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Month: August 2007

What happens to you….just happened to me

Last week, after hours, I called the office of the Nurse Practitioner I have used as my doctor for 5 years. I left my message–that I have had rising blood pressure and was curious what she would recommend. (And yes, I like her.)

I mentioned that I was slightly lowering my Armour, just in case the iodine I had been giving myself for a year was now causing my Armour amount to be too much (and contributing to my BP). I also mentioned that I had found many articles on the net about the benefit of taking CoQ10 for rising blood pressure…plus the fact that low levels of potassium and magnesium may place a role in at least 50% of those with rising blood pressure. I also asked if I could be sent lab papers so I can test my potassium and magnesium levels. I was curious.

Last Monday, the office called. It was the nurse under the physician that my NP works under, and whom I was FAR less impressed by. She explained that I would now be under his care, since blood pressure doesn’t fall under her specialty–female hormones. (first inner alarm).

Next, she says that the doc feels there is “no strong research” that CoQ10 will help me. (second inner alarm) I replied that there’s “no strong research” that Armour turns the lives around of thyroid patients, yet it does. Cough.

Finally, she stated that she doubts he will feel “comfortable” with letting me test my potassium and magnesium (final alarm). Excuse me…HE would not feel comfortable for me to know what my levels were? HE would not feel comfortable?? WHO’S BODY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?!?

And today…I received the lab papers I was to use…and all he checked were electrolytes….and TSH. Thud. Granted, there is a relationship between electrolytes and blood pressure…but I was appalled that he gave no respect to my request to know my potassium and magnesium levels….and wanted to test the WORST and most unreliable “thyroid” test there is.

I have tossed those lab papers…and I am making an appointment with a new doctor…one I have heard about from another patient….and who has a reputation of listening, not simply dictating.

p.s. I’m back on my regular amount of Armour. And..my blood pressure has fallen to a respectable level: 125/74 tonite…and 105/69 the other night. What did it? Probably the release of stress from letting go of some responsibilities. I’m also making sure I take a full spectrum of minerals, CoQ10, and I’m back to walking aerobically at least 4 times a week. And finally, I’ve been using a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (acv) daily with 1/4 tsp baking soda for over two weeks. The acv has done wonders for my husband’s FORMERLY poor digestive issues….and there’s evidence it helps control blood pressure in two weeks!! (Remember: these blog posts are ONLY for comments. Want to talk to others? See the TALK TO OTHERS link on any STTM page.)

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A personal note

I have waited to post again on my blog until the forums became officially closed, and today is that day. To read the full story, go here. And after you read that, you can rest assured! I have replaced the forums link, which was on the left side of any page, with this one, called TALK TO OTHERS. You will see other alternatives, from another forums similar to what we had here (with some of the same mods), to groups that are excellent for patient-to-patient information (and with some of the same mods–lol). Enjoy! And I will add more as I find them–groups that have an excellent understanding of what thyroid patients have learned.

Am I sad at the closing? Very. But with me being freed from the responsibility of the forums, I now have time for my private life, AND I have time to do other things for this site, and for thyroid patient advocacy.

But do NOT think that STTM’s heart has ceased to beat simply because our forums are gone!! What propelled me to create STTM is still the ENERGY of this website: namely, a place to educate patients as to WHY they feel lousy on T4-only meds, why certain labwork has NOT worked, and other issues that a large body of thyroid patients have had to face: adrenal problems. It was also created to STOP the thyroid madness of hundreds of millions of thyroid patients!

You will continue to see new articles, updates to old ones, and other activity in the future. 🙂 And by the way, check out the SITE MAP for our new category: FAQ pages. We have an excellent one for adrenals, another one for hypopituitary, and one coming as I write this…for B-12.

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