The Elderly In The Church

[The Nehor]

Thyroid issues are tricky, so be careful. My wife is on two different kinds of thyroid meds, and every so often I notice that she's a little off, and I tell her it's time to have it checked again.

I am currently on a very low dose to see what will happen. I was actually not low enough to get meds unless I was experiencing symptoms so my doctor told me to try them and if I feel better we can stick with them. If not I will just stop after next check up.

[Calm]

So far I just feel jittery and restless but I am told that can be a side effect on a return to normalcy. Have to wait and see.

Took three weeks for the thyroid meds to not make things worse for me. Had to cut it down to lowest possible dose too. Lower would have been same dose every other day rather than cutting the pill in half for some reason. Probably started to notice a real difference after three months. Hoping it keeps improving. Doctor said most sensitive patient had to take lowest dose every other day for six months before started improving so I am happy.

If you are taking generic, I hear Synthroid is less likely to cause headaches and stuff (assuming you were hypothyroid given your symptom of apathy). The more natural drug (don't know its name) is preferred by many but my doctor doesn't like it as much because dosage is not as precise, hard to control and predict...but an option if one can't handle the synthetic.

Edited August 19, 2015 by calmoriah

[The Nehor]

Took three weeks for the thyroid meds to not make things worse for me. Had to cut it down to lowest possible dose too. Lower would have been same dose every other day rather than cutting the pill in half for some reason. Probably started to notice a real difference after three months. Hoping it keeps improving. Doctor said most sensitive patient had to take lowest dose every other day for six months before started improving so I am happy.

If you are taking generic, I hear Synthroid is less likely to cause headaches and stuff (assuming you were hypothyroid given your symptom of apathy). The more natural drug (don't know its name) is preferred by many but my doctor doesn't like it as much because dosage is not as precise, hard to control and predict...but an option if one can't handle the synthetic.

So far so good. In fact I feel better then I have in a long time but that might just be the placebo effect. I don't think it is supposed to have much of an impact this early.

[strappinglad]

That was one of the responses, but nobody in the group had any gold. It has to be something that one has just by being old.

I think we decided that what makes an old person rich (as if he had gold) is all the wisdom and life experience he has that makes this time of life valuable to others if he is willing to share it. 

Then there is the problem of REMEMBERING all that wisdom. Remembering what you experienced 50 years ago is often easier than remembering where you put your glasses 20 minutes ago!!

[Garden Girl]

Then there is the problem of REMEMBERING all that wisdom. Remembering what you experienced 50 years ago is often easier than remembering where you put your glasses 20 minutes ago!!

 

Tell me...

 

GG

[Garden Girl]

So far so good. In fact I feel better then I have in a long time but that might just be the placebo effect. I don't think it is supposed to have much of an impact this early.

 

Prayers...

 

GG

[The Nehor]

Then there is the problem of REMEMBERING all that wisdom. Remembering what you experienced 50 years ago is often easier than remembering where you put your glasses 20 minutes ago!!

 

As a wise High Priest once said:

 

"You have all of eternity to be young and in your prime and only a small part of your mortal existence to be old. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts. Sometimes I even convince myself it is enjoyable."

 

 

Prayers...

 

GG

 

Thanks.

[Calm]

So far so good. In fact I feel better then I have in a long time but that might just be the placebo effect. I don't think it is supposed to have much of an impact this early.

Worked that way for me too...lasted 2 or 3 days very nicely but could have been placebo...then got really dizzy and a sick headache. Enough so I quit after 10 days or so. Tried againon lower dosage, could handle that well enough to wait through the bad stuff. Good luck.

[Tacenda]

Thanks for the advice. I was doing most of it and exercising like crazy but still lacked enthusiasm or drive for much of anything.

 

Today though I got results from a blood test and it turns out it is probably due to a thyroid condition so the answer might be pills. As has been said: drugs are nature's hugs.

I'm so glad I stumbled across this post and thread!  I'm going through the same thing.  I have had hypothyroidism now for a year or so.  My heart goes out to you Nehor, it's no fun, I felt the same way.  I even quit driving on the freeway because of some panic attacks.  I don't know if it's the thyroid that is causing it.  Recently my doctor noticed in my blood work that I needed to decrease my thyroid meds down to maybe 5 pills a week vs. 7 pills.  I think it's helping.  So I hope you get the help you need.  Make sure to get regular blood work that your doc has scheduled.  I think my thyroid caused my anxiety and some depression.  Recently I started taking a form of Zoloft, for the first time.  I'm weaning off of them because of the side affects...metal taste in my mouth etc.  But will only take if absolutely necessary, I guess you can take them occasionally.  But they do create, with me anyhow, a feeling like I'm high, such as a who cares attitude.  Or numbs me too much. 

 

I hope you also get second opinions if your insurance will allow, or even if it doesn't.  It's a whole new world out there of learning about medications.  I wonder if there is a non meds way to go, supplements?  But I hear we shouldn't mess with not taking the meds for our thyroid.  But good luck Nehor, that zest or drive to live life will come back!  Don't give up.  It just plain sucks to go through I know!! 

 

We should have a thread just for illnesses where we can discuss issues.  How helpful it would be.     

