Question:

Thanks for the info, "StopCrossposting". You pick the one disease,  Thyroiditis, that I am currently interested in. My cleanup activities on sci.med.psychobiology, which worked resulted in me being invited to join Neuroscion for FREE. I now have full-text access to several dozen psychobiology related online journals.  I have been reading these research papers to my hearts content. Due to the non-existent posting on sci.med.psychobiology, … I no longer care how much time you waste on this pursuit of yours.  :-) — John Gohde,      Achieving good health is an Art, NOT a Science! Introducing the Award Winning www.NaturalHealthPerspective.com — Science-Based Information on the Mind – Body Connection. http://contact.naturalhealthperspective.com/sitetour.html Presents the core pages of my website in their suggested reading order.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/index.htm Go to site and select from the following topics: Starting Point: Gen’l/Intro Information A starting place for general and introductory information on thyroid disease, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, nodules, goiter, thyroid cancer, and autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s Disease and Graves’ Disease. Thyroid Disease 101: The First Place to Start Best of the Net Overview of information about thyroid disease, including diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, nodules, goiter, and thyroid cancer. Living Well With Thyroid Disease New Comprehensive guide to thyroid conditions and thyroid disease, particularly hypothyroidism, the most common of all thyroid conditions. The Thyroid Top Doc Directory Best of the Net An site feature with state-by-state and international Top Doctor listings, plus tips on how to a top doc. Thyroid Answers From Mary Shomon by Telephone From the ease of your telephone, listen to these short audio presentations, developed and presented by Mary Shomon, that answer your common thyroid questions, including: Could You Have a Thyroid Problem? / Top 10 Signs You Have a Thyroid Problem / What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Disease? / Thyroid Hormone Replacement — Common Questions / Sexual Health: Reviving Your Sex Drive When Hypothyroid Could You Have Thyroid Disease? Don’t Explain Away Symptoms! Do you have weight changes, fatigue, depression, and other symptoms, but figure it’s normal for your age, gender, lifestyle, or hormonal situation? Don’t explain away your symptoms until you read this article — it could save your life. Thyroid Drug Database Best of the Net A complete database feauturing information on thyroid hormone replacement drugs, antithyroid drugs, manufacturers and their contact information — including Synthroid, Thyrolar, Armour, Cytomel, Tapazole, PTU, Thyrogen, and other brands of thyroid drugs. Help, I’m Hypothyroid and I Still Don’t Feel Well When you’ve already been diagnosed and are being treated with thyroid hormone replacement drugs but you still don’t feel well, there are many things you can do to feel well. 15 Reasons Why Your TSH May Be Fluctuating If your TSH levels are changing from lab test to lab test, do you know why? Discover 15 different reasons behind changing TSH levels, including some things you may be taking or eating every day that can substantially impact your thyroid and health. Thyroid Newsletters for Patients Informative free and subscription newsletters and reports offering information on thyroid disease for patients and practitioners. Glossary of Thyroid Terms If terms like TSH, T4, antithyroid antibodies, and T3 sound confusing, then you need this glossary, which offers definitions of common thyroid terminology you’re likely to encounter. Thyroid Support Groups/Forums/Boards Supportive and informative support groups, forums and bulletin boards offering information and exchange of support for thyroid patients. Inspiring Thyroid Success Stories An inspiring selection of people telling their first-person thyroid success stories. Beating the odds for diagnosis and treatment of a range of thyroid disease, these folks are going on to truly live well. Key Thyroid Websites & Organizations The Thyroid Foundation of America, Endocrineweb, and other major thyroid-specific websites and organizations. General Thyroid-Disease Sites Key sites offering basic, overview or introductory information on thyroid disease.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/index.htm Go to site and select from the following topics: Starting Point: Gen’l/Intro Information A starting place for general and introductory information on thyroid disease, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, nodules, goiter, thyroid cancer, and autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s Disease and Graves’ Disease. Thyroid Disease 101: The First Place to Start Best of the Net Overview of information about thyroid disease, including diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, nodules, goiter, and thyroid cancer. Living Well With Thyroid Disease New Comprehensive guide to thyroid conditions and thyroid disease, particularly hypothyroidism, the most common of all thyroid conditions. The Thyroid Top Doc Directory Best of the Net An site feature with state-by-state and international Top Doctor listings, plus tips on how to a top doc. Thyroid Answers From Mary Shomon by Telephone From the ease of your telephone, listen to these short audio presentations, developed and presented by Mary Shomon, that answer your common thyroid questions, including: Could You Have a Thyroid Problem? / Top 10 Signs You Have a Thyroid Problem / What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Disease? / Thyroid Hormone Replacement — Common Questions / Sexual Health: Reviving Your Sex Drive When Hypothyroid Could You Have Thyroid Disease? Don’t Explain Away Symptoms! Do you have weight changes, fatigue, depression, and other symptoms, but figure it’s normal for your age, gender, lifestyle, or hormonal situation? Don’t explain away your symptoms until you read this article — it could save your life. Thyroid Drug Database Best of the Net A complete database feauturing information on thyroid hormone replacement drugs, antithyroid drugs, manufacturers and their contact information — including Synthroid, Thyrolar, Armour, Cytomel, Tapazole, PTU, Thyrogen, and other brands of thyroid drugs. Help, I’m Hypothyroid and I Still Don’t Feel Well When you’ve already been diagnosed and are being treated with thyroid hormone replacement drugs but you still don’t feel well, there are many things you can do to feel well. 15 Reasons Why Your TSH May Be Fluctuating If your TSH levels are changing from lab test to lab test, do you know why? Discover 15 different reasons behind changing TSH levels, including some things you may be taking or eating every day that can substantially impact your thyroid and health. Thyroid Newsletters for Patients Informative free and subscription newsletters and reports offering information on thyroid disease for patients and practitioners. Glossary of Thyroid Terms If terms like TSH, T4, antithyroid antibodies, and T3 sound confusing, then you need this glossary, which offers definitions of common thyroid terminology you’re likely to encounter. Thyroid Support Groups/Forums/Boards Supportive and informative support groups, forums and bulletin boards offering information and exchange of support for thyroid patients. Inspiring Thyroid Success Stories An inspiring selection of people telling their first-person thyroid success stories. Beating the odds for diagnosis and treatment of a range of thyroid disease, these folks are going on to truly live well. Key Thyroid Websites & Organizations The Thyroid Foundation of America, Endocrineweb, and other major thyroid-specific websites and organizations. General Thyroid-Disease Sites Key sites offering basic, overview or introductory information on thyroid disease.

