Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.

For a patient with thyroid disease,

What happens if you are given 84 (20) mg. tablets of prednisone for an allergic reaction and it has caused excruitiating and chronic illnesses to the point of not being able to care for oneself? What are the ending results being that it also caused Lymphedema?

Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)

no

If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:

What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.)

age 49,female,graves disease treated in 1997 with radioactive iodine,already tried compression stockings and manual drainage therapy,now referred for pneumatic pump therapy or surgery.th

Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)

thyroid disease,females, and severity to be bedridden

Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.)

I wanna know how i can get back the ability to cook,drive,and care for my children and home. Just the basic everyday things to be able to be active at home.

Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.

Im afraid i may die from all that im going through before i find the right treatment. I've been going through the side effects of this high dose prednisone since april 2008 and its getting worse and i have new illness diagnosis every few months. It has ravaged my body,i have lost muscle mass,movement ability,vision problems,some thinking ability such as reacting and remembering,excessive hair growth in places i never had and the hair is very coarse,severe edema,etc. I just need HELP fast!!!!!

Appropriateness for EHC Program

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

no

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

• Functional limitations and disability

AHRQ Priority Populations

• Low income groups
• Women

Federal Health Care Program

• Medicare

Importance

Describe why this topic is important.

I've been shifted from doctor to doctor and im afraid i may die before they find the right diagnosis or treatment for me,

What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.)

I need help solving thr dilema of what has happened to my body and whats in store for me in the future if i have one.

Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.)

yes

If yes, please explain:

No physician can give me a correct and helpful treatment.

Potential Impact

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?

It may help save my life and alert other unsuspecting patients of the severity that a high dose of this medicine can do to their lives.

Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.

Ans soon as its available. Im getting worse daily and this has been going on since 04/2008.

Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

Nominator Information

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)

It may help save my life and alert other unsuspecting patients of the severity that a high dose of this medicine can do to their lives.

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?

Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program