HC and Medrol

[dseezs]

Hey Ya Lee,
Good to hear from you. Hope everything is going well with you and yours!
I still don't have my results for the Vit D back yet. My last test on 2/12/09 showed Vit D at 63.3 (32.0-100.0) so I went up to 5000 Daily for 30 days. Just didn't want to overdo. Wish my results would hurry up!
I raised the Florinef 2 days ago 1/4 tab afternoons. Forgot to cut salt til today.(DUH) Today salt 1/4-1/4-1/4-1/4. I can feel the difference. More fluid head and chest.
Plan to add more thyroid tomorrow to 2 Grains. Pretty sure that will help with fluid too.
Dr. appt. was OK. She actually said Florinef will probably be 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 tab. Suprised me. I did get an RX for 3 Grains of Armour, but the nurse called it in to the pharmacist as 3 Grain Tablets. My husband picked it up and I didn't find out til he got home with it. 3 mos. worth.
I called the Dr. office to get it changed to 1 Grain tabs. Now I have 3mos of Armour 3 GR tabs and can't get anymore for 3 mos. After 3 mos. they will give me 1 GR. tabs. FRUSTRATING!!!! But better than the alternative.
No major bumps in the road lately as far as health concerns.
Domestic life is a whole nother story. Not good. SHEESH! Not sure where that's going at all except downhill.
Thanks so much
Take Care
Deb

[dseezs]

Um Lee,
I do have a question. Since I last dropped 1/4 tsp salt my temps have gone from a solid 98.7 up to 99 for my average for the last 2 days. Do I need to add the salt back in?
Thanks
Deb

[dseezs]

Hey Ya Lee,
Got my results back today for Vit D and it dropped from 63.3 to 58.4. 5000 Daily. What am I missing here? Do I go back up to 5000 and stay or what else do I need to add to help it to come up? What would be optimal anyway? I would think close to the top of the range right? 80-90?
I added 1/4 tsp of salt back this AM and while it did drop my temp this AM (98.1) my temp for this afternoon is 99.5???!!!!! Salt now 1/2-1/4-1/4-1/4. Florinef 1 Tab AM and 1/4 at 4:30 PM. Blood work to be done Apr. 8 for Sod and Potass.
I did add 15 mg Thyroid 2 days ago for 2 Grains.
99.5 temp afternoon. Average today 99.
Had to take ativan a little earlier tonight. Light headed and dizzy. Added salt? Very cold, but temps don't reflect it. Wait it out til bloodwork? Yuck
How's everthing for you?
Deb

[Lethal Lee]

Hi Deb,

Sorry this is brief. I am having some issues on the homefront (see announcements for details).

As far as temps go random temps dont mean all that much. So many things can affect them. Yes certainly Sodium & Potassium levels can too certainly did for me. So expect as you adjust things there will be some dips & crests. Even the Thyroid med raise can affect temps. You have also been off Vit D for a while so a few changes in meds & supps.

Just keep monitoring basals & daily averages. That is what we need to look at to see if just a few days "adjustment" or if a more permanent trend.. Temps are just a guide too will be a reliable guide for some but not all.

BPs & HR especially sitting & standing I find more telling.

Bummer about the Thyroid tabs. Do you have a good pill cutter? That will help. Some blunt after a while so if the tabs are tough a NEW pill cutter may do the trick. At least you have a script now. This Doc sure has been a surprise hasnt she?

The Vit D drop may well be because you stopped the supps before testing. Or did you stop after the test? I need 2000 IU just to maintain my optimal level, That is I needed to take MORE to get to optimal then still take 2000 IU so it didnt drop!!! I tried 1000 IU initially after I optimised only to find Vit D dropped 40% when next tested.

Some of us just arent very efficient at the Vit D, it may be besause we are older, or are low in something else (like Vit A) or that we simply arent outside much or cover up when we do. Also if overwieght we need higher dose as Vit D is fat soluble the "fat stores" need to be "filled up" before serum levels optimise.

Vit D
Oct'08............. ..31.9 (32100)
Feb'09...............63.3 (32-100)
March'09............58.4 (32-100)

I would go back on 5000 IU daily for another couple of months then retest. Aim for 80 at least then drop back to 2000-3000 IU daily see if you can maintain the optimal level.

I agree with Doc likely 1 1/2 Florinef is going to be your dose or close to. You may well need some more Potassium too. I suspect at least one more RX tab. By all means if you wish to retest S & P aafter being on 1 1/4 tabs for a week or so please do. I would wait until you were on 1 1/2 tabs Florinef for a week & adjust Potassium, Salt as per symptoms & BP's as well. Your call there.