Response:

Question:

Hi, Does any one have any information on the impact of HRT on stopping or slowing down the process of hair thinning and hair loss (male pattern baldness) in menopause? Has any one had any success in reversing this process of hair loss? I wonder if any one has experienced an increase in facial hair when using natural progesterone cream. Finally, is it a fact that an increase in facial hair normally accompanies the loss of scalp hair due to hormone imbalance? Any information or suggestions would be greatly received. Thank you. Margaret

Response:

Graeme Rodger wrote:

Does any one have any information on the impact of HRT on stopping or slowing down the process of hair thinning and hair loss (male pattern baldness) in menopause?

Hi, Margaret, and welcome to alt.support.menopause. The most typical type of menopausal hair loss is thought to be caused by changes in the relative levels of testosterone and estrogen – as our bodies produce less estrogen, the testosterone normally present may exert itself both in thinning of hair on the head and the growth of facial hair. One non-commercial Web site in Great Britain offers a pretty good analysis of this problem, what causes it and what role hormone replacement *may* play in reversing the problem: http://www.docnet.org.uk/hair/femaleloss.html However, before you rush right out and ask your doctor for HRT, you might want to do some more homework. Despite the fact that doctors tend to prescribe these drugs like candy, they *are* powerful, and come with a number of potentially serious health risks that may outweigh any short-term benefit you get in terms of your appearance. One place to start is with the information the drug manufacturers have to provide to prescribing physicians. That information is available on line at http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/conest.htm (a direct link to the information on conjugated estrogens, the most commonly prescribed form of HRT; you can also go to their search page and look for specific brand names). In addition, you may wish to ask your doctor for thyroid tests, since hair loss is one of several symptoms of thyroid disease which mimic the signs of menopause. If I were seriously considering taking HRT for hair loss, I’d want to ask my doctor whether the problem would be likely to return when I stop taking these drugs, since many experts suggest women should stop HRT after no more than five years to minimize the risks associated with taking these drugs.

Has any one had any success in reversing this process of hair loss?

From the Menopause and Beyond site developed by a sometimes a.s.m. regular ( http://www.oxford.net/~tishy/beyond.html – I recommend bookmarking this site, because it’s really rich with information and links), this link: http://www3.telus.net/sympatico_pages/hair/hairloss_mirror.htm has a lot of good information about the different varieties of female hair loss and ways of coping with it. (The site is no longer being maintained, so I’m not sure whether the links still work).

I wonder if any one has experienced an increase in facial hair when using natural progesterone cream.

If you’re talking about the over-the-counter "natural progesterone cream" being pushed so heavily by John Lee and his ilk, there is no convincing evidence that it helps with anything. See: http://www.susanlovemd.com/community/questions/q000125.htm for a well-reasoned discussion of these products from Dr. Susan Love, a reputable physician and author of "Dr. Susan Love’s Hormone Book," one of the best common-sense books about menopause to date, in my opinion.

Finally, is it a fact that an increase in facial hair normally accompanies the loss of scalp hair due to hormone imbalance?

See above. When testosterone is the culprit, yes, many women experience facial hair growth in combination with loss of scalp hair. I hope this is helpful. Regards, –Pat Kight kig…@peak.org

Response:

"Graeme Rodger" <grod…@bigpond.net.au

wrote in message

news:xPGW5.3463$xW4.33520@news-server.bigpond.net.au…

Hi, Does any one have any information on the impact of HRT on stopping or slowing down the process of hair thinning and hair loss (male pattern baldness) in menopause?

My hair has been falling out for several years now. Luckily, I had very thick hair, so it hasn’t been too noticeable. This began before my hysterectomy/ovary removal, and has continued. I am taking estrogen now, and had problems prior to the surgery associated with excessive estrogen.

Has any one had any success in reversing this process of hair loss?

It hasn’t stopped for me yet.

I wonder if any one has experienced an increase in facial hair when using natural progesterone cream.

I have noticed an increase in facial hair since using estrogen. It is *fuzziness*. The doctor says not to worry…yet.

Finally, is it a fact that an increase in facial hair normally accompanies the loss of scalp hair due to hormone imbalance?

It is associated with too much testosterone. Hair loss is also associated with a thyroid problem. Gwen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Any information or suggestions would be greatly received. Thank you. Margaret

Response:

I’m taking Provera. When I had to have my schedule adjusted and took the med for 30 days, my hair fell out in handfuls the following month! Luckily, I only needed to have it for 30 days one month and everything seemed to adjust so now I’m back to the 10 day per month cycle. Hair loss has stopped and I’m growing in lots new sprouts. Hair is hideous inthe meantime and dont’ know how to style it since its so flat on top. I’m seriously thinking of getting  a weave. I saw this done in a magazine recently for a woman with hair loss and the results were amazing! Has anyone done this? my biggest problem lately though has been heartburn on the provera. anyone have this?

Response:

Question:

Claus, You’re a good friend.  I don’t know how many older ladies have patted my hand and told me it would vanish with the onset of the big M. So far…screeching toward it, no.

She’s in the very same boat. However, there may be something to your friends’ use of Imitrex etc.  When I had insurance and could get a lot of them – they seemed to increase –

Very interesting.  Her headaches seemed to have increased as well without an explanation (I know *what* a surprise! <grin) and I’m trying to put the puzzle pieces together as best I can although I realize from lurking here for a few weeks that there’s really a lot that’s not very well understood about migraines. and we all know it’s not because Imitrex is fun.

They gave her an injector but that was *so much* fun she couldn’t bring herself to use it. I wish I had the solution – but that’s just my experience – use of imitrex type drugs, preventatives, and pain killers have me back to my "normal" range.  I guess I was depending on them too much and had a reaction much like your asthma experience.

To see one’s symptoms completely disappear through cessation of medication is an eye-opening experience.  And it wasn’t the first time that’s happened to me.  But the difficult part is that I’m a scientist by training and know that I have great difficulty bringing myself to believe that non-pharmaceutical treatments aren’t any more than placebo.  But even if they are just placebo if she can get relief without the vomiting and the exhaustion that Fiorinal and Imitrex cause her I’d be willing to hold my finger on a pressure point for hours if I could figure out where it was. (Maybe it doesn’t matter whether I know if she *believes* I know where they are! <grin)  I’m going to go to the same therapist that was able to alter the course of two recent and very severe migraines to have her practice on me so I can attempt to learn and duplicate the technique.  I’m afraid that part of the relief she gets may be a belief in the therapist’s skills or even the "rap" she gives during the session. My friend cheerfully admits it’s voodoo but for her, it’s voodoo that works.  I’m still pretty skeptical but if there’s a chance that it could bring her some relief without tearing her up as much as some of the meds do then it seems the thing to do. Claus V.

