Had Sigmoidoscopy - A Good Experience
it's not as bad you people think. I must admit I was fearing it a lot and this might be one of the reasons why I overreacted to the discomfort felt by the pumping of air to distend the bowels. There are no nerves in the bowels so you cannot feel any pain. Proof of this was when they did a random biopsy on me and ripped out samples of tissue from my bowels (as I watched on the screen). There was no pain at all apart from the odd sensation which felt like someone flicking a rubber band inside my gut.
It's always fear of the unknown which scares of most. After the procedure the only pain I really experienced was wind as they had probably pumped the world's gas supply into me (ok so I might have exaggerated a bit) but seriously, it's not all that bad and you'll feel ok right after one big release.
Vasectomy A Good Experience For Me
I had my vasectomy done and I wanted to add my experience to a balanced discussion as usually only people who have problems complain. The doctor told me the risks and I went for the snip after consideration. Met a fellow patient whose grandfather and father had it done too and recommended it. We were nervous of course....who won't be? Now the love life is great no hormones or reduced sensation, no worries, no more expensive little ones, no nappy changes! All the wives waiting at the vasectomy clinic thoroughly supports it and I realised lots of colleagues had it done without problems...be warned they will take the mic out of you before you go for it. Thoroughly recommend it. No problems. Do consider the risks but life is risky. I took it and won.
View 7 RepliesColonoscopy :: My Good Experience
Just came home from a colonoscopy this afternoon and with the experience fresh in my mind -
I thought I'd share my thoughts.
Never having had a colonoscopy before, I was really wound up and worried in the days before the procedure.
The question in my mind was, just how painful is this going to be? Would I be able to deal with it ?...
So on the day - after a delicate conversation with a nurse on the day, I decided to go for entonox with sedation as a backup if things proved too much.
To get to the nitty gritty - So how painful is a colonoscopy? Well there is a difference I believe between pain and discomfort.
During a colonosocopy - With all that endoscope piping inside you, your insides will get thoroughly pushed and pulled, and so your body will be stretched.
The best I can describe it, is that feeling when you're carrying very heavy shopping bags for some time and your arms really really ache. Not pain but potentially a lot of discomfort.
So If you are someone who struggles with any discomfort, then maybe sedation is the way to go.
However- if you're someone who is prepared to put up with some stretching pulling discomfort (again not really pain) then confidently go for entonox.
In the examination room for the procedure, I was handed the mouthpiece and not given any instructions at all. So here is my take...Just take what you need. When you feel a bit of pulling and pushing, just take one or two lungfuls of gas and then breathe normally for 30 seconds or so. Don't take any gas if you are not in any discomfort as it was simply make you feel lightheaded and woozy. Again just take what you need. It kicks in with 20-30 seconds. Gas & Air is really quite *powerful* pain/discomfort relief.
Best advice - The most important thing is to try to relax.
Two reasons :-
1 By consciously trying to relax, it makes it easier for the job to get done, there is less pushing and pulling needed to fight your tense muscles and so therefore is less discomfort.
2 if you really think anything is going to be unpleasant and focus intently on it, your mind will create a sensation despite what is actually happening... A self fulfilling prophecy.
Just listen to the radio and take your mind somewhere else...
In my case, with a few lungfuls of entonox here and there, the whole procedure was very manageable. Important - accept you will have some discomfort, but it really is no worse than overstretched shopping arms...The staff at good Hope Hospital Birmingham were brilliant, and looked after me very well.
So in summary, I found the experience nowhere near as bad as some of the horror stories you read the forums. I suspect it is only when things go wrong, or people just have a bad experience, that views get shared.
