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Pain and hypothyroid
So my question for you guys out there with hypothyroid or even hyper is about pain. Have any of you experienced pain so bad in your joints or muscles thats even hard to control with pain meds due to thyroid problems? What is your worst symptom out of all the symptoms? What is the easiest or first symptom to go upon proper treatment and how long after being diagnosed did you start feeling better?
Best Answer
definitely not HPT, cause My calcium levels are low if anything... but I checked it out, unless its the ionized calcium or something, do you know anything about that?
Thank you, I have a little hope now, if its not any of the other things, maybe its just the low free t4 and its just gonna take a few months with the levo to start feeling better?
The thing is, you KNOW there is something wrong. Your body is screaming it. Sooner or later you will find out what is causing all of this and you will be able to manage it. Many here, including myself, have become our own health care advocates because of dealing with either inept or lazy doctors that just look at lab tests and not the patient.
I've been a medical professional for many years (25 yrs, paramedic) and one thing that is said over and over -"read the patient, not the monitor." It means you shouldn't rely on just tests and equipment to tell you what is wrong with the patient. All medical professionals -Doctor, specialist or otherwise should say this to themselves like a Mantra.
Keep you chin up. You will make it through this. I remember the relief I felt when my persistence to find out what was wrong finally paid off. I remember thinking, "HA! I KNEW it!"
I forgot to ask if you'd looked up hyperparathryroidism symptoms and compared yours to them? Even if it isn't HPT, it may narrow down the possibilities a bit...Good luck. ~MM
I've been a medical professional for many years (25 yrs, paramedic) and one thing that is said over and over -"read the patient, not the monitor." It means you shouldn't rely on just tests and equipment to tell you what is wrong with the patient. All medical professionals -Doctor, specialist or otherwise should say this to themselves like a Mantra.
Keep you chin up. You will make it through this. I remember the relief I felt when my persistence to find out what was wrong finally paid off. I remember thinking, "HA! I KNEW it!"
I forgot to ask if you'd looked up hyperparathryroidism symptoms and compared yours to them? Even if it isn't HPT, it may narrow down the possibilities a bit...Good luck. ~MM
For a couple of years before being diagnosed as hypo, I went from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, trying to find out what was wrong with my back. I literally had to stop enroute from bed to coffee pot in the morning because I felt my back wasn't going to hold me up. At that time, nothing anyone had said would have made me believe this was due to my thyroid. However, after a few months on thyroid meds, I had a "new" back.
When hypo, our bodies do not heal the way they should. Little injuries that should be resolved in a day or two can linger and be compounded by further injuries. Lack of thyroid hormones affects every part of our bodies. Most of us felt like we had to be dying from multiple diseases. As my dad used to say when he'd been sick, "Thought I was going to die, but afraid I wouldn't."
I understand your fear of encountering another blind alley with pituitary and antibody testing, but you will certainly not feel any better if you do nothing. Even if they do come back negative, you will have narrowed the field of what's causing your problems.
Hang in there...you'll get it figured out.
When hypo, our bodies do not heal the way they should. Little injuries that should be resolved in a day or two can linger and be compounded by further injuries. Lack of thyroid hormones affects every part of our bodies. Most of us felt like we had to be dying from multiple diseases. As my dad used to say when he'd been sick, "Thought I was going to die, but afraid I wouldn't."
I understand your fear of encountering another blind alley with pituitary and antibody testing, but you will certainly not feel any better if you do nothing. Even if they do come back negative, you will have narrowed the field of what's causing your problems.
Hang in there...you'll get it figured out.
And thank you for your input, I feel like I have checked everything... and this has been going on for almost a year, so if it were stress related, it probably would be waxing and waning or easing or anything right? maybe not, I'm not sure. Going to ask for pituitary/hormone testing and I swear if the doctor refuses to test me for those things today, I am going to fly off the handle!
I have a strong suspicion that its either hashi's or pituitary since my head trauma and unexplained seizure in march. but......
What if everything again comes back normal? I'm so afraid of that cause if I cant find whats getting me how the heck will i ever feel better?
I have a strong suspicion that its either hashi's or pituitary since my head trauma and unexplained seizure in march. but......
What if everything again comes back normal? I'm so afraid of that cause if I cant find whats getting me how the heck will i ever feel better?
Have not been tested for Hashis or Antibodies,
Calcium levels are fine
going to ask for pituitary testing today along with antibodies
Gstro- Tested for celiacs, all vitamin/minerals ect levels are normal. had colonoscopy as well. everything perfect.
