Just cannot do this anymore, I'm losing my mind

[Liz94]

I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with me since my doc says I'm fine. But I don't feel fine. I'm now on prescription Vitamin D for 4 weeks because he said my "stores are low."  Okay so would that make me feel horrible?  You know how you feel when you get scared out of your mind?  That's how I feel. I feel like my adrenaline is going non-stop. I ache, my mouth is so dry, my throat feels constricted at times, I feel like I just want to sleep but when I lay down my eyes are wide open. I also feel like I'm breathing really slow and deep.  What the heck is this? And when am I ever going to get better?  I just can't do this anymore.  And then today I get the fantastic news that he wants me to do that STUPID LID AGAIN in June for my scan. Could life get any worse?

[Thypatient]

I know what you mean; I once had that question too.  It stands for Low Iodine Diet - a necessary part of thyroid cancer treatment.  Others here can better explain the how and why of that better than I though.  

[peggy64]

I hate to sound ignorant, but could someone tell me what LID is? Thanks....

[utahmomma]

I know that having my thyroid levels so messed up sent me into depression and I *must* take an antidepressant now (Celexa) - ESPECIALLY through LID and hypohell.  There are many others on the forum who also are having to deal with depression.  Have you spoken with your doctor about possible antidepressants too?

[Thypatient]

Thanks for that.

[nissah46]

Yes, it absolutely worked for me.  I went for months unable to get my calcium levels up, even though I was taking 2500mg daily. At that time  I was buying the calcium that had vit D in it. My doctor then suggested taking the one Vit D tablet along with the calcium and that has done the job.  I was glad to avoid the rocotrol which my endo had suggested to my doctor. I am now able to get along on 2000mg daily of calcium. The vit D is really making a difference with absorption.
Trish

[Thypatient]

Has that switch to over-the-counter vit d worked out for you?

I attempted to do that and when I asked the pharmacist about what the equivalent was, she said they are different chemicals and don’t have the same effect in the body.  She also said she doesn’t recommend doing that.  It left me to wonder (?).  This pharmacy does hire many from a nearby by college of pharmacy, so I don’t if she was being way too technical or what (sometimes they talk like a pop quiz is coming any moment).

[Liz1900]

Stella,

  Oh, by the way the last time I had the Free T3 was right before I went off Armour and it was something like 307 which they said was mid-range.  The endo didn't test it on my first visit because I had just had it.  I am asking him about testing it this week.

Liz

[Liz1900]

Hi,

   Yes I was on Armour for 40 years with no problems.  Then in December the heart palpitations started and from then until mid-March my doctor decreased the dosage 4 times.  I was desperate and feeling bad plus the heart palpitations.  Had heart tests, etc. and all normal.  So, the doctor said, I could keep decreasing the Armour, but perhaps it is time to change to Synthroid.  At that time, I felt so bad that I would agree to almost anything, thinking it might be the answer.  Well, I don't feel it has been.  In the meantime, I changed from my regular MD to an endo who took lots of blood tests and I had a thyroid ultrasound.   I had actually been on Synthroid only about three weeks or a little longer when I saw theendo.  My TSH was 1.65.  My T3 was .048 which we know is low.  But now I have been on .88 for about 25 days.  I started the selenium and zinc about 10 days ago and that has helped improve my attitude and I have felt some better.  I am not sure if it is from that or the dosage stabilizing.  But, there is no way, I feel anywhere normal and have weird burning in abdomen and stomach at times - not all the time.   Anyway, I go back on May 21st - bloodwork this week.  I thought about him adding T3, but have to talk to him.  I am a little afraid of it causing heart palps because Dr. Lupo said when you get older sometimes the T3 can be too much for your heart - but maybe a very small dose might perk me up.  Let's see what he says.

Will keep you posted,
Liz

[stella5349]

Hi Liz

If I can remember - you had years of feeling really good on Armour right? Now you are suffering.

Maybe Armour - and the problems you had were just temporary. I don't know.  If I remember you had 20 Years on it right?

Maybe your body just isn't liking Synthroid.  After you last post here - it just doesn't sound good.

What is the TSH now? Have you looked over Free T3 too?

I remember your first posts regarding heart palps on Armour and your decision to switch over to Syn - ( I hope i am remembering right)

You know you are not fine regardless what your doc says. I hate to see you suffer this rollar coaster meds stuff.

[Liz94]

Thanks everyone. I guess I just needed to vent because I'm getting so frustrated.  I'm now taking 50,000 iu of  Vitamin D (Drisdol) once a week for 4 weeks to get my level back up. But, I've been feeling like this for a couple of weeks.  And it's usually bad during the middle of the day. I'm fine when I wake up and I"m fine in the evening.  I'm wondering if it's just because my TSH is so low now. Mine has always been in the 4-5 range before the surgery and now it's .32. I don't know. I'm not taking any other medications, just synthroid and vit. D and calcium.  I'm going to have to use some mind over matter here I guess and just do what I tell my kids I coach "Suck it up and deal!"  Which is so hard because I just want to whine.....But I caaaaan't!

[Liz1900]

Liz,

    I will pray for you.  I have chatted with you before on this board.  After my successful treatment on Armour for 40 years and then in Dec 2007 having heart palpitations which would not go away after lowering my dosage 4 times, I was changed to Synthroid.  I have really felt terrible since and all kids of side effects either from not being stabilized or from the medication, I have felt like I was dying.  I am only a little better now after being on .88 mcg for about 4 weeks.  I go back for labs this week and doctor's appointment the following week.  I had no idea thyroid disease could be so debilitating.  Hang in there - that is what I am trying to do so we can all get our lives back.

Thinkinf of you,
Liz1900

[KelDC]

I'm so sorry you are struggling.  And to add the LID on top of it - that is just cruel!!!  Stupid LID.  I wish I had some answers for you, but all I can say is we're here for you. I hope you're soon feeling better!  

[ChitChatNine]

Good point by above poster .. wow .. interesting!  I just found out yesterday that the Vit B6 i was taking was giving me side effects I described to my Urologist and he said to switch brands to a name brand which wouldn't do it .. interesting, isn't that?  The B6 is for kidney stones not to grow; not thyroid matter.

Cheryl

[nissah46]

Is the prescription for Rocotrol? I have heard it can have side effects. I was told to take it, but instead I take 1000iu of over the counter VitD.
Trish

[scarlet37]

It could always be worse! It sounds like you have a bit of anxiety because of the situation and that mixed in with all that's happening no wonder you feel awful. Hang in there - for every struggle you endure a blessing is sure to come your way.

Best Wishes~