I spent most of yesterday pretty much sick and I believe I did it to myself. :sad5:

A year ago December, our doctor (who we were still breaking in as he was new after we lost our other doc due to his 5th heart attack... he left the practice, not life, thankfully.;-) ) decided the US of A was the place to be and up and went. We were initially told he was going to be on leave for a few months then we were told he was gone forever and no other doctor in the practice would be taking on his patients.:hissyfit: So, that makes us refugees still for over a year. I have a thyroid condition and since Iain was born my partially regenerated thyroid gland has been wonky and I need thyroxin to regulate it again after spending years off of it. I have been without thyroxin for a year now and I am feeling it.

So, I have searched for a new doc and to no avail yet. This week and next I am actively searching until I bloody well find one.

In the meantime, I in my infinite wisdom did a bit of research and found out that iodine can be absorbed through the skin and that a homeopathic remedy for thyroid issues is to put a few drops of the stuff on your thyroid gland 2X per week. So, I did that and actually felt a bit better, a tiny surge of energy and thought I might have been onto something. The person I consulted seemed to really know their stuff and I did it as directed 3 times now.

Yesterday, Bill and I decided to treat ourselves to Dim Sum, or Chinese brunch. We have not gone to one for about 8 months and yesterday we were singlehandedly responsible for the ingestion of several shrimp and other little sea creatures that are just delictible. Dim Sum has been a favourite thing for Bill and I for many years and before the kids were born we had it every weekend so I am no stranger to seafood.

Within 30 minutes of the brunch I started to feel sick. My guts were rolling and I just felt so hot so I figured, great I have the freaking flu and ignored it all as we had to go grocery shopping. Believe me, I thought I was going to pass out in the grocery store from the pain at one point, but it sort of came in waves. Bill decided to treat us further to sushi which even in my green state looked spectacular and we planned on having it after the kids went to bed. So, we did. And within 30 minutes I started to feel awful again. This time however, my nose started to run, my eyes felt like a poker was being jabbed into them, tears were flowing and I was not crying, my guts were rolling like mad and to my surprise Bill noticed my hands were swelling so bad I had to work like mad to get my wedding ring off before I had to have it cut off. My face and hands were flushed and the headache started in earnest. My voice went hoarse and once that happened I realized my tongue and mouth felt tingly and then I figured I was actually having a reaction to the food! Until then I thought I had the flu or something and really did not associate all the symptoms as I have not had a food reaction in years and certainly never to seafood.

Suffice to say, it was a rough night and I nearly went to the hospital as it scared the daylights out of me. If this had of been Curran the epi would have been used for sure. Today I called a friend of mine who does have seafood allergies and they immediately told me that it was likely an allergic reaction to the iodine in the fish coupled with the fact that I have been using this homeopathic iodine treatment. :banghead: They are likely right, but I am scared to try more seafood for a bit. People can have adult onset allergic reactions which can be quite severe yet I have never had so much as an inkling before and am pretty confident that I brought this on by using the remedy. A remedy that has now found itself out of my cabinet as I am not doing that again. Seriously, I can not believe how bad it was.

Today I am feeling better and better, but it still lingers. My hands seem puffy still (no where near what they were last night and this morning though) and I am going to try my wedding ring again tonight although I can see the ridges around where my ring usually sits.

Suffice to say, although I am a fan of some homeopathic remedies I am not a fan of this one. Even though I did some research on it I did not research it to death as I usually do and I shall not make that mistake again.:angry7:

I do not want to live without my little crustaceans! :haha:

Oh you poor thing!:hug: I would die without seafood! Are you sure it was the iodine, or maybe food poisoning?

Oh you poor thing!:hug: I would die without seafood! Are you sure it was the iodine, or maybe food poisoning?

