Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Roger James Dutton on August 20, 2011 at 2:02pm

Hi Carolyn,

I too have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnoea and supplied with a 'Darth Vader' type mask. I try to stay in touch with the light side of life, but have struggled with depression because I have always performed at 60% of what family and employers have quite reasonably expected, without knowing why. The black dog of depression, as Winston Churchill, I think called it visits regularly and is a most unwelcome guest. The jargon calls it emotional lability, getting weepy or angry very disproportionally to what is wrong. You only see it is disproportionate after the depression has eaten your joy for life. Anger at having had a stroke, possibly partly because of undiagnosed apnea lifelong does not help, time does and excercise if you can take any, god knows I am unable to excercise when depressed. You are not alone, please work through the depression in your own way and ask for help if it gets too bad and you are able to bring yourself to do so.

Love and Light, Roger D 64 Shropshire

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jay Polatnick on August 20, 2011 at 2:34pm

Roger,

 

         Consider L-Tryptophan and www.alpha-stim.com

http://www.overcoming-depression.com/tryptophan.html

 

Jay

 

Roger James Dutton said:

Hi Carolyn,

I too have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnoea and supplied with a 'Darth Vader' type mask. I try to stay in touch with the light side of life, but have struggled with depression because I have always performed at 60% of what family and employers have quite reasonably expected, without knowing why. The black dog of depression, as Winston Churchill, I think called it visits regularly and is a most unwelcome guest. The jargon calls it emotional lability, getting weepy or angry very disproportionally to what is wrong. You only see it is disproportionate after the depression has eaten your joy for life. Anger at having had a stroke, possibly partly because of undiagnosed apnea lifelong does not help, time does and excercise if you can take any, god knows I am unable to excercise when depressed. You are not alone, please work through the depression in your own way and ask for help if it gets too bad and you are able to bring yourself to do so.

Love and Light, Roger D 64 Shropshire

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roger James Dutton on August 21, 2011 at 2:38am

One does not 'recover' from depression one manages it. Been there done that and the 'T Shirt' includes my traditional medditeranean diet, which provides all the tryptophan/Serotonin/ I need thanks, and excercise lifts me, must be the Beta-Endorphins.

 

Lifestyle includes lots of miles walked and lots of smiles, whatever you can do and whatever rocks your boat - and keps it afloat

Love and Light. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by RL on August 21, 2011 at 1:47pm

Newly diagnosed with major depression - moderate, I was amused to see this thread topic.  I think it is a component that may be a factor for many with SA.  Though I am still learning what depression is, and what it is for me, I can't say that my complex sleep apnea diagnosis triggered depression.  I can see how the sleep deprivation has probably contributed to depression.  My current concerns, after 19 months of 100% compliant CPAP use, continue to be fatigue, brain fog, short term memory loss, joint pain, all of which have been discouraging.  Whether these symptoms resolve by treating depression or not, only time will tell.  

 

I have had the same thoughts about wearing this mask/machine the rest of my life, but that has not deterred me from it's use.  I'd be thrilled if CPAP was enough to make me feel better, back to "normal".  I do believe it is part of the equation, and don't want to go back to waking up gasping for breath after an apnea nightmare. As with many others, it seems I must pursue additional solutions to manage comorbidities; for me - migraine, osteo arthritis, and now, MDD.  

In searching for info, I found mention of serotonin to be a factor in not only depression, but possibly with central apnea and migraine as well.  I doubt I'll ever find a doctor who would be willing to draw a connection between these different conditions, but I'll be keeping this in mind as I work on managing them all.  If anyone has experience with this brain chemistry component, I'd be curious to hear about it.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Polatnick on August 21, 2011 at 2:32pm

Consider something called a 'Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis'.  It might give a clearer picture of your deficits.

RL said:

Newly diagnosed with major depression - moderate, I was amused to see this thread topic.  I think it is a component that may be a factor for many with SA.  Though I am still learning what depression is, and what it is for me, I can't say that my complex sleep apnea diagnosis triggered depression.  I can see how the sleep deprivation has probably contributed to depression.  My current concerns, after 19 months of 100% compliant CPAP use, continue to be fatigue, brain fog, short term memory loss, joint pain, all of which have been discouraging.  Whether these symptoms resolve by treating depression or not, only time will tell.  

