Looking younger on Maintain Mountain - 5-12

[BarbCO]

Just getting started today - last day of work for us this week and off for the summer in exactly 9 days!!

We are really cooling off and it's crazy because by now last year we had the ole swamp cooler buzzing! Snow in the mountains last night but clear today.

Now you have sparked an interest Julie in what causes panic attacks. Will do some research and ask my resident psychologist!!

Have a great one.....Linda, Ginny, Shawnee, SuSUN, Zip, Jacki, Loretta, Julie.....

and all you lurkers!

Barb

[zip2play]

Hi Barb and everyone,

Julie is right; a panic attack is caused by a flood of catecholemines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) from the adrenals that is SUPPOSED to protect us from stampeding Mastodons. The fight or flight response, if not able to get an appropriate outlet turns inward and all we are left with is useless TERROR, trembling, blood pressure through the roof, and sweating. (Julie don't let ANYONE ever talk you into Ativan.)

Barb,
I won't ever again eat a high fat diet because I am afraid it would ruin my already fragile heart vessels! Besides, low-carb never worked for me below 215# anyways unless I counted calories and only a masochist would worry about carbs AND calories!.
I am VERY fond of the Second Law of Thermodynamics:
Calories IN = Calories OUT + ACCUMULATION! So that's the way I play it and try only to get at least 75 grams of protein, which is very easy.
No denying though, counting calories and weighing everything is TEDIUM!

Shawnee,
Hmmm a conundrum! Did they do your TSH and free T4. I'm sure they will be looking for Hashimoto's or Graves diseases. They maybe should do a TSA antibody too. The TPO is informative but too broad to be diagnostic.
What are you currently taking in the way of thyroxine?
But those hives still point in the direction of autoimmune disease which would help explain lots of the aches and pains. Keep us posted. Keep after them; the more test results the closer you get to an answer.
If you want to get technical, drop me an e-mail anytime.

Bob has the day off because he is having his stitches taken out (from the lesion removal on his leg). I will join him at noon and we'll head over to the BROOKLYN MUSEUM for a Basquiat show and a light Linner (probably a BIG Cantonese won-ton soup with tons of meat<I always get half-duck/half pork> really a full meal.)
I brought yesterday's calories in at 1902 and I am SOOO proud but Bob is in the kitchen now making French Toast (at 670 calories )...today will NOT be so easy!

Waves to everyone!

[eculmone]

[quote=zip2play]Hi Barb and everyone,

Julie is right; a panic attack is caused by a flood of catecholemines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) from the adrenals that is SUPPOSED to protect us from stampeding Mastodons. The fight or flight response, if not able to get an appropriate outlet turns inward and all we are left with is useless TERROR, trembling, blood pressure through the roof, and sweating. (Julie don't let ANYONE ever talk you into Ativan.)

Just lurking & found this quote VERY interesting. Why wouldn't you ever take 'Ativan'? I get severe vertigo & nausea from a diagnosis I've had for years. It's .5 mg's and I slip it under my tongue and usually within 15 minutes the nauseau subsides and I can fall asleep. I also take one just before I go into the MRI machine in the hospital as there is a feeling of being buried Alive when your in that thing. I'm just curious why you wouldn't take Ativan? I have heard high doses can become addictive, but I've had a Rx for almost 10 years. The bottle sits in my medicine cabinet and is used only for that purpose and often times, I've had to toss it and call in for more since it expired as I ONLY use it when I need it. Is there something I'm not aware of this drug? I think of it as my saviour for moments as described above.

[zip2play]

eculmone,

Hi,
I saw my mother get hooked on Ativan...she thought she needed it to sleep. Unfortunately it's VERY short acting and always had her awake at 3 AM in a panic...she never put one and one together. I "inherited" all her drugs and gave one to a friend who is the most even tempered person I have ever met. He fell into a near suicidal depression for 48 hours after taking ONE PILL (and he loves Valium.) He said it was the most horrible experience of his life.

