I popped in to see my GP this week after my neurologist's advice to have my thyroxine upped with the purpose of dealing with my hair loss.
Just as expected, I needed a blood test to check my thyroid. So I did that and the doc said she would call me the next day (yesterday) will the results so I could start on a higher dose as soon as possible.
I was hoping to hear from her all day, then it hit 6pm and I thought poop, now I need to wait until next week. However, a little later on she called! Yay!
Unfortunately (and I guess in a way, fortunately too!), my thyroid blood test results come back all fine.
The GP suggested I take a Hair, Nail and Skin supplement for a while to see if that helps and if not…I need to see her to get a referral to a dermatologist.
I did a bit of research on the different brands available and read a few forums on how people rate them. Not many people were after results for their hair, but more nails and skin. Doing this 'research' does help a little, but also opens up a whole new ballgame! People say silica is great and worked for them (one person saying her mum who had Chemo swears by it), others rave about the biotin (though you can get breakouts), others suggest zinc then we have the vitamin D advocates. So now, I am confused.
My plan is to speak to my pharmacist and hopefully they can suggestion one of the many brands that might be best for hair specifically. So far, from what I have read the Blackmores works for a lot of people. PLEASE, if YOU have used any of these hair, skin and nail supplements I would love to hear your recommendations.
The annoying thing about this little 'experiment' if you will, is that it generally takes about 3 months to see any changes. That's a whole fucking quarter of a year!
Wish me luck, aye?
Friday, 24 January 2014
Sunday, 19 January 2014
MRI results & changing favourite seasons
Yo, yo, yo!
Thank fuck it's raining. Summer is no longer my favourite season. I'll get to that later.
Today I went for a visit to my neurologist to get the results of the MRI I had last Monday.
That MRI experience was just a little bit more stressful that usual. This is because the MRI was to also check the veins in my brain to see if the noises in my ears were related to any vascular issues, so they had to put a cannula in my arm. Normally when I go for an MRI I make sure I drink plenty of water. The reason is when I had my second MRI ever (first in Sydney in a decent machine) they put contrast dye in me (to highlight any 'active' lesions), and after trying to find a vein in my right, then left then and again right arm, they had to stick the stuff in my through the top of my hand - NOT IDEAL. So ever since, I make sure I drink heaps of the H2O whenever I go to get my blood taken AND get and MRI (just in case I need the dye).
The nurse tried my right, then left then back to right arm…and phew, she got it in! It was a bit gross though, this thing hang in' out your arm. I just tried not to look at it. Despite my efforts in drinking plenty water, it was still a struggle. But we got there in the end. And that was that really. The stuff they pumped in me is meant to go in at a constant rate, hence the need for the cannula. I would have like to be better warned next time thank doc!
The MRI was a week ago, then I had a week to wait. Worst part. Too much time to think of what might be wrong with me. But this thinking was pretty well distracted with a 2 night trip to the Hunter Valley, a wine tour and the purchase of wine and some fudge. Then it was a night out at a Sydney Festival event. Then finally today came along.
M met me at the Neurologist. The Neuro said all my veins are fine and although he couldn't really pinpoint why I was experiencing the ear issues but did not seem overly concerned at all. It has reduced and I just hope that continues and disappears completely.
THEN he starts to go through the MRI images. Scrolling, scrolling. It's so weird seeing inside your own head like that. I don't think I will even get used to it! Especially when you see your eyeballs. So strange. So he's going through them, comparing them frame by frame to my previous MRI from April 2013. Now the good news is, that there were no active lesions and there was some evidence of lesions shrinking and correct me if I am wrong M, but some had 'gone' or were quite faint.
Unfortunately, one lesion had grown and then one more was brand new. Bummer hey? The new one looks biggish too. Sadface. BUT, neither are active. AND the neuro did say that really, I have only been on Gilenya (the oral MS drug) for almost a year, and it can take some time to 'work' - this was reassuring. It was suggested that we meet again in 6 months time. Oh and all my blood tests came back fine (tick!).
Some other stuff I asked about was my freaking hair loss. Fuck, fuckedy, FUCK! Seriously? It did get better between my increase in thyroxine and my stopping of Rebif and Pristiq…but then…come about November, it started again. THIS IS SO CRUSHING. It is a documented side effect of Gilenya, but the neuro thinks I might need to have my GP increase my thyroxine. So off the GP I will go. This will probably mean another blood test. Go back for results. Blah, blah and blah. Increase. Wait a few months for it all to kick in. Well I hope I don't go bald between now and then (maybe being slightly dramatic here).
I was going to bitch about summer in this post, but I think you've had enough so I will save that until the season is over, aye?
Thank fuck it's raining. Summer is no longer my favourite season. I'll get to that later.
Today I went for a visit to my neurologist to get the results of the MRI I had last Monday.
That MRI experience was just a little bit more stressful that usual. This is because the MRI was to also check the veins in my brain to see if the noises in my ears were related to any vascular issues, so they had to put a cannula in my arm. Normally when I go for an MRI I make sure I drink plenty of water. The reason is when I had my second MRI ever (first in Sydney in a decent machine) they put contrast dye in me (to highlight any 'active' lesions), and after trying to find a vein in my right, then left then and again right arm, they had to stick the stuff in my through the top of my hand - NOT IDEAL. So ever since, I make sure I drink heaps of the H2O whenever I go to get my blood taken AND get and MRI (just in case I need the dye).
The nurse tried my right, then left then back to right arm…and phew, she got it in! It was a bit gross though, this thing hang in' out your arm. I just tried not to look at it. Despite my efforts in drinking plenty water, it was still a struggle. But we got there in the end. And that was that really. The stuff they pumped in me is meant to go in at a constant rate, hence the need for the cannula. I would have like to be better warned next time thank doc!
The MRI was a week ago, then I had a week to wait. Worst part. Too much time to think of what might be wrong with me. But this thinking was pretty well distracted with a 2 night trip to the Hunter Valley, a wine tour and the purchase of wine and some fudge. Then it was a night out at a Sydney Festival event. Then finally today came along.
M met me at the Neurologist. The Neuro said all my veins are fine and although he couldn't really pinpoint why I was experiencing the ear issues but did not seem overly concerned at all. It has reduced and I just hope that continues and disappears completely.
THEN he starts to go through the MRI images. Scrolling, scrolling. It's so weird seeing inside your own head like that. I don't think I will even get used to it! Especially when you see your eyeballs. So strange. So he's going through them, comparing them frame by frame to my previous MRI from April 2013. Now the good news is, that there were no active lesions and there was some evidence of lesions shrinking and correct me if I am wrong M, but some had 'gone' or were quite faint.
Unfortunately, one lesion had grown and then one more was brand new. Bummer hey? The new one looks biggish too. Sadface. BUT, neither are active. AND the neuro did say that really, I have only been on Gilenya (the oral MS drug) for almost a year, and it can take some time to 'work' - this was reassuring. It was suggested that we meet again in 6 months time. Oh and all my blood tests came back fine (tick!).
Some other stuff I asked about was my freaking hair loss. Fuck, fuckedy, FUCK! Seriously? It did get better between my increase in thyroxine and my stopping of Rebif and Pristiq…but then…come about November, it started again. THIS IS SO CRUSHING. It is a documented side effect of Gilenya, but the neuro thinks I might need to have my GP increase my thyroxine. So off the GP I will go. This will probably mean another blood test. Go back for results. Blah, blah and blah. Increase. Wait a few months for it all to kick in. Well I hope I don't go bald between now and then (maybe being slightly dramatic here).
I was going to bitch about summer in this post, but I think you've had enough so I will save that until the season is over, aye?
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