Re the dizziness & needing Ativan earlier I think you need less Salt in am when you take the 1 tab Florinef & more in avo when yoiu take the 1/4 tab? But not more Salt overall. Give it a try see how that feels.

Sorry to hear things at home are still bad. At least you seem to be getting to a more stable place healthwise so hopefully that is of some help with dealing with that. Got to be better than the way you were feeling before.

[dseezs]

Hey Lee,
So sorry so many things happening at once and have you stressed. I'm sure all will go smoothly.
I'm not sure this added Florinef is doing me any good. This is day 2 on 1 1/2 tabs and down to 1 tsp salt daily. Tried 1/4-1/4-1/2 salt. Not so good. Back to 1/4-1/4-1/4-1/4 tomorrow. Try that for a few and see how that goes.
Odd thing is, is that I shouldn't even be awake at this time. I have been waking earlier and earlier with the added Florinef since going over the 1 Tab mark. This is my first night that I haven't been able to go back to sleep.
Since going to 1 1/4 tab I was waking at 5:30 AM and getting up to p. Developed sore boobs and a crampy belly, like my period is coming. Don't feel like this any other time but then and my period is not due. Temps are steadily increasing with the dropping of salt and B/P's are steadily falling from sitting to standing. I haven't been doing Random B/P's.
Tonight I woke at 3:30 AM and got up to p. And here I am at the pc, wondering what the heck is going on. I've developed random hives and new pimples on face and in hair line over these raises in Florinef also. Don't feel like I can go back to sleep.
Could the added Florinef be somehow interferring with cortisol? I haven't woken in the night like this for some time and not been able to go back to sleep. Why would it feel like progesterone dropping like right before period? I'm afraid to stay at this dose, let alone check to see what B/P is doing. I've smoked 2 ciggies since starting this post!
Any ideas as to what is going on? This stinks! Sorry to have to pick your brain now, but I'm totally confused and wondering how bad this is going to get. Bad enough that things are like this now.
Bloodwork not til Apr. 8 for sod. and potass.
Will post sitting and standing B/P HR later when I see the light of day here. And temps. Feeling hungry right now.
Thanks
Deb

[dseezs]

Temps since Mar 23
23-98.7 Sod and Potass 3-18 138 and 4.7
24-98.7
25-98.7
26-98.7
27-99
28-99
29-99.1
30-99
31-98.9
4-1 none
4-2 99.2

Mar 25 Ativan this AM upset last night and same this AM
Day 1 1 1/4 Florinef added to afternoon 4:30 PM , 105 Thyroid Day11, 1 RX Potass AM Day 13, salt 1/2-1/4-1/4-1/4 Day 14
126/85-98
129/94-111
123/84-92
128/90-104
128/86-88
124/93-104
Mar 26 same salt and meds
121/82-90
120/89-103
118/79-88
111/82-101
125/83-83
121/82-95
Mar 27 dropped 1/4 tsp salt AM boobs achey and belly crampy
120/86-89
119/90-102
122/83-88
117/87-98
122/81-84
120/83-94
Mar 28
130/86-78
127/91-94
123/76-81
107/81-95 Grandson here, didn't get last B/P added 15 mg Thyroid to bedtime dose for 2 Grains
Mar 29 salt 1/4-1/4-1/4-1/4 1 1/4 Florinef
118/81-84
120/89-96
121/77-80
112/81-97
113/82-94
115/84-107
Mar 30 added 1/4 salt back in AM dose 1/2-1/4-1/4-1/4
116/82-85
121/90-101
124/81-88
120/85-96
123/83-84
121/86-96
Mar 31 upset this PM
119/83-79
121/88-97
117/81-88
114/84-99
123/85-90
115/89-100
April 1 felt awful since 6:30 PM achey neck and ahoulders, headache temples, achey legs and arms, hands even hurt, used salt 1/4-1/4-1/2 today No temps or B/P's son married today. Upped Florinef to 1 1/2 today. Dropped 1/4 salt again.
April 2
121/83-89
110/83-104
123/83-85
111/82-98
130/86-79
117/82-92 same scenario as yesterday. same salt same time, achey every where again this PM.
April 3 changing salt to 1/4-1/4-1/4-1/4 today
122/84-85
116/85-99 achey all over even this AM, hands ache
As of today Meds are:
Day 29 30HC
Day 7 120Thyroid--2 Grains
Day 22 1 RX Potassium AM
Day 3 1 1/2 Tab Florinef, 1 AM, 1/2 4:30 PM
Can't think of anything else. boobs still achey and belly still cramping off and on since going over 1 Tab Florinef. Waking earlier and earlier.
131/87-96
128/89-106 unexpected company. 2PM
6:30 PM unexpected company
138/91-81
120/88-99
Do you think any of this is because of the adrenaline?
Clues?
Thanks
Deb

[Lethal Lee]

Hi Deb,

Did I read right? Your son got married on 1st April??? Thats fantastic. I hope everything went well & you were able to enjoy the day!!! Is your Son now off on his honeymoon? Do you have Grandson while they are or is this a different Son?