 

I have had the same thoughts about wearing this mask/machine the rest of my life, but that has not deterred me from it's use.  I'd be thrilled if CPAP was enough to make me feel better, back to "normal".  I do believe it is part of the equation, and don't want to go back to waking up gasping for breath after an apnea nightmare. As with many others, it seems I must pursue additional solutions to manage comorbidities; for me - migraine, osteo arthritis, and now, MDD.  

In searching for info, I found mention of serotonin to be a factor in not only depression, but possibly with central apnea and migraine as well.  I doubt I'll ever find a doctor who would be willing to draw a connection between these different conditions, but I'll be keeping this in mind as I work on managing them all.  If anyone has experience with this brain chemistry component, I'd be curious to hear about it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jo E on August 21, 2011 at 8:28pm

Marcia,

I hope that they can find something out for you. Low temperature can be normal for some people, but since you feel ill when it does, it should be checked out. I know that my normal temp is runs between 97 and 98. When I get sick, it either goes up or it goes down. I cannot say that I have had mine go as low as yours does, but if it goes as low as 96 or up as high as 99, then I am sick. In my case the temperature is a symptom of illness, not the problem itself.

 

You might google body temperature and find conditions that can cause abnormal body temperatures. If you find some conditions that have other symptoms that are similar to yours, bring those issues to your physician's attention. Most of them aren't going to be what you have, but one of them could be a significant step in diagnosing your condition.  
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E,

I just came back from a visit with an endocrinologist. My body temp frequently drops to 94 and 95 degrees. I feel like I'm gonna die when then happens so I asked him about it. He told me my thyroid is fine and that I should ask my PCP what he thinks my problem is. I told him my PCP doesn't know and that he told me to ask him! This is scary b/c even I know that the hypothalamus regulates body temp and that's an endocrine issue. This is scary.

There aren't many other endocrinologists in my area so I don't know where else to go!  I hope my PCP can figure it out - with my prompting, apparently. Argh.

Jo E said:

Marcia,

Some time ago I began to thind that PCPs specialize in thyroids. If yours is okay, you can't possibly have anything real wrong with you.

 

They say that people with chronic conditions are more prone to depression. Is that because the chronic condition makes you more prone to have depression or is it because no one (not even the medical professionals) will acknowledge your pain or even attempt to help you deal with it that makes a person more prone to depression?     
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E, I'm like you. I was thrilled to get a SA diagnosis because I was so exhausted for years and was "tired" of being treated as though my problem was strictly anxiety and/or depression or insomnia. Both a GP and a neurologist, who was good in every way but in this area thought that.

And Ginny, you're right about developing a better mask. Why can't masks be made to order, like a set of false teeth or mouth appliances, for example??? I know there is one mask out there that has a gel insert that can be boiled to fit the face but the name of it escapes me at the moment. Oddly, I've tried every mask but that one. Does anyone know what mask I'm thinking off?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MZH on August 21, 2011 at 8:39pm

I've googled it a lot, especially when the temp went down to 93.4 on two thermometers and I thought I was dying - when I was having severe diarrhea. No doc understand what's happening -not even the endocrinologist. How can that be? Sigh. I have some ideas but they sure are esoteric.

Jo E said:

Marcia,

I hope that they can find something out for you. Low temperature can be normal for some people, but since you feel ill when it does, it should be checked out. I know that my normal temp is runs between 97 and 98. When I get sick, it either goes up or it goes down. I cannot say that I have had mine go as low as yours does, but if it goes as low as 96 or up as high as 99, then I am sick. In my case the temperature is a symptom of illness, not the problem itself.

 

You might google body temperature and find conditions that can cause abnormal body temperatures. If you find some conditions that have other symptoms that are similar to yours, bring those issues to your physician's attention. Most of them aren't going to be what you have, but one of them could be a significant step in diagnosing your condition.  
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E,

I just came back from a visit with an endocrinologist. My body temp frequently drops to 94 and 95 degrees. I feel like I'm gonna die when then happens so I asked him about it. He told me my thyroid is fine and that I should ask my PCP what he thinks my problem is. I told him my PCP doesn't know and that he told me to ask him! This is scary b/c even I know that the hypothalamus regulates body temp and that's an endocrine issue. This is scary.

There aren't many other endocrinologists in my area so I don't know where else to go!  I hope my PCP can figure it out - with my prompting, apparently. Argh.

Jo E said:

Marcia,

Some time ago I began to thind that PCPs specialize in thyroids. If yours is okay, you can't possibly have anything real wrong with you.

