boring health related thread :(

[Doro]

ok so I have been suffering with various things since summer 2003, mainly extreme tiredness and exhaustion and unexplained weight gain (yeah like half a stone in 6 weeks even though I eat less) and other things which I won't go into here


so I started with my GP


this is what happened (greatly reduced version)


1. high blood pressure - tablets - even more weight gain
2. HBP diagnosis was wrong so tablets stopped
3. HRT prescribed as symptoms were menopausal
4. blood tests ok (even though HRT actually helped greatly) so tablets stopped
5. yet another blood test showed polycystic ovaries so Atkins diet advised (yep by my GP...!!!!). This helped weight gain but nowt else so diabetic tablets (metformin) prescribed as I am (according to GP) Insulin Resistant (not dependant, so I think this is type 2 diabetes, no-one has actually told me what IR is)
6. metformin made me very dehydrated and didn't help so they were stopped
7. now we have reached autumn this year and the problem is getting worse
8. more blood tests. Aha, now it's a thyroid problem. BUT they measure 2 things, T4 and TSH. If one is low the other should be sky high. So my T4 is low but TSH is normal. Thus the Drs are at a loss. The tests are telling them I have a thyroid problem but it doesn't add up that TSH is normal.

As a result of this I have had 4 blood tests in the last 8 weeks, all giving the same results, and so I had to see a consultant and what did he do? Another blood test..!!!!!!!



Does anyone have any advice at all about what they would do in this situation? I am going round in circles - they don't believe the blood test results, meanwhile I am begining to feel like a very tired fat pincushion and getting nowhere :(


BTW when I say I suffer from extreme tiredness, I could sleep at work without a problem and am tired enough to go to sleep at home an hour after I get home from work. I could quite easily sleep for 12 hours and still be tired during the day. It doesn't sound life threatening but I don't have the energy to do anything, it affects my job, my son, and gypsy :(

[100%Pat]

It does sound like a thyroid prob doesnt it, Im no medic but I've friends with thyroid probs and all have same symptoms.
Big hugs to Doro....and a nice little dab.... :D (that was a joke)

[cxdemon]

It sounds almost the same symptoms as my mrs, she was poked and prodded, (OOh-err!!) and they had the same results, erred on the side of caution, treated it as a thyroid problem, put her on thyroxin and she's losing weight and getting more energy, so keep at em Doro, they'll get there eventually. :D

[Creature]

stay positive is the main thing to focus on, also ya friends can help (i know mine doo when i'm down).

but stay in there - if your not happy ask for a 2nd opinion......

hope ya get giaged and sorted soon

[Tiger Lily]

I'm no Qwak, but maybe you just need a little extra Iron. Everyone is different, and sometimes, even though you may have a good diet, a little extra helps. Bear in mind any supplements that a taken do take a while to get into the system, were talking around 4 months. (Unless the doc prescribes the high dose form, then you will be constipated, and when you do it'll be like coal!) Ooooch! :rolleyes:

[Doro]

yeah gypsy is very supportive already he's a star,

but I really thought this specialist would help me yesterday.....


it's so frustrating cos the blood tests are always the same so how many does it take to convince them? I would have thought 3 at the most :(

worst thing is I was expecting to have some energy for xmas [miracle cure huh? some light at the end of the tunnel would do] but (and gypsy doesn't know this....shhhh) I barely have the enrgy to do anything, and I wanted to make stuff at xmas and do alsorts of fun things, I am so upset about this, I'd be angry but that takes energy :(

so apart from getting a 2nd opinion is there anything else I can do to get this sorted? Gypsy said complain to NHS blokey but unless it's malpractise they prob wouldn't do anything. They are being over cautious I know, but they don't seem to realise how bad tiredness can be *sniff*

anyway, please post lots more sympathy please cos that works :)

[Doro]

Hey Tiger I have been low in iron all my life, my blood count was 10.2 (very low) when I was expecting my eldest. I take high doses of B12 because B12 is needed to absorb iron and most anaemics lack B12, especially women.

That way you get the benefits of extra iron but no nasty black tarry poos



plus they reckon iron is too toxic to take as a regular supplement, as is vitamin A. My sister was once given iron tablets by the doc cos she was extrememly anaemic. She was only 10 (twas in the 70s) and she hated taking tablets. Now these tablets were like a long capsule, about the size of those torpedo sweets you get. Because they were so big I said I'd cut one in half for her and put it into some jam so it would be easier to swallow. She thought that was a good idea so I got a knife out and proceded to cut the tablet in half.......but it was very difficult...why? Well I kid you not....the whole tablet was made of iron...!!! Or at least it looked like compressed iron filings. I needed a hacksaw..!


