Do I need to go back to my PCP?

[mel1058]

I am a 51 yo female who began having numbness/tingling in legs/feet, stomach, chest, and most recently in hands and fingers.  I had an MRI on Brain (supposedly fine) and C-spine, showing a slight bulging disk.  An ultrasound was done also because something was seen on my thyroid which turned out to be nodules.  I have been referred to a surgeon (appt 12/21) for the nodules  Meanwhile, the numbness is gradually getting worse (right hand is total numbness).  My spouse talked me into going to a chiropractor and I have been twice and while it makes my back feel better, does NOTHING for my numbness.  I don't know whether to go back to the PCP or wait until I see the surgwon this week.  Has anyone else experiened this?  I have read that MS does not always show up on a brain scan.  I just know this numbness is driving me crazy.  I have worked all my life and now I have trouble walking.  I am afraid I won't be able to do anything muich longer.

[TamraW]

Prior to my Hashi diagnosis and treatment, these were my symptoms.

These symptoms slowly appeared and worsened after birthing an infant (who was also premature) and they present themselves more strongly alongside sporadic bouts of diarrhea:
Mild weight gain even while dieting
Weight loss when not 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, hands, 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
Decreased sex drive
Enlarged lymphnodes in neck and armpit
Legs feel heavy and swollen at times

[mel1058]

Thanks for your reply!  My symptoms are all over the map like several you mentioned.  Hopefully this first appt will give me a starting point and you have given me info to ask questions.  :)
Mel

[TamraW]

Hashimoto's disease causes thyroid nodules an ms symptoms like weakness in lower legs and numbness. So can Graves.

Hashi also causes fatigue, migraines, weight gain or loss, rapid or slow heart rate, depression or anxiety.

Graves causes rapid heart beat, anxiety, weight loss, lack of sleep.

I have Hashi and the numbness is MUCH better now that I am on thyroid hormone. Also, I have four nodules. They were all benign, and have shrunk with the hormone.

You need to get your FT3, FT4, TSH bloodwork, as well as your TGab and TPOab to see if you have Hashimoto's or Graves antibodies. With Hashi, our TSH and frees swing back and forth, so don't let a doc determine what's wrong without giving you the antibody tests.

You should also be seeing an endocrinologist, not just an ENT surgeon. This site lists recommended endocrinologists:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

Make sure you call the doc ahead of time and see how many thryoid patients the doc treats. Too many specialize in diabetes, not thyroid.

:) Tamra