Response:

It’s clear that’s a part of the problem.  She’s also been taken a thyroid med for a long time (but the only thing coming to me mind is Syntec but I know that’s motor oil). Probably Synthroid. A good site on thyroid is http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/

Thanks! Here is info about  thyroid and menopause. http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/thyroid-and-menopause.htm http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/library/weekly/aa102499.htm http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/library/weekly/aa040599.htm

I’ll pass these along to her.  I’ve scanned them and they look quite interesting. There are two critical issues to consider in terms of the relationship between thyroid disease and menopause. First, the symptoms of thyroid disease and menopause are often the same, so thyroid disease may go undetected in women of menopausal age. Second, symptoms of thyroid disease often worsen during the onset of menopause, due to hormonal shifts.

She’s been on Synthroid for at least 14 years and I think she’s pretty attuned to the related health issues.  *I* need to learn more, though, so I can be a useful partner in trying to determine why they’ve increased in frequency and severity within the last few years.  She was describing a study to me about PET scans for hospital employees with migraines. The deal was their close proximity to the brainscan equipment as hospital workers made it possible to scan them when the aura appeared.   Does anyone know anything more about that study? Claus V.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a newbie here and have lurked in all three groups and this by far is the one with the least amount of flaming.  Lots of trolls in the pain group trying to rile people up and lots of dogma wars in the ASA group that mostly concern alternative v. traditional treatments.  I’m here because I have weepy eye migraines every few months but I really came here for my friend. She’s seeking info because she has been getting migraines more and more frequently as she approaches menopause despite more and more aggressive treatment with Inderal, Maltax, Imitrex, etc.  She’s really unhappy because she really expected a diminution of the headaches as she approached menopause but the reverse would happen.  She’s not very computer literate so I volunteered to act as a conduit. So I have a question.  I used to have asthma.  The more I was treated for it the more frequent and severe each attack was.  Then I read something about this well-known rebound problem and stopped taking the meds and the asthma basically vanished.  Is a similar phenomena known in the migraine world? Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Claus V.

Claus, You’re a good friend.  I don’t know how many older ladies have patted my hand and told me it would vanish with the onset of the big M. So far…screeching toward it, no.  However, there may be something to your friends’ use of Imitrex etc.  When I had insurance and could get a lot of them – they seemed to increase – and we all know it’s not because Imitrex is fun.  I wish I had the solution – but that’s just my experience – use of imitrex type drugs, preventatives, and pain killers have me back to my "normal" range.  I guess I was depending on them too much and had a reaction much like your asthma experience. best, codeeee – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know what you mean.  I posted a few times in an arthritis ng, I have problems with lower spine, and they aren’t overly inviting.  It’s hard when there’s an existing group, to get them to talk to a newbie.  Take care, Gloria Not getting mushy here, if so sorry.  This is a caring, nice group. Please never change. Has anyone been over to alt.chronic pain? Wow – I posted once and it was just like being in a really bad doctors’ office.  I was accused of being a drug seeker, DEA, or just potentially dangerous. oh- and threatened. geeesh! Just wanted to say I appreciate you all, and will try not to cause trouble. codeee Before you buy.

Before you buy.

Response:

It’s clear that’s a part of the problem.  She’s also been taken a thyroid med for a long time (but the only thing coming to me mind is Syntec but I know that’s motor oil).

Probably Synthroid. A good site on thyroid is http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/ Here is info about  thyroid and menopause. http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/thyroid-and-menopause.htm http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/library/weekly/aa102499.htm http://thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/library/weekly/aa040599.htm There are two critical issues to consider in terms of the relationship between thyroid disease and menopause. First, the symptoms of thyroid disease and menopause are often the same, so thyroid disease may go undetected in women of menopausal age. Second, symptoms of thyroid disease often worsen during the onset of menopause, due to hormonal shifts. kadee

Response:

Claus, The ‘rebound effect’ is well-known in migraine patients.  I’m surprised that it hasn’t been brought up in your friend’s case before.

Actually, yes, but not quite in the way I described it.  I suppose that it’s not unusual that until recently I didn’t realize how bad things were getting for her.  When she began vomiting from them it was really hard for her to deny the problem. A woman who is approaching menopause is considered to be perimenopausal.   . . .  the perimenopausal stage(s) has hormones that are going a little crazy.

It’s clear that’s a part of the problem.  She’s also been taken a thyroid med for a long time (but the only thing coming to me mind is Syntec but I know that’s motor oil).  I’m a little handicapped in getting all of the gruesome details because she’s a rather private person and a lot of the triggers are, well, kind of personal.  I’ve been lurking here for a few week trying to get a feel for things.  One thing hopeful we’re waiting to test out is dropping aspartame.  She’s recently switched mainstream drinks from one that had sugar to one with aspartame.  It’s something she can easily change back so we’re waiting to see if that reduces the recent upswing. Hormones are known to affect migraines.  Even those who don’t have hormonal migraines can have migraine more often and more severe migraine during the perimenopausal years.  I went through that, and also had a hysterectomy,

She’s had fibroid surgery and is now experiencing bleeding bad enough that there have been several times when her doctors have considered an emergency hysterectomy (ain’t getting old a blast?) but so far it hasn’t come to that but the migraines have really gotten worse.  Also, since she started with Maltax the migraines now seem to often come with pretty profound vomiting. since I got stable on hormone replacement therapy, my migraines haven’t been as often nor as severe as they were

I’ll ask her what her drug load is in more detail. It doesn’t always happen that way, so I know I was lucky. But, I do remember the year and a half I was perimenopausal, and my migraines were really bad, with me in the ER quite often.

She’s avoided trips to the ER so far but she does lose 15 workdays every six months to migraines so bad she can’t work or do anything.  I know that’s not bad compared to other folks I read about here but it’s now up to 20 days and she’s afraid that her company’s going to sack her (which is probably enough stress to  account for the increase all by itself). But the really reason she is here is that she’s been having fairly good results with Jin Shein and I want to learn more about non-pharmaceutical ways to help her control her pain.  I’ve been reading up on biofeedback and the like but I’m convinced that if she’s able to get relief from "chi" manipulation that’s so significant I’m ready to learn how to do it to help her.  I really think the drugs are making her worse but I don’t want to say that to her because of the possible negative psychological effects. Anyone know where to look for information about meridians, chi, Jin Shein and accupressure and what I can possible do to help make her migraines more bearable for her?  Rubbing her feet is about all I can do that has some effect but I know her massage therapist is able to do much more, if only because she believes more in what the therapist does.  Where does one buy biofeedback training equipment?  Does it really work? She did say one other interesting thing tonight.  When she gets a migraine she also gets a tiny lump on the back of her neck.  It feels almost fluid-filled rather than a muscle spasm or a boil.  Any clues as to what that’s all about? Thanks for your reply, Astralynn, and to all in advance for any help! Claus V.