Next time you are in your library ask for a copy of DARKNESS VISIBLE by William Styron, the best study of a personal depressionn that I have ever read. It's a tiny volume that takes only a couple hours to read but he attributed his many year suicidal depression to Ativan...I agree with him 100%. There are very few pills I hate as much as this "tranquilizer." I take diazepam and temazepam with no side effects whatsoever but that bottle of lorazepam can sit in the closet and rot. <I just CANNOT bring myself to throw out pills!)

Of course, people are different. Ativan under the tongue...hmm, that's a new one to me. If it works for your nausea and vertigo (Meniere's?) then that's all that's important!

[OrchidCactus]

Hey all,

Another gorgeous day here, too bad I'll have to WORK!

Shawnee, HUGE to you with all these tests etc going on. Sure hope they get it figured out soon for you and we all can quit worrying.

Barb, strange weather huh? That cold stuff this time of year is nuts! Lucky you having the summers off, but I bet you need them to regroup.

Zip, check your email re Phonecia and progeny. I haven't had french toast in YEARS!

Eculmone, welcome! Tell us about yourself, we're a nosy bunch here but pretty harmless Interesting on the different results with Ativan, but then so many meds will act different with each person's individual chemistry. Our oldest dog had a severe inner ear infection that left him with permanent vertigo, he is on Meclazine for it and it does a tremendous job (and, it's OTC and much cheaper than getting Antivert from the vet). I've only had one episode of vertigo, no idea what caused it, but I didn't like walking into walls. Fortunately it passed quickly!

Hope all are enjoying their day... off to lurk then start moving!

[Jewels]

Guess I opened a bag of worms... Going in to get the heart monitor today. Maybe they'll find out it's really my heart and then all this talk of panic disorder will be for want. Just kidding.

Zip, I do have a prescription for Atavan. I got it last summer when my whole life went in the toilet with my kids. I took 1mg. one time and fell asleep at Nicks appt. with the probation officer for pete's sake. Now think about it...me practically laying down in the reception office at the probation office. Jeez...I'm suppose to be helping my DGS and I'm wacked out on drugs!! I never took more than a half of one after that. And only at night to help me sleep. It did get me through the tough part and haven't needed one in what, about 6 months. It does leave you hung over the next day though. I took some Valium at times when the kids were younger. I think both of them are addictive though and I don't care to go there. Not with my addictive personality. I've always been very careful with any of these kinds of drugs but I wonder sometimes if I should even take them at all. Thanks for the warning Zip. I haven't a clue what will happen with me. I need to start a good exercise program and do it every single day. That probably would help more than anything.

Barb, I always appreciate your expertise on life. You have many experiences. So what meds are you on now, I can't remember. Maybe you don't want to say on this public forum, let me know.

Shawnee, my troubles seem to pale in comparison to yours. I sure hope they can figure out what's causing them. You have my sympathy. Want to go to a spa and meditate???? Wouldn't that be great? Maybe we should all meet there and just "cool out."
Eculmone! So nice to get another opinion. Join right in with us.

Hi Ginny. Glad you have nice weather there. Get out and soak up some sunshine.

Hi to all who follow. BTW Loretta, happy birthday again!! what is it with those Golden Years???

[eculmone]

Originally Posted by zip2play

eculmone,

Hi,
I saw my mother get hooked on Ativan...she thought she needed it to sleep. Unfortunately it's VERY short acting and always had her awake at 3 AM in a panic...she never put one and one together. I "inherited" all her drugs and gave one to a friend who is the most even tempered person I have ever met. He fell into a near suicidal depression for 48 hours after taking ONE PILL (and he loves Valium.) He said it was the most horrible experience of his life.

