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Posted by amethyst on 08-05-2013 at 16:19:
LW, the big problem with all the tests that I should be undergoing, is I have no insurance. I don't have a regular doctor at the moment for the same reason. I can't afford it.
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Posted by Transmute Jun on 08-05-2013 at 16:40:
I'm glad your swallowing problems are getting better, Amethyst! That really does make me think that it was some kind of allergy to the other medication.
My DH had full blown thyroid cancer and had to have his entire thyroid removed. It's not something you want to mess around with, trust me.
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Posted by amethyst on 08-05-2013 at 18:20:
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Ouch. I'm sorry to hear that.
I promise, if it gets worse, or doesn't go away on it's own, like the last one did, I'll get it checked out.
When I had it checked the first time, I was told those are very rare, but I've been keeping and eye on it, and having DH check it too, to make sure I'm not imagining it.
Actually, I'm beginning to think the two are related, and I think I may have found the allergy or sensitivity: Copper
The last time I had the goiter, I had it in two places, one a true goiter on my thyroid, the other was more like a bunion on my wrist, right next to a copper bracelet I used to wear. I know it is not nickle which most people are sensitive too, because I have other costume/cheap jewelry that I can wear just fine.
The old B100 also had a generous amount of copper, 100% of the USRDA.
For the last week, the goiter has been growing again, and I've been feeling sluggish. I've been eating Grape Nuts, which also has a decent amount of copper in it.
But, I have found something that helps to shrink it: citrus, particularly grapefruit. So, I'm loading up on grapefruit, oranges, and lemon/lime infused water, and have stopped the Grape Nuts. It sucks because that is one of my favorite cereals and one that I could eat without feeling like I was eating junk food, because it is high in fiber and protein.
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Posted by ChrisW on 08-05-2013 at 20:16:
I love it when a pattern starts to emerge! Time for a copper elimination diet, I suppose, to see what that does for you. If you visit I'll avoid taking you to the retired copper mine down the road (which is now a museum). 
You'll be glad to know that lots of grapefruit is also one thing proven to help with weight loss!
I like Grape Nuts too. Have you tried Bran Buds? (I wonder if tha'ts what they're called down there.) They're kind of similar. Would have to check their copper content first, though. It really does suck when you find something healthy that you like and then discover you shouldn't be eating it.
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Posted by Becky Rock on 08-05-2013 at 20:36:
I'm glad you're feeling better, Ame.
TJ, I hope your husband has had no recurrence of the cancer.
I had an ultrasound yesterday for both the pelvic pain and the thyroid, so I just have to wait a few days for the results.
Allergies are crazy, too. They affect every person differently.
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Posted by amethyst on 08-05-2013 at 20:47:
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Yes they do. I've witnessed a few scary things, but the scariest was watching my DH go into anaphalactic shock for no apparent reason. We were able to manage the attacks, but never found the trigger. Suddenly one day, just as suddenly as they started, they stopped. Very weird, very scary.
Hope all goes well with your tests, Becky.
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Posted by Tengu on 08-05-2013 at 21:54:
Do you really need vits?
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Posted by amethyst on 08-05-2013 at 22:28:
The B100 I do. I take for several reasons: it helps improve my energy levels and stress, plus, and this is weird, but true, I don't get as many mosquito bites when I take it, then when I don't.
Plus, fresh fruits and veggies, are expensive and don't always last through my hectic lifestyle -- taxi mom. I do use canned and frozen, but I don't trust them to have the same nutrient quality as fresh.
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Posted by littlewolf on 09-05-2013 at 02:43:
Sorry - I forget sometimes that things are different down here.
We have private insurance and public here, and although our medicare isn't the best we still have a lot of free stuff and bulk billing ( we pay lump sum each year in our tax to help fund) so it is not so much of a hassle to get test done, just a matter of waiting you turn ( there is only about 20 million of us over here),
We have work cover over here that covers if something happens at work, but even with the incentives they offer I can't afford private insurance (it is constantly going up and only covers part of a medical bill), my sister has it, but even with it she was still paying out large amounts for the emergency surgery on her arm and ongoing treatment.
Doesn't pay to get sick now days.
Best of luck
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Posted by Transmute Jun on 09-05-2013 at 13:25:
I'm glad you figured out the trigger, Amethyst! At least now you know what to avoid and you can make a plan.