Response:

Claus, The ‘rebound effect’ is well-known in migraine patients.  I’m surprised that it hasn’t been brought up in your friend’s case before.  That being said, there are a couple of other things that need to be addressed.  A woman who is approaching menopause is considered to be perimenopausal.  A woman in the perimenopausal stage(s) has hormones that are going a little crazy. Hormones are known to affect migraines.  Even those who don’t have hormonal migraines can have migraine more often and more severe migraine during the perimenopausal years.  I went through that, and also had a hysterectomy, and since I got stable on hormone replacement therapy, my migraines haven’t been as often nor as severe as they were before.  It doesn’t always happen that way, so I know I was lucky.  But, I do remember the year and a half I was perimenopausal, and my migraines were really bad, with me in the ER quite often. — Take care and be well, Astralynn

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a newbie here and have lurked in all three groups and this by far is the one with the least amount of flaming.  Lots of trolls in the pain group trying to rile people up and lots of dogma wars in the ASA group that mostly concern alternative v. traditional treatments.  I’m here because I have weepy eye migraines every few months but I really came here for my friend. She’s seeking info because she has been getting migraines more and more frequently as she approaches menopause despite more and more aggressive treatment with Inderal, Maltax, Imitrex, etc.  She’s really unhappy because she really expected a diminution of the headaches as she approached menopause but the reverse would happen.  She’s not very computer literate so I volunteered to act as a conduit. So I have a question.  I used to have asthma.  The more I was treated for it the more frequent and severe each attack was.  Then I read something about this well-known rebound problem and stopped taking the meds and the asthma basically vanished.  Is a similar phenomena known in the migraine world? Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Claus V.

Response:

I’m a newbie here and have lurked in all three groups and this by far is the one with the least amount of flaming.  Lots of trolls in the pain group trying to rile people up and lots of dogma wars in the ASA group that mostly concern alternative v. traditional treatments.  I’m here because I have weepy eye migraines every few months but I really came here for my friend. She’s seeking info because she has been getting migraines more and more frequently as she approaches menopause despite more and more aggressive treatment with Inderal, Maltax, Imitrex, etc.  She’s really unhappy because she really expected a diminution of the headaches as she approached menopause but the reverse would happen.  She’s not very computer literate so I volunteered to act as a conduit. So I have a question.  I used to have asthma.  The more I was treated for it the more frequent and severe each attack was.  Then I read something about this well-known rebound problem and stopped taking the meds and the asthma basically vanished.  Is a similar phenomena known in the migraine world? Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Claus V. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know what you mean.  I posted a few times in an arthritis ng, I have problems with lower spine, and they aren’t overly inviting.  It’s hard when there’s an existing group, to get them to talk to a newbie.  Take care, Gloria Not getting mushy here, if so sorry.  This is a caring, nice group. Please never change. Has anyone been over to alt.chronic pain? Wow – I posted once and it was just like being in a really bad doctors’ office.  I was accused of being a drug seeker, DEA, or just potentially dangerous. oh- and threatened. geeesh! Just wanted to say I appreciate you all, and will try not to cause trouble. codeee Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know what you mean.  I posted a few times in an arthritis ng, I have problems with lower spine, and they aren’t overly inviting.  It’s hard when there’s an existing group, to get them to talk to a newbie.  Take care, Gloria Not getting mushy here, if so sorry.  This is a caring, nice group. Please never change. Has anyone been over to alt.chronic pain? Wow – I posted once and it was just like being in a really bad doctors’ office.  I was accused of being a drug seeker, DEA, or just potentially dangerous. oh- and threatened. geeesh! Just wanted to say I appreciate you all, and will try not to cause trouble. codeee Before you buy.

Thanks, all – just proved my point and made me smile.  However, I’m fighting the urge to pop over there whenever I’m feeling particularly cranky and let fly.  —-   I know…..slowly back a-w-a-y from the keyboard. C. Before you buy.

Response:

I know what you mean.  I posted a few times in an arthritis ng, I have problems with lower spine, and they aren’t overly inviting.  It’s hard when there’s an existing group, to get them to talk to a newbie.  Take care, Gloria

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not getting mushy here, if so sorry.  This is a caring, nice group. Please never change. Has anyone been over to alt.chronic pain? Wow – I posted once and it was just like being in a really bad doctors’ office.  I was accused of being a drug seeker, DEA, or just potentially dangerous. oh- and threatened. geeesh! Just wanted to say I appreciate you all, and will try not to cause trouble. codeee Before you buy.

Response:

hi codeee dont nind that other ’shower’,we dont mind u being dangerous lol my partner suffers from cronic pain,(botched operation on a breast lump). She is now on ‘Mexitil’ which is a heart treatment which they found also helps nerve damage. I only check this group once in a while,so if u need more bye for now * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

*blush* thanks (sheepish grin) We appreciate you, too . . . :=) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not getting mushy here, if so sorry.  This is a caring, nice group. Please never change. Has anyone been over to alt.chronic pain? Wow – I posted once and it was just like being in a really bad doctors’ office.  I was accused of being a drug seeker, DEA, or just potentially dangerous. oh- and threatened. geeesh! Just wanted to say I appreciate you all, and will try not to cause trouble. codeee Before you buy.

Response:

Not getting mushy here, if so sorry.  This is a caring, nice group. Please never change. Has anyone been over to alt.chronic pain? Wow – I posted once and it was just like being in a really bad doctors’ office.  I was accused of being a drug seeker, DEA, or just potentially dangerous. oh- and threatened. geeesh! Just wanted to say I appreciate you all, and will try not to cause trouble. codeee Before you buy.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – However, there’s The American Chronic Association. This is not online but it has support groups that meet physically all around the USA and even some abroad. They’ve got a good newsletter and a handbook that’s good. It seems aimed more at back pain and things like that, but a lot of things about HA don’t fit.  It has a lot more support groups than NHF and ACHE.  Also, the meetings have no facilitator, like AA and AlAnon. I went to meetings in a nearby city for a while.  It was a big help. Dennis

I might look them up but in the Metro DC area it’s almost complete gridlock trying get around for extracurricular activities.  I suspect one of the things contributing to my friend’s overall stress level is the ever-increasing bite the terrible traffic takes out of her personal time. That means she has to push harder in every direction to keep up and she’s more likely to get stuck behind one of her # 1 triggers, a diesel powered bus and develop a migraine.  That’s why I don’t think she’s likely to want to add to her miserable driving load.  But I will suggest it to her.  She’s been very happy about all the sites and information I’ve been able to send her as a result of reading through this newsgroup.  Thanks again to everyone who’s responded to my questions. Claus V.