Next time you are in your library ask for a copy of DARKNESS VISIBLE by William Styron, the best study of a personal depressionn that I have ever read. It's a tiny volume that takes only a couple hours to read but he attributed his many year suicidal depression to Ativan...I agree with him 100%. There are very few pills I hate as much as this "tranquilizer." I take diazepam and temazepam with no side effects whatsoever but that bottle of lorazepam can sit in the closet and rot. <I just CANNOT bring myself to throw out pills!)

Of course, people are different. Ativan under the tongue...hmm, that's a new one to me. If it works for your nausea and vertigo (Meniere's?) then that's all that's important!

Thanks, you know that makes me wonder?? I've had the vertigo for the last 3 nights & I do feel tired in the a.m. kinda "hungover"??? AND I've been waking up the last 3 nights around 3 AM!!! Now THAT is FREAKY!

Thanks for the welcome. I take the ativan ONLY when my MS flares up. I've been diagnosed for over 10 years now. It kinda sucks but it could always be worse hey? It's almost like asking what came first the chicken or the egg? I get the vertigo it comes with fatigue & that constant hangover feeling, so when I take .5 mg's I feel relaxed and all cozy. I don't want to become addicted, but it's a horrible spinning that lasts for 20 minutes. Until I can get the drugs working. I do know ativan on it's own does nothing for this spinning but prochlorazapim (stemitil) is AWESOME! The ativan was just an added comfort zone for me, but I'm going to cut it out and see what happens. Thanks for that. And thanks for the welcome.
Liz

[Jewels]

Now am outfitted with a heart monitor. I look so pertty...
Mental health doc called and has given me BuSpar. I just tried to search for it and guess what some of the side effects are? Dizziness!!!!!!! Jeez, isn't that what I'm trying to get rid of??? One of these days, I'll just throw up my arms and yell......NO MORE!

[eculmone]

A little about me...
This is my second (AND FINAL marriage). I have one dd from my previous marriage (20 yrs old now) and one from this one (7 yrs old tomorrow) Gosh how time flies. We r celebrating our 10th anniversary and I think he's a really good guy (I guess I'm prejudice )

Anyhow, I have a love/hate relationship with FOOD. I've gotten to goal several times, but can never really maintain. It is elusive. I usually eat around 15 to 20 carbs a day. To stay in the 130's. I just can't seem to get below that and you hear about all those lucky individuals who can eat 30; 40; 50 and 60 carbs & maintain??? That just doesn't happen for me?

I was a ww "lifer" and hit 140 but couldn't hold on it. I was at 148 when I decided to make the switch. It was scary cus it went against all I'd been taught. i.e. low fat, low protein. I can honestly say I haven't eaten pasta in several years. I was on a yeast illimination (sp?) diet and it helped to push me past 140 into the 130's and here I lurk. I'd like to be 125, but not sure how to do it. I no longer lose with 20 carbs & I do believe I need some to spare my organs don't I?

Anyhow, any help in maintaining would be excellent. I need the motivation & support.
Liz

[eculmone]

Originally Posted by Jewels60

Now am outfitted with a heart monitor. I look so pertty...
Mental health doc called and has given me BuSpar. I just tried to search for it and guess what some of the side effects are? Dizziness!!!!!!! Jeez, isn't that what I'm trying to get rid of??? One of these days, I'll just throw up my arms and yell......NO MORE!

I know I'm a day late & probably more then a dollar short But you don't by chance have a racing heart? My dd7yr old was just recently diagnosed with SVT Supra Ventricular Tyachachardia (sp?) basically it's a racing heart, feels like it's going to come right out of her chest, but side effects are symptomatic of heart attack, fainting...scary, but not life threatning Thank goodness. Any chance you might have this?

p.s. some of my side effects for my Stemitil which controls the vertigo & nauseau is "dizziness" too, yet it doesn't have that effect on me. So don't pass on the medication just yet, sometimes a little of the hair of the dog that bit ya is just what you might need. I know it sounds weird, but don't give up.

[BarbCO]

Evening folks......