Have you tried the Kashi cereals? I believe they have one that is similar to Grape Nuts, although I have no idea if it has copper or not.
Becky, my DH has not had a recurrence of the thyroid cancer. He had it nearly 10 years ago, and has had to get a few radioactive iodine treatments since then (as a precaution) but nothing has ever been detected. That's the one good thing about thyroid cancer: it is extremely rare that it spreads to other parts of the body, so once the thyroid is removed, nearly everyone makes a full recovery. Still, it was a nasty mess to go through, and has life-long implications (in terms of medications taken and these iodine treatments).
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Posted by amethyst on 09-05-2013 at 17:07:
I spent the morning going over labels, and the only other common ingredient was Zinc, but I've never had a reaction to Zinc that I know of. So without further elimination or testing, I can't be 100% positive, but I have limited it significantly. I'll avoid copper and keep watch. Hopefully things will settle and then next year I should be able to afford testing.
Yeah, we are really messed up, up here, LW. America* -- the only first world country where national health insurance is considered an abomination of godless socialism.
*I will not apologize for my political incorrectness, but I will explain it. We are Americans not Los Estados Unidensians! I was outraged when I saw that in a Spanish class we I subbed in. I do understand that the continents are also America, but Mexicans are also United States. We are the only country to have our nationality stripped from us in the name of political correctness. I will not be politically correct. I am sorry if this offends anyone, and I do try to be understanding of others who feel like their identity has been swallowed up by others. I had an uncle who was Lithuanian when Lithuania didn't exist. -- Rant over.
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Posted by ChrisW on 09-05-2013 at 22:24:
Amethyst, do you like to swim? Copper is a key ingredient in fish medications.
TJ: Does your husband have to swap between synthetic and pig thyroid? I'm sure he and my mom could have a long rant session about thyroidless misery.
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Posted by amethyst on 09-05-2013 at 23:05:
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I do but it has been a while since I've swam. And I used to keep fish, but not anymore. I do love eating fish, but don't very often; it is expensive and DH is allergic to it.
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Posted by Transmute Jun on 10-05-2013 at 03:02:
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Actually, I have no idea what kind of synthetic hormones he takes to make up for his lost thyroid. But it is the same pill every day. He's not swapping out bottles. They played with the dosage somewhat to figure out what level worked for him.
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Posted by ChrisW on 10-05-2013 at 07:19:
Amethyst: so you probably aren't part fish
TJ: Oh my mom's medications don't change THAT often. Every once in a while I just remember her mentioning that the dr decided the type she was taking weren't doing something so they'd try the other kind.
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Posted by gatchamarie on 10-05-2013 at 21:00:
Ame ... I'm so happy to hear that you're finally finding the right route to regain your health! It's most relieving when you find that one thing that's making you feel sick and miserable in order to take action! The best of luck! And, I hear you about expensive alternatives! With Fibromyalgia I have to deal with a vast array of food and meds which do not agree with my system, and substituting such a long list with expensive alternatives is not that feasible, especially when I think that I'd better invest surplus money in my kids' exigencies other than in me (always if you couldn't do otherwise, talking about extremes!)! Some key changes are obligatory, though! ... your body will tell you!
Becky ... I so hope you'd receive good test results! The best of wishes!
TJ ... you must have all gone through a very rough period ... even though the meds of your DH could somehow bring you bad memories, I pray that you'd be able to lock that experience in the past!
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Posted by amethyst on 07-01-2015 at 16:15:
Okay, it has been quite awhile. The vitamin wasn't the main cause.
It was my asthma medicine. I went off my main preventative four months ago, and my goiter immediately disappeared. No flares, no pain, I can swallow and my voice is normal (not that that is anything to get excited about, but at least it no longer fades out or croaks).
The trade off is I'm on weaker asthmatic Meds that are keeping it stable but not well controlled. Two years of fatigue and lack of exercises, my lung strength is seriously depleted.
Hopefully, this new year will be a healthier year!
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Posted by KT1972 on 07-01-2015 at 16:25:
fingers crossed for you Ame 
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Posted by ElectricWhite on 07-01-2015 at 17:21:
Ditto. 
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Posted by Springie on 07-01-2015 at 18:20:
Glad you figured out the problem! Hope you are able to keep your asthma under control. I have asthma, too, and I know what a PITA it is...
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