Response:

I’m a newbie here and have lurked in all three groups and this by far is the one with the least amount of flaming.

        Aint that the truth.   I never visited the chronic pain ng because of the  bad press here.           However, there’s The American Chronic Association. This is not online but it has support groups that meet physically all around the USA and even some abroad. They’ve got a good newsletter and a handbook that’s good.           It seems aimed more at back pain and things like that, but a lot of things about HA don’t fit.  It has a lot more support groups than NHF and ACHE.  Also, the meetings have no facilitator, like AA and AlAnon.         I went to meetings in a nearby city for a while.  It was a big help. Dennis — For info about this service, see http://www.twwells.com/anon/ or e-mail:

Response:

Question:

On 09 Oct 1999 14:26:38 GMT, diw…@aol.com (Diwitt) wrote:

Kris – I’ve been off line lately and must have missed the T3 T cocktail talk. Could you please fill me in? I know how miserable thyroid problems can make you.  It’s so important to have it checked regularly even on supplements.  I have mine tested every 6 months and if there’s an unexplained change in my condiditon, such as heart rhythms out of wack, fevers, headaches or such, my gp always checks it and forwards it to my endocrinologist. Something I learned from a column in a local newspaper is interesting.  It said not to take your thyroid med with food or other meds and that is should be taken at minimum, 30 minutes after food or other meds as well.

Hi…it should be at least a half hour before eating, or an hour after eating.  Otherwise there can be less absorption.  Also, if you are taking any dietary drinks or high protein drinks, they are full of fiber and will take the meds too quickly through the system as well. You should also not take any estrogen or iron (including vitamins with iron) at the same time of day as they compete for the same receptor sites.  Anyone who is pregnant or on estrogen will need to have their meds adjusted more often. Here is a good site, which was done by someone with Thyroid problems. There are many links and an archive library of articles and info.  http://thyroid.miningco.com/ If anyone would like more links, let me know. Pauly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

 Since I started doing that, I am feeling much better.  In fact, my levels have gone down and the doctor may be lowering my dose.  It could be that you have the right dose but your body isn’t getting it properly the way you are taking it.  Try taking it with plain water separate from all other foods and meds and see if that helps.  It did for me!  I was surprised that a doctors column in the newspaper could tell me something so simple that the doctors and pharmacy would overlook. Diane W. Orlando

Response:

In article <38013266.16053…@nntp.mindspring.com

, spam_me_…@e-mail.com

(Kris Lewis) writes:

Been doing my "water dance" tonight….. 8 trips to the bathroom and still unable to urinate.

Have you considered self-cathing?   Kathi

Response:

The doctor called, and we had a nice chat.  He is increasing my synthroid prescription for a month to see if things get to a normal (TSH level-wise). I mentioned the TENS unit, and he said he would set up a referral for me to go to the "Pain Clinic" for Kaiser Permanente (my insurance co.).  Actually, he was rather surprised that no one had referred me to the pain clinic before… well, it should have been him in the first place, right? Either way, I will schedule an appt with that clinic tomorrow. As for self-cathing…. can’t do it, unfortunately.  I get horrible urinary tract infections from catheters, even though I am taking a daily dose of Macrodantin.  Another (what would now seem moot) problem has to do with my weight and coordination problems that would make the "self" part virtually impossible.  Even when I have had them in the hospital, the pain of having one in gets so unbearable for me, that I end up in tears.  I won’t get into how excrutiating it is to have one taken out! The "waterdance" effect seems to come and go, lasting a day or two, usually around the time of my period.  Heck, most of the symptoms I have worsen during or near my period.  After the blood clot/birth control debacle (which landed me in the hospital WITH a catheter for 8 days), I am totally convinced that my hormone activity is directly related to my pain, symptom exacerbation, and overall well-being. When I was taking those birth control pills, I felt great…. put my cane aside, and started to remember how I felt before MS.  It is such a pity that I had to quit. Kris Lewis (e-mail address withheld to discourage spam) I asked God for strength, and he gave me Richard … I count my blessings every day.

Response:

On Fri, 08 Oct 1999 18:56:35 +1000, Carmel Pacey Digby <jara…@ledanet.com.au

wrote:

| Kris, I really hope you can be helped by proper thyroid medication.  I hope I | can too.  I also didn’t know that thyroid problems would cause pain, until the | doctor told me a couple of weeks ago – after I’d asked him about the T3.  I | think, though, that the T3 was probably behind my atrial fibrillation this week, | so I need to talk to him about it again. I hope I can still take it.  It does | seem too simple to be true after all the years of trouble.  Anyway, here’s | hoping – for both of us!  Good luck! | | Carmel Thanks, Carmel! It’s good to know that I am not in this stinking, rotting, ship of misery by myself.  :) Let’s hope both of us can get some relief.   Kris Lewis (e-mail address withheld to discourage spam) I asked God for strength, and he gave me Richard … I count my blessings every day.

Response:

Kris – I’ve been off line lately and must have missed the T3 T cocktail talk. Could you please fill me in? I know how miserable thyroid problems can make you.  It’s so important to have it checked regularly even on supplements.  I have mine tested every 6 months and if there’s an unexplained change in my condiditon, such as heart rhythms out of wack, fevers, headaches or such, my gp always checks it and forwards it to my endocrinologist. Something I learned from a column in a local newspaper is interesting.  It said not to take your thyroid med with food or other meds and that is should be taken at minimum, 30 minutes after food or other meds as well.  Since I started doing that, I am feeling much better.  In fact, my levels have gone down and the doctor may be lowering my dose.  It could be that you have the right dose but your body isn’t getting it properly the way you are taking it.  Try taking it with plain water separate from all other foods and meds and see if that helps.  It did for me!  I was surprised that a doctors column in the newspaper could tell me something so simple that the doctors and pharmacy would overlook. Diane W. Orlando

Response:

God my thyroid is out of wack also was not found out untIil after MS. I also have fibro. real bad.  I am very tired and got lost in your post but are you saying there is a connection with the thyroid, fibro and MS that causes this unbelievalbe pain? If so have you found anything that helps this unreal pain, I have not.