I didn't mention it to my sister, just gave her the jam and didn't offer to do it again :eek:

[triker_gal]

I have PCOS Doro, symptoms are,
PCOS is not easy for doctors to diagnose. The common symptoms of PCOS include irregular or absent menstrual cycles and evidence of excess male hormones, such as facial hair growth, acne, and hair thinning (female balding). Many, but not all, women with PCOS are overweight. Even if several of the symptoms that follow are present, a woman may not have a case of PCOS. They may have a condition that affects the adrenal gland or the thyroid gland, for example.

The underlying cause of PCOS is an imbalance of hormones. This imbalance often seems to be linked with the way the body processes insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that promotes use of blood sugar (glucose). Insulin problems can increase male hormone production by the ovaries.

Women who think they may have PCOS should see their doctor. While PCOS may bring obvious symptoms, such as more body hair, it can also hold dangers. PCOS may put women at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer of the uterus.

Women who are approaching menopause, the time of life when periods begin to taper off and then stop, may notice that most of their PCOS symptoms start going away. Some may even begin to have regular cycles as they approach menopause.

Some conditions related to PCOS may not be obvious but are potentially dangerous:


Diabetes - Most women with PCOS have problems using their body's insulin. About 30% of women with PCOS have a problem processing blood sugar, called glucose intolerance. This is a major risk factor for adult-onset diabetes.


Heart and blood vessel disease - People with high insulin levels, as in PCOS, often have low levels of so-called good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) and high levels of other fats, including triglycerides. These factors are known to increase the risk of heart attack or stroke later in life. Women with PCOS also can have elevated bad cholesterol (LDL) levels.


Cancer of the uterus - The lining of uterus normally builds up and is shed with the menstrual period each month. Because of irregular menstrual cycles and lack of ovulation, the lining of the uterus may not shed as often as it should. If PCOS goes untreated, this may increase the risk of cancer of the uterus.

In PCOS, a variety of obvious symptoms can occur. Remember, PCOS is a syndrome, and each person will have a different set of symptoms. If you have two or more of the following symptoms, you should go to your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and the right treatments.


Irregular periods - Nine or fewer menstrual cycles per year may be a sign of PCOS. Bleeding may be heavier than normal. These conditions are caused by a hormone problem, because the ovaries are not working properly and producing hormones that keep the menstrual cycle regular.


Infertility - Because women with PCOS don't have regular menstrual cycles, many are unable to get pregnant. With help, women with PCOS can get pregnant, however. A number of infertility treatments are available. (See section on Treatments (http://www.hormone.org/learn/pcos_3.html).)


Hirsutism - Hirsutism means excess hair, which can be a difficult symptom for many women. For most women with PCOS, hair in the mustache and beard areas becomes heavier and darker. Masculine hair on the arms and legs and more hair growing in the pubic region, abdomen, chest or back are also possible. This symptom is caused by high levels of male hormones (androgens), as are thinning hair and acne.


Thinning hair - Just as heavier hair growth is possible, scalp hair thinning may be present. This is caused by higher levels of androgens.


Acne - Acne (pimples and oily skin) can also bother women with PCOS. The acne is usually found around the face (especially along the jaw line), chest, and back.


Weight gain - Many women with PCOS gain weight around their middles taking on an apple shape rather than a pear shape. Such weight gain is linked with problems with the proper use of glucose and insulin in the body.


Other skin problems - Skin tags, thick lumps of skin that can be as large as raisins, can form and usually are found in the armpits or neck. These can easily be removed. Darkening and thickening of the skin also can occur around the neck, groin, underarms, or skin folds. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, is a sign of an insulin abnormality.


Depression and anxiety - Because of the nature of many of these symptoms, woman may find themselves more anxious or depressed by their appearance, or by their inability to become pregnant

[100%Pat]

Hypothyroidism (Underactive thyroid gland)
Hypothyroidism is a condition of underactive thyroid gland function. The most common symptoms include fatigue, depression, weight gain, low body temperature, cold extremities, poor memory, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, muscle cramps, dry skin, infertility, menstrual disorders, frequent infections, slow heart rate, constipation, sleep disturbances. There are many more.....
Of the sufferers of hypothyroidism, approximately 90% are female.