 

They say that people with chronic conditions are more prone to depression. Is that because the chronic condition makes you more prone to have depression or is it because no one (not even the medical professionals) will acknowledge your pain or even attempt to help you deal with it that makes a person more prone to depression?     
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E, I'm like you. I was thrilled to get a SA diagnosis because I was so exhausted for years and was "tired" of being treated as though my problem was strictly anxiety and/or depression or insomnia. Both a GP and a neurologist, who was good in every way but in this area thought that.

And Ginny, you're right about developing a better mask. Why can't masks be made to order, like a set of false teeth or mouth appliances, for example??? I know there is one mask out there that has a gel insert that can be boiled to fit the face but the name of it escapes me at the moment. Oddly, I've tried every mask but that one. Does anyone know what mask I'm thinking off?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jo E on August 21, 2011 at 9:40pm

Marcia, you cetainly do have something going on! It isn't normal at all! I hope and pray that they can find something to do for you! I'm wondering if your PCP should be sending you to Mayo Clinic or other similar facility to get a thorough work-up beginning with the basics. There HAS to be something they are missing! Have they tested you for toxicity (chronic poisoning)? I'm not referring to gastro-intestinal issues with food gone bad, but
to exposure to some unknown substance that is altering your metabolism? Toxicity can come from almost any place in the environment and you could be totally unaware of the exposure. I have a (relatively) low degree of both chromium and cobalt toxicity due to having had a total hip replacement with DePuy components. The symptoms of toxicity run the gamut in terms of severity and type. The effects can be almost unnoticeable to severe, digestive, neurological, allergic, whatever. The amount of exposure, duration of exposure, and the nature of the toxin all affect the presentation of the symptoms. Toxicity is something they might not be looking for unless someone suggests it. 
Marcia Herman said:

I've googled it a lot, especially when the temp went down to 93.4 on two thermometers and I thought I was dying - when I was having severe diarrhea. No doc understand what's happening -not even the endocrinologist. How can that be? Sigh. I have some ideas but they sure are esoteric.

Jo E said:

Marcia,

I hope that they can find something out for you. Low temperature can be normal for some people, but since you feel ill when it does, it should be checked out. I know that my normal temp is runs between 97 and 98. When I get sick, it either goes up or it goes down. I cannot say that I have had mine go as low as yours does, but if it goes as low as 96 or up as high as 99, then I am sick. In my case the temperature is a symptom of illness, not the problem itself.

 

You might google body temperature and find conditions that can cause abnormal body temperatures. If you find some conditions that have other symptoms that are similar to yours, bring those issues to your physician's attention. Most of them aren't going to be what you have, but one of them could be a significant step in diagnosing your condition.  
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E,

I just came back from a visit with an endocrinologist. My body temp frequently drops to 94 and 95 degrees. I feel like I'm gonna die when then happens so I asked him about it. He told me my thyroid is fine and that I should ask my PCP what he thinks my problem is. I told him my PCP doesn't know and that he told me to ask him! This is scary b/c even I know that the hypothalamus regulates body temp and that's an endocrine issue. This is scary.

There aren't many other endocrinologists in my area so I don't know where else to go!  I hope my PCP can figure it out - with my prompting, apparently. Argh.

Jo E said:

Marcia,

Some time ago I began to thind that PCPs specialize in thyroids. If yours is okay, you can't possibly have anything real wrong with you.

 

They say that people with chronic conditions are more prone to depression. Is that because the chronic condition makes you more prone to have depression or is it because no one (not even the medical professionals) will acknowledge your pain or even attempt to help you deal with it that makes a person more prone to depression?     
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E, I'm like you. I was thrilled to get a SA diagnosis because I was so exhausted for years and was "tired" of being treated as though my problem was strictly anxiety and/or depression or insomnia. Both a GP and a neurologist, who was good in every way but in this area thought that.

And Ginny, you're right about developing a better mask. Why can't masks be made to order, like a set of false teeth or mouth appliances, for example??? I know there is one mask out there that has a gel insert that can be boiled to fit the face but the name of it escapes me at the moment. Oddly, I've tried every mask but that one. Does anyone know what mask I'm thinking off?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MZH on August 21, 2011 at 10:01pm

Oh, I never thought of toxicity. I haven't anything added except for lots of fillings, crowns, and a couple of implants. (Hmmm to that one!)  All the old silver ones are gone b/c I have had tons of dental work. Thanks for pointing me in a different direction from  a hypothalamus/adrenal problem!

