The Top 10 Thyroid Stories of the Decade

We're on the brink of another New Year. It's customary to see lists discussing the top (???) of the decade--the top grossing movies, the top musicians, the best songs, etc.

Well, Mary Shomon, author and thyroid disease activist, has written an article, The Top Ten Stories Affecting Thyroid Patients in the Decade from 2000-2009. View the article at:
http://thyroid.about.com/od/thyroidbasicsthyroid101/ss/top-thyroid-stories-2000-2009.htm.
It's pretty interesting.

Suggested Article: "The Agonies of Being Thyroidless"

For anyone contemplating RAI due to Grave's Disease or another condition that has affected the thyroid, please check out the following site at:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/blog/.

I have had RAI as treatment for Grave's Disease. Since then, there is a little more information out there about this procedure--thanks to patients and advocates who have gone through it and know the associated problems that can occur as a result of destroying the thyroid. Unfortunately, many doctors are quick to suggest RAI because it is a "quick" and "convenient" method of TREATING the disease. However, destroying the thyroid does not cure the underlying disease.

I, like many others, have had major issues as a result of destroying my thyroid function through RAI. Unfortunately, I followed my doctor's advice. So, as I said, I suggest doing the research and heavily weighing your options (i.e. natural therapies to get your conditon under control).

Please know, Grave's Disease must be resolved or you risk other issues such as heart problems and osteoporosis to name a few; doing nothing is not an option. In the end, a more drastic approach such as RAI may be necessary. But, I suggest trying other options first.

My mother has a friend who has a 14 year-old-son with Grave's Disease. Unfortunately, the young man is about to undergo RAI, because antithyroid meds have been ineffective at putting him into remission. Of course, his doctors tell him that most people do well after RAI. Well, this doctor hasn't talked to me or others who haven't done so well. I hope and pray this young man does well. It just breaks my heart that this is his only option.

Hopefully, the future will bring better options for treating conditions that affect the Thyroid!

The Golden Girls: The Sick and Tired Episode

Last night, I watched an episode of The Golden Girls--one of my all time favorite shows; I've probably seen every episode. Unfortunately, I can certainly relate to the "Sick and Tired" episode: The episode in which Dorothy is ill(she has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), but doctors keep dismissing her concerns. After finally being diagnosed with CFS, she had the opportunity to confront one of her dismissive doctors. Every doctor should see this episode.

Happy Holidays

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Fabulous New Year!!!

Could Brittany Murphy Have Been Suffering From Grave's Disease?

When I heard about the passing of actress Brittany Murphy, I hoped her death wasn't due to a drug overdose or from taking a mixture of prescription drugs--as we've been seeing by the untimely deaths of numerous entertainers.

Then, when I saw recent pictures and footage of her on T.V., I immediately thought that she must have been anorexic. She was grossly thin. Then, I heard that she had a heart ailment.
I also read that Murphy had been reported as saying that certain medications increased her heart rate (this can be dangerous). After hearing all of this, I began to wonder if she could have been suffering from Grave's Disease, an autoimmune disease that can affect the Thyroid.

As a person who has GD, I have been suspected on numerous occasions (by doctors, etc.) of being anorexic. You should've seen me when I was first diagnosed with GD; I seriously looked like a concentration camp victim. As, this disease speeds up the metabolism and causes weight issues regardless of how much is eaten. Even after treatment, I have many issues including the inability to gain weight, intolerance to certain foods and medications, rapid heart rate, etc.

Regardless of what caused Murphy's death, it is so sad and unfortunate that she has passed away at such an early age. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

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Below is an article regarding the possibility of Murphy having had a thyroid condition. It looks like I'm not the only one who suspects that this could be a possibility:

http://thyroid.about.com/b/2009/12/22/brittany-murphy-thyroid.htm

Problems With The Standard American Diet

Interesting post on The Standard American Diet:



Source: http://leclinic.blogspot.com/2009/12/sad-diet.html

"Welcome to The Town of Allopath"

This is funny and so true... View a little cartoon that parodies the frequent ineffectiveness of Allopathic Medicine (conventional medicine).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIhNyX3pRrk

(Welcome to the Town of Allopath: Copyright Mercola.com 2009Original Story by Mike Adams --http://www.naturalnews.com/)

Grave's Disease Resources

The following are resources that give information about Grave's Disease. Remember: Grave's Disease doesn't only cause hyperthyroidism. Yes, Grave's Disease is an Autoimmune Disorder that often affects the thyroid. But, GD has the potential to affect various bodily functions regardless of the overactive thyroid being treated with medication or radioactive iodine.