You didnt mention all this before that I recall? Weddings are a big stressor even when everything goes perfectly. Have you been stress dosing for all the preparations, on the day etc???

Certainly this may have impacted on your Cortisol & hence your Thyroid Hormones too. Some of your recent symptoms (achey neck and shoulders, headache temples, achey legs and arms, hands even hurt) sound low Cortisol/HypoT to me. The fact that you have been having disturbed sleep makes me suspect running low on Cortisol too.

I think a stress dose of Cortef may be in order. Try doubling for 1 day & see what that does. Then if sleep still an issue maybe increasing late avo or bedtime Cortef by 2.5mg may be in order. Do try small stress doses before reaching for Ativan in case thats all thats needed.

Boobs still achey and belly still cramping off and on since going over 1 Tab Florinef. Waking earlier and earlier. Are you taking Florinef with food just in case its affecting tummy. Remember too much or too frequent Salt supping can upset Stomach Acids & also can cause diarrhea & cramping.

Never heard of Florinef or electrolytes causing aching boobs at all. What time in cycle is this happening? Possible it may be related to body fluid level changes as its Progesterone levels that cause sore swollen boobs in PMS. It could be that Sex Hormones need addressing too.

I also think its time to add a second rx Potassium too. I would take it with the second Florinef dose. Remember you started on 1 rx Potassium when only on 1 tab Florinef & now that you are on 1 1/2 Florinef (which you definitely needed as per Sodium labs) your Potassium would have dropped.

Let me know how that goes. When you are taking BP's & temps are you making sure it is away from eating, meds & supps?

Remember its not just Sodium/Florinef levels that affect BP & symptoms its the BALANCE with Potassium too. Potassium & Magnesium also affect each other too.

[dseezs]

Hi Lee,
Hope everything is calming and going in the right direction for you and family.
Yes, my one and only son married April 1st. I only accidently found out about it the night before. It was a suprise that I showed up, so no I didn't really have a good day. None of our family was invited to be there.
The new bride is quite manipulative and a control freak. I don't see my son or grandson much, only when they can get away when she's not around, She knows that I don't approve of her. Never have! My feelings are pretty hurt which I suppose is what the intent was supposed to be. So I have to keep my mouth shut and take what I get. Which is nothing most times!
I have been taking all meds w/food at all times.If I need something quick I always have hard boiled eggs and cheese on hand ready to go.
Last period was Mar. 15 Achey boobs and cramping 3-4 days before. Then started happening again Mar.27 ti now. I've been wondering about sex hormones, but put on back burner assuming that Thyroid optimised might take care of some of it. As long as it doesn't get too horrible for the time being.
I don't know why I didn't think to stress dose. The wedding was Wed and its now Sat and I still didn't sleep well last night. Waking at 3:30 AM again. Up to p, got a drink of milk (felt hungry) and back to bed. Did manage to go back to sleep tho til 8.
I'm impatiently waiting for blood draw Apr. 8 See where I'm at.
My B/P's and temps are always at least 30 min away from anything. I'm wondering if the adrenaline is causein the B/P's to be all over the place? And why so much adrenaline? The waking in the night (early AM ) is like a jolt. This AM it stayed til I got up and took ativan with my meds and salt. Don't feel bad now.
121/82-81 and 117/87-99 Temp 98.9
Between everything being off and the stressful times I guess I shouldn't be too suprised. I try not to take the ativan, but can't get away from it. Some times I need 2 to get thru the day.
I wasn't so achey all over this AM , so maybe I'm on an upswing again. Fingers crossed!
I forgot that the Vit D test was taken before I dropped any of the Vit D, and have now since gone back up to 5000 Daily.
So will I need to up my Magnesium to go along with more Potassium? Looked good last checked.
Don't have a set appt. with Dr for anytime soon, so will have a hard time getting test results for S&P. But will post as soon as I can with them. In the mean time will just hang on.
Thanks for all your support, it's much appreciated. I know you've got a lot going on.
Take Care
Deb