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Post by rebecca on Feb 21, 2009 14:10:07 GMT -5
I've only taken the growth hormone for 4 days. Can I just stop it with that short of an exposure? I will talk to the Dr. about the armour. I'm not sure why everyone here just goes to the synthroid. Found that my low uric acid is from taking immuran (for my lupus, and I am tapering off of it). Before I started on the steroids and I had horrible pitting edema, I was sure that is was an aldosterone or vasopressin issue. Much of it has resolved since starting the steroids so that is starting to make sense if the cortisone has some aldosterone effects as well. Believe me I have been reading and researching like a maniac. My husband doesn't understand how Ikeep finding things on line - just how much is there he says - ooooh if he only knew.
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Post by Lethal Lee on Feb 22, 2009 11:04:57 GMT -5
Hi Rebecca,
I dont think that stopping HGH if that is what you decide to do would be a problem. Ecxept the waste of money of course!!! It has a limited life even in the fridge I believe.
Yes HC does have some "Aldo" like properties. Not a lot but may be enough for some with Salt supping & Potassium supping if needed. Time will tell.
I hope you can get RX for Armour!!!
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Post by rebecca on Feb 25, 2009 12:50:18 GMT -5
Having a horrible last couple of days -just sooooo tired. I have been working full time and calling in sick a lot. Is it unreasonable to go on disability while sorting through all of this and getting all the doses correct? Also after all the reading I have done I KNOW you are suppose to support the adrenals before the thyroid but my Dr. didn't realize what was all going on and so my thyroid was treated first. Is there any hope of turning things around? Do people go off the thyroid to get the adrenals "fixed" and then go back on? I know I have failed Rule #1 miserably and my patience is low - as is my energy. Becky
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Post by justaustin on Feb 25, 2009 21:24:20 GMT -5
Don't beat yourself up. Many have unknowingly started treating thyroid before adrenals. ME.
When we realized that I had pretty low cortisol (secondary ai) and needed to start HC, I followed the recommendations on the STTM site. I significantly reduced my Armour and followed the guidelines for starting/increasing HC. I had a few mini thyroid dumps when I reached 7.5mg/day of HC (transient hot flashes, which would have been worse if I didn't reduce Armour). Once I had a return of hypothyroid symptoms, I increased my Armour.
My need for thyroid hormone has increased since HC.
Once I get my HC and Armour optimized (need more per new doc), he will look at my growth hormone and IGF-1 again. He's hoping that it will increase with optimizing HC and Armour. If not, then will likely need GH.
Would it be possible to reduce your hours to minimal amount to still be eligible for insurance coverage? If so, then stagger your shifts so you do not work two days in a row. The inability or delayed recovery with working,exercise or productivity around the home is low cortisol. I'm just now able to work two days in a row.
Laurie
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Post by rebecca on Feb 25, 2009 22:45:22 GMT -5
I have been working every other day at this point - I may have tried to bite off too much the last 2 days - am trying to build up my physical stamina as well by taking short walks, etc. Since I'm on the synthroid I'm not sure about decreasing it - I know that it takes a month for that to start adjusting itself. I'm having labs drawn in a week and will try to get switched to armour at that point. I'll see about cutting back at work without going on disability, I'm not sure they will let me go back up once I feel better though - things are tight all over and they would probably jump at my cutting back but not at going back up. How long have you been working at feeling better? If I knew what I was looking at for expectations I could probably handle this better.
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Post by rebecca on Feb 25, 2009 22:46:55 GMT -5
I know what else I meant to ask. Mornings I just drag and don't seem to pick up speed until noon or so. Evenings I feel much better - what's with that? any ideas? I then proceed to have a difficult time falling asleep. Is this all part of it?
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Post by justaustin on Feb 25, 2009 23:05:54 GMT -5
Barely able to function in the morning. Sounds like low cortisol. I wouldn't feel human until the afternoon. For awhile, it was a real challenge getting up for work at 5am. I would be freezing cold,shivering and nauseated.... Until my HC kicked in. It's better since I have increased my HC. I'm taking more throughout the day and I take a small amount as my head hits the pillow. This allows me to have a bit higher cortisol level with waking up. I also take more on days that I work or exercise. This helps a bunch. Its taken me awhile to feel better. I'm still not where I'd like to be. I think of how much I was able to accomplish even a few years ago. I'm a work in progress. Also dealing with both kids having hormonal problems. Laurie
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