Hashimoto's, Headaches, Hard Time Swallowing and Heartburn

[ChefLori]

I keep asking different doctors to help me cure or at least treat my headaches...and now I'm wondering if there isn't a connection with all of my medical conditions.

My headaches allows occur on the right side of my head, over my ear mostly, it feels like a burning or gripping type pain most of the time, sometimes it radiates to the back of my head, sometimes it goes forward and runs up to the front of my head and over my right eye socket. I am actually experiencing a mild one right now.

More on my background which may help you help me:

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in 2005 and have been treated with medication since then. I am currently taking  Armour thyroid 90mg

In Sept. 07 I was diagnosed with esophagitis--the doctor doesn't know why I have difficulty swallowing dry foods like meat and bread. He said I don't really have the signs of reflux, however I have been experiencing heartburn more frequently these days. Food feels like it gets stuck right in my throat in the general vicinity of the thyroid, but I do not have a swollen thyroid. I was tested for the basic food allergies and have none. The doctor told me to take Nexium and maybe it would help. It really hasn't. I still have trouble swallowing.

Could all of my issues be connected? I have been looking into my symptoms and was wondering if I may have Sjogrens Syndrome or something going on with my vagus nerves and the connecting nerves?

Any direction would be greatly appreciated.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

I do understand your concern. At this point , let us focus on the headaches first. It is possible that all these symptoms are tied up under one single disease entity. The best way to evaluate this is by undergoing an ANA testing. ANA levels and patterns may help determine if an underlying rheumatologic disease is present. You may seek a rheumatology referral for this.

With your description of the headache, they may be due to an underlying ear problem, a TMJ problem, a dental problem, arthritic or musculoskeletal disorder or a migraine headache. Are any of these applicable in your case?

Is there any eye redness, tearing ,nasal discharge or swelling of lymph nodes in any part of the body?

Any history of allergies or infections?

[brook26]

I have thyroid problems also, I know hypothryoidism can make you more likely to suffer headaches, also eyehealth and thryoid conditions run together! I have GERD it makes it hard for me to swallow when I have heartburn, and it always seems to choke me right where my thryoid is! I didn't think it was the refulx causing me to have a hard time swallowing, but it was! are you on the thyroid disorders forum? If not you should take a look at it.