The restaurant is great and I have never had trouble with it before. It was not food poisoning as I have had that before and I barfed my guts out until I thought I left my stomach on the floor of the bathroom. :hairpull: This was not the same at all. If it was anything like that (food poisoning) , Bill would have been sick too even if he had a cast iron stomach as we both ate the same things and he was happy as a clam last night for having shrimp fest. Walker even had some and was fine. Curran had a trial of crispy squid and rice and was fine. His second trial of it in a year. Iain decided that food was off the menu for the day, so he does not count.;-)

I am hoping it was the iodine as that is all I can come up with for now.

Leigh did you actually get it prescribed by a homeopath? Cause that does not sound like a good reaction at all, a reputable homeopath would give you what you can and can't do.

I have had some side effects from Coopers that she has warnied me about, and true enough it happened, but mainly it was irritable, and weepy, so out of character for Cooper but within a day or two it happened for a week or so. You should NEVER get allergic reactions to homeopathic meds.

Iodine as such I wonder if it is homeopathic or naturopathic? Either way, find yourself a Dr and get your thyroid tested please...I am begging you! And no more scares OK? :hug:

Oh yeah and your iodine theory sounds pretty good to me too.

Leigh, you poor thing. I can't imagine feeling like that. :hug:
Stay away from sushi!

Leigh did you actually get it prescribed by a homeopath? Cause that does not sound like a good reaction at all, a reputable homeopath would give you what you can and can't do.

I have had some side effects from Coopers that she has warnied me about, and true enough it happened, but mainly it was irritable, and weepy, so out of character for Cooper but within a day or two it happened for a week or so. You should NEVER get allergic reactions to homeopathic meds.

Iodine as such I wonder if it is homeopathic or naturopathic? Either way, find yourself a Dr and get your thyroid tested please...I am begging you! And no more scares OK? :hug:

It was from a natural food store. The person is very trained and quite knowledgeable and I know that the theory has credence, but in reality I truly need thyroxin. The problem is with the fact I took some iodine and then ate fish laden with iodine. It amounts to an overdose of sorts and I obviously have problems with that. I am looking into it as it was definately an allergic reaction and scared the crud out of me.

Definately letting my fingers do the walking through the yellow pages starting tomorrow.

Wanted: One doctor who listens with good ears, does not poke and prod me much, has intelligence rating above room temperature, works well and plays well with others, is not pigeon holed into a certain mindset, has a discernable personality which lends itself well to interaction with human beings, and has a great sense of humour. Do you think I stand a chance of finding such a doctor?!:haha:

Yikes! I hope you're feeling better today!

Well stop going to health food stores and self diagnosing yourself :rolling: I am sure that it scared the crap out of you, and yes you need thyroxine, surely for a pre-diognosed disorder it is just a case of some blood tests, getting the right dose, and then keeping it in the fridge :rolling: )on the fridge, not the condition)

Can you go to urgent care or whatever you call it, to get a test done...what about just getting script for the thyroxine, I know the dose wont be exact but it is better than nothing while you get some results.

Can I beg you anymore? Or should I just bang you over the head again....you know I love ya, and just worry.

Wow, I can't believe you've been left to deal with this on your own for a year now. No wonder you're trying things on your own. For me, though, I'd keep up with the iodine, but I can't stand the taste or even the smell of seafood.

Oh no.... I hope that you feel better. ((hug)) I wondered where you were yesterday. :hug:

Leigh....I've got hypothyroidism....HOW THE H**L would you stop taking meds regardless of not having a doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!! :favorites21: And self-medicating with iodine!!!!:sad3: Do you know how toxic iodine can be (yes, you just found out!!). Thyroid levels need to be checked every year, if not more.

Don't know if you've heard of Mary Shomon. She's written some books and articles of thryoid disorders and is really good. Her website (I think it's hers...or there is a link on her site) has a list of doctors that were recommended by patients.

Please Leigh, don't mess without any meds for your thryoid. :violent1: Mine was so dysfunctional when I was diagnosed...I was close to death, my heart was in bad shape and I even had a slight heart attack because of the low thyroid.