Response:

Kris, I really hope you can be helped by proper thyroid medication.  I hope I can too.  I also didn’t know that thyroid problems would cause pain, until the doctor told me a couple of weeks ago – after I’d asked him about the T3.  I think, though, that the T3 was probably behind my atrial fibrillation this week, so I need to talk to him about it again. I hope I can still take it.  It does seem too simple to be true after all the years of trouble.  Anyway, here’s hoping – for both of us!  Good luck! Carmel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Kris Lewis wrote:

This is a long and short story.  I am starting at the beginning to give anyone unfamiliar with my previous medical frustrations a glimpse of what lead up to why I am writing this tale.  Those of you who are familiar with my woes can skim the beginning part.  :) IN THE BEGINNING… Once upon a time, before my MS diagnosis, I was visiting a Rhuematologist to see if I had Fibromyalgia (which I do).  While we chatted on the pros and cons of Rush *Lindbug*, the good doctor was thumbing through my huge medical record file and said, "What are they giving you for your thyroid, then?" I said, "Huh?" The good doctor said that my records show that my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level was 7.69 — which is abnormally high, back as far as 2 years before I was sent to see him for my Fibromyalgia symptoms. Having been under the care of the local clinic during that period, and thinking that my blood test results were not setting off any alarms, I was shocked to know that my level had been high for so long and why no one bothered to do anything about it!  He immediately sent a memo to the clinic, telling them to get me to an Endocrinologist post haste. I had the world’s worst Endocrinologist, unfortunately, as assigned by the county’s *free* clinic system.  However, I had no insurance and no choice, so I had to deal with that situation.  That "doctor" started me on synthroid, made one adjustment to my meds and treated me like crap from that point on.  Whenever I approached him with any complaint about how I felt, he would tell me that he couldn’t be bothered with anything but my thyroid and to stop wasting his time. After almost a year of continual health problems, I lied to the clinic nurse (by saying that my Fibro was acting up), and got a referral to the Rheumatologist again.  (That man is my hero!)  I vented to him about the crappy Endocrinologist and the fact that no matter what I did, the clinic nurse said it was all due to my obesity and nothing else was wrong with me.  (I have that in writing, btw.) I explained that my symptoms were not Fibro, but had to be something neurological.  He looked at the clinic nurse’s notes, did a quick exam, and CALLED the clinic nurse, telling her that I needed to see a Neurologist ASAP.  That phone call led to my MS diagnosis and a great deal of relief on my part, needless to say. FAST FORWARD TO NOW… Late, this past Spring, I noticed that my general pain was becoming nearly unbearable, and I asked my Internist to prescribe more pain meds.  I had been on Motrin for years, but they weren’t cutting it. Since I can’t tolerate codeine (Why do they love that stuff so much?) and couldn’t afford neurontin, we settled on darvocet. As Spring turned into the most dreadful of Georgia Summers, I was finding that nothing was easing my pain.  My Neurologist had started me on Avonex in late June.   I was taking darvocet and motrin in addition to my other meds (clonazepam, elavil, prozac, synthroid, macrodantin and prozac), and seemed to get no relief.  I was beginning to grow weaker and weaker. The MS hugs were more frequent, the numbness in my legs grew worse, the severity and frequency of my headaches increased, the tremors & muscle spasms had me very worried, and I started to find myself short of breath after little exertion.  However, when I was at my fibroaquatics sessions, I never seemed to run out of breath, even during our heavy cardio-vascular exercises. It all came to a head a couple of weeks ago, when I walked from the pool to the dressing area and found myself hyperventilating and wheezing uncontrollably.  Scared me *almost* to death.  Was I getting asthma?  Was I entering into the latter stages of the Kurtzke scale? Was the heat to blame?  Could it be a reaction to the Avonex? I knew that it wasn’t my lungs or an upper respiratory infection, because I breath just fine when I am not in PAIN!  Pain!  Yes, that’s what seems to set it off.  When I am in pain, I tend to clench my teeth, fists and generally get rigid all over. I made an appointment with the Internist, again, to see if there is something else I can take to reduce the pain.  The morning of the appointment was the "big trip" over my cane that left me on the floor until the fire department came and rescued me.  Happily, I hadn’t broken anything or injured myself so badly that I couldn’t wait a few hours to see the Internist and didn’t have to go to the emergency room or anything. So, Mom and I are sitting in the Internist’s office, and I thought I would mention what I had seen, here, on the newsgroup about thyroid T3 and T4 cocktails (so to speak).  We had been talking about my fall, and the respiratory problems, but I thought I would mention the thyroid stuff since I had also noticed that my throat felt "clamped" during these arrests… similar to that feeling when my thyroid is affected by using steroids/cortisone.  Since I hadn’t been taking steroids/cortisone, I was telling him that I had discounted the idea that something was irritating my thyroid. The Internist looked at me and said, well, looking at your records from the last blood workup we did on you, your TSH was elevated to above level 4.  He said it could very well be my thyroid causing the problems to the point that I would be in such a sorry state. He said that increased pain is associated with hypothyroidism (news to me), and it could be causing me stress that would trigger my Fibro and the stress-related aspects of MS. I have been taking synthroid for almost 3 years, now… so everyone figured that my TSH was at an acceptable level.  The Internist sent me to the lab for blood tests, and guess what???  My TSH level is just above 6. So, here’s the one thing that is wrong with me that can be treated effectively, and it’s out of whack?  I am almost afraid to believe that (for once) I can take some meds that will actually make me feel better. Of course, the Internist is out of town until Monday, but the nurse scheduled a "phone appointment" for him to talk to me about adjusting my meds.  Until I actually get my meds adjusted, the jury is still out, but I actually feel a bit optimistic for a change. Kris Lewis (e-mail address withheld to discourage spam) I asked God for strength, and he gave me Richard … I count my blessings every day.

— " Don’t wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel.   Stride down there and light the bloody thing yourself."

