songcanary

I agree 100% with everything Yogini said. Yoga has been a livesaver for me, too. I started out very gradually in a gentle class, and within a few months was trying the vinyasa & hatha classes. But I did lots of modifications and when I felt the least bit lightheaded I headed for child's pose. I could not count the number of times I had to do that, but it helped me progress. I only challenged myself a LITTLE at a time. It is two years later and I take three classes per week, and one of them is ashtanga which I never thought I could do. At this point I intend to practice yoga for the rest of my life. It is wonderful and I only wish I had started it decades ago.

Hi LindaJoy, I see Dr. Fouad at the Clinic.

My EP at the Cleveland Clinic was not happy to see that I was taking magnesium. She recommended that I either d/c it or lower the dose. I had been on 400 mg for fibro, recommended by my fibro MD. So I am not surprised at your findings. I hope you get that issue resolved! FWIW, I did stay on the mag, I just lowered the dose to 200 mg at noon and I have had no drops in BP.

I would advise just getting rid of deadlines altogether. You need to build some flexibility into everything you do. That is what has worked for me. Could you share dog walking responsibilities with someone else so that he/she could take over on those occasional bad days? I had to do that with pet sitting, and just knowing I have a plan B is a real stress-reliever. For me, looming deadlines are the WORST. Sitting on the couch is not always a bad thing. I think I spent most of 2009 on there! So give yourself a break. It's OK. When I was younger, I thought every little thing had the same priority and I HAD to handle everything. Not true. I don't believe in letting people down, but I also think it's important to tell them about your illness so that when you can't be there, it's not a surprise.

Thanks Issie, good article. I'm one of the success stories. LDN helps me SO much!

Have you been worked up for fibromyalgia? It wreaks all kind of havoc with me but I'm finally on a good treatment program. Wishing you better days ahead!

I agree with the other posters. If it were me, I'd be more excited about the integrative doctor. I saw one a few times and she was the first doctor to do extensive (out of the box) bloodwork and found my low free T3 level. If I hadn't had that done, I wouldn't be on Armour today. I cringe to think of that, it has been a miracle for me. Anyhoo, I hope you feel better soon. Best wishes!

WyomingGal, Thanks for writing! You have really accomplished a lot and I am so happy for you. That book sounds very interesting, I am glad you mentioned it. I've been doing much better lately as well and sometimes I'm afraid to say so because I don't want to jinx myself, silly I know. I totally agree with you about being more at peace and not burning the candle at both ends. It is good for the body and soul. I've had to learn a lot the hard way but it has made me a better person, too. Sending you best wishes and much happiness in your new career!

It sounds like in her mind she is building up stress and it is compounding. I use deep breathing techniques when this happens and they help me. I take full deep breaths and exhale very fully also, until my abdomen caves in. I don't claim to know what it feels like to be a parent so please forgive me. But I react very much like her and it took me 50 years to learn how to better cope. Bless her heart if she can get control over stress. It is a very hard thing to do for some of us and believe me, I'm still learning.

I am very sensitive to meds too, and I started out at .1 mg every day for two weeks. The doctor said this will get you hydrated at first and then she reduces to the lowest effective dose. So then I dropped back to .1 mg every other day for one week. Then dropped to 0.05 mg every other day, and that's where I've been for six months. I love this drug; it is really helping me. Best of luck!

I had the same fears before my first TTT. Plus, during the test I felt fine, of course. Then, when I was done I made a comment to the tech that I was disappointed because it will probably be another dead end. She replied, 'Oh, you had changes'. And it turned out I got dx'd with orthostatic hypotension that day. I hope all goes well for you and you get some answers. Good luck!

FWIW, don't waste your time on an endo for T3 issues. Most of them are classically trained and just go by the good 'ol TSH. I was a victim of this runaraound for years. I had low T3 as well and once I got treatment for it with Armour thyroid, I felt sooooo much better and my symptoms improved. My TSH was spot on normal but FT3 and FT4 were low. Are you having symptoms of hypothyroid? If not, maybe your level is normal for you. But I agree with Kim to discuss it at your upcoming GP appt. If you have ANY symptoms, by all means pursue it because many of us with low levels can feel miserable even though our levels are WNL. They just might not be normal for US. Also, be sure to get the free levels checked, not just totals. The free levels are what is available to the body to use as energy; the totals are bound by proteins and not bioavailable.