An important point to note is that symptoms of hypothyroidism do not necessarily mean that the thyroid gland itself is malfunctioning. Many nutrients are essential to the proper function of the thyroid hormones themselves. The mineral iodine and the amino acid Tyrosine are also both essential as the building blocks of thyroid hormones. The functions of thyroid hormones may also be impaired by excessive levels of certain toxins in the body. Thus, hypothyroidism may not be, and in fact is usually in not caused by insufficiency of the thyroid gland itself, but by other factors.


Causes of Hypothyroidism
Causes of actual impaired thyroid function:
Radioactive iodine therapy for hyperthyroidism
Impaired thyroid development during foetal period

Causes of impaired thyroid hormone output or impaired thyroid hormone function:
Iodine deficiency
Tyrosine deficiency
Pituitary gland disorder
Weakened or exhausted adrenal glands
Toxicity / impaired detoxification
Yeast infection (see Yeast Infections)
Dysglycaemia (see Dysglycaemia)
Emotional disturbances
Long-term use of pills that increase metabolism
Other nutritional deficiencies - zinc, copper, selenium, vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, E, EFAs.

[DANNY]

dont know if it helps but ive bin a stage one diabetic for thirty five years and if my blood sugar goes too high i get very lethargic and could sleep through a bomb blast.

[100%Pat]

Thyroid function is normally assessed via a blood test that measures levels of TSH and T4. Increased levels of TSH indicate the earliest stages of thyroid failure as stimulation of it is increased. The problem with the blood test is that it does not take account of factors that impair the function of the thyroid hormones themselves. As was mentioned above, levels of the hormones themselves may be adequate, but they may not be functioning effectively.

The most thorough method of assessing thyroid function is through a Thyroid Temperature Test that directly measures the basal body temperature, which is directly dictated by the actual function of the thyroid hormones. Diagnostic tests that may be considered include:

Thyroid Temperature Test
Used to establish the control of the basal metabolic temperature by the thyroid hormones
This test involves recording the body temperature on three consecutive days.
It is the best test available for assessing the effective function of the thyroid hormones themselves.

[Mrs Reject]

It is a problem and some conditions can be notoriously difficult to diagnose. My mother in law has an undiagnosed brain condition and is virtually unable to function - we think it is a result of too much ECT but as no sensible studies have been done on the long term effects of ECt so she remains undiagnosed 2 years after the onset of her devastating condition.
I thing the best thing you can do for yourself is type out all your symptoms on a piece of paper and print out loads of copies, get Mosbys medical and nursing dictionary and flick through it (it's well laid out and not too complicated). If you find a condition you suspect it may be look it up on the net and tick through all your symptoms.
It is long winded but see which conditions has most ticks on it (hopefully not Beri-Beri :D ) and it does help to eliminate a lot of conditions. Doctors re not God and are probably doing this themselves as we speak!

[Doro]

personally I think it is sugar related as I can have good days and bad days, plus when I was on the strict Atkins diet my weight improved, though I'm not sure if my energy did. Plus I did have one blood test that said PCOS then the next said no. (and I've had painful cysts all my adult life) Drs just keep on taking my blood and getting nowhere lol. I have tried alsorts of supplements, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, minerals etc

nothing has worked as well as the HRT tho ha ha

maybe it's a combination, I don't know, but I hate it when you have 9 out of 10 symptoms of a illness but because you don't have all 10 they dismiss it.

hmmmm


I just keep going tho, maybe get me a one of those private health care dudes with super duper test facilities and no qualms about prescribing stuff just because of the cost

d'oh

if the NHS were worried about the cost I'd gladly pay for it, though I pay for prescriptions anyway



I remember when I had my eyes lasered and had to get some eye drops. The girl said it would have to be a private script so I'd have to pay for it, fair enough I thought. Now I needed 4 bottles, so had to pay seperately for each item. Here I was expecting it to be £40 or so


nope


£1.79 per bottle...!!!


sheesh :cool:

[Doro]

hey Pat

that's the trouble with me (apparently) my T4 is too low ie not working, but my TSH is normal when it should be super high

anyway I did the basal temperature thing for 3 mornings in a row and they were all around 96.5 deg c which I believe means you have underactive thyroid.

problem is Drs accept that my thyroid isn't doing it's job right, but because the TSH is normal they won't treat me.

well at least after tomorrow I can sleep as much as I want for a week or so :D

[mr.chaz]

dont know if it helps but ive bin a stage one diabetic for thirty five years and if my blood sugar goes too high i get very lethargic and could sleep through a bomb blast.


Jesus , don't start Danny on his ailments , we'll be here all night!

"You get lethergic" , I don't believe you could get any more lethargic than you already are eh?Jeez!