Liz, I don't know if I have the answer but maybe you need to count calories instead of carbs??? I KNOW I'm a carb addict and anything "white" will send me to the store, cupboards, fridge!! Some of us do lose more with calorie count. I actually believe one needs to look at both calories and carbs. How about exercise and water, does it play a part in your life?

We have a fun day here in the school district! It was "farm safety" day and groups came in and set up stations and kids were in groups and traveled around to the different exhibitions. They had: electricity, sun protection, cattle (brought in a bull, cow and horse), bikes, lawn movers and weed eaters, John Deer Co. did something, etc. It was fun!! Did you know that when you weed-eat one needs ear protection, safety glasses, face mask and shoes on? They demonstrated with one kiddo dressed properly and one with shorts, long hair, and thongs!!

We do have a lot of ranch accidents here with 4-wheelers and eqiupment. One of the high school students just flew off a 4-wheeler, it rolled on top of her and she is in back surgery with three spinal breaks!

I THINK it might warm up here for the weekend! I need to get a "fake tan" so I can wear my shorts from now on......

to all......

Barb

[eculmone]

I know your right Barb. I need to do both carbs & calories and stay away from the "white" family.

Yes, I drink the water & I "use" to exercise, but with MS I get fatigued easily and heat exaserbates my symptoms...Yeah, I know water arobics, but finding the time to go to a pool & join a program & then all the primping i.e. toes, shaving... putting on a bathing suit I'm pooped just thinking about it. I have a treadmill in my basement & I use to do 20 minutes 5/6 days a week and it felt good. Now it's finding the time. If I really want it, I need to get up at 5:30 a.m. cus that's the only me time I get with full time work, mom to my 7 year old before school prep, i.e. brush teeth, pic out clothes, make lunch & breakfast for her & I (dh eats out), & after school, homework, meals, bathtime, story time, teethbrush, bed (I lay down for 5 minutes with her) But sadly by the time I lay down with her my 5 minutes lasts hours. I wake up at midnight & if I can I drag myself down to my bed, otherwise I just roll over in her queen size bed hee hee

Anyhow, excuses, excuses. I know what I need to do! XCept dd's birthday weekend is here. I'm hosting her party for 29 family members. I'm ok without cake, but I made my homemade tiramisu & date squares??? All the rest of the food, I know I can be good with. Well, I'm one pound away from my posted weight & I'm determined so lets just see if I can hold on.

Good night all. & thanks Barb for the push.
Liz

[shawneesioux]

Hi Y'all

OH Goodie, another dizzy broad joining us !
Welcome, Liz...being able to think clearly is definitely NOT a requirement for this Group...in fact, most of us have some weird problems, and we air our mental / physical stuff here...heck, sometimes we even discuss our WOEs ...and they ARE varied. Happy Birthday to your DD
BTW, I am one of the brain-fog people too..and fatigue fighter. As you say, it could be worse. I simply Low Carb, kinda lower fat.

I think we run the gamut here from straight Atkins to low calorie/low fat, and all mixtures in between.

No-see'um Loretta today; what's up with that? Hope all's ok with you.

Ginny, I'm sitting my GrandPup, the General, for a few days...his mom is sitting her MIL's huge mixed-something named Sturm, so Burke and Sturm are having fun rough-housing...and Gen. Tso gets cuddles here. I have to remember to watch where I plant my big feet, and keep the gates closed.

Barb, sounds like a fun day "at the Farm", and good for ALL attending...those damned accidents happen in the blink of an eye...and yes, I wear all the protection when I weed-eat...its HOT under that full face mask. Oh, that poor young gal! Glad ya enjoyed your day so much.

Beautiful day here, and we deserved it...been cold enough here to make all the brass monkeys nervous ... Forced myself to do some mowing yesterday afternoon...GAD, I am so un-exercized lately!