Response:

Hi Kris, Sorry you’re having such a hard time.  A TENS machine is a little box like a transistor radio with two electrodes attached by long wires.  You put the electrodes on the part that hurts (there’s a booklet to show you how) and turn on the machine.  It sends electrical pulses through the sore muscle/joint. These can be adjusted to relieve pain or to stimulate muxcle action.  I use the pain relief setting often and it helps a lot.  You can put the machine in your pocket and go about your business while it gives you a nice massage.  Mine cost about $200 (Australian).   Hope you feel better soon.   Carmel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Kris Lewis wrote:

On 10 Oct 1999 23:51:32 GMT, bonny65…@aol.com (Bonny65865) wrote: | In article <37fdabc6.43015…@nntp.mindspring.com, spam_me_…@e-mail.com | (Kris Lewis) writes: | | | Of course, the Internist is out of town until Monday, but the nurse | scheduled a "phone appointment" for him to talk to me about adjusting | my meds.  Until I actually get my meds adjusted, the jury is still | out, but I actually feel a bit optimistic for a change. | | | You are taking an awful lot of medicines, one of which is an | interferon which may interfer with your thyroid anyway. | Others are pain killers which may give you symptoms similar | to thyroid symptome, ie constipation. | Have you thought of trying something like a TEN’s machine | for pain relief, or cutting pain killers down to the absolute minimum. Carol, I have heard of a tens machine, but have no idea what it is.  As for my pain meds et al., I have been fairly pro-active in limiting the number of meds I am on (and what type). I take some psych meds, because short of a bullet to the brain, I see no relief in sight for what ails me. I’m going to come back to this post when I feel a little bit better and address the finer points.  Sorry, I am about to pass out from pain right now — wish my head would just go ahead and explode!!!!!!!!!! Been doing my "water dance" tonight….. 8 trips to the bathroom and still unable to urinate.  A bullet seems like the best prescription for my misery.  (No, I won’t kill myself, or I would miss the thrill of discovering a cure for all my ailments on my own.) Kris Lewis (e-mail address withheld to discourage spam) I asked God for strength, and he gave me Richard … I count my blessings every day.

— " Don’t wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel.   Stride down there and light the bloody thing yourself." http://www.ledanet.com.au/~jaragun

Response:

On 10 Oct 1999 23:51:32 GMT, bonny65…@aol.com (Bonny65865) wrote: | In article <37fdabc6.43015…@nntp.mindspring.com

, spam_me_…@e-mail.com

| (Kris Lewis) writes:

| |

|

Of course, the Internist is out of town until Monday, but the nurse

|

scheduled a "phone appointment" for him to talk to me about adjusting

|

my meds.  Until I actually get my meds adjusted, the jury is still

|

out, but I actually feel a bit optimistic for a change.

|

| | You are taking an awful lot of medicines, one of which is an | interferon which may interfer with your thyroid anyway. | Others are pain killers which may give you symptoms similar | to thyroid symptome, ie constipation. | Have you thought of trying something like a TEN’s machine | for pain relief, or cutting pain killers down to the absolute minimum. Carol, I have heard of a tens machine, but have no idea what it is.  As for my pain meds et al., I have been fairly pro-active in limiting the number of meds I am on (and what type). I take some psych meds, because short of a bullet to the brain, I see no relief in sight for what ails me.   I’m going to come back to this post when I feel a little bit better and address the finer points.  Sorry, I am about to pass out from pain right now — wish my head would just go ahead and explode!!!!!!!!!! Been doing my "water dance" tonight….. 8 trips to the bathroom and still unable to urinate.  A bullet seems like the best prescription for my misery.  (No, I won’t kill myself, or I would miss the thrill of discovering a cure for all my ailments on my own.) Kris Lewis (e-mail address withheld to discourage spam) I asked God for strength, and he gave me Richard … I count my blessings every day.

Response:

On 10 Oct 1999 02:26:04 GMT, sid…@aol.com (SIDEVE) wrote: | God my thyroid is out of wack also was not found out untIil after MS. I also | have fibro. real bad.  I am very tired and got lost in your post but are you | saying there is a connection with the thyroid, fibro and MS that causes this | unbelievalbe pain? If so have you found anything that helps this unreal pain, I | have not. Well, That’s why I went to my doc in the first place, because of my unquenchable pain.  I know my post was terribly long, but it was something I needed to get out of my system.  I am taking Darvocet and Motrin for my *pain*, but neither helps that much.  The Motrin helps me with headaches and some stiffness.  The Darvocet helps when my knee is bothering me a lot (I have bad arthritis in my right knee…. another long story.). The kind of pain I have been having lately involves mostly my legs and back.  They have always given me problems, but I seem to get no relief from the aches anymore.  What alerted me and my doctor was that I seemed to be losing overall strength, too.  When I did anything strenuous (which includes walking, these days), I found myself short of breath and so tensed up that I begin to shake.  These are similar to MS tremors, but tend to be more like my muscles seize. The doctor is supposed to call me Monday to discuss what he wants to do, based on my elevated TSH level.  I don’t know if it will help, but I sure hope it does.  I will post when I know something. One thing, though… if you are given Solumedrol and/or Prednisone (any kind of cortisteroids), it can  irritate your thyroid gland.  I have had problems with steroids in the past (making me feel as if my throat is closing), and I list them as an allergy.  Unfortunately, my STUPID neurologist — the first one I had — told me that Solumedrol/Prednisone was the ONLY treatment.  I can’t tell you how miserable I was during that *treatment*.  In fact, I am feeling just about as miserable right now. Kris Lewis (e-mail address withheld to discourage spam) I asked God for strength, and he gave me Richard … I count my blessings every day.

Response:

On 09 Oct 1999 14:26:38 GMT, diw…@aol.com (Diwitt) wrote: | Kris – I’ve been off line lately and must have missed the T3 T cocktail talk. | Could you please fill me in? | | I know how miserable thyroid problems can make you.  It’s so important to have | it checked regularly even on supplements.  I have mine tested every 6 months | and if there’s an unexplained change in my condiditon, such as heart rhythms | out of wack, fevers, headaches or such, my gp always checks it and forwards it | to my endocrinologist. | | Something I learned from a column in a local newspaper is interesting.  It said | not to take your thyroid med with food or other meds and that is should be | taken at minimum, 30 minutes after food or other meds as well.  Since I started | doing that, I am feeling much better.  In fact, my levels have gone down and | the doctor may be lowering my dose.  It could be that you have the right dose | but your body isn’t getting it properly the way you are taking it.  Try taking | it with plain water separate from all other foods and meds and see if that | helps.  It did for me!  I was surprised that a doctors column in the newspaper | could tell me something so simple that the doctors and pharmacy would overlook. | | | Diane W. | Orlando | Diane, I am trying your advice regarding taking the synthroid by itself (starting today).  I had always just thrown it into the little cup with my other meds. As for the T3/T4 stuff… I didn’t catch the whole thread, because I had been taking a break from the newsgroup.  However, if you go to http://www.thyroid.org/ on your browser, there is a lot of information there.  The doctor told me that T4 is what is usually prescribed for hypothyroidism, but that doctors sometimes prescribe T3 as well — if the T4 isn’t satisfactorily performing. My doc does the every 6 months evaluation, too.  I get the feeling it will go to every 3 months until we get to a dosage that works, but I don’t want to presume what he may advise.   I have a "telephone" appointment with him on Monday, and I will let ya’ll know what he says. Kris Lewis (e-mail address withheld to discourage spam) I asked God for strength, and he gave me Richard … I count my blessings every day.

