Dr. Stoll,
I am a 43 year old female who recently suffered from thyrotoxicosis and am currently suffering from Chronic Fatigue.
I had my thyroid removed 23 years ago after a serious case of postpartum Graves' Disease. I was put on Synthroid and for many years, being under the care of Navy doctors, I was on (unknown to me) too high a dose. I had numerous problems through the years, including being disgnosed with Chronic Fatigue in 1993. After my husband's retirement and I started seeing a civilian doctor two years ago, it was discovered that my thyroid levels were too high, and he lowered the dose of Synthroid. I felt better than I had ever remembered feeling in my adult life, and things were fine until this past February.
I had requested my doctor switch me to Armour Thyroid, and he happily agreed. The conversion evidently isn't real clear-cut, and I ended up on too high a dose. Through a comedy of errors, I didn't get in to see him when I should have, and by the time I did, my TSH was 0.05 (on a scale of 0.30 - 6.00). I am in a very detail-oriented profession (a Technical Writer/Editor working on documents that affect flight safety) in Washington, DC, and my behavior as well as my work was affected. Even after telling my boss what was wrong with me, I was written up for unprofessional behavior (the first time in my life). Because my condition was having such an impact on my work, my doctor put me on disability for six weeks.
I just started back three weeks ago, after blood tests revealed a TSH of 0.43. He sent me back to work regardless of the fact that I am still having anxiety, tremor, difficulty concentrating, and Chronic Fatigue. After reading some on the Internet about hyperthyroidism, I came across articles concerning adrenal exhaustion. This in turn linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
I decided I needed a second opinion, and have an appointment with (supposedly) the top Endocrinologist in the Washington area. But it's not until next month. In the mean time, I am getting more fatigued every day, and the nature of my work isn't helping. Add to that the fact that none of my work was done while I was out on disability, so I have a considerable amount of work to catch up on. Trying to do all of this in light of the fatigue and diminished concentration, I am going down hill a little more every day. I really thought that I would be getting my strength back by now, but the reverse is true.
Do you think that I could be experiencing hypoadrenalism as a result of the thyrotoxicosis, and that this could be causing the Chronic Fatigue? Hopefully the Endocrinologist will run the proper tests, but I've also heard that there are very specialized tests for hypoadrenalism-caused Chronic Fatigue (if this is even what's going on).
I am frustrated and just barely making it through the work day, only to come home and literally fall into bed. Sometimes I don't even have the strength to eat supper. I would love to quit my job, but for financial reasons, I can't. I just don't know what to do.
In case the Endocrinologist can't figure out what is causing the Chronic Fatigue, do you know of any doctors in the Washington area that are really up on the current treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Any suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Sara
P.S. My mother-in-law's maiden name was Stoll.
In Reply to: Thyrotoxicosis and Chronic Fatigue posted by Sara on June 14, 1998 at 20:46:51:
Hi, Sara.
You are a perfect example of what happens to people when the iceberg is dealt with by only chopping away at the tips. ALL of the things you mentioned could have been predicted on the basis of how your initial condition was treated.
You need to protect yourself by becoming more knowledgable. Stop throwing yourself on the mercy of professionals just because they are "experts". Once you are a lot better protected (via knowledge) you can better know WHO to believe-----including me.
Get a copy of "Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer" by Dr Pelletier and read it carefully. You will still be learning more the 20th time you read it. However, THEN you will not be at the mercy of everyone giving you advice.
Once you have THAT information, if you still have questions, write again.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Thyrotoxicosis and Chronic Fatigue posted by Walt Stoll on June 16, 1998 at 13:52:19:
Dr. Stoll,
I appreciate your advise and plan to go out tomorrow after work and try to find Dr. Pelletier's book.
When I was in my teens, I was blessed with a doctor who encouraged me to become knowledgeable about my health and to continue that into adulthood. I have tried to be well informed, but at the same time realize that unless I can become an M.D. on my own real quick, I will always require their care, since I have a condition that REQUIRES an M.D. (I can't very well write my own prescriptions for Armour Thyroid or order the blood work necessary to ensure that my thyroid levels are in normal range). And I can't very well just discontinue taking the Armour Thyroid.
