’s cough abated almost immediately…(within the first three weeks).  This particular quit, the postnasal drip and stuffy sinus hung around for a month, but is now gone. The daily sinus headaches I was having pre-quit, quit the same day I did…gone completely. but NOTE:  I started Zyban about 8 days before I quit. During that 8 days I cut back smoking considerably, but none of my smoking-related symptoms abated in the least during that time.  I think you gotta quit completely to get well. Do I feel healthier?  HELL YES.  I can take a deep deep breath, way down to the bottom-most reaches of my lungs, and not cough or even feel like it.  I can laugh and not have a coughing spasm at the end of it.  I can get on the stairmaster and feel good.  I do not have a daily "sinus condition" or headache.  I still have some "throat clearing" which seems to be my way of repairing damage/getting out the junk.  I climbed around the ruins of Pompeii and the Parthenon without having to stop to catch my breath once. (that was AMAZING to me!) set a quit date, make a plan, and stick around here getting ready, and then GO FOR IT  :)  .  We’re happy to have quitters! /varcie Two months, two weeks, 22 hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds. 2278 cigarettes not smoked, saving $461.62. Time NOT spent smoking: 1 week, 21 hours, 50 minutes.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m still smoking trying to cut back and quit. I have been smoking 20 years 2 packs. I have been having a very Dry Mouth, stuffy nose, chest congestion, and Horrible Post Nasal Drip. Do these symptoms sounds familiar to X-smokers? My questions is: Does this get better when you quit, or at least cut way back. Do you feel healthier? I’m sick and tired of having these on-going health problems. CCCrunchie

Response:

I’m still smoking trying to cut back and quit. I have been smoking 20 years 2 packs. I have been having a very Dry Mouth, stuffy nose, chest congestion, and Horrible Post Nasal Drip. Do these symptoms sounds familiar to X-smokers? My questions is: Does this get better when you quit, or at least cut way back. Do you feel healthier? I’m sick and tired of having these on-going health problems. CCCrunchie

Response:

it takes time for the body to heal itself. give it time…you took a long time messing it up. it does get better…big time !!! odat, frank Three years, four months, one week, 11 hours, 15 minutes and 1 second. 61273 cigarettes not smoked, saving $9,191.33. Life saved: 30 weeks, 2 days, 18 hours, 5 minutes.

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Question:

You said– Oh, yeah?   Tell me how a TRH test catches "hypothyroid" people who don’t have low TSH’s.   By what mechanism are they hypothyroid?   And what do antibodies tell you about people who don’t have high TSH’s?  By what mechanism are THEY hypothyroid?

The tests aren’t perfect.  TRH stimulation test  can catch "central hypothyroidism."   Here is an article about it.  I have spent months in the AOL hypothyroid folder, and believe me there are plenty of instances of people having normal blood tests and abnormal TRH stimulation tests, and improving on thyroid medication, usually T3 medication, but sometimes T4 medication. http://www.alternativemedicine.com/digest/issue19/i19-a60.shtml   I am a little less familiar with the antibodies tests; nevertheless, again, many people in the AOL hypothyroid folder report normal blood test results, but with anti-thyroid antibodies.  They, too, report good results on thyroid medication. Here is an article about that– http://www.alternativemedicine.com/alternativemedicine/digest/issue16… a52.shtml   The second example is of a person with elevated antibodies and normal blood test results. Dr. John Lowe has done much research on hypometabolism and fibromyalgia. He routinely uses the TRH stimulation test.   There is a discussion about this and auto-immune problems in this article– http://chronicfatigue.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa090897.htm This isn’t always generally known or accepted by endos.  Our endo is a true believer in the TRH stimulation test, and  more and more research is being done on these things.   BL

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1204) writes: In my book, this is NOT a full body of thyroid tests.  So I guess I’m pushing your lab’s services!!  A total T3 and/or Free T3 should be done as well.  And if a person feels hypothyroid, has hypothyroid symptoms and low temperatures, if these tests come back normal, then the thyroid antibodies tests should be done, and a  TRH stimulation test should be done as well. These catch many hypothyroid people that the other tests don’t catch!!

Oh, yeah?   Tell me how a TRH test catches "hypothyroid" people who don’t have low TSH’s.   By what mechanism are they hypothyroid?   And what do antibodies tell you about people who don’t have high TSH’s?  By what mechanism are THEY hypothyroid?

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He said to ask a natural-med type doctor about taking "armor-thyroid" (hoping that’s somewhat close)… Hmmm…. First, IMHO, it is best to get a full battery of thyroid tests. Then you can use synthroid (the exact same chemical made by your body) or the natural and less standardized armour-thyroid (derived from cow thyroids).