Even though I've been on this GD roller coaster for at least 10 years, I only started looking into the effects of diet and other factors (i.e. medications, intestinal issues, food intolerances, etc.) when I started developing more illnesses (i.e. Osteopenia, high cholesterol, and Cervical Dystonia--to name a few). Currently, I am reading a book about inflammation (an underlying issue with most illnesses).

Today, I did a few searches: "salt and Grave's Disease" and "foods to avoid with Grave's Disease." I have posted some interesting links below.

http://graves.medshelf.org/Self_Help

http://www.ngdf.org/living_with_gd.php

http://www.gravesdiseasecure.com/gravesdiseasediet.html

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Graves_Disease/forum/4585748-foods-high-iodine

http://www.thyca.org/Cookbook.pdf

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=53855&page=4

http://eyesee.typepad.com/hyperthyroid_graves_eye/foods-graves-disease/page/2/

There is Still a Shortage of Natural Thyroid Hormone; Where Can You Find Natural Thyroid Hormone?

There continues to be a shortage of Natural Thyroid Hormone. For those who can't tolerate Synthetic Thyroid Hormone, the Save Natural Thryoid Coalition has compiled a list of places where you can get NTH. For more information please click on:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDQ4WkJwZkZMRXNUU1NaZ1poalR5TFE6MA

Article: Doctors Who Don't Listen to What Part About This Medication Doesn't Work for Me Do You Not Understand?

The following is a good article posted by Mary Shomon (Save Natural Thyroid Hormone). I can totally relate to the letter in that it discusses a patient informing a doctor that they will not take Synthetic Thyroid Hormone. Many health care professionals just don't get that some of us just don't do well on Synthetic Thyroid Hormone. There is a difference. I just wish I had known that sooner.


http://www.hospitalsoup.com/health-conditions/thyroid/doctors-who-dont-listen-what-part-about-this-medication-doesnt-work-for-me-do-you-not-understand

The Today Show: New Hope in Battle Against Cerebral Palsy

My mother brought to my attention that Dr. Nancy Snyderman was on The Today Show discussing the strides that have been made in the therapy and treatment of those afflicted with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder that appears in infancy or early childhood; it affects movement and muscle coordination.

Dr. Snyderman mentioned how robotics are being used in working with people who have Cerebral Palsy. She also mentioned that under the Obama administration, extraordinary advances are being made in terms of stem cell research. How hopeful and exciting!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Article: How to Protect Your Health in the Computer Era

The following article, How to Protect Your Health in the Computer Era, was written by Dr. Ben Kim, a chiropractor and acupuncturist. It offers excellent tips including how to protect your lower back, hands and wrists, and the neck from the potentially damaging effects of computer usage. The "neck" section may be especially helpful for my blogging buddies who suffer from Cervical Dystonia.


http://drbenkim.com/protect-health-computer-era.html

Books About Dystonia

I saw some books (about Dystonia) that looked interesting on Amazon.com. One of the books came out today. I have not ready any of them, yet.

Yoga for Movement Disorders: Rebuilding Strength, Balance and Flexibility for Parkinson's Disease and Dystonia (Spiral-bound)~ Renee Le Verrier (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Movement-Disorders-Rebuilding-Flexibility/dp/187341353X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259692036&sr=8-2-catcorr



The Dystonia Patient: A Guide to Practical Management (Paperback)~ Michael S. Okun (Author, Editor)
http://www.amazon.com/Dystonia-Patient-Guide-Practical-Management/dp/1933864621/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259692133&sr=1-3




Living Well with Dystonia: A Patient Guide (Paperback)~ M.D. Daniel Troung (Author), M.D. Mayank Pathak (Author), M.D. Karen Frei (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Well-Dystonia-Patient-Guide/dp/1932603239/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259692133&sr=1-8