Good Experience Of Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
To start with, my pain tolerance is zero. I'm such a wuss that even with simple dental filling or cleaning I have to get anesthetic. I had a flex sig done 5 hours ago and in all honesty it doesn't hurt at all. I read a lot of negative reviews about it and decided to write my own to maybe help people like me who gets scared easily. Two weeks before the flex sig I always go online to research, read forum (which made me more scared). The worst part for me is the preparation. Clear liquid diet and the laxative. Which is two days before my sig test. Once in the examination room, I was so nervous to the point that I almost passed out, I anticipated the worst (probably because I read somewhere in this forum that it is worse than childbirth) and I was surprised that it doesn't hurt at all. Little background, I have internal and external hems, and reason for this test is because I had experience rectal bleeding (bright red blood) about a week ago. Going back to the topic, as the doctor begun to insert that camera tube that was the worst part. If I would rate the pain 1-10 and 10 being the most painful I would say this is easily a 2 just because of the pressure and 2 because I have external hems which is sore (because of the laxative last night). If I don't have external hem I would easily say this is a 1, walk in the park. Then came the camera inside and the air start blowing to expand my colon. This is another discomfort that I felt because it gave me a weird feeling in my abdomen. If I were to describe it, it feels like you're about to take a massive poop. Then again tolerable. It really is just uncomfortable. As the minute passes by I was just watching the monitor and taking a good look at my own colon which is pretty amazing. Then the first corner, they have to turn to the first corner and the nurse gave me a mothers tap like everything is going to be okay and it is. I didn't feel a thing. Honestly just the air and the weird sensation of trying to stop a poop of coming out and the abdomen cramp. Then they found two polyps which they needed to remove (biopsy). Removal of the poly, I didn't feel any pain. I'm not exaggerating this. I'm honestly telling the truth. Then it was all done. If I timed it correctly it took about 12 minutes. Now I know everyone's experience is different and again I decided to write this because two weeks ago I've made the mistake of going into so much forum and read the horror stories, and thought that this review might help balance the reviews. So if you're like me who's super scared, please don't worry too much. Go with the test, the peace of mind that you'll get after is priceless. I'm 28 years old by the way, male. As for the result, just the two polyps and the internal hem is the abnormality that was found. The biopsy they took (polyp) was sent to the pathology dept for further examination. The doctor said that he can almost guarantee me that the polyps are the innocent ones (not the pre cancerous ones). I wasn't recommended further testing like colonoscopy. One last thing, if I were to do this again, for peace of mind, I will certainly do it in a heartbeat as I already know that it is not that bad versus what I've read so far. And p.s I respect everyone's opinion and I understand that everyone's different. I'm just a guy who gets hurt easily with everything and can get easily scared with anything. But I did it, and I aced it.
View 3 RepliesThyroid :: 2.5 Cm Nodule - Anyone With Biopsy Experience?
I am a 21 year old female college student. About a month and a half ago, I noticed a large lump in my throat that moved up and down when I swallowed. Slightly concerned, I made an appointment at my university health center, where they drew blood and my thyroid levels came back normal (I have no hyper or hypothyroid symptoms anyway.) After visiting my primary doctor, I had an ultrasound done that showed a 2.5cm nodule on my isthmus (midline thyroid) with 2 tiny (mm sized) on either side which aren't palpable or visible and I didn't realize I had. The report also said there is increased vascularity, or blood flow, to the area which my endo said could be cancerous or it could just be because the nodule is large with extra blood flow to the area. I have my biopsy scheduled for next week to determine what type of nodule the 2.5 cm one is (benign or malignant.)
To be honest, I'm scared of the results. I have always been healthy other than the occasional common cold, so this is something that really took me by surprise.
For those who are going through or have gone through this, what was your experience with the fine needle biopsy like? If your nodule was benign, did you still get it removed just in case? I just turned 21 with a lot of life plans ahead of me and I am scared that due to its increased size, it could be cancer.
Thyroid Disorders :: Leg Foot And Toe Cramps
i have my lab results, and the same goes for me my dr. changed my prescription from .5 to .75, i think .75 is to strong for me so i talked him into me alternating .5 one day and .75 the next. i did this for 60 days and felt pretty good, i had leg cramps but not as severe as now. i am back up to .75 because of my lab test showing me to have very high numbers. its pretty much just my right leg cramping , you can actually see the muscle tighten up starting at my lower calve and climb right up yo my knee. my foot contorts and stays like that for a few minutes , its unbelievably painful. what should i change, I'm willing to do anything .
View 5 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: TSH , 3RD Generation With Reflex To FT4?
What is this test? I had this test done last month among others and this one came back as 7.46 mIU/L and the reference range is 0.40-4.50 . Dr. Wrote "elevated-over 7."
Also my calcium was high at 10.6 mg/dL and reference range from 8.6-10.2
Free T3- 4.3 ph/mL reference range from 2.3-4.2 , slightly elevated.
T-4, free- 1.5 B&G/dL reference range from 0.8-1.8
My main question is what is the tsh 3rd generation with reflex to ft4?