Julie, Bless your heart...glad ya got your sexy new gear. ..is it a 24 hour thingy?
Hey this is probably out in Left field, but I have a glimmer of an ex-relative who had a racing heart...seems he would have his vegas nerve (and carotid arteries?) stimulated at the hospital...? Its also a treatment for heading off epileptic seizures...damn, hate it when my memory stalls out, need to research stuff before I start blathering about it.
Good luck with the new Med. Aren't we all in great shape, for the shape we're in?
Hehee on the "whacked out on drugs" at the PO's office...I was Excused from Jury Duty cause of that Hydrozxy I take...

Hey Montana, y'all soaking up History? Gerard must be in high heaven.

Zip, the FT3, FT4, and TSH are just the basic standard tests here, been having them done several times a year ...for years. The TSH is a pitituary hormone, and most docs use its lab value for basing amt. of meds...which is fine for the doc, but it should be based on other factors, such as patient symptoms, and FT3 and 4 levels.. That's why I (and tons of other hypos) hear..."Oh, your meds have you in the 'normal' range", and then ignore the fact that the symptoms are still raging. I take 3 gr of Armour, and until this past year, that was adequate..Yes, I am a confirmed Hashi.

My TSH (with meds) normally runs around 1.2, which is about where I need it.

As an aside, when I was playing with fire (SOY protein) several years back, my TSH jumped up to 6.5 ...which made Doc ask if I was NOT taking my med...LOL...I told him it was the Soy causing the elevated hike, which he had never heard of....so off all soy a few months, TSH dropped like a rock.

Now, the new TSH is MINUS .3, which means I am either overmedicated, (NOT !, tho this Minus result indicates Hyperthyroid) or the test was skewed by stress (possible!), or by other meds (even aspiren), or perhaps a chronic illness...or maybe indicating a pitituary problem...LOL, the answers are never easy...If I let the Doc medicate me on this new TSH, as a hyper, I'd really be screwed...
My new FT3 is high for me at 2.13,(range: 1.45-3.48) and FT4 is ok at 1.23(0.71-1.85)...I seem to be sitting on both sides of the fence with these numbers, in conjunction with TSH..
OK, I insisted on the TPO to prove to Doc that his way of medicating me (based on the usual 1.2 TSH) was NOT working; test results got his attention...

Also had a reverse T3 done, Doc admits he'd best just leave that eval. to the Endo. (she will probably want to run her own tests anyway)
I won't give the Endo's name I will be seeing, but here's the Clinics she's involved with:

http://www.ohsuhealth.com/clinics/pr...8DFAB2A26299BD

http://www.ohsuhealth.com/clinics/pr...8E857F7ABC3110

http://www.ohsuhealth.com/clinics/pr...77F103335DDECE

http://www.ohsuhealth.com/clinics/pr...1E39B2343A53BB



Can't remember what else about the thyroid tests crap, brain tired...
I think I need to have my elevated red blood cell thing checked out by the Oncologist, cause there's this cruddy HypoT -related disease called polycycthemia...which I HOPE to rule out. Appt for that May 23.

NOT FAIR, one of main symptoms of HypoT (when out of whack, med -wise) is brain fog..(like ME)....and then having to deal with docs who don't have much Thyroid knowledge...Grrr

Oh, well...my contrary-ness will make up for my brain fog.

If any or all of the above is confusing, consider the source.

Shawnee

[eculmone]

Originally Posted by shawneesioux

Hi Y'all

OH Goodie, another dizzy broad joining us !
Welcome, Liz...being able to think clearly is definitely NOT a requirement for this Group Shawnee

and that pic of you with the water? I nearly choked with laughter as I was taking a drink from my jug, ah I mean glass of water.

That is too funny.

Anyhow, yes I was told to rub the carotid artery as well, it helps to slow the rate down. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Very scary none the less. So where is NW? I'm a Cannuck and live in the city.

I also attempted to stay off the Ativan last night and guess what? I slept through the night!!! Now that's freaky.

I am terribly dizzy today So I need to rest.

Take care all.
Liz