Jo E said:

Marcia, you cetainly do have something going on! It isn't normal at all! I hope and pray that they can find something to do for you! I'm wondering if your PCP should be sending you to Mayo Clinic or other similar facility to get a thorough work-up beginning with the basics. There HAS to be something they are missing! Have they tested you for toxicity (chronic poisoning)? I'm not referring to gastro-intestinal issues with food gone bad, but
to exposure to some unknown substance that is altering your metabolism? Toxicity can come from almost any place in the environment and you could be totally unaware of the exposure. I have a (relatively) low degree of both chromium and cobalt toxicity due to having had a total hip replacement with DePuy components. The symptoms of toxicity run the gamut in terms of severity and type. The effects can be almost unnoticeable to severe, digestive, neurological, allergic, whatever. The amount of exposure, duration of exposure, and the nature of the toxin all affect the presentation of the symptoms. Toxicity is something they might not be looking for unless someone suggests it. 
Marcia Herman said:

I've googled it a lot, especially when the temp went down to 93.4 on two thermometers and I thought I was dying - when I was having severe diarrhea. No doc understand what's happening -not even the endocrinologist. How can that be? Sigh. I have some ideas but they sure are esoteric.

Jo E said:

Marcia,

I hope that they can find something out for you. Low temperature can be normal for some people, but since you feel ill when it does, it should be checked out. I know that my normal temp is runs between 97 and 98. When I get sick, it either goes up or it goes down. I cannot say that I have had mine go as low as yours does, but if it goes as low as 96 or up as high as 99, then I am sick. In my case the temperature is a symptom of illness, not the problem itself.

 

You might google body temperature and find conditions that can cause abnormal body temperatures. If you find some conditions that have other symptoms that are similar to yours, bring those issues to your physician's attention. Most of them aren't going to be what you have, but one of them could be a significant step in diagnosing your condition.  
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E,

I just came back from a visit with an endocrinologist. My body temp frequently drops to 94 and 95 degrees. I feel like I'm gonna die when then happens so I asked him about it. He told me my thyroid is fine and that I should ask my PCP what he thinks my problem is. I told him my PCP doesn't know and that he told me to ask him! This is scary b/c even I know that the hypothalamus regulates body temp and that's an endocrine issue. This is scary.

There aren't many other endocrinologists in my area so I don't know where else to go!  I hope my PCP can figure it out - with my prompting, apparently. Argh.

Jo E said:

Marcia,

Some time ago I began to thind that PCPs specialize in thyroids. If yours is okay, you can't possibly have anything real wrong with you.

 

They say that people with chronic conditions are more prone to depression. Is that because the chronic condition makes you more prone to have depression or is it because no one (not even the medical professionals) will acknowledge your pain or even attempt to help you deal with it that makes a person more prone to depression?     
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E, I'm like you. I was thrilled to get a SA diagnosis because I was so exhausted for years and was "tired" of being treated as though my problem was strictly anxiety and/or depression or insomnia. Both a GP and a neurologist, who was good in every way but in this area thought that.

And Ginny, you're right about developing a better mask. Why can't masks be made to order, like a set of false teeth or mouth appliances, for example??? I know there is one mask out there that has a gel insert that can be boiled to fit the face but the name of it escapes me at the moment. Oddly, I've tried every mask but that one. Does anyone know what mask I'm thinking off?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jay Polatnick on August 21, 2011 at 10:05pm

Heavy metal toxicity is often at the root of many chronic cellular issues.   It's often undetected, but ordinary blood tests don't look for it.   Possibly, consider a 'Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis'.  This is different than your typical physician ordered blood test.

Marcia Herman said:

I've googled it a lot, especially when the temp went down to 93.4 on two thermometers and I thought I was dying - when I was having severe diarrhea. No doc understand what's happening -not even the endocrinologist. How can that be? Sigh. I have some ideas but they sure are esoteric.

Jo E said:

Marcia,

I hope that they can find something out for you. Low temperature can be normal for some people, but since you feel ill when it does, it should be checked out. I know that my normal temp is runs between 97 and 98. When I get sick, it either goes up or it goes down. I cannot say that I have had mine go as low as yours does, but if it goes as low as 96 or up as high as 99, then I am sick. In my case the temperature is a symptom of illness, not the problem itself.

