16-02-2015, 11:43 PM
I've been on BN a little over 2 years now, and on PM for most of that time as well. While there is no doubt PM has given me significant relief for GD that I have experienced most of my life, some recent health issues are popping up that make me wonder if I may have made a very bad mistake.
I reported on the muscle fasciculations I was experiencing in an earlier thread. After consulting with my PCP and my neurosurgeon, I am now convinced that the fasciculations are being caused by a malfunctioning thyroid. While they aren't dangerous (just very annoying) I'm afraid that the nerve damage may be more or less permanent.
Today, however, on a routine visit to my optometrist I learned that I have the onset of macular degeneration. What concerned the doctor is how quickly it came on -- I showed no evidence of the disease whatsoever during my last exam about 2-1/2 years ago. There is recent research that links MD to the suppression of sex hormone production (in particular of testosterone in males). I have already initiated the process to get into an endocrinologist ASAP. The most painful part is waiting for the referral process. It will be several weeks before I will have any real answers.
I guess my primary point is that self-medicating is a horrible idea. PM acts like an estrogen, and when a genetic male takes it he is without question going to disrupt normal hormonal balance. If we on this forum think that we aren't playing with matches by taking PM we are seriously deluding ourselves.
I am still deciding what course of action to take regarding the PM. I kind of think I should continue taking it until the endo can run tests but I am afraid of further (and possibly irreversible) damage.
Misty
I reported on the muscle fasciculations I was experiencing in an earlier thread. After consulting with my PCP and my neurosurgeon, I am now convinced that the fasciculations are being caused by a malfunctioning thyroid. While they aren't dangerous (just very annoying) I'm afraid that the nerve damage may be more or less permanent.
Today, however, on a routine visit to my optometrist I learned that I have the onset of macular degeneration. What concerned the doctor is how quickly it came on -- I showed no evidence of the disease whatsoever during my last exam about 2-1/2 years ago. There is recent research that links MD to the suppression of sex hormone production (in particular of testosterone in males). I have already initiated the process to get into an endocrinologist ASAP. The most painful part is waiting for the referral process. It will be several weeks before I will have any real answers.
I guess my primary point is that self-medicating is a horrible idea. PM acts like an estrogen, and when a genetic male takes it he is without question going to disrupt normal hormonal balance. If we on this forum think that we aren't playing with matches by taking PM we are seriously deluding ourselves.
I am still deciding what course of action to take regarding the PM. I kind of think I should continue taking it until the endo can run tests but I am afraid of further (and possibly irreversible) damage.
Misty