Scared with no answers

[Applecore]

My tsh as of 2 1/2 weeks ago is 3.55 (.40-4.50) and T4 free 0.90 (.8-1.8).  A week ago I started having anxiety and have had it every day since.  I also started on that day Protonix 40 mg. I don't think that would interfer with the levothyroxine.  I was taking it in the am but switched to pm and it really didn't make a difference.  It does help me with my stomach pain.  I went to my MD today and absolutely got no help.  She is sending me to a GI doctor about my stomach.  I am about at my wits end with the anxiety and not knowing what is causing it.  I have some loprazasam but don't want to take it.  Do you think that my thyroid could have dropped so that it could be causing the anxiety in 2 1/2 weeks.  It dropped from 6.7 to 3.55 in 3 weeks.  I think I read somewhere  that with hashimoto it can change fast.  The anxiety scares me and I have to fight it on and off all day long.  Anybody have any answers?   Thanks  Linda

[AR-10]

Alprazolam is the only thing holding me together. Anti-anxiety meds are better than ulcers.

On a side note, I had an endoscopy the other day, and I have a bacterial infection in my stomach that needs to be treated before it turns into ulcers. Just waiting for lab results to come back before discussing it with my GP.

[Applecore]

I am taking a pro-biotic for my stomach.  I just got back from my MD who did not really help.  The tests were not all there for the celiac so we couldn't discuss it.  She did have me get a new blood test for Celiac so I will have to wait for the results.  I did get the results of the B12 which is 260 (207-980)  She said it is ok but it seems low to me.  She recommended that I go to a GI doctor.  She also recommended that I have and endoscopy.   How was that.  I have never had one.  I saw one done.  Were you totally asleep or just lightly.  Did they spray your throat and make you swallow something before you were put out.   I really don't want to have one but I believe it would be a good thing.  I go also to an MD that does holistic medicine and he does the endoscopy.  I don't know if there are different ways of doing it.    Have you ever taken protonix or something similar.   Thanks for answering.  I thought about taking the loprazapam.  I know it would take the anxiety away.  I want to know what is causing it.  I haven't had it for months.  Thanks again.  Linda

[AR-10]

The endoscopy.

Well, I had it done in conjunction with a colonoscopy, so my experience may be different.

They put a mouthpiece that was not uncomfortable in my mouth about ten seconds after I asked them why I was getting a burning sensation in my hand from the IV. Next thing I knew I was fully awake in the recovery room.

I didn't have a sore throat or any discomfort and an hour later I was dressed and out of there.

The prep for the colonoscopy was the worst part, and that wasn't too bad.

My wife had one done several years ago. She had to fast for twelve hours prior. She was awake for it (sort of) and did not like it very much.

I've never taken Protonix. It sounds like I should be, though. I am taking Ranitidine, which my GP said is a mild antacid. He suggested I try it when I asked him if my chest pains might be esophagus or stomach related.

The worst part of the endoscopy was that the doctor told me I have a hiatal hernia, and the bacterial infection. I mean, I'm glad to know, but at the same time, It's just more stuff wrong with me. Now my stomach feels worse!  LOL!!

The colonoscopy was the same thing.

"We snipped a few things and sent them in for evaluation."  :(

Waiting for the test results.

I am really starting to get ticked off at my thyroid. It is messing me up.

[tokki79]

hi there,
I can totally relate to you...i have been experiencing anxiety and panic for years now.  I just found out a month ago that i was hypothyroid.  I know the anxiety is the worst feeling and how debilatiting it can get.  I was told by my docs that i was deprressed and was put on anit depp...which did not help only got worse.  I finally found a doc who believed in me and is treating me.  I noticed when i was on l-thryoxine i felt worse.  I would say find a good doc and hang in there.  Something i do when i feel anxious is breathing evercises.  LAy down and take a deep breathe and hold it dor 10sec.  Let it our with your mouth and repeat for about few mins or more.  It always relaxes me.  I would say your anxiety is related to your thyroid problems but im not a doc...only saying by my experience.  Here are some websites that might be helpful.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art41515.asp

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

j

[Applecore]