 

You might google body temperature and find conditions that can cause abnormal body temperatures. If you find some conditions that have other symptoms that are similar to yours, bring those issues to your physician's attention. Most of them aren't going to be what you have, but one of them could be a significant step in diagnosing your condition.  
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E,

I just came back from a visit with an endocrinologist. My body temp frequently drops to 94 and 95 degrees. I feel like I'm gonna die when then happens so I asked him about it. He told me my thyroid is fine and that I should ask my PCP what he thinks my problem is. I told him my PCP doesn't know and that he told me to ask him! This is scary b/c even I know that the hypothalamus regulates body temp and that's an endocrine issue. This is scary.

There aren't many other endocrinologists in my area so I don't know where else to go!  I hope my PCP can figure it out - with my prompting, apparently. Argh.

Jo E said:

Marcia,

Some time ago I began to thind that PCPs specialize in thyroids. If yours is okay, you can't possibly have anything real wrong with you.

 

They say that people with chronic conditions are more prone to depression. Is that because the chronic condition makes you more prone to have depression or is it because no one (not even the medical professionals) will acknowledge your pain or even attempt to help you deal with it that makes a person more prone to depression?     
Marcia Herman said:

Jo E, I'm like you. I was thrilled to get a SA diagnosis because I was so exhausted for years and was "tired" of being treated as though my problem was strictly anxiety and/or depression or insomnia. Both a GP and a neurologist, who was good in every way but in this area thought that.

And Ginny, you're right about developing a better mask. Why can't masks be made to order, like a set of false teeth or mouth appliances, for example??? I know there is one mask out there that has a gel insert that can be boiled to fit the face but the name of it escapes me at the moment. Oddly, I've tried every mask but that one. Does anyone know what mask I'm thinking off?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jo E on August 21, 2011 at 11:08pm

Jay,

(1) I am not Joe. I am Jo. My last initial is E.

(2) I did not think you went around intentionally posting links containing viruses. However, I did not include that link in my reply since my anti-virus, anti-spyware program gave me a red blocked message (known to contain malware), not just a yellow-orange blocked message (suspected of having malware).

(3) My ENT IS excellent and experienced. Over the years, many dentists have told me that I have TMJ disorder, but did not suggest that I have surgery for it since I did not complain of any pain associated with the TMJ. (Good thing that they didn't - it turns out that TMJ surgery does not work for everyone and there are some people who are worse off after surgery than before!)  When I saw my ENT the first time, he also diagnosed me with TMJ disorder. He did not recommend TMJ surgery since I didn't have pain. (And they had discovered the problems with the surgery by this time.) Because of the TMJ issue, he told me never to use any dental appliance for my OSA since that would cause my problem to become much worse and certainly to cause the pain heretofore not felt.The Mallampati issues were obvious when the ENT looked at my throat (and couldn't see it!). He knew that I was an excellent candidate for UPPP from the first. Then he took the scope and saw that I had a seriously deviated septum and knew it had to be taken care of before considering the UPPP. He ordered a scan with CT equipment specially adjusted for looking at everything an ENT would be interested in. He would not consider scheduling any surgery until after the CT scan had been done and he had thoroughly evaluated the results. He found that I had a whole host of congenital abnormalities in my sinuses and nose. He said that those issues HAD to be corrected. He would have been content to have corrected those issues and have me stay on CPAP. He would NOT do the UPPP unless I had the other surgeries first. I had the other surgeries and thought that my CPAP was finally working for me. Then I had the UPPP. Once I recovered enough from the UPPP to start using my CPAP, I discovered that I had been wrong. CPAP finally started working for me after the UPPP. I remained on CPAP until I finally had the other surgery my ENT strongly recommended for me. I really didn't want to have it, but I finally garnered up the courage and had it done. WOW! I could not believe the difference it made for me! There were two other surgeries that my ENT could have done for me if those surgeries were not sufficient. However, he strongly recommended that I NOT have them. He would rather have me stay on PAP rather than have them due to the high level of risk involved. He had one patient in the hospital (an expected lengthy stay) who had undergone those surgeries. The hope was that with this maximum surgery, that patient would finally be able to use PAP therapy.

 

What I have always emphasized is that each person is an unique individual and should be evaluated as such. The treatment that is best for one person is not best for every person. Each person should use treatment plan is best for them.