Thyroid Disorders :: Intolerance To Levothyroxine
how do I control hypothyroidism when I can't tolerate the meds?
View 1 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: Will My Head Grow More?
I am a 17 year old male and I have a severe hgh deficiency. I was diagnosed when I was 12 and have been put on a shot for the past 5 years and it has helped a ton. I used to have a very small head because I was hgh deficient and even now I feel it is small. The circumference of my head is 21.6 inches and according to Google that's below average. I really hope it doesn't look small but I feel like no one will give me an honest answer. I am still on the shot and will be for 3-6 months. If my doctor sees no growth next visit he will take me off it. I see my doctor every 3 months for a checkup to see how much I've grown and stuff. After I am done with the shot I have to see my doctor a month after to see if I make enough hgh without the shot or I will get osteoporosis, but I want to know if my head will still grow to the average size which is 22 inches around according to Google even without the shot. Also my head has grown a ton in the past 6 months. In the best 6 months my hats have increased in size. Please help me. If you need to know im 5'9" also I take the hgh shot 6 days a week.
View 5 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: High TSH And Low Free T4
I've been on Synthroid medication for 20 plus years and have done pretty well on it until recently. This routine test showed a TSH level > 100 and my Free T4 at .24 which is low. I've been placed on Synthroid at 300 mg and I'm waiting to see a specialist. In the meantime, I'm wondering what does this means?
View 1 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: Low TSH; Normal T4 FREE
I just received my latest thyroid lab results and my TSH was a 0.06 (range 0.34-5.60) and my T4 FREE is 0.99 (range of 0.61-1.12). My Dr said to continue my dosage of medications and we would recheck in a year. Should I be concerned
View 2 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: TSH Zero, Normal Free T3 And T4
I've had Hashimoto's Disease for 12 years and started taking Levothyroxine. For the past 8 years, I've been on a constant dose, and been very happy with no symptoms of hyper or hypo. Recently I moved and had to go to a new dr, who is very upset about the low (almost zero) TSH even though my Free T3 and Free T4 were normal. She wants me to totally go off all Levothyroxine for 6-8 weeks to "reset" my pituitary. I am very worried about what will happen to me if I did this. I tried going down in dosage, but all my hypo symptoms (gained 10 lbs in a month, extreme lethargy, depression, etc.) returned. Anyone out there have any ideas on what to do?
View 4 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: How To Get Rid Of Choking Feeling?
I have had choking feeling for the last 2 months. It is now almost everyday. I sleep very well and do not wake up with it. I start getting it by the afternoon until bedtime. It is really bothering me. I have had hypothyroidism for 12 years but my tests are fine and my ultra sound is good too. The ENT doctor says it is stress related but I think there is more to it than stress. It is really bothering me and I do not know what to do?
View 1 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: Someone Choking Me Feeling
Over the past one-two years I have been getting stressed about school work, my appearance, my friends etc. and I had a conversation with some of my friends and they thought I may have had anxiety. I thought nothing of it because it wasn't much at the time but lately it's been getting worse. I feel sick all the time and the most common thing is the choking part. I feel like someone is trying to choke me, but obviously no one is. I have trouble breathing when this happens and my throat closes up and I kind of feel a bit dizzy. I have looked at some websites and they all say it may be a certain infection or something but I want to know if this has anything to do with anxiety? I still have not told anyone about the choking thing except my mum because I want to be sure I am getting this right before I start seeking help.
View 4 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: Hashimoto's -TSH Below Zero! Safe?
I have an important question.
My last blood work from one mouth ago revealed a TSH of - 0.16. (ranges 0.3-4.5)
Though my levels of free T3 & T4 were midrange and maybe even slightly lower than they should be.
FT3: 3.30 (ranges 2.1-4.2)
FT4: 1.02 (ranges 0.7-1.8)
I'm on 112,5 levothyroxine and 12,5 cytomel daily dose.
Is it safe to have a TSH that low?
Can I even upgrade my meds to 125 levo a day? I still feel hypo and under medicated.
I did hear about the 'optimal' values between the ranges were a lot of people are on their best in their 'sweet spots'.
If the rule of thumb is that FT4 has to be 50% of the range and FT3 upper half to upper third, i's logical that I'm still hypo. This all being said, will my TSH drop even more when I go to 125?
