joint pains

Dear All,
        I am awaiting test results to provide my GP with more details regarding my thyroid issues before he begins treatment, I had TSH of 15 when they tested two weeks ago. What Im posting about is the god awful joint pains I am experiencing- I have the fatigue and the brain fog and the sensitivity to cold and all that I can manage -but these jpoint pains are really getting me down. They are worse in my wrists -real bad carpal tunnel syndrome pains, I can't write which is affecting my job - I'm dropping things all the time and the pain that shoots up my thumb area is excruciating if I try to use my hand in a way that it dislikes! The joints in my neck, shoulders and knees are sore all the time too and in the evening time I am dreadful- like an old woman and Im