Thanks for your comments.  the anxiety is not fun. I too took antidepressant Prozac for about 5 months.  I believe also that it made me feel worse but I was feeling so bad with the anxiety and everything out of wack.  I was a sick person physically and they told me the mental stuff was from the thyroid.  Thank you Lord that I am not there now.  I feel I do have a good endo but it is difficult to communicate with him and ask all the questions that I want answers to.  I can't just call him or maybe I can, I have not tried.  I haven't told him of the anxiety that I am feeling now.  I called my MD and she really didn't help.  I find it interesting that you didn't feel good on the levothyroxine.  I am taking that - 37.5 mcg.  I am very sensitive to the medicine.  They can't give me more and less is not enough.  I don't know if my tsh has dropped down below normal now.  I don't think my endo goes much by symptoms.  He goes by the tests and the last one I had 2 1/2 weeks ago my tsh was 3.5 which is in the high normal.  This is the first time in 2 years it has gotten to this point, although I do not feel right yet.  I am going to call him and tell him how I feel.  I also am going to a GI to see what is wrong with my stomach.  Do you have any problems with your stomach.  
I will look up the websites.  Thanks for caring and answering.  This forum again has helped me to feel more secure.   lol Linda

[ChitChatNine]

Zantac is a supressor I believe  while Protonix/Prevacid/Prilosec is a total blocker ... first line of defense is Zantac (ranatadine) and then they move onto the blockers .. they oftentime actually use the blockers and then use Zantac for break thru acid in extreme situations.

SO SO GLAD they found your problem.  Was it H-Pylori?

Ulcerations and precursors to ulcers are not fun stuff .. my almost 17yr old battles them and has been on/off Prevacid and never right since 5yrs ago when she had a small ulceration from arthirtis meds (prescription) that really messed up her GI tract.

C~

[ChitChatNine]

Yes, the anxiety can be from TSH levels shooting around quickly . . . happened to me and it is an awful feeling ... perhaps you can beg them to retest and they get results within 24-48 hrs usually for TSH and then if #'s are ok I really suggset an anti-anxiety med to help you as you wait/sort things out .. just from my own pers. experience bcz anxiety in itself is not a picninc.

On 100mcgs I had anxiety and on 88mcgs I am symptom free and my GP ran a TSH in between the 6week mark bcz he was afraid my TSH went to undetectable from 0.669 to cause the anxiety .. the clinical results showed the TSH was ok but the bottom line was that I could not handle the 100mcgs so on 88 I am at 1.7 and Dr. said that it is better to be symptom free and quality of life than go by the straight #'s for cancer supression in my case bcz the tumors were small and fully encapsulated.

C~

[Applecore]

What do you think about the nodules just dropping hormone when they want.  I had the anxiety for about 5 days and now it isn't there?  I will call my doctor and ask him if I can get another blood test.  I would feel better knowing where I am even if I have to pay for it.  I am using the anxiety to spur me on with my counselling sessions.  I am facing alot of issues that usually when anxiety comes I would run away from  I am tired of this and want to not have anything for the anxiety to attach itself to.  I don't know if that statement is understandable to everybody.  I am finding it worked for me this time.  I didn't take a pill but didn't fear and made it through.   As my tsh was at 3.5 three weeks ago I really need to know how far it has dropped.  Thanks for encouraging me in the right direction.  I sure appreciate all of you and hope I can be of help to you sometime.  lol linda

[ChitChatNine]

Linda, I do very much understand your statement and I have had anxiety come on worse and then get even get more distressed as I dealt with an issue head on vs. throwing it under the rug .. by sweeping it under the rug the anxiety would get better but I never felt the feelings and supressed them and that wasn't healthy.  So in a few words:  I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!

My friend who has Stage IV Metatastic Breast Cancer once told me:  You have Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself.

I draw from her courage oftentimes and particular statement has helped me cope.

c~

[Applecore]

You know the Lord gives each of us abilities and you certainly have been given the ability to encourage.  Thank you and I am sure that everyone on this forum thanks you.  

I am calling my doctor today to see if he will write me another blood test.  

God did not give me a spirit of fear but of love, power, and a sound mind.     lol   Linda

[ChitChatNine]

Thanks.  I will share with you bcz you may not know (it was b4 you came on board I think) that I went for 6 weeks of counseling to a cancer center bcz it all came to such an awful anxiety level after my diagnosis and I couldn't understand why it was taking me so long to accept it all and move on, etc., etc. until one day she told me there is no timeframe and some people never fully accept their diagnosis and it is ok if that happens as long as it doesn't interfere with making/doing the right things as seeing Dr's, acknowledging new symptoms, etc., etc.  I walked out of that appt and realized I am only human and from that point fwd I started to get better, had a very good cry, put the fear into perspective, and began to heal.  Yes, I understand and I am blessed to be able to help others because of what I've been thru.

C~