Dr. Ken Blanchard's thyroid treatment
MDavis1493
Well, I went to see Dr. Ken Blanchard today, the unconventional M.D./Ph.D. who
bucks the system by prescribing thyroid medication for fibromyalgia sufferers
even when the thyroid tests in the normal range.
If I weren't in such a fibrofog, I'd be able to explain everything in plain
English, but this is as good as I can do right now:
He started me on 25 mg of Synthroid, which is T4 medication. When I start
feeling better in 3 to 4 weeks, he will add a specially compounded T3 pill to
my regimen. We'll work together to find the right dosage. He feels confident
that I will notice a marked improvement by the end of April. From his lips to
God's ears.
I spoke with a woman in severe flare for 3.5 years who referred me to Dr.
Blanchard, and after two weeks she was already noticing a huge difference. In
fact, she was able to do physical work for the first time in a long time.
I am afraid to get really excited about this treatment, because we all know
that there is no cure for fibromyalgia, right? Actually, I don't know if this
is considered a cure, but Dr. Blanchard is talking about my pain going away and
being able to sleep at night and not being depressed and bringing back my
libido.
I AM READY TO HAVE JOY IN MY LIFE!
I'll keep you informed.
Here's the info on Dr. Blanchard in case you want to call and ask for info:
Dr. Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D., M.D.
2000 Washington Street, Ste 565 (Newton-Wellesley Hospital)
Newton Lower Falls, MA 02162
617 527-1810
No, he's not on the Internet.
Margie
Jodith
> "On 4 Jan 1999 22:38:09 GMT,mdavi...@aol.com (MDavis1493) wrote:
> "
> >Hi folks,
> >
> >Well, I went to see Dr. Ken Blanchard today, the unconventional
> M.D./Ph.D. who
> >bucks the system by prescribing thyroid medication for fibromyalgia
> sufferers
>
> Hi,
>
> As you may already know, there is one Dr. Lowe that also uses this
> method. He reports a very high success rate, and was given funding for
> a
> broad-based study if memory serves.
>
> Best of luck. I hope the thyroid treatment works for you.
>
> Bob ICQ 657746
>
Yes, Lowe is having wonderful success with his protocol. I am on the
protocol under one of the physicians that was a participant in the
double blind study Lowe published on the protocol. I cannot tell you
how much better I am. I went from being almost disabled a little over a
year ago, to being able to work full time and go to school part time (I
just got my report card with my A in biology. I'm going to frame it and
take it to my doctor).
Jodith
--
To contact me, take the x out of the e-mail address.
Jodith
> "On Wed, 06 Jan 1999 15:02:01 -0600,Jodith <jodith...@bmc.com>
> wrote:
> "
>
> >Yes, Lowe is having wonderful success with his protocol. I am on the
>
> >protocol under one of the physicians that was a participant in the
> >double blind study Lowe published on the protocol. I cannot tell you
>
> >how much better I am. I went from being almost disabled a little
> over a
> >year ago, to being able to work full time and go to school part time
> (I
> >just got my report card with my A in biology. I'm going to frame it
> and
> >take it to my doctor).
>
> Hi Jodith,
>
> Were your thyroid tests low, low normal, or middle?
>
> Mine are middle, and my doc doesn't even want to discuss T4 treatment.
>
> Bob ICQ 657746
>
My tests were dead on normal/middle. Not a sign of thyroid deficiency.
Lowe's theory is not that we have too little thyroid, but that we are
resistant to thyroid, making our normal levels too low for us. As with
insulin resistance, the only thing doctors can really do at this point
is throw a huge amount of replacement hormone at the cells to completely
overwhelm the receptors to get a normal reaction. My doctor is looking
at alternatives, but I wouldn't hope for anything else at this point.
You might want to e-mail my doctor for a copy of the double blind study
he participated in with Lowe. His e-mail address is:
rgar...@fpcm.med.uth.tmc.edu
He is also very happy to consult with other doctors on the protocol. He
is an assistant professor of family practice at the University of Texas
Health Science Center-Houston. He's had quite a few patients hit full
remission with the protocol.
If I can answer any other questions, just yell.
Jodith
> "On Fri, 08 Jan 1999 09:24:19 -0600,Jodith <jodith...@bmc.com>
> wrote:
>
> >My tests were dead on normal/middle. Not a sign of thyroid
> deficiency.
> >Lowe's theory is not that we have too little thyroid, but that we are
>
> >resistant to thyroid, making our normal levels too low for us. As
> with
>
> Thanks Jodith!
>
> This is very encouraging news!
>
> My doctor was at first very receptive to the idea until my TH levels
> tested middle. If it had tested low normal, he would have given me TH.
>
> If my memory is accurate, Lowe found most of his patients low normal.
>
> Not to be a wet blanket, but are you experiencing any side effects
> from
> the TH?
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Bob ICQ 657746
>
Actually, most of Lowe's patients were mid-normal (at least, that is my
understanding). The only side effect I've had is an increased heart
rate, for which I take Atenolol, a beta blocker. However, there have
been no other signs of hyperthyroidism. I don't have increased bowel
movements, my face hasn't become greasy and started breaking out, I
don't have an increase amount of oil in my hair, I don't have tremors or
anxiety.