(A) Positional therapy (generally sleeping on one's side) is cheap, non-invasive, and generally harmless. It is all that some people need. Others will not benefit from it.

(B) Weight loss is good for an overweight person and may treat OSA if excess weight is the cause. It is harmless if done safely. However, if weight is not the cause, it will be of no use. Weight loss by an overweight individual generally is harmful only if undertaken in an unhealthy manner.

(C) PAP therapy is generally safe for everyone. For some people this is the best solution. It may be the only possible solution for some. However, it is not tolerated by everyone. It can be costly. In some cases there are other issues that need to be addressed. These issues should be addressed regardless of CPAP treatment.

(D) Dental appliances can be helpful to some. However, they can be harmful to others. A qualified, experienced professional who is NOT in the business of selling the appliances should evaluate the individual to see if they are a good candidate for them. A conflict of interest can arise when the person who tells you that you need something is the same person who is going to sell it. (This also goes for a physician telling you that you need the surgery he wants to do on you - always get a second opinion if you are ever in doubt!) Appliance cost $$$ and could be helpful, or of no benefit, or harmful. 
(E) Surgery. It depends upon the specific cause of the OSA whether an given individual is even a candidate for it. There are many different surgeries that can help given that there are many different causes of OSA. A person needs a thorough evaluation to determine if he is a candidate for any given surgery. If he is a candidate, he needs to be told if he is a candidate, a good candidate, or an excellent candidate. I was an excellent candidate. My ENT had no qualms about telling me that I should have good results. However, he told me he could not guarantee the results, and that there were risks involved. He was very open and honest about that. Even after I had the deviated septum fixed and all of the sinus issues dealt with, I still needed CPAP. After I have the UPPP, the CPAP finally worked for me. THe UPPP was NOT a failure. Even if I had to keep on using CPAP for the rest of my life, the UPPP was successful since the CPAP finally worked. The final surgery got me off of PAP treatment. I needed all of the surgeries to get where I needed to be I am glad that I went through them all. I would do them all over again if I needed to.

However: Surgery has significant risks. It is costly. It does not always work. Some people are worse off afterwards. There is pain associated with it. If surgery is under consideration, careful thought must be given before going under the knife.

I have always spoken in favor of looking at all possible options and deciding upon which is the best one for you. Some people need to combine treatments for optimal results.

Jay Polatnick said:

Hi Joe,

 

     Your ENT must be the smartest ENT on the planet, so I wouldn't even consider questioning his/her infallable authority.    And yes, sending out Viruses is my hobby since I've been working with the Department of Defense and as a military veteran.  Remember, if a doctor can't drug it or cut it then it's usually not a valid therapy.

     That being said, I'm happy you've received some sort of relief.

 

Jay

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jo E on August 21, 2011 at 11:25pm

Marcia,

My toxicity comes from inside (the implant), but that is only one possible source of any particular toxicity. Food can be contaminated by pesticides and/or herbicides. Chemicals in the environment can cause it - natural or man-made. There could be something in your environment that most people react to only if it is in high quantities, but some individuals can have severe reactions if the contamination is relatively small.

And notice that Jay actually agreed with me that toxicity is a potential cause. We don't agree on much. The fact that we both agree on this could be significant!

Marcia Herman said:

Oh, I never thought of toxicity. I haven't anything added except for lots of fillings, crowns, and a couple of implants. (Hmmm to that one!)  All the old silver ones are gone b/c I have had tons of dental work. Thanks for pointing me in a different direction from  a hypothalamus/adrenal problem!

Jo E said:

Marcia, you cetainly do have something going on! It isn't normal at all! I hope and pray that they can find something to do for you! I'm wondering if your PCP should be sending you to Mayo Clinic or other similar facility to get a thorough work-up beginning with the basics. There HAS to be something they are missing! Have they tested you for toxicity (chronic poisoning)? I'm not referring to gastro-intestinal issues with food gone bad, but
to exposure to some unknown substance that is altering your metabolism? Toxicity can come from almost any place in the environment and you could be totally unaware of the exposure. I have a (relatively) low degree of both chromium and cobalt toxicity due to having had a total hip replacement with DePuy components. The symptoms of toxicity run the gamut in terms of severity and type. The effects can be almost unnoticeable to severe, digestive, neurological, allergic, whatever. The amount of exposure, duration of exposure, and the nature of the toxin all affect the presentation of the symptoms. Toxicity is something they might not be looking for unless someone suggests it. 

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