General Medicine

» Joni Rose - Interesting tips!

I have had hyperthyroidism for years and so I found this article very interesting!

I take thyroxin 200mg and so I am wondering how to suppliment it with lemon balm. Should I buy tea or essential oil and how much and how often?

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» Elaine Moore - Interesting tips!

In response to Interesting tips! posted by Joni188:

Hi Joni,
I'd start out with the oil extract and add a few drops to a hot drink like green tea. I use it at least twice a day particularly when I feel stressed. If you have any hyper symptoms after taking your thyroid dose, like occasional palpitations, I'd also take it then. Best, Elaine

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» bbegan - Disaster Strategy - Obtaining Hormone Replacement Medicine

I would like to open a discussion for the problems faced ( and how to resolve them ) for people who are on synthetic thyroid replacement in the event of an infra structure breakdown ( hurricane or natural or man made diaster, etc).

For example if you cannot obtain medicine in your region for an extended period (6 weeks or so), what should you do ?

What is the shelf life of thyroid replacement hormone ? Are there ways to manufacture your own ?

How close are we to being able to inject thyroid donor tissue into patients to stimulate regrowth of the thyroid gland ( thyroid removed 30 years ago) ?

-- posted by bbegan

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» 10yrslater - Disaster Strategy - Obtaining Hormone Replacement Medicine

In response to Disaster Strategy - Obtaining Hormone Replacement Medicine posted by bbegan:

I can't say what kind of emergency medical assistance wil be available in the event of a disaster- after Katrina we know the U.S. has no quick or sustainable plans for major disasters.
But I can tell you I went 8 months without taking my thyroid supplement a few years ago and I felt fine for quite a long time.
My thyroid was irradiated after I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease. (It is an entirely different discussion-why I stopped taking it. I was only 21 when I was diagnoses and treated and in the end felt I had been lied to and didn't trust the doctors or the treatment. Then my insurance company dropped me- so I couldn't afford a doctor or my pills. I just stopped, I was paralyzed. This was one year after my diagnosis and treatment.)
There are side affects but they are slow. Within a couple of months I was emotionally vulnerable and after about 6 months all of the glands in my body began to swell which I didn't notice until much later. It was slow and painless at first. But my circulation was greatly affected. My hands and feet would go numb (and I mean completely numb!-scarey numb) while I slept. I had to wake up in the night to revive them. Also, just holding a pen become troublesome after a few months.
When I realized I would have to take the pills I went to Mexico and bought my own. (I still did not have health care available to me and being that I had a pre-existing condition I could not afford private health care.) I was able to buy 100 thyroid tablets for about $14.00. And the pills are made in America and then shipped to Mexico. I self medicated for almost three years. This is not something I would want to go thrugh again but I survived, I was working full time as a waitress and pursuing a secong B.A. So, it was functional.

I would keep extra meds on hand. Just tell you pharmacy you lost your pills, have a couple of months on hand. Your insurance won't pay for it, but it is worth it to be safe.
I had a doctor that would only give me 30 days at a time and I found someone who would give me three months at a time.
So, basically, I think you are going to be one your own to see that you have medication in the event of disaster and if you are unable to get your thyroid supplement for a short period of time, you probably will be just fine. Exhausted and moody, but fine. I know there are cases when people become extremely disoriented and even violent after only a month or two without the supplement, but it seems like a less likely scenario than just going a week or two without until you can be evacuated or have meds brought to you.

-- posted by 10yrslater

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» 10yrslater - Disaster Strategy - Obtaining Hormone Replacement Medicine

In response to Disaster Strategy - Obtaining Hormone Replacement Medicine posted by bbegan:

Also, shelf life for thyroid supplement is under a year from what I have been told by doctors.
The pill are still fine, not toxic or dangerous-ever (They are a class A drug which means one of the safest drugs -for those who need it- can be taken during pregnanacy, etc..) They slowly loose potency, so it is important to store them properly, keep them dry, all of that. If you are taking something that is getting old, you may just have to take more of it to get enough. So, just keep rotating your emergency supply.

-- posted by 10yrslater

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» Elaine Moore - Disaster Strategy - Obtaining Hormone Replacement Medicine

In response to Disaster Strategy - Obtaining Hormone Replacement Medicine posted by 10yrslater:

Hi,
As mentioned, the potency of replacement hormone is the problem. Each lot has some individual variation and even fresh supplies of replacement hormone can cause problems. In the event of a disaster, the American Red Cross can help you obtain your prescription medications, especially unscheduled medications. However, it's always a good idea to get up to a 3 month supply at a time, getting new refills at the start of the third month. Keeping a small stockpile is also a good idea if you can manage to rotate the stockpile so it contains a fresh supply.
I had a similar problem during the Hayman fire when we were evacuated for 6 weeks. Then, although I had a new supply I didn't realize we'd be evacuated that long and didn't take enough. My insurance company is very stringent but my doctor's office was able to give me samples.

You bring up a very good point and I'd like to hear some other suggestions. Elaine

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