Quite the other way around.

I clearly need my blog back… I always ramble on yours.

Here’s my point, perhaps, we should look into the difference between both countries. Do those countries have the same environmental toxins we have? For example, do they use as much clear, hard plastic as we do? phenylethene (I think that’s the chemical) found in plastic is known to cause hormone problems. Could our environment be the cause for some American women to have a low supply and therefore a hard time breastfeeding?

I’m rambling now, but it’s something to think about.

I learned in anthropology never to compare two cultures, stating that another country does one thing so why can’t we is a week argument. It’s impossible to compare two entirely different cultures.

Sorry, I’m worked up. I just read something and probably should have left this comment on the Web site I read it on. ;]

Um… what happened to your other cats? I only see Murray anymore!

I had to wean my son after a strict elimination diet didn’t fix his gastrointestinal bleeding. It was very hard, and you have my sympathy.

Not really. But Pookum threatened me with a lawsuit, so no more pictures of her.

And Tucker was here last Friday. (I think it was then. Sometime recently.)

What was your TSH level? Did they prescribe atenolol for you?

Everyone has to decide for themself what is best, and I’ll explain here why I opted for surgery rather than swallowing a pill. I had toxic nodules on the left side only. Doctors don’t know for sure if the high doses of radioactive iodine therapy can have an effect on fertility. The iodine exits the body through urine, and your bladder is, (of course) right next to your reproductive organs.

I had a ruptured ovarian cyst when I was only 13, (had surgery for it) and have had a few more rupture over the years, (one last week, actually) but thankfully never big enough to require another surgery. I figured that I was already having issues with my reproductive organs, and I did not want to take even the smallest chance that something could make me infertile. Also, some people have to do the radioactive iodine several times before it works. I just couldn;t bring myself to do it.

So I chose to have surgery and have half of my thyroid removed. I know some people may think that’s extreme to have surgery instead of swallowing a pill, but it was the right decision for me. And no one ever even sees my scar unless I point it out.

I also didn’t like the thought of needing to take a pill EVERYDAY for the rest of my life. I hate pills. But since my post-partum depression kicked in and I have taken zoloft and valium everyday, I have gotten used to taking pills.

I am having a hard time admitting this, but it is time that I stop pumping and supplying breastmilk for Adeline. She refuses to nurse anymore, because the bottle is easier for her, and when I pump, I can barely get anything. And whenever I take a valium, I have to dump everything I pump for 8 hours after that. I tried a bait and switch the other day: had the bottle in her mouth, took it out, and quickly put her to my breast. She suckled for about 4 seconds before realizing what happened and she started crying. I then started crying because I know that’s the last time she will ever breastfeed.

As far as taking a pill every day, I feel your pain. I am not into taking pills either, I would probably be one of those people to opt for surgery as well. We’ll see. I am not a fan of pills. Won’t even take birth control. But we’ll see what happens in time.

Yes, you are right, they did prescribe atenolol. But I’m only on it for 30 days until they figure out if I have postpartum thyroiditis or something permanent.

The low level of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) means that there is already plenty of T-3 and T-4 in your body that that the thyroid requires very little stimulation, hence the low TSH translates to hyper as opposed to hypothyroid. It’s a feedback mechanism.

Good luck!