Had ultrasound to check for cysts, and obgyn said I would be missing my periods if I had something like estrogen dominance ect.
Never had a neck or back or any injury, have been seeing a chiropractor for 2 months now without relief.
Psychological- This is what I'm talking about when people think Im crazy. It is definitely not psychological. I have had so many terrible stressful things happen in my life before. For example. I was in college, ful time 17 credit hour per semester, 8 months pregnant with a boyfriend who was cheating on me and working 665 hours per week on top of it, and still had enough energy and was not in pain. I was tired as a normal person would be but NOTHING like this. - I am working full time and my job is not stressful at all. I enjoy time with my kids, they are very well behaved, I feel like my stress level is relatively low comparative to past times in my life.
SOO I am mystery diagnosis. Could hypo/hashis with only slightly low free t4 be causing this or is it highly unlikely that Hypo is the cause of my intense pain?
Calcium levels are fine
going to ask for pituitary testing today along with antibodies
Gstro- Tested for celiacs, all vitamin/minerals ect levels are normal. had colonoscopy as well. everything perfect.
Had ultrasound to check for cysts, and obgyn said I would be missing my periods if I had something like estrogen dominance ect.
Never had a neck or back or any injury, have been seeing a chiropractor for 2 months now without relief.
Psychological- This is what I'm talking about when people think Im crazy. It is definitely not psychological. I have had so many terrible stressful things happen in my life before. For example. I was in college, ful time 17 credit hour per semester, 8 months pregnant with a boyfriend who was cheating on me and working 665 hours per week on top of it, and still had enough energy and was not in pain. I was tired as a normal person would be but NOTHING like this. - I am working full time and my job is not stressful at all. I enjoy time with my kids, they are very well behaved, I feel like my stress level is relatively low comparative to past times in my life.
SOO I am mystery diagnosis. Could hypo/hashis with only slightly low free t4 be causing this or is it highly unlikely that Hypo is the cause of my intense pain?
Anybody think my pain is a separate issue? Just wondering also, I can understand maybe having all these symptoms as severely as I do if my thyroid levels were off the charts, but they arent so it doesnt make sense to me. Do you know anyone or happen to know if super severe symptoms are even possible with just low normal or kinda subclinical hypo? I know some people have terrible labs with no symptoms, how is it that I can have every symptom and almost normal labs?
And now I'm on 25 mg of levothyroxine and phentermine because I've gained 35 lbs in 3 months with no change in anything, if anything eating less and exercising more. And even on a weight loss drug and a little levo, I lost about 6 lbs in the first week, then gained back two and now I'm not losing or gaining even on a prescription weight loss drug! And I'm 5'4" 170 so its not just cause I think I'm overweight, I actualy am and my dr did prescribe me this. I'm normally 135- 140 always wanting to be just around 130. So not expecting too much. Why can't I lose weight even on weight loss drug , at least I'm not gaining anymore but jeez! Sorry I just need to vent!! Having a very rough day.
You are funny red head. I have had all vitamins checked and they are all fine, I've always made sure my diet and nutrition along with supplements have always been important for me.I'd say there are 3 symptoms that are a tie for me. The pain is unbearable I seriously want to die sometimes In this much pain, its never my small joints, just between my neck and mid thigh including hips back shoulders stomach pelvis,and everything else that could possibly hurt in between on my body. I don't know if I can live the rest of my life in this much pain. I'm only 23! The fatigue is rediculous I sleep and sleep really good sometimes up to 12 hours at night and I cannot even stay awake while I'm driving to work. I have a 1 year old and a 3 year old and I can't even play with them, it breaks my heart. And then the weight issue. I know, I mean how could that tie or come close to the debilitating pain and fatigue? It does for me. I have had body issues since as long as I can remember always been teased about being a little chubby. I've worked extra hard my whole life to remain just a little chubby and not become overweight let alone have a nice toned body that should be there with my diet and exercise. I'm so athletic and active and eat everything right.I've tried gluten free and carb free and vegetarian and downright eating nothing. I can't find anything to help me! I have a hard time believing all this can be caused by hypo with all of the intensity I'm experiencing due to just a low normal free t4 , and understand why my doctor doesn't think thats my problem, I seriously thought I had to have some kind of cancer, too bad because maybe then I might have an answer.I can't find anything wrong with me everyone thinks I'm crazy our making it up. I'm not even sensitive to pain, I had two children naturally . The only thing I can find is hypo, and maybe not even that! Its the only thing that explains everything. I need some hope:(
I'd have to agree with medicmommy, my pains were always 1,000 times worse when I was super low VitD levels. I must admit when super hypo I tend to find my arthritic finger flares up and my knee really hurts like heck too, but that to me is more my Hashimoto's flaring up when I go hypo.
