~~~~~~POLL ~~~~~~~~ YES or NO

[stella5349]

Would you like to see a doctor ( Thyroid Endocronologist) arrange a day and time to come visit on our MH thyroid community?

I can't release more information than that right now - but if your in favor of seeing some "live" Q & A with a known thyroid doctor - we have an endocronologist that's got his eye on us :)

HINT -  ??

Naaaaa -- that would give it away :)

[stella5349]

Morning

You seem strongly concerned of both understanding how the chat works and making sure members are getting assitance from this chat.

Let's get together on how you can be of assistance on this event! I am sure with the concerns you are displaying you would be of great value on this post coming up.

Connect with me on a PM - I'd love to get you involved.

[ChitChatNine]

As mentioned earlier, some of the expert communities' physcians are fee based which is something you can further discuss with MedHelp directly if you or anybody has any questions relating to why some Expert Forums have  a fee to participate on an expert forum while others do not.  Your post really isn't relavent to the topic discussion as it relates to our Guest LIVE WebChat.  

Dr. Lupo's forum is free and the LIVE WebChat is free on this community.

I also want to reassure you and our community that the questions submitted will be reviewed by MedHelp and Dr. Lupo with a cross-section of questions helping as many members as possible posted during this event.  MedHelp has done other events similiar to this (Oct '08 with Dr. Nicolson on Fibro/CFS) and this format has proven to be the most successful as we follow the parameters MedHelp has set for us to conduct this WebChat with Dr. Lupo.

Please PM me with any other concerns - always glad to be of assistance,

C~

[Thypatient]

Hmm.  What I was saying is based on posts similar to this:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/436344

But okay.

I do hope Dr. Lupo is not going to get taken to task, as I’ve seen happen on his own forum.  Also, I hope all who do want to participate get to; and that questions coming from those who are truly struggling receive priority - over questions speculating about what drs do/don’t do and unsafe treatments.

[peggy64]

Hate to sound so pessimistic here, as I have been very disappointed by all endos I have seen thus far, and am gun shy at seeing any more, this might be a good thing, if we could find one that thinks outside the box.  The problem I have found as I am sure many others have as well, the drs have a predetermined mindset of what the symptoms are, the labs should be, etc.

Does an endo exist that would treat me, as an individual, based on my symptoms, how I feel. If we could find one, that does that, that would be better than great.

I did think Dr. Park did a great job the other evening. Did not get to participate, but did so enjoy reading everyone elses post, and learned from it.

Thanks Stella, for looking into this and getting the ball rolling.

[ChitChatNine]

ChitChatNine ... is speechless { or is she ? }

[stella5349]

You're just ich'n to spill the beans here - C

aren't you??

[ChitChatNine]

As I understand, the Thyroid Expert Community is not fee-based.  It is structured for a # of daily questions and then the limit is set for the day. Dr. Lupo volunteers his time from his extremely busy practice helping thousands of people all over the world!

Having our expert physicians volunteer their time to come to the patient to patient communities at MedHelp is not only something new to our communities, but shows the  dedication to helping so many who suffer with thyroid conditions like us on our community.  This volunteered, expertise is something to be wholeheartedly commended.

More details to follow soon on exact date and time and announcing who our Guest Dr. will be!

C~

[stella5349]

On the questions - Me967 asked I don't know how she meant it. - Not sure - sorry

Let me go back on something before I address your concern

I'll be back.

[Thypatient]

I’m confused (?).

Is the dr invited to come Dr. Lupo from the “Ask a Doctor” thyroid forum?  If so, doesn’t that usurp the idea of paying money to get a question answered over on that side?  Doesn’t the money generated from over there help pay (along with banner ads) for this whole website?  Isn’t that how things work on a free website?  Even if it’s a different dr, wouldn’t that still deplete the till a bit?  (Would anyone want to pay there when they could come here and get the same thing for free?)

I’m just concerned since one of my other interests had a website that turned into requiring an annual fee - they didn’t make enough from ads and had no paying side.

~

Also, honestly, I don’t know what this means but I’m uncomfortable reading it:

“I would truly hope and pray that AR and some of the older well educated members with thyroid issues would join us too.”

1.  Why wouldn’t he?
2.  Who’s “us?”

[stella5349]

First Bet -

There are other members here who have really good doctors in your area. Maybe try and post something to see if you get PM's on someone to go to? References are great in situations like you are having.

I'd like to break down questions with the endo that will chat with us. That was a great suggestion Me967.

I found in the chat with Dr. Park Thursday, that it was difficult to follow the questions and some were lost - until Dr. Park went through the WHOLE thread and answered everyone in one post. He was so kind to continue the thread even when we all left. :) If you missed his latest responses - see the Live Chat post on the board.