[The Nehor]

I'm so glad I stumbled across this post and thread! I'm going through the same thing. I have had hypothyroidism now for a year or so. My heart goes out to you Nehor, it's no fun, I felt the same way. I even quit driving on the freeway because of some panic attacks. I don't know if it's the thyroid that is causing it. Recently my doctor noticed in my blood work that I needed to decrease my thyroid meds down to maybe 5 pills a week vs. 7 pills. I think it's helping. So I hope you get the help you need. Make sure to get regular blood work that your doc has scheduled. I think my thyroid caused my anxiety and some depression. Recently I started taking a form of Zoloft, for the first time. I'm weaning off of them because of the side affects...metal taste in my mouth etc. But will only take if absolutely necessary, I guess you can take them occasionally. But they do create, with me anyhow, a feeling like I'm high, such as a who cares attitude. Or numbs me too much.

I hope you also get second opinions if your insurance will allow, or even if it doesn't. It's a whole new world out there of learning about medications. I wonder if there is a non meds way to go, supplements? But I hear we shouldn't mess with not taking the meds for our thyroid. But good luck Nehor, that zest or drive to live life will come back! Don't give up. It just plain sucks to go through I know!!

We should have a thread just for illnesses where we can discuss issues. How helpful it would be.

Thanks, but I am actually excited. For years I have been gradually degrading. I had to fight depressive thoughts, struggle to get out of bed every day, would take naps, exercise would give me an endorphin rush but it never lasted, and I had no real ambition or drive for anything from finding love to basic sex drive to my hobbies to my callings. I kept going for all those things but my heart wasn't in it. I pushed all hope for happiness to the next life and just kept going.

I have been praying for hope to return. Finally I got a clear impression: "Doctor.....now!". I questioned of course because I am an obstinate idiot and thought maybe he meant therapist but then I started looking online at would could cause these symptoms and found hypothyroid and a number of much more debilitating illnesses. Then I got the strong impression of what I had. I went to the doctor and brought up the family history and everything else and was put on meds once the blood results came back.

I have only been on them for a few days but it is like night and day. I feel alive. I wake up without any drowsiness. Everyone is mentioning how I seem happier. I am busy planning stuff I want to do. I want to paddleboard around the lake near where I live, I want to climb a hill and go skydiving. I am finding joy in reading again that I haven't felt in a long time. I spontaneously get the urge to go running and swimming where before it was something I had to force myself to do. I found myself crying while listening to music this morning at work. The Holy Ghost is almost dancing through my veins like it has not in a long time (mission?). No idea if it will last or stay at this intensity but I will ride this as long as it lasts.

Oh, and since hair loss is a symptom if God wants to fix thinning air that would be a bonus.

Edited August 20, 2015 by The Nehor

[Tacenda]

Thanks, but I am actually excited. For years I have been gradually degrading. I had to fight depressive thoughts, struggle to get out of bed every day, would take naps, exercise would give me an endorphin rush but it never lasted, and I had no real ambition or drive for anything from finding love to basic sex drive to my hobbies to my callings. I kept going for all those things but my heart wasn't in it. I pushed all hope for happiness to the next life and just kept going.

I have been praying for hope to return. Finally I got a clear impression: "Doctor.....now!". I questioned of course because I am an obstinate idiot and thought maybe he meant therapist but then I started looking online at would could cause these symptoms and found hypothyroid and a number of much more debilitating illnesses. Then I got the strong impression of what I had. I went to the doctor and brought up the family history and everything else and was put on meds once the blood results came back.

I have only been on them for a few days but it is like night and day. I feel alive. I wake up without any drowsiness. Everyone is mentioning how I seem happier. I am busy planning stuff I want to do. I want to paddleboard around the lake near where I live, I want to climb a hill and go skydiving. I am finding joy in reading again that I haven't felt in a long time. I spontaneously get the urge to go running and swimming where before it was something I had to force myself to do. I found myself crying while listening to music this morning at work. The Holy Ghost is almost dancing through my veins like it has not in a long time (mission?). No idea if it will last or stay at this intensity but I will ride this as long as it lasts.

Oh, and since hair loss is a symptom if God wants to fix thinning air that would be a bonus.

My post was responding to before the meds!! I think I too have gotten much better, it's just regulating them I guess!! Love that you're thriving now, and love that you want to paddleboard. I went for the first time recently, very easy, almost anyone can do it, kneeling or standing! And I too get more emotions that are appropiate! When my parents passed away it was like I turned to stone. I talk to people more easily now and cry now, wow I'm human after all. I'm so happy for you, good luck Nehor!!

[theplains]

Perhaps you would be so kind as to point out to us where President Benson's teachings on the elderly as set forth in his Teachings of Presidents of the Church are significantly different from those contained in Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson. I'm sure you'll be more than eager to provide ample evidence to support your very generous recommendation.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Way too much to discuss.  One can still purchase the 1988 version for about $10-20 from

various vendors.  Here is a sample from chapter 1, page 7 - "The Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints proclaims that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the most literal sense. The

body (his flesh) was sired by the Eternal Father. Jesus is the only child whose mortal body

was begotten by Heavenly Father. Jesus came to earth through a royal birthright that

preserved his godhood."

 

Thanks,

Jim

[3DOP]

I am planning to just die around 70ish.

 

deleted. Inappropriate levity.

Edited August 22, 2015 by 3DOP

[The Nehor]

deleted. Inappropriate levity.

 

Awwww......I thought it was funny.

[JAHS]

Then there is the problem of REMEMBERING all that wisdom. Remembering what you experienced 50 years ago is often easier than remembering where you put your glasses 20 minutes ago!!

That's why i buy all my reading glasses in bulk at the 99 cent store.