For me personally I would have to say my worst symptom when hypo is the lack of energy, when hyper, the lack of energy.. I kid you not! I just have more severe level of lack of energy when hypo. Think Hypo scenario: House burning down. Me; meh, let it burn. Hyper scenario: House burning down. Gee, never realised cooking vegie sausages was so easy.
For me personally I would have to say my worst symptom when hypo is the lack of energy, when hyper, the lack of energy.. I kid you not! I just have more severe level of lack of energy when hypo. Think Hypo scenario: House burning down. Me; meh, let it burn. Hyper scenario: House burning down. Gee, never realised cooking vegie sausages was so easy.
Oh, baby, can we tell you about pain...
I am happy to say that I am nearly pain-free these days though! Last August (2010) I was diagnosed with low vitamin D. I felt so old, and it was very painful to walk some days. I looked like an old lady. The joint pain and swelling continued (drs tried to tell me I was mental) and finally I went to a Naturopath who found the Hashimoto's thyroiditis. He started me on thyroid supplements and continued the vitamin D. This helped even more, but what finally relieved me of the rest of the pain was going on a wheat-free, low-gluten diet. Suddenly, the joints didn't swell, I had a bit more energy, and my pain was gone. This all took about a process of 6 months, -more for figuring out what the problem was. Two weeks ago I was also started on levothyroxine (25 mg). So far, so good...
I don't think all of the pain was from one specific thing, but a combination of them and all of them together made it so much worse. Also, the palpitations and ear-ringing are gone...Crazy, huh? ~MM
I am happy to say that I am nearly pain-free these days though! Last August (2010) I was diagnosed with low vitamin D. I felt so old, and it was very painful to walk some days. I looked like an old lady. The joint pain and swelling continued (drs tried to tell me I was mental) and finally I went to a Naturopath who found the Hashimoto's thyroiditis. He started me on thyroid supplements and continued the vitamin D. This helped even more, but what finally relieved me of the rest of the pain was going on a wheat-free, low-gluten diet. Suddenly, the joints didn't swell, I had a bit more energy, and my pain was gone. This all took about a process of 6 months, -more for figuring out what the problem was. Two weeks ago I was also started on levothyroxine (25 mg). So far, so good...
I don't think all of the pain was from one specific thing, but a combination of them and all of them together made it so much worse. Also, the palpitations and ear-ringing are gone...Crazy, huh? ~MM
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endocrine related: Thyroid (have you been tested for antibodies and are you a Hashi's patient -they respond differently to traditional hypothyroid treatment); parathyroid -parathyroid hormone and calcium levels; pituitary (scan for abnormalities/ rule out Cushings disease- others here know more about this one); adrenal glands -cortisol levels
Reproductive: rule out PCOS and estrogen dominance (imbalance)
Gastro-intestinal: check for malabsorption disorders (low folate, iron, vitamin B-12 specifically); test for celiacs (sometimes mild doesn't give many symptoms) and "leaky gut" issues; arthritis or autoimmune issues
vitamin/mineral deficiencies or excesses -not all vitamins are created equal. Low B-12, D or abnormal levels of calcium can cause/contribute to joint/bone and muscle pain.
Structural: Ever had a neck injury with possible disk involvement? Ever been severely electrocuted (can cause lasting pain)?
Psychological: Stress from pain (or anything severe) causes elevated cortisol levels which cause weight gain and prevent weight loss. Mommies need to be allowed to go the bathroom without interruption (even if the little crumb snatchers have to be locked in a closet -just kidding) and need to have "quite oasis" time once a day that is not interrupted by anything. -Not hubbies wanting sex, not the telephone or computer (put down the texting!) not even dinner dishes or other minor chores. (I recommend a good CD with relaxation/de-stress breathing/ ear phones and your eyes closed, or a good book and a pair of ear plugs!) Even 20 minutes of this will help. If you're a single Mom, maybe the kiddos naptime is a good time for something like this. Or after they are tucked in at night.
I'm sure others here can offer more suggestions. I hope this helps! (((HUGZ)))~MM