Thyroid problems and allergies

Hi,

I had my ovaries removed 9/02 and my uterus 11/00. I woke up from my 9/02 surgery wondering if I am still a woman (since I had no uterus or ovaries), I felt my breasts and said to myself "yes, I'm still a woman, I have breasts". The next thought was "what if I didn't have my breasts? What would I be?" : )

Anyway, I have a few questions...

The first is this:

How does a hysterectomy effect the thyroid? Can progesterone help (natural cream)? I have a goiter! What about sea kelp (my doc recommends it).

The second is this:

I have sinusitis (allergies in the sinuses).. this has been plaguing me since my ovaries were removed. Is the anything natural I can do to help (I just started D-Hist)??? Will exercise help??


Thanks,

Hi Wendy,

I don't know much about surgical menopause and it's effect on the thyroid, but you might find answers in The Hormone Jungle http://www.hormonejungle.com/ and it's message board http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/for...111?styleid=14 I do know that some of our members have mentionned problems with their thyroid since their hyst, therefore, there might well be a link.

I suffer from allergy-induced sinus migraines and know just how awful these can get. Personally, I deal with the flares by using Over the counter anti-hystamines specifically formulated for these allergy reactions. While I'm not too crazy about the side-effects from these meds, they're the only ones that work for me. "Ordinary" anti-hystamines do not work.

I never had an allergy or sinus problem in my life until I began to have 'female problems' 4 months before my total hysterectomy I had my first sinus infection. They recurred so often over the following year I was referred to a ENT Doc. He threw all kinds of things at me that didn't do squat: drugs, test, CAT scans. Then he sent me to an allergist insisting my sinus's were fine I had to have allergies. 4 visits, two skin tests and 50 bucks later in co-pays I learned I do not have allergies (the allergist said looking bemused). Dr. Ear-Nose-Throat then tried to convince me, and apprently himself, it was migraines tho the symptoms really didn't match.

Now the good part -

During this time my heaven sent alternative medicine Nurse Practitioner was fiddling with my hrt compounds. We noticed my ears would quit ringing when we upped my estrogen. The ears ringing seemed to preciptate the quasi migraines *** sinus infections. The next time my ears began ringing and my head began to pound (headaches never happened for me pre-op) I slatered on on a double dose estrogen and Voi-la! Headache gone and ears quiet within 15 minutes. Unexpected side effect: No More Sinus Swelling/Infections. It's been 3 months now.

I was having an inflamatory response to estrogen deficiency. My lack of est was also straining my immune system. When I told my practioner about the miraculous halt of the headache she said, "Oh, you are one of THOSE..." meaning I need a huge amount of estrogen for the time being. I am on a high dose of estrogen now, balanced by other hormones and really , for the first time since I got sick 3 years ago, on the road to vibrant, vigorous, health.

Be well - C

Hi Wendy --

I have no experience with thyroid issues but wanted to reply because I asked the same question -- is there anything natural I can take to help with sinusitus -- just a couple of weeks ago to the gal at my local health food store (she's pretty knowledgeable when it comes to natural remedies).

She told me that lots of her customers find that oil of oregano helps. It comes in capsules that look just like vitamin E or primrose oil, only smaller. I've been taking them for about 2 weeks. Can't say that I've seen any improvement in my allergy symptoms -- but the pollen count down here in Florida has been unbelievably high this year, and there have been reports that even people who never suffered with allergies before are dealing with them this year.

Anyway.........the gal at the health food store told me it would take a few weeks to see any effects, but so far, all I know is that even if I take the oil of oregano capsules with food it seems like I taste them all day long and feel like my breath smells like I just ate a pizza. I'm going to continue to take them until the bottle is gone, but if I don't feel that they've done any good by then, I'm not buying any more..........

I did some research on oil of oregano and it seems that it is supposed to help fight infection and bacteria, so I guess the real point is to try to keep sinus symptoms from allergies into turning into sinus infections.

Just thought I'd pass along this info!

Take care --
Ann
TAH/BSO 1/5/01

Hi (((Ann))) I do hope that the Oil of Oregano works for your allergies: I remember that they've been giving you a hard time for a while now

BTW, I wanted to mention that, at one point, when my allergies were at their worst (had constant sinus migraines that rated an 11+ on a scale of 1 to 10 ), my then GP first ordered a round of antibiotics. He said that my sinuses had gotten so congested that it had, indeed, turned into a sinus infection. I'm wondering if there isn't indeed a link between sinus allegies and sinus infections.

Dany --

From what I've read, there is definitely a link between sinus allergies and sinus infections -- when you have allergies and the sinuses swell up, it traps bacteria inside and can cause an infection. I can't tell you how many times I've taken anti-biotics for a sinus infections.............but many times I'll think I have an infection, and the doc says no, it's just allergies. Either way, it's no fun Seems to me I was complaining about allergies at this same time last year.............and I know every night on the news they keep reporting that our pollen counts are so high, they're off the charts.


Take care!

's

Ann

Thanks for the info (((Ann))) It all makes sense to me: some days, I know it's only allergies, other days I know there's infection... it just doesn't feel the same... and the anti-hystamines will not clear the sinuses.

So sorry you're having a hard time right now. I think it's going to be a bad year, again, over here too: there's still snow on the ground and people, including me, are already complaining about their allergies.

Hi again --

something I was reminded of yesterday, another natural thing that is supposed to help with allergies...........


if you can get honey made locally to your area, I've heard that if you take a teaspoon of it every day, after a while your allergy symptoms get better. It has something to do with the pollen that the bees use to make the honey -- if it comes from a local source, and you take the honey every day, I think the theory is you're supposed to eventually build up your immunity to that pollen...........but it doesn't help unless the honey comes from a local source.

And Thanks ((((Dany))))) -- some days are better than others..........right now all our trees are shedding these little seed-pod things and there are literally piles of them all over my yard and driveway..............I don't think it's helping any!!

Ann

Good reminder about the local honey, ((((Ann)))). I remember reading about that too. And it makes a lot of sense, honey being such a wonderful product.... and my too!!!

I know what you mean about the tree pod things: that time of year, which is a little (ok: a lot) later around here, is always hard for me. Today was bad for me too, and I can't, for the life of me, understand why: it's actually snowing and freezing !!!

Hopefully, you'll feel better soon, especially when the Oil of Oregano works it's wonder.

wendytubbs,

I too have developed so much since LAVH in October 2002, sinuses, allergies, shingles, acute bronchitis, UTIs, joint aches and popping, back aches, blisters in my throat ever since surgery, root canal, etc. ( and I could go on and on). I have been on antibiotics 6 times (I have never been on antibiotics that many times in my whole life put together). I have been to the ER 3 times and they can find nothing wrong, so dizzy I could not walk without help, nausea, shaking, just feeling of not really existing.

Help, and my doctor says its not due to the hyster!!