On the flip side, I can think clearly for the first time in years. I
don't have to constantly search for the words I want, and I haven't
bounced a check in over six months, because I actually remember to write
them down. I've only missed three days of work in three months, and
that was due to the flu. Before, I averaged 2 or 3 days a month because
I was always to incredibly tired. The pain has been decreased to minor
aches when the weather changes. My doctor thinks even these will go
away after I've been on the protocol longer. The irritable bowel has
disappeared, even pre-menstrually, which was always my worst time. I
went from having constant gas and cramps to having none. My chemical
sensitivities are resolving, and I'm no longer allergic to corn. My
eyes have stopped being so dry all the time, and for the first time in
three years, I can wear my contacts full time. I can be on my feet for
more than 15 minutes without the plantar fascitis crippling me. I can
lift heavy boxes (I've been slinging boxes of computers at work lately)
without my hips hurting for two days afterward.
I know this testimony won't convince your doctor to try the protocol,
but perhaps it will convince him to contact my doctor to at least talk
about it.
Jodith
the protocol is worry about the long term effects. My doctor will be
starting a study looking at that topic in a couple of months. I will
probably be included in that study. However, it will probably be at
least a year before the results of that study are published.
jodith
TwinMom
>
> "On Fri, 08 Jan 1999 09:24:19 -0600,Jodith <jodith...@bmc.com>
> wrote:
>
> >My tests were dead on normal/middle. Not a sign of thyroid deficiency.
> >Lowe's theory is not that we have too little thyroid, but that we are
> >resistant to thyroid, making our normal levels too low for us. As with
>
> Thanks Jodith!
>
> This is very encouraging news!
>
> My doctor was at first very receptive to the idea until my TH levels
> tested middle. If it had tested low normal, he would have given me TH.
>
> If my memory is accurate, Lowe found most of his patients low normal.
>
> Not to be a wet blanket, but are you experiencing any side effects from
> the TH?
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Bob ICQ 657746
>
> - Alexis de Tocqueville
You should look on the web for WILSON'S SYNDROME - often a side effect
of FM/CFIDS
patty
Just have to say how thrilled I am for you! That is terrific.
Wonder if that was the reason ( besides your smarts<G>) that helped you
through your biology course?
Smiles, BetsyD
Jodith wrote:
> Bob Adkins wrote:
>
> > "On Fri, 08 Jan 1999 09:24:19 -0600,Jodith <jodith...@bmc.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > >My tests were dead on normal/middle. Not a sign of thyroid
> > deficiency.
> > >Lowe's theory is not that we have too little thyroid, but that we are
> >
> > >resistant to thyroid, making our normal levels too low for us. As
> > with
> >
> > Thanks Jodith!
> >
> > This is very encouraging news!
> >
> > My doctor was at first very receptive to the idea until my TH levels
> > tested middle. If it had tested low normal, he would have given me TH.
> >
> > If my memory is accurate, Lowe found most of his patients low normal.
> >
> > Not to be a wet blanket, but are you experiencing any side effects
> > from
> > the TH?
> >
> > Many thanks,
> >
> > Bob ICQ 657746
> >
>
> --
> To contact me, take the x out of the e-mail address.
--
MZ
LovellsRB
Patty:
I would like very much your doctors info sent to me to give to my doc. I can't
figure out what your address is? Is it the 36974267...@x.netcom.com? My
e-mail is Love...@AOL.com FGL
patty
It wasn't me who has Dr. Blanchard's address, it's MDavis1493.
Go to your 'View' thing, and put it on 'All' and you will se her post with the
address.
Smiles, BetsyD
LovellsRB wrote:
--
MZ
MDavis1493
Dr. Ken Blanchard
2000 Washington Street, Suite 565
Newton Lower Falls, MA 02162
617 527-1810
Margie
Jodith
> Jodith,
> Just have to say how thrilled I am for you! That is terrific.
> Wonder if that was the reason ( besides your smarts<G>) that helped
> you
> through your biology course?
> Smiles, BetsyD
Betsy,
There is no way I could have made it through the semester, much less
made an A, if I hadn't been so much improved. This isn't the first time
I've tried to go back to school over the years, it's just the first time
I've even made it through the semester. Always before, I would end up
withdrawing after about a month or so. I was just too tired to make it
to class or keep up with the assignments.
Keep me in your prayers. I'm taking 8 hours this semester. Second
semester of freshman biology and first semester of freshman chemistry.
Jodith
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> Hi Jodith,
> My only worry about all this is bone density. Has anyone measured
> what
> this is doing to people's bone density?
> Take care
> Moira
>
Yes, they have. My doctor does a bone density study whenever someone
starts the protocol. What the endocrinologists don't tell you is that
you are in as much danger of osteoporosis from hypothyroidism as you are
from hyperthyroidism. When I started the protocol, I had the bone
density of a 60 year old woman (I was 35). Dr. Garrison told me that
most people that he's treated with the protocol have actually increased
in bone density.
He is also starting a new research study this spring looking at the long
term effects of the protocol. I would imagine that information should
be available in about a year. Once the long term safety of the protocol
is proven, doctors will probably be more willing to try the protocol.
He is also starting a study in February on the use of hyaluronic acid
levels as a marker for FMS. He'll be needing quite a few non-recovered
fibromites for the study. As soon as I get the contact information for
the study, I'll post it here in case anyone is interested in
volunteering.
Leahmy
Synthroid? My mother and cousin who both have fibro were put on Synthroid and
have not noticed any difference in how they feel. I have read that some
doctors are using Armour instead because of the added T3 in it.
Thanks,
Leah
patty
You're in my prayers! Bet you can do it!
Smiles, BetsyD
Jodith wrote:
> Jodith
> --
> To contact me, take the x out of the e-mail address.
--
MZ
