From Armour to Compounded to Efra...

[Jackie419]

Just an update and possibly a question....had a bad reaction to the reformulated Armour. Went to a new doctor who recommended compounded thyroid and was just happy to get off of Armour. The compounded is more expensive to get but was on it for a month and actually noticed a difference right away, felt quite good and got up to my 120mg dose--in the beginning, the only side effects were headaches but they stopped happening pretty early on. I had done some reading and had it in my head that I wanted to try Efra since I had heard it was so close to the OLD Armour. I got it last Friday from Universal in Canada, have heard people mention the original container it comes in but mine was in a prescription bottle, I started it on Saturday 3-12 ....i have noticed the three days I have taken it, I feel a bit burned out and my eyes ache- feel like I just woke up from a nap all day...I hate to say anything about brain fog, but when I started the compounded and had some headaches I still felt more clear headed than I had in a long time and as I said, the headaches subsided and I had started to be more myself. I am three days into Efra and feel I may be going backward rather than just having to get through an adjusment, just not sure at all what to think. Wondering what adjustment issues any of you may have had with Efra or if you knew pretty quickly that it was the one for you. Had high hopes for it and wondering if I should stick it out, have already been through alot as I'm sure you can all understand. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[Jackie419]

I did well with the olive oil filler....trying to find that Florida pharmacy info....that was a long time ago, want to get the right one!!

[Brucergoldberg]

Mine is compounded with zinc and selenium. I am questioning the zinc actually.   But im told its okay.....

[kfox100]

Can you tell me the place in Florida where I can get the compounded form with probiotic? Thanks!

[aviatorrie2]

They compounded has worked great for me emotionally but it is starting to burn m yback. Any ideas? My compounded is going to use gluten free flour for me. Maybe I should use olive oil?

[LazyMoose]

Well, if I ever go compounded, I'll ask about olive oil !

Obviously whatever works for each of us is best.

Even if a med might possibly, within time, work out for someone, not much sense in ditching what currently works for them.

[kl42]

stick with what works. !!

[Jackie419]

...just wanted to add...when I started the Efra last Sat. I was already feeling great on the compounded but felt compelled to try the Efra. So I started on it feeling good, great actually, so really, seemed like the Efra brought me down...truly felt like I wasn't taking anything...maybe got counterfeit or bad batch? I read your post today about giving it a week, but had felt so bad the last few days, especially my eyes aching so badly, I just couldn't take it again. I took the compounded again today, and no eye aches and my energy level is good as well. Had to go on my gut feeling. Normally I would have agreed with you on waiting because of the headaches I first got on the compounded, I just knew they would probably go away and they did and even with the headaches, I could feel my mind focusing, sharpening...so I knew I was on the right track. I did not want to discount your advice on that because in most cases what you said is true.

[Jackie419]

I got the compounded from a place my Dr. deals with and their filler is olive oil. Have also heard of a place in Florida that will use a filler of your choice like probiotics etc. but right now after all I have been through, I believe I will be clinging to this particular compounded!! I did have high hopes for Efra but now realizing that we all have such intricate systems that what works for some doesn't work for all. I am just pleased to have these choices to find what works best. This forum has helped me a lot as well and want to thank everyone for their input! Thanks!!

[LazyMoose]

You should find out what filler they chose in the compounding, so you know. Then if the need arises to get it some ware else you will know what you had.

[Jackie419]

The headaches on the Compounded did go away and I will say I felt great on it, but had it in my head that I had to try the Efra. I know three days shouldn't be enough to tell but by the end of last night, I had the achy eyes-felt like I just woke up feeling for three days, no energy. It sort of felt like I had stopped taking thyroid med all together. I told myself three days wasnt enough but then felt like I didn't want to feel like that for one more day even. Thats why I wanted to toss it by you folks and get your thoughts. When I switched from Armour to Compounded, I had the little headace but could tell almost immediately or at least in a few days that I was feeling better than on Armour. Our bodies are a strange and wonderous thing! Thanks to you both!

[LazyMoose]

Well, were all different. ERFA works for most people from what I hear (myself included).

But trying it for three days really is not enough time to say. When I changed to it, I didn't feel better till one week.

Might try taking it sublingually in your cheek for 20 minutes if there is no food in you mouth, you can do that with ERFA.

[stella5349]

ERFA is spoken about as a good medication - however one thing that thyroid patients must understand is the individual response each one has to certain meds.

ERFA may be good for me - but not so for others.

On the headache comment w/ compounding. Most changes if med whether dosages or different blend - usually have that present for about 2 weeks. A mild ache but noticable.