PROMISE ME THAT YOU WILL FIND A DOC TOMORROW!!!!Pretty please?!:crybaby:

Well stop going to health food stores and self diagnosing yourself :rolling: I am sure that it scared the crap out of you, and yes you need thyroxine, surely for a pre-diognosed disorder it is just a case of some blood tests, getting the right dose, and then keeping it in the fridge :rolling: )on the fridge, not the condition)

Can you go to urgent care or whatever you call it, to get a test done...what about just getting script for the thyroxine, I know the dose wont be exact but it is better than nothing while you get some results.

Can I beg you anymore? Or should I just bang you over the head again....you know I love ya, and just worry.


It is also a case of me getting my health card again. :oops: I had my purse stolen a couple of years ago and just never got around to getting the card done again. Yes, I know, I know.:oops: I have gone to walk in clinics here and none of them will do a script for it as they are simply there for everything else except "maintenance" as having a thyroid regulated would be. Blood tests would be in order. Thyroxin is in pill form so I might be safe with it in the cupboard.;-)

I love ya, too.:hug: I have let it go too long now and I know it.

Leigh....I've got hypothyroidism....HOW THE H**L would you stop taking meds regardless of not having a doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!! :favorites21: And self-medicating with iodine!!!!:sad3: Do you know how toxic iodine can be (yes, you just found out!!). Thyroid levels need to be checked every year, if not more.

Don't know if you've heard of Mary Shomon. She's written some books and articles of thryoid disorders and is really good. Her website (I think it's hers...or there is a link on her site) has a list of doctors that were recommended by patients.

Please Leigh, don't mess without any meds for your thryoid. :violent1: Mine was so dysfunctional when I was diagnosed...I was close to death, my heart was in bad shape and I even had a slight heart attack because of the low thyroid.

PROMISE ME THAT YOU WILL FIND A DOC TOMORROW!!!!Pretty please?!:crybaby:

**runs and hides**

Omigosh. I sense I am in trouble here. **buys plane ticket to Kuala Lampoor**

I was born hyperthyroid and had my gland knocked out when I was 9 years old. It partially regenerated when I was in my early 20s and I found I did not need thyroxin for a long time as my body was regulating again for the most part. When I had Iain, he wrecked havoc on my system and I became dependant on thryoxin again.

I know it was stupd to figure that I could regulate a bit but I never ever counted on the fish and iodine thing happening. If I had not have had shrimp fest yesterday I might have been doing this and feeling pretty ok about it. I do not want anyone to think I am some sandal wearing, tree hugging naturalpathic freak who self diagnosis and medicates as I do not. **note: Nothing wrong if anyone reading this does fit the aforementioned description, provided you did not take iodine and then give yourself such a reaction because it was stupid and dangerous:smt036 **

My problems are getting worse and worse now and I know my body well enough to know it is thryoid problems that are doing me in. Believe me, I promise to get that doctor and I begin my search tomorrow. Really, I will. I have not heard of Mary Shomon but I should look her up. Likely I have come accross her at some point if she is in the world of thyroidism, although I have not looked it up in a few years now. Too busy living it. lol As I am in Canada, home of the non-existant doctor I am stuck with walk in clinics that do not give out scripts for thryoid as they require bloodwork and they do not do that, or I search until I find some pimply faced freshly graduated doctor who needs to start up. Willing to do the latter about now quite frankly. :haha:

Again, I will get a doctor. Promise.

A question for Jane...I love your approach BTW! Youhave thyroxine, do you keep it in the fridge? Stupid I know but this goes back from ages ago when I told Leigh you had to keep it in the fridge and she didn't beleive me. I used to do my sisters pills up for her, and everytime I went for a script, they would tell me to keep it in the fridge, which I didn't particularly like cause of the kids....so are us Aussies weirdos?

Oh and Leigh and Kaula Lampoor is nearby, I could meet you there!