posted April 10, 2006 03:53 AM         

I am going to be quitting smoking at the end of May (when I can take time off from work). I have smoked for about 12 years now. In the last 8 months, I started losing sensation in my feet, getting Reynaud type symptoms and began having some circulation problems. As soon as I read what you wrote and before you mentioned that you smoke, I immediately thought "I'll bet she's a smoker!" (Which I am sure you are not happy to hear me say - lol - distraction! distraction!)

I have had additional symptoms (like losing half my hair - ugh) and I am pretty sure I have an endocrine problem. So what Trillian said about the thyroid could have some merit I think. The swallowing could definitely be realated to that. Have you noticed a significant weight loss or gain that cannot be attributed obviously to anything else? It could also, but less likely, be adrenal which is what governs your fight or flight response and tends to be activated/aggravated by stress. Either way it could be hormonal...

If you are thinking about getting tested, I suggest you don't just go to your regular GP since most of the tests that they do will often not register a thyroid/endocrine problem. You would need to ask for a referral to an endocrinologist if you think it is indeed hormonal. They do much more testing and it is more accurate. I mention this b/c it may save you alot of time and running around. Some people I have heard of have gone for up to 10-15 years of being tested for thyroid and they were not diagnosed in all that time, even though they eventually discovered that they did indeed have a thyroid problem.

If you do find you have an endocrine imbalance, you could look into supplements first before trying the drugs that doctors give you. There are thyroid and adrenal supplements that can regulate the issue rather than being locked and loaded for years on pharmaceuticals like some of my family members.

I am currently waiting to get my tests back. Once I find out what the heck my problem is, I plan on getting the proper supplements.

I also have a friend who has Raynaud's and she seemed to cure her problem for a while, but she had just gotten married, was having a lot of s**, and after the first year of marriage the Raynaud's came back. So I wonder if Raynaud's is not somehow related to hormones...?

Anyhow, that's what I know about it. It's frustrating when you don't know what is wrong and there are so many possibilities.

I will send you some of the will power I am currently trying to raise to quit smoking. Ugh - it's hard.

Love

P.S. I did quit smoking last year for 10 months BTW and I also did a fast and a cleanse. My hair began to grow back, my body went into balance and it was the best I have ever felt since I was a kid. Perhaps a little motivation for both of us...?

posted April 11, 2006 12:33 AM         

Yes, all you say is happening.

Yes, I need to quit smoking. I have never been able to sustain it more than a few weeks... but yes, I felt better... physically... but emotionally.. let's just say it is a panacea and I need better, adult-like coping skills when life gets rough.
I mean, if a behaviour has comforted you since before you developed your personality.. good or bad, it serves it's purpose in that way. But I maintain that although I smoke and am highly addicted, I am not 'a smoker'.... well, yes I am.... but you know..... I don't consider myself typical.. although as you have mentioned, it is catching up to me.

I have been looking into herbal/supplemental alternatives....

I do not have a regular GP right now, and am currently waiting to see someone via an appointment and interview.
I bumped this because I went to the hospital the other day with circulation problems, where I was definately said to have Raynaud's and they took some blood to test for rheumatoid arthritis, which is a very real possibility.
*did I mention that I am an artist?*

Very often, Raynaud's is a secondary symptom of an autoimmune disorder of some type, but as you said.. the testing is needed.
My blood test results will hopefully be sent to my Doctor once I have one. ( don't get me started about the state of Ontario's health care right now) *blows hair out of face in frustration*
Doctors leave or are forced out, and they leave no one to take their place. This has happened to me off and on since the mid nineties. No sympathy, no patience/patients.

So anyway.. thanks for the info.. here's to two smokers butting out.

posted April 11, 2006 02:55 AM         

From one Kitchener gal to another, one of the techniques I am trying is going to be this herbal patch thingy.
http://www.ultraherbal.com/product_info.php?
cPath=57_64&products_id=211

I will try it out and let you know if it helps at all - at least it is holistic!

posted April 11, 2006 05:00 PM         

Click Here

posted April 12, 2006 12:11 AM         

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Sincerely,
divinia