BTW - he has shown interest in sticking around here on thyroid. We may see more visits from him in the future. I am in contact with him - working on ways to improve the threads. For now - continue posting on the "Chat" thread and I will watch it. I think someone addressed this above (that having someone here occassionally would be nice). That MAY happen with him.

Now for the endo visit - these chats are not typical social threads like some assumed. I am trying to design a way that we can (subject) questions. A thread should be stickied soon doing just that. The "subjects"  listed will be -

a. HypOthyroid questions
b. HypERthyroid questions
c. Cancer and Surgery
d. autoimmune conditions or parathyroid disease
e. Other

Each subject should fit a question asked. These questions can be about labs - symptoms - hormones - surgery and scans for example. The "other" section can be about research questions or someone who just doesn't know if they fit into one of the subjects above.

Please "watch" THIS post for upcoming information on the chat. I believe I am 95% there confirming the chat with MedHelp. I have to say the people at MedHelp are wonderful trying to assist your requests to get this going. I have also been in contact with them on moving forward.

Keep in mind - when the post for "questions" goes up - Carefully ask these questions.

This is STILL an internet forum and not like talking with your doctor about a treatment plan. This chat is only designed to offer you suggestions to take to your OWN physician. Under no circumstances - will these chats become a "debate" over treatment plans and medications. The endo considering the chat will determine how he conducts his suggestions and will post accordingly.

If you have further questions regarding this so far - please feel free to post here - or PM me directly.

Is this exciting or what?

[bet643]

I am so ready for this to happen.  However, I would be happy even if the doc happened to be Dr. Lupo. I'm not too picky at this point. Been having difficulty for almost 4 years. so if anything, I have learned not to expect too much at any time soon. With 3 Endo's down, and a new one that has already cancelled on me, I guess you can say that something is better than nothing. I'm almost tempted to catch a plane and fly out to Florida for an Endo appointment. Florida sounds real nice right around now. Temps in Ohio are -12 degress.........burr.......

[Me967]

Thanks and I will pass that along.  Usually I just tell people that there is a lot of people on here that understand and that they would be welcomed.  From there it's up to them.  

I would truly hope and pray that AR and some of the older well educated members with thyroid issues would join us too.  I miss them sometimes.  Even though the people come and go on this site it is a really good one.   Some may be rude at times, but it is open to everyone....all in all...it is very a good site I feel.  Thank you all.

[blksapphire]

It would be nice to have someone answer our questions in an honest way and listen to what we have to say.  so yes, i;m would love it

[KD9ER]

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!   I am ALL for this.  :)

[amela321]

Yes, yes, yes and yes again!

[laura1967]

Sounds good Stella! Keep up the good work!
I agree that grouping some questions before hand so he can look at them and prepare is the way to go. I know there are a lot of people here with questions about Graves and Hashimoto's.....trying to find out how to antibodies into remission....alternatives to RAI for Graves patients.....etc.

[ChitChatNine]

If you know of any who want to become a member, let me know ... they could even get their own special icon symbol!

C967

[Cynnieb4]

yes I would to. I have so many unasnwered questions:)

[Me967]

Just thinking it would be nice if we could get a Doctor to answer on here whenever they wanted just like on the undiagnosed symptoms forum.  ;~)

[Me967]

Yes.  I think that would be great!  
I also think that having the questions prior might be a good idea.  Maybe stella could even give a heads up on the questions to the Doctor.  I have 3 but the first one I would really like to know.  

1.)  I would like to know the relationship between thyroid issues and heart issues?          (Example, angina, PVC's and PAC's, cholesterol increases and hsCRP)

2.)  The relationship between thyroid and FMS and CFS symptoms?  (PlateletGal could probably word it much better than I.)

3.)  Why most Doctors will not run a T3 or FT3 along with the TSH, T4 and FT4?

[Barb135]

Having to work everyday, I'm not sure I could "be there", but can think of a lot questions that would be asked and so long as I can read the thread later - I think it would be awesome.  

Stella - you go girl!!!!  

[ChitChatNine]

I was going to suggest that.  Perhaps, if we gather the ?'s ahead of time ... Stella can  post them while the Dr. is "live" and he can answer them. This way we have a "pool" of questions ahead of time to draw from depending on the time constraints of our guest.... If time allows, add'l ?'s can be also be added live. This way it ensures continuity.  And, of course, live, we can add our comments, thoughts, etc. to the answers, etc., etc.

Those are my thoughts.

[stella5349]

Good point - I like your thoughts.

Can you and I put our heads together on how we could get that started?

It makes a ton of sense.

[rachestar]

YES!!!!!!