Jet, A battery of test will not hurt, but I don’t think that it is indicated immediately for several reasons. 1. He may have a naturally low body temperature without being hypothyroid. My temperature was always be a degree low and I have tons of energy and really now signs of hypothyroidism. 2. He may be on a fairly low calories diet. This will certainly lower his temperature and it is thought to be one of the fundamental reasons why CR diets increase maximum lifespan in almost all species. Again, my waking body temperature in the morning currently runs even lower than his at just over 97′F If he is otherwise energetic and healthy he should "count his blessings" and expect to live a long life. For more details on low temperature and to decided if you really are possibly hypothyroid (without tests) see the Cold Body Page at URL: http://www.mall-net.com/mcs/coldbody.html –Tom Tom Matthews The LIFE EXTENSION FOUNDATION – http://www.lef.org – 800-841-5433 A non-profit membership organization dedicated to the extension of the healthy human lifespan through ground breaking research, innovative ideas and practical methods.

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He said to ask a natural-med type doctor about taking "armor-thyroid" (hoping that’s somewhat close)… Hmmm…. First, IMHO, it is best to get a full battery of thyroid tests. Then you can use synthroid (the exact same chemical made by your body) or the natural and less standardized armour-thyroid (derived from cow thyroids).

While I don’t often agree with Jet, I whole-heartedly agree with him here (although it figures…since I am a sales rep for a medical laboratory!). If you want the full battery of tests, here’s what to ask for: THYROID FUNCTION PANEL—this includes a Free T4 via direct dialysis, and a Highly Sensitive TSH. I’m not sure if all labs offer this combo, but I know we do. There are many more, but this will test the general function.  If any thing comes back abnormal, your doc will order other, more specific testing.

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You said– If you want the full battery of tests, here’s what to ask for: THYROID FUNCTION PANEL—this includes a Free T4 via direct dialysis, and a Highly Sensitive TSH. I’m not sure if all labs offer this combo, but I know we do. There are many more, but this will test the general function.  If any thing comes back abnormal, your doc will order other, more specific testing.

In my book, this is NOT a full body of thyroid tests.  So I guess I’m pushing your lab’s services!!  A total T3 and/or Free T3 should be done as well.  And if a person feels hypothyroid, has hypothyroid symptoms and low temperatures, if these tests come back normal, then the thyroid antibodies tests should be done, and a  TRH stimulation test should be done as well. These catch many hypothyroid people that the other tests don’t catch!! Tests are not perfect, that’s for sure.  But I agree that they should be run.  Definitely.  But some doctors believe that hypothyroidism is better evaluated clinically, with symptoms, heartrate, temperature, and reflexes being the considerations.  These are what the old time country doctors used to do, and they got very good results.  In my opinion, even though I recommend more blood tests rather than fewer, there is too much reliance on them, and too little clinical judgment.  Pauline

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 Hmm.. I heard on the radio (some alternative-med type doc) that a lower-than-normal average body-temp means a hypo (low, slow, or something) thyroid… Mine’s 97.8 and I always wind up pretty much being told that I’m a liar or hypocondriak (phonetic-spelling!) when trying to convince the doc that I’ve a fever. Have thought about going in and getting it checked by ‘em when I’m feeling good, just to show ‘em my thermometer’s not broke, but……. There any reason to worry about it? He said to ask a natural-med type doctor about taking "armor-thyroid" (hoping that’s somewhat close)… Hmmm….

Response:

You said– There any reason to worry about it? He said to ask a natural-med type doctor about taking "armor-thyroid" (hoping that’s somewhat close)… Hmmm….

I wouldn’t worry about it unless you have hypothyroid symptoms such as fatigue or muscle aches and pains (actually there are many more things than this).  If you do feel as if your metabolism is slow, though, I would act on this!!!  I have prepared an "alternative hypothyroid FAQ" for people whose blood tests are normal but have hypothyroid symptoms.  If you want it, let me know and I’ll e mail it to you.  BL

Response:

He said to ask a natural-med type doctor about taking "armor-thyroid" (hoping that’s somewhat close)… Hmmm….

