You might be able to help the muscle/joint pain by taking a daily dose of magnesium. Magnesium is also "calming" so take it at bedtime, it may help you sleep.
In addition, selenium may also help with the neck pain, swelling, etc. It won't lower your antibody count (if you have antibodies), but does seem to calm things down a bit for some people. Helps me.
No problem!
My muscle pain, though still there, has improved by taking Vitamin D. It seems that Hashis have an issue with vitamin levels.
I actually fell over last fall and sprained my ankle. One minute I was walking, the next, my legs just gave out. I didn't think much about it, at first, thinking that maybe I was being clumsy, but now I realize it was my darn Hashi.
Get a good doctor and get better!
If you live in the US, here's a website link that lists recommended thyroid doctors by state.
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/
:) Tamra
Thank you SO much for your prompt and thorough response. I have been "assured"by more than one doctor after numerous blood and urine studies that the function of my throid is fine; the issue is the growth and the sympoms of swallowing, pain in back of neck, and hoarseness. I've read about Hashimoto's. I have some ofyour neuro symptoms. The main ones that I am experiencing are weakness in legs and right arm/wrist; not always being able to pick up my feet when I walk, and muscle fasiculations. Again---your kind response is appreciated and helpful!
This could be a nodular goiter giving you troubles. I have Hashimoto's disease, which causes hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), which commonly causes an enlarged thyroid (goiter) and nodules. Hashi can be hereditary, and you can get it if your have ANY thyroid disease in your family. It also causes symptoms that mimic MS, such as shaky legs and pain like ants are biting my feet, shaky hands, etc.
I have 'normal' blood tests, too. What a joke! My TSH was a 2.74, but we now know that any TSH over a 2 should be examined more closely if patient has hypo symptoms. I did some research and demanded the Hashi antibody tests. My Anti-TPO is 221, and anything over 35 indicates Hashi.
If you suspect that you have an auto-immune thyroid disease like Hashi, or even the opposite, which is Graves, here are the blood tests you NEED TO DEMAND!
TSH
FT3
FT4
Specifically for Hashimoto's or Graves antibodies:
TGab
Anti-TPO
Are you ready for my long list of symptoms? This is what it feels like to have Hashimoto's.
Mild weight gain even while dieting
Extreme fatigue/napping
GERD/Heartburn/chest pain
Mostly constipation mixed with diarrhea
Depression/anxiety/forgetfulness/brain fog
Abdomen swells for no apparent reason
Neck/jaw pain/swelling/pressure
Scratchy voice
Migraines, dizziness and back of neck/head pain
Very cold feet and hands and sometimes a feeling like ants are biting my feet
Endometriosis (2 years ago – cured after one year of birth control)
Irregular/heavy periods and menstrual-like cramping in between periods
Ear pressure/pain
Voice is sometimes hoarse
Knee/joint pains – finger swelling and pain
Rash or scaly skin on neck, head, chest, chin, nose, right armpit down to waist
Dry eyes and sometimes soreness
Occasionally I have a mild hot flashes or chills
Night throbbing/pounding in ears that wakes me
Toe nails feel painful and brittle
Muscles in legs sometimes go wobbly and weak when I am standing
Tingling feet/hands/lips
Body temp ranges 97-97.5
Hair clumps in shower
Shaky hands
Blood pressure changing
Feeling like heart is beating fast
I am on thyroid hormone replacement and feeling much better! My goiter is shrinking.
:) Tamra