Is all this possibly from hypothyroidism???

[sickosick]

I'm 51, have always enjoyed walking, gardening and being active.  In the last 2 years, I've been having dizziness and shortness of breath when exercising, even mildly.  Walking up any hill causes heart pounding, slight sharp chest pain and dizziness.  I have to stop and  ...  [More]     get my breath like an old woman!  Looking for guidance.  Last winter had 2 ambulance rides from tacchycardia.  Had tests at that time:  Heart ultrasound normal.  Holter monitor negative. Lately even small activities like housework causes shortness of breath.  I've gained 30 lbs in 6 mos.    My neck, lower back, ankles all hurt.  Anything I do makes me very sore and achy.  At night I have to soak in a hot bathrub to stop feeling cold and fidgety. Health conditions past 10 years:  lower back pain, gurd with hiatal hernia, depression, severe RLS, IBS,  anxiety.  I FINALLY got a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, been on 50 mg for 3 weeks and no relief of most all the symptoms except I lost a few pounds.  Any insight would be so appreciated.  I'm too young to feel so old.

[Lisa_Ward]

I feel for you.  I am 38 and just recently was diagnosed with hypo.  I have been on meds for 2 weeks now, but I am not feeling much better yet.  I have been told it takes time.  I have a good day here and there, but honestly, when those times come, I pay for it later.  

Like you, I have the same types of symptoms.  If you have ever had a surgery, I could compare the way I feel to an after-surgery or after-having a baby type of situation.  The heart palpitations, racing heart, dizziness, exhaustion, chest pains, etc...., Yes, I have had them also.  It is really scary, but give it time.  Time is what it will take.  You cannot rush it because you have no control.

Listen to your body until the meds have the chance to start working for you.  When you are winded...rest.  When you are tired....lay down.  When you feel bad, you must take care of yourself.

Blessings.

Lisa

[dawnangela]

It can take a number of weeks, or months to start feeling some normality since you started meds, but yes all this can be Hypothyroid as you have had your heart checked out and lungs i gather. I did get more of the shortness of breath, dizziness you describe when my goiter was enlarged, this has subsided now im on meds. I agree with Red and Moose, give it a bit more time on meds and see how you feel, I was about 8 weeks then felt some symptoms start to go week by week..

[LazyMoose]

Like red said, you need to give it time when starting on the med. By the way, I imagine your starting on 50 mg Synthroid or Levothyroxine? They are both T4 (hormone) only meds, most popular.

Near future - Get a copy of your 6 week lab, You need FT3, FT4 and TSH from that. Post it hear if you would like member comments- many know and can explain it, if you dont know all this thyroid stuff yet.

After, say 6 months you still dont feel good, even with decent looking lab #'s, you might try adding T3 med to the mix - only after you tried T4 at correct levels with enough time.

[redheadaussie]

G'day. Sorry you feel so lousy!
3 weeks on the thyroid medication is not long enough yet to see if it is working. It takes up to 6 weeks (I know it's a bummer!)

I think once you get the medication kicked in and you still are having issues, you will need to be checked over again. Many of you issues could be to do with hypothyroidism. Lord knows those of us who have it, have a multitude of symptoms!

Have you had the thyroid antibodies test done? Hashimoto's symptoms are alot like yours as well.

Hang in there, it will take time, it'll feel a slow journey, but the destination is worth it!
Cheers!