First, IMHO, it is best to get a full battery of thyroid tests. Then you can use synthroid (the exact same chemical made by your body) or the natural and less standardized armour-thyroid (derived from cow thyroids).  An asside: I find it amusing how the "natual types" will fuss and fume about mad cow disease, and then say to choos armour-thyroid over synthroid because it is "natural" Jet Silverman to email me, remove the "X"

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Question:

Russell : In certain people, quite often women, the body decides to destroy : the  thyroid.  The best guess is that this happens after an : infection which  triggers the body’s immune system to fight some : microbe which "tastes"  too much like thyroid cells. This so-called best guess conveniently fits conventional medicines

absolute bias toward exopathy, or external pathogen attack. If you only have a hammer…    Texts mention a genetic predisposition also, since both Graves and Hashimotos run in families.  So there you have medicine suggesting both genetic and environmental components to this disease.  Gosh, so narrow minded, aren’t we?                                        Steve Harris, M.D.

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: In certain people, quite often women, the body decides to destroy : the  thyroid.  The best guess is that this happens after an : infection which  triggers the body’s immune system to fight some : microbe which "tastes"  too much like thyroid cells. This so-called best guess conveniently fits conventional medicines absolute bias toward exopathy, or external pathogen attack. If you only have a hammer… —

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Russell) writes: writes: Could someone explain this disease in a simple manner. Thank you, Patty   In certain people, quite often women, the body decides to destroy the thyroid.  The best guess is that this happens after an infection which triggers the body’s immune system to fight some microbe which "tastes" too much like thyroid cells.  When the bug is gone, the body turns on itself.  The processes is usually not too painful, and the thyroid sometimes is not even tender.  Usually it’s not much enlarged.  Immune cells infiltrate it, and just destroy it.  It makes less and less thyroid hormone over time, with the pituitary trying harder and harder to pump out TSH to make it keep up.  Finally it cannot, and the person often become hypothyroid (not enough thyroxine or triiodothyronine, two hormonal compounds, circulate in the blood).  TSH levels from the pituitary are still very high, as it tries to flog a dead horse.  All these things can easily be detected in a blood test.  The only solution to the problem is pills of thyroid hormone, to be taken daily, often for the rest of the person’s life.  Fortunately these are cheap and (at the right dose) side-effect free.   I have seen alternative types try to treat Hashimoto’s with iodine, but that’s like trying to feed a dead horse.  Duh.  Play it smart and take the Synthroid.                                               Steven B. Harris, M.D.

I had my thyroid "sculpted" from the parathyroid curve due to papillary CA and pill up daily now. The only hormone not replaced I believe is calcitonin, which (I also believe) is made elsewhere in the body too — part of the calcium pump?? On occasions where my TSH went awry, I noted hypothyroid symptoms (TSH rising) – particularly after a car accident with respectable back trauma. My normal dose went from 0.175mg daily to 0.4mg daily (but my weight went from 240# to 410# before starting down. I’m at 330# right now, and dropping.) THE POINT IS: if you notice any unusual symptoms, don’t be afraid to have a TSH; T-4/T-3 uptake blood test run BETWEEN scheduled testing. Don’t wait. And, take your pills! Acting like a narcoleptic isn’t the _only_ important symptom of thyroid deficiency. (Notice that I am presuming you WILL be on a daily dose of levothyroxin!) Also, be sure it’s Hashimotos and not a malignant nodule which will require an operation and "I-123 atomic cocktails". Your doc will check carefully.  Mine was ABSOLUTELY painless. (The anesthesiologist was a practicing witch — what a brew!) If it is CA, the type and stage would be important.

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Could someone explain this disease in a simple manner. Thank you, Patty

Response:

Could someone explain this disease in a simple manner. Thank you, Patty

   In certain people, quite often women, the body decides to destroy the thyroid.  The best guess is that this happens after an infection which triggers the body’s immune system to fight some microbe which "tastes" too much like thyroid cells.  When the bug is gone, the body turns on itself.  The processes is usually not too painful, and the thyroid sometimes is not even tender.  Usually it’s not much enlarged.  Immune cells infiltrate it, and just destroy it.  It makes less and less thyroid hormone over time, with the pituitary trying harder and harder to pump out TSH to make it keep up.  Finally it cannot, and the person often become hypothyroid (not enough thyroxine or triiodothyronine, two hormonal compounds, circulate in the blood).  TSH levels from the pituitary are still very high, as it tries to flog a dead horse.  All these things can easily be detected in a blood test.  The only solution to the problem is pills of thyroid hormone, to be taken daily, often for the rest of the person’s life.  Fortunately these are cheap and (at the right dose) side-effect free.    I have seen alternative types try to treat Hashimoto’s with iodine, but that’s like trying to feed a dead horse.  Duh.  Play it smart and take the Synthroid.                                                Steven B. Harris, M.D.

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