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<Well I can accept and respect the viewpoint of another without having to agree to or understand or even like it.>
Um, I am sorry, but I don't agree that you can. That is what has gotten us into this mess, many, many times.
<What's so hard about that?>
I dunno, you tell me.
<And to answer your question...it's something called mutual respect.>
Er, okay, I asked you not to explain, but since you have, I find it interesting that the "different school of thought" "that many here may not be familiar with" you refer to is something I see and read here every day from just about everyone....mutual respect.
<How do you know that I have a perfectly common thyroid condition?>
Because you told me one night after a concert.
<Obviously if you have that much knowledge you would know that there are different types and some are rare and more difficult to treat.>
I spend my nights when it's not busy in the ICU talking to doctors, some of who are endocrinologists. Needless to say, because of my particular personal and family issues, the thyroid is a popular subject. yes, I know there are different kinds, but you are still dealing with the same organ...the thyroid. It's a pretty one faceted thing. Many things may affect it, it may react in different ways, but the outcome is still the same. It needs to be treated with replacement thyroid hormones.
<Manageable if I want it to be?>
Yes. Stop thinking every little bump in the road is a candidate for Mystery Diagnosis. It's not easy, I know, but if you continue to obssess about it all, it becomes a vicious circle of stress/symptoms/stress, etc.
<I wish I were among the lucky ones who could.>
For so many reasons, I wish you were too.
<Or could tolerate the medication that's needed.>
Just like there are different brands of soap, toothpaste, beer and heck, even guitars, there are different brands of thyroid meds. Your doc should be trying you on different ones til they find one you can tolerate. One kind of T4 is not the same as another. Or maybe you need to add some T3. It made all the difference for me. Each pharmaceutical company puts different fillers in their product. That's usually what people can't tolerate. But sometimes it is the brand. Doc and I found I can't take anything but brand name Synthroid.
<I can manage antibodies? Really? Please tell me how?>
There are some people that will claim that you can manage antibodies with holistic or herbal concoctions or diet. Never tried that route so I can't say if it works. But there is plenty of literature out there if you are interested and want to research it. My experience is that I do better managing the symptoms of antibodies. And with the right medical treatment, your antibodies can disappear. Mine have...well the thyroid ones anyway. Actually I am an autoimmune mess. lol But my thyroid is under control...or I should say my thyroid function...with replacement meds...I don't have a thyroid anymore.
<Did you have radiation...twice?>
No, I didn't. It was an option given to me, but I did the research and as you have pointed out, it doesn't always work the first time and I didn't want to deal with this any longer than I had to. I chose to have a thyroidectomy.
<A tumor?>
No. I had two tumors. Carcinomas previously undetected until the routine post-op pathology.
<Nodules?>
Yes. After my first ultrasound I was told it was a lumpy, bumpy irregular nodular thyroid.
<And when my heart rate jumps unexpectedly...I can control this?>
There are some techniques to slow a benign tachycardia. We have our cardiac patients try them first before whipping out the drugs and paddles. Ask the cardiologist if they recommend them for you.
<If I thought you had any clue about this, I would ask you for advice.>
I would never give anyone medical advice even if asked. I share my experiences and try to assure that it will be alright. And ALWAYS tell people to check with their docs before trying anything that has worked for me.
<Actually, I was taking a beta-blocker "as needed" but a cardiologist advised me not to because I could have a heart attack unless I take it everyday. And I can't because of the side effects.>
If a doc told you to take it "as needed", he/she is a bozo...a dangerous one. The cardiologist is right. Unfortunately most meds have side effects. You just have to decide which is more tolerable/safe. The symptom or the side effect.
<You seem be a very narrow-minded person to even assume that I have the same common condition as you and others in your family.>
I do not have the same condition as my family members and I didn't assume you have it either. As I said, you told me about it yourself. I am part of a newsgroup for thyroid illness and you'd be surprised how many of us are on the same meds and experience the same symptoms even though we have the full gambit of thyroid illnesses. If you would like, I can give you the link. But like a lot of public forums, this one was invaded by trolls and people with agendas but no manners. Sadly most of the knowledgeable nice people have left it. But you could read the post history.
<So what else should or shouldn't I do besides stay away from public forums because I have an illness?>
I didn't say to stay away because you have an illness. Goodness, if that was the case, how many of us would be here? lol But because you seem to feel bad and blame your "condition" for some of your less than respectful postings, I was merely suggesting to perhaps not post on days you are not feeling yourself instead of putting yourself through this time and time again. It must be exhausting.
<And should I check with you for your approval to see if I'm well enough to post on a public forum when I'm "feeling better"?
If you want to.