I don't understand the link between TSH and the FT3 & FT4 results. How can I have such a low TSH and still not reach the recommended levels?
Thyroid Disorders :: Hair Loss With Levothyroxine
Hi everyone! I am totally new to this group and excited to get input from everyone! I'll try and give you a quick synopsis of the past year and a half for me when I gave birth to my first child....
Initially I felt fine, until about 4 months after I gave birth. I had initially lost all the baby weight and then I started gaining again, had major brain fog, dry skin, cold, crazy water retention and bloated face, unmotivated, etc. all the usual symptoms. In February I was diagnosed with Hashimotos by my regular doctor and here are my levothyroxine dosages and blood results since...
Feb 2015 Tsh 269. T4. <0.11. T3. <20. (No meds yet...initial blood work)
Apr 2015. Tsh 156. T4. 0.45. T3. 42. (25 mcg)
May 2015. Tsh 6.69. T4. 1.83. T3. 96. (75 mcg)
Sept 2015. Tsh 2.89. T4. 1.59. (100 mcg)
Oct 2015. Tsh 8.61. (75 mcg)
Nov 2015. Tsh 1.21. (100 mcg)
Feb 2016. Tsh 2.36. (100 mcg)
So my original Doctor began my levothyroxine regimen at 25 mcg for 6 weeks. I immediately felt much better even though my numbers were still going crazy. He upped my dosage twice then sent me to an endocrinologist. Both agreed that my numbers were so bad it could not be postpartum hypothyroidism and I had probably had this for a long time undiagnosed and the pregnancy made it officially just turn off. In October we lowered the dosage to double check this theory and I felt terrible and my numbers changed right away so my endo put my meds right back up.
Now, hair loss was actually never one of my initial symptoms and I am convinced that it began when i started my medication, but both doctors insist that it's my body getting used to the meds and my levels getting better and better. My endo thought perhaps it's was especially bad because I was also experiencing postpartum hair loss. But at this point it is now a full year since I have been diagnosed and on medication. Coupled with the hair loss I also started getting serious joint pain, but again my endo said I was adjusting and this was a common symptom of hypothyroidism.
So basically, I am wondering how after a year of medication I would still be experiencing symptoms with levels that are now perfectly fine? Unless it was related to the medication??....I feel very guilty bringing it up all the time to my doctor because I know I should be glad that the huge issues of brain fog, concentration and mood are generally good (I still say I am not exactly myself yet). I feel silly bringing up something cosmetic but it is so depressing to look in the mirror. I hate doing my hair, washing it, sometimes just running my fingers through my hair I get five more. Even though now I can say it's less, it's definitely still happening and I don't see any new growth. But, on the flip side, hair loss is associated with adjusting to armour and I am terrified to lose any more.
Thyroid Disorders :: Hair Loss With Ferritin
I am hypothyroid/hashimotos. I have been experiencing significant hair loss for over a year. I'm young and female so having sparse hair is NOT ok. I've read one needs to have their ferritin at 70 or 80 to experience hair regrowth. When I first met with my naturopath and got diagnosed this year I was put on 25mcg of Levothyroxine and I told her my main concern was my hair loss. My ferritn was at 32. I was put on a daily elemental iron supplement.
A blood test a month later and I was already at 54! Two months after that i was at 68.3! I was getting close to my goal but at that test she didn't like how my iron and iron saturation went too high/out of range. So she told me to only take my iron pill ever OTHER day and lo and behold two months later my ferritin was down to 45.1. Super frustrating. I am trying to bring my iron UP! So how does this work? How can my iron and iron saturation be so high and my ferritin so low? Is it actually dangerous for me to take the pill daily if my iron saturation and iron are above the limit? I'm not going to be able to fix my hair loss and bring my ferritin up if I am only taking it every other day! HELP!
Thyroid Disorders :: Normal T3 And T4 Levels With Raised TSH
What's your take -patient has normal T3 and T4 levels, no symptoms and a TSH elevated at 4.8 on a .358-3.8 range
View 5 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: When To Start Drugs According To TSH Levels ?
I have very recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I've taken the thyroid uptake scan and my dr. Office says it came back abnormal and enlarged thyroid.
According to my blood work my TSH is 0.227. (0.450-4.500)T4/free is 1.80 (0.82-1.77)
My question is should medication begin with these levels?