Since this condition obviously branches out to affect other glands, but my current doctor has pronounced me "healed," I am searching for answers, and feel like I am pretty much on my own. I am a person that gathers ALOT of information before I come to my own conclusions. I certainly wouldn't have taken any advise from you as "gospel," but you came highly recommended and I felt you could maybe add another piece to my puzzle. I did't expect you to give me all the answers - I certainly would have done my research.
I do wish, however, that you could have recommended a few doctors in my area that are of the same frame of mind as you. I apologize if my tone was urgent, but when every day is a struggle just to get out of bed, there comes a sense of desperation. With that in mind, I hope the book is a quick read.
Sara
In Reply to: To Dr. Stoll posted by Sara on June 16, 1998 at 22:05:36:
Dear Sara,
I would NEVER suggest that you "just stop your armour thyroid".
I appreciate that your mind bent is to help yourself by learning. Otherwise you would not likely be on this BB.
My life has been medicine for more than 40 years. The last 20 of those years I have been a foremost pioneer in combining complementary approaches to healing WITH conventional medicine. THERE IS A PLACE FOR CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE! Where it goes wrong is in insisting that EVERYTHING be approached from that paradigm (for socioeconomic/political reasons only).
I have not only made medicine my life but continued it as a hobby in my "off hours". STILL, I believe I am just scratching the surface of what there is to know about helping the bodymind heal itself------as do all the other advanced practitioners I know of personally.
For you to become an expert so easily is not reasonable.
My book IS a "fast read" and contains all the (800) #s, etc for anyone to go beyond my book, which is meant to be a paradigm buster & direction finder.
I look forward to participating in your journey.
Walt
It there such a thing as support groups. My mother lives in New York and I would like to know if there are any there. Thank you
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Bar Virus posted by scott altomare on June 17, 1998 at 04:19:10:
Dear Scott,
If you choose to keep your EBV, support groups are great since they thrive on people like that. I am sure your conventional doc knows of ones in your area since there isn't anything s/he can do about it anyhow.
Should you choose to get rid of this FAD diagnosis, use the link: EBV archives and read everything you can find about EBV & chronic epstein barr virus. THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Bar Virus posted by scott altomare on June 17, 1998 at 04:19:10:
I was resently diagnosed with this virus I had been complaining to my Dr. about gaining weight be extremly hungry all the time, fatigue, headaches, etc. He tested my tyroids and my glucose both came back negative. So then he tested me for this and it was postitive.
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Bar Virus posted by Christie Whitmire on June 24, 1998 at 11:07:07:
Dear Christie,
It is grimly amusing to me when ignorant docs blame stuff on EBV because they haven't a better explanation. This FAD diagnosis will not even be used 10 years from now. The same causes that have elevated your titre may also be causing weight gain. The EBV isn't doing it directly.
If you are ready to protect yourself from erroneous diagnoses, go to the link:
EBV archives and read everything you can find about EBV and Chronic Epstein Barr. Be sure to read the recommended references.
THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
Walt
Anna, Hang in there! I have also recently been prescribed Famvir for Epstein Barr Vius. My energy is GONE and my blood pressure is steadily dropping. I have tried herbs such as "Caprylimune" and "Suma" by Nature's Sunshine, Royale Bee Jelly, holistic medicine, and everything else that has been suggested! Just today my doctor prescribed Famvir and Effexor(antidepressant). I'd like to hear how the Famvir has worked for you so far. I trust my doctor and intend to follow his treatment. God Bless! Kat
In Reply to: Re: Famvir posted by Kat on June 26, 1998 at 18:03:33:
Dear Kat,
I am being blunt but I assume you would not be on the internet looking if you wanted people like me to beat arround the bush.
Wake up & smell the roses! EBV is a FAD diagnosis that will not even be used in 10 years.
Use the link: EBV archives and read everything you can find about EBV and Chronic Epstein Barr Virus--including the indicated resources.
THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
Walt