I have had the x2 walking vest for a few weeks now. As the weather has warmed up here, I walked outside with it on today-with no jacket over it. I felt pretty odd. The reason is that the vest gives sort of a police look-like some sort of flak (sp?) jacket. It is made of very sturdy material-that is why I decided on this particular vest. But, I had not anticipated "the look".It is black, nylon bulky/stiff material with a shine to the fabric. Part of my walk was on a college campus and I thought security might want to know just what I was wearing! Though no one stopped or questioned me. I am going to try to find a large light fabric shirt to go over it.This is not good because the vest material is not breathable.
In certain settings it seems to me that the look of the vest could prompt security concerns.
I am wondering whether those who have the DR walkvest-feel that the look is natural and whether you are comfortable in public with it on?
I think I may have chosen the wrong one-oh well.
I am glad though to have the vest and have been using it pretty regularly indoors on the treadmill-except for a recent period when my AI system went berserk and my lymph gland created a big stir. The endo increased my synthroid (thyroid med) and wanted me to be on xanax on a regular basis to calm AI system. But, even on lowest dose, I could not do my exercise routine for the osteoporosis. So the pcp said use just as needed. So now that this has been worked out I am back with my routine and hope to continue as long as I am able to. I just hope the antibodies cool down because I don't want to have to take something that messes with the exercise regimen I have worked out.
Last edited by osteoblast; 04-12-2008 at 09:21 PM.
HI OB, welcome back, you were missed. I had the same feeling when i got the first vest that it too looked a bit bullet proof. The DR vest looks like a piece of clothing, nothing on it that screams look at me i have protection. I wouldn't hesitate wearing it in public. You can't see where the weights are unless you look close. The fabric is beathable, but i wonder why they made it in black since that color absorbs heat. I wouldn't want one in white, but khaki would be a good color.
What is your new dose of synthroid? I take 137 mcg. a day, but i am on total replacement. With your hashis i guess its an up and down thing that you have to deal with, right? I've never taken any antidepressants, so i have no experience with how it affects a person overall. I ahve heard though that t taks a while for the body to adjust to it...did you take it several weeks?
Our weather has turned yukky again..cold, lots of wind and rain. Have a good day..take care...phyllis
Thanks Phywill-it is good to be back !The DR vest does sound like a better choice for wearing outdoors and probably indoors too. The x2 not being breathable and looking like a bullet proof vest is a problem. Yes, Khaki color would be great.
My synthroid dose was 75 and my tsh had just gone to 4.9. I was not feeling good. I have wobbled on this dose over the past six months from a little less than 1tsh to the 4.9 but it is not in any orderly manner-meaning the tsh just doesn't get more hypo but then will move towards hyper then move toward more hypo. But, with the 4.9 and enlarged lymph gland , I now have been moved to 88.The doctor has been conservative on the dose because of not wanting me to go hyper and have more bone loss.This is getting so difficult that I am going to talk to her about a thyroidectomy .I am not pushing for this but want to know about the option. Maybe it would simplify the dosing and be a better guard against going hyper with possible bone loss. I know it is not the standard trtmt for hashi's but if the level cannot be settled with meds -I think it may be an option. The xanax is not an antidepress. it is an anti anxiety. And, to my knowledge unlike the antidepress. doesn't have to be taken awhile for the effect.And, people say that the effect diminishes with continued use and then you are in a cycle of upping a dose on a potentially addictive substance. Not what I want to do at all. I don't know where this will all go , will see endo in a few weeks after new tests and will know more then. I have to stick to the things that make me feel good and exercise is a big component of that.
Back to the walking vest, I may just need to order the DR after what you have said so I can continue with this program in the warmer weather. About sizing, you seemed to say that they run big. I am 5-3 and about 115 pounds. Though I would generally, when buying clothes ,go for a med. because I want it roomy not tight .But roomy on the vest will probably have the weights bouncing around on your body, right?
Last edited by osteoblast; 04-13-2008 at 10:13 AM.
Hi OB...When my thyroid went out of whack from Graves Disease i RAI, which causes it to die and stop functioning. I wasn't as smart then and may have opted for meds first, but i can't say i regret making that decision. With hashis will your thyroid eventually die on its own? I know of a couple people who've had that happen...one my PCP's wife. it took me 3 months to go hypo and since being on meds i've felt fine. The weight i lost while hyper came back, much to my dismay, but feeling good is worth it and i'll keep trying.
I don't know what to tell you about the vest size. From what you've said about your size and weight i think a small would work. i sugested to indersonu to order 2 sizes and send the one that doesn't fit back or call the company and talk to someone..the customer service number is on their site. I don't want you to have to alter your vest like i have mine. Had i'd known about the sizing, it would've saved me altering something brand new.
I've experimented with how how tight to cinch it...snug and slightly moveable is better than snug and no moving at all. I think that will also be better when it gets hot. The weights tight against your body would get warm even with the breathable fabric. I took the dogs for a long walk earlier (in my vest and jacket)..we got caught in sleet..can you beleive that??? Its April...i think??? The way our weather is going, i'll have to get back to you on how it does in warm/hot weather. take care..phyllis
Yes, my thyroid is absolutely going to die. This is the course of hashimoto's ,TPO autoantibodies exist to kill off the thyroid. For some people it seems just a steadier route to the end.And, people just have the dead thyroid in their body and take the thyroid meds. No problem if no large /suspicious nodules or other issues of concern like cancer. My path to the end has been very volatile so far.And, my thyroid has 7nodules and they are growing. This is why I am thinking that with the end certain in a matter of time why keep doing all this running and chasing of the tsh, trying to avoid hyper, trying to avoid hypo with blood tests just about each 8 wks AND always being worried about more bone loss. Also worried about nodules developing to cancer and dealing with u/s. After your surgery and RAI was over and you were put on thyroid med , have you just had a steady tsh? How often do you have your tsh tested? Of course, surgery has risks so they do not do this lightly , I will just have to wait to hear what my endo has to say.
Your weather sounds ...... AWFUL. But, rain , sleet or snow , you seem to be out there walking the dogs. That is great for you and the dogs. I am sure they dearly love you for it.
So, when do you think you will advance the weights from 4 pounds? Because of my two week med. trauma I lost a little time and had to go back to 2 pounds a few days ago and in a few days will go to 3 for a week and then back to the 4 where I was before all the excitement. I am now trying to wear it for at least 2 hours a day while walking , either on treadmill or out. Thank goodness it clouded up again today and cooled off considerably now I can go out today with my jacket over the vest. And, really it doesn't get to be very warm here consistently until mid July. So, except for a few warm days I will get some use out of the vest I bought and wait a bit to order the DR.
I talked to my phys. ther. about the poles and she is going to research it further but her thought is that if I want to load the hips, the poles will reduce the weight load there. So her thought was why ? And,though it was a voicemail so I couldn't follow up , I am thinking that the vest will load the spine so --maybe I will not do the poles at least not right now.
OK-I guess I had some things that were pent up to talk about!!I am off to my walk with vest on-and hopefully building bone. Later.
Last edited by osteoblast; 04-13-2008 at 03:35 PM.
I had the same feeling when i got the first vest that it too looked a bit bullet proof. The DR vest looks like a piece of clothing, nothing on it that screams look at me i have protection. I wouldn't hesitate wearing it in public. You can't see where the weights are unless you look close. The fabric is beathable, but i wonder why they made it in black since that color absorbs heat. I wouldn't want one in white, but khaki would be a good color.
The DR vest does sound like a better choice for wearing outdoors and probably indoors too. The x2 not being breathable and looking like a bullet proof vest is a problem. Yes, Khaki color would be great.
Linear Mode