You went to Swenson's? You can't live far from me! That's a great place. I hope you feel better soon and that the dragons are OK. TELL me about the vet bills. I always joked that I worked for a vet just so I could pay for the vet LOL. P.S. If it was only fertilizer they should be fine but if weed killer, watch for neurological problems.

My guest bedroom is this color, which I love! I am staying up to see this super moon tonight. Thanks for the pretty pic!

I had this done a few years ago before I was diagnosed so at the time I was feeling awful in every way, with very bad nausea and lightheadedness. I had many food reactions at the time. This testing was done by a D.O with many years' experience. He identified some 'weaknesses' in me and gave me the treatments for them. But I must say, they didn't do a thing for me. I had great hopes for this because at the time I was completely desperate. He said I was the only patient he ever had that the treatments didn't work for. I was so depressed at hearing this, it made me feel like such a loser. Don't get me wrong, he was a very kind and sincere doctor and I know he is respected by his peers. But for me, it was not the right route. One test he did do is called Spectracell. It is a cellular analysis of your nutritional status. Now that test was really helpful and I would recommend that one. It is a blood test. The results are clearly interpreted on a multi-page report and my deficiencies fit my clinical symptoms perfectly. I was able to take specific supplements after knowing which ones I needed. They have helped me so much. I hope you have better luck with your testing. I believe in using any avenue towards wellness. Wishing you all the best!

Very cool cam. When birds are about to fledge they start running out of room in the nest. It always reminds me of an overflowing pie!

Thanks Issie. Very good article.

I had the ear symptoms before I was diagnosed with multiple food allergies. Things settled down once I eliminated the offending foods. Don't recall having any hand symptoms but then again, everyone is different!

Hi Tracy, I feel better with lots of fluids so I add 1 teaspoon of iodized sea salt to 2 liters of tap water and drink it throughout the day. This is what was recommended by my doctor at Cleveland Clinic. I drink a bottle of coconut water every morning and I also salt my food.

LOL I not only remember the kneeling chair, I still have mine and use it every day! I think they're great and very kind on the back, although they can be pretty tough on the knees if you sit too long. But I've gotten used to it. Get one!

Two thumbs up! I just got home from a great jazz concert at the State Theatre in Cleveland. We haven't been there in YEARS because of my illness. It felt so good to do something normal for a change. I hope you have a normal day too!

When I first started Armour two years ago I did have some transient jitters but they settled down after a few weeks. That med is a godsend for me. I started Florinef seven months ago and haven't had any bad interactions, quite the opposite, it's been very helpful. Welcome to the site!

I've probably asked this already, but has he been tried on doxepin? It is a godsend for me. Otherwise I have terrible nausea.

Oh how well I remember shoulder presses. I got some of my worst lightheadedness with those. I learned the hard way that it's not good for us dys folks to keep the arms raised during exertion.

Three years ago I was saying your same words to myself. I don't know what your other illnesses are, so maybe I'm clueless here. But I found such wonderful comfort in this support group and I hope what the others have said will help you. At my worst, I openly told my husband that I wouldn't mind not waking up tomorrow. His response was to say goodbye in the morning and 'I hope you feel better'. Seriously? Cling to that grandchild. My grandmother raised me and when I was 10 she was in a very bad car accident that put her in a coma. She survived, but not because the doctors thought she would. She told me many years later that she had a vision that she needed to stay alive to raise me. I mean, she saw the white light and everything. And I believe every word she said because she was not the type of person to exaggerate. Just saying that your granddaughter will always remember the kindness you show and that is more valuable than anything to a little kid. I hope that thinking of her will keep you going until you can feel a little better. I am very sorry for your situation right now. Take special care.