Response:

In article <37fdabc6.43015…@nntp.mindspring.com

, spam_me_…@e-mail.com

(Kris Lewis) writes:

Of course, the Internist is out of town until Monday, but the nurse scheduled a "phone appointment" for him to talk to me about adjusting my meds.  Until I actually get my meds adjusted, the jury is still out, but I actually feel a bit optimistic for a change.

You are taking an awful lot of medicines, one of which is an interferon which may interfer with your thyroid anyway. Others are pain killers which may give you symptoms similar to thyroid symptome, ie constipation. Have you thought of trying something like a TEN’s machine for pain relief, or cutting pain killers down to the absolute minimum. Maybe a change to a natural thyroid is sensible, if for nothing else, but to rid your body of some of the daily synthetic medications. Natural thyroid has T3 in it, and there has been some contravercial issues surrounding synthetic T3 only. It’s also worth finding out where you feel best on the Thyroid range, some people feel better when they are nearer the hyperthyroid end. I would like to say that some feel better nearer to the hypothyroid end, but I can’t honestly say that I seen anyone mention that in a post. As you have got MS it’s wise to ‘know’ all of the physical symptoms of thyroid disease and watch for them in yourself. You might find this site interesting, it’s written about dogs and thyroid disease, but it’s sensibly written and could apply to any animal. http://www.golden-retriever.com/dodds.html

Question:

be ever so careful our black lab died from liver cancer she was 12 yrs old and breath had smell so check close Karen in Florida

Response:

I posted a message about a month ago about a bad smell in a foster dog, also an older lab. The vet we were seeing at the time suggested Selsun Blue Shampoo and gave her antibiotics 2xday for 2 weeks. Well, we changed vets and I wanted to let you know what the current course of treatment is and how things are coming along. The vet spent quite a lot of time with her.  He said that it looks like it has been a chronic problem based on the condition of her skin (brown instead of pink in a large area, also some "elephant" skin, as he described it) and on the condition of her teeth – her front teeth are worn down from chewing on her skin.  I had heard this from another source as well, and although it sounds strange, I think it’s true. He also did a blood test to see if there were some organic problems – results showed she is in great condition internally. So this is the treatment now: 1.  Continuing the antibiotic for 6 weeks, at the rate of 3xday 2.  a DermCap once a day 3.  Baths once a week with Sebolyt (stronger than Sebolux) and he said no to the Selsun Blue because of the ph (I admit I had wondered about this…) As for results (it’s now 2 weeks later), the smell isn’t gone but it is reduced. I’m no longer counting the days until I can bathe her again, as the smell isn’t as overwhelming as it was before. She actually smells more like shampoo than anything else (sort of a coal tar smell), mixed, of course, with a slight stink. So, just to let you know, in case this info is at all helpful…

Response:

I want to get feed back on vets(for dogs) in the Washington/Arlington region. Bad ones, good ones. Katherine

Response:

Hi Valerie: My chessie pup was  a stinky one too.  We thought it was a yeast infection in his ears…it wasnt’ although he has the cleanest ears in the world now! Finally, we took him in again and the vet and I just started smelling his coat and sure enough, the stink was coming somewhere from there, in different places we suspected.  He gave me some antibiotic shampoo, as he wasn’t sure if it were antibacterial or yeast related…I bathed him for a week…still no improvement…I then changed his food to Nutro’s Lamb and Rice…it’s been a month now…no smell.  Dogs have allergies to food and in our case, our pups allergy was decreased simply by changing his food…worth a try… I know it’s not this simple with every animal, but changing his food may help… Hope this helps. Kathleen

Response:

Valerie Have you had blood and urine tests done to rule out things like thyroid or diabetes problems? Maybe you need a second opinion. You might find it helpful to post your question at the Acme Pet Dog Bulletin Board. They are very helpful and offer many links also!     http:www.acmepet.com/club/bboard/fur/health/     Hope this is helpful to you!    Anne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My Lab has got a awful odor coming from her skin. I have taken her to the vet and put her on Cephalexin (antibiotic) for a skin infection. But it isn’t helping, now he wants to try and use the Cephalexin on for two weeks off for two weeks for a few months. Her coat feels oily and she has dandruff, I have given her baths with the suggested shampoos but she smells bad again by the next day. She is 9 years old. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks, Valerie

Response:

This is just a FYI…. zinc tablets work in odor control, including bad breath.  Equally effective in humans and dogs. I’d check with a vet on dosage, tho. Susan. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My Lab has got a awful odor coming from her skin.

Response:

Hello Valerie, Have your vet check you labs skin for a yeast infection. He needs to do a skin scraping. My lab/shep was smelling bad, and he was on antibiotics for skin infections, he ended up getting a skin yeast infection form the antibiotics. Hope that helps. Mo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My Lab has got a awful odor coming from her skin. I have taken her to the vet and put her on Cephalexin (antibiotic) for a skin infection. But it isn’t helping, now he wants to try and use the Cephalexin on for two weeks off for two weeks for a few months. Her coat feels oily and she has dandruff, I have given her baths with the suggested shampoos but she smells bad again by the next day. She is 9 years old. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks, Valerie

Response:

My Lab has got a awful odor coming from her skin. I have taken her to the vet and put her on Cephalexin (antibiotic) for a skin infection. But it isn’t helping, now he wants to try and use the Cephalexin on for two weeks off for two weeks for a few months. Her coat feels oily and she has dandruff, I have given her baths with the suggested shampoos but she smells bad again by the next day. She is 9 years old. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks, Valerie

Response:

My Lab has got a awful odor coming from her skin. I have taken her to the vet and put her on Cephalexin (antibiotic) for a skin infection. But it isn’t helping, now he wants to try and use the Cephalexin on for two weeks off for two weeks for a few months. Her coat feels oily and she has dandruff, I have given her baths with the suggested shampoos but she smells bad again by the next day. She is 9 years old. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks, Valerie

I’d suggest you have the vet do a bood test for thyroid disease. That can cause the oily coat and smell.  If she has gained weight and gotten less active those are also symptoms of thyroid disease. Fortunately, thyroid meds can clear the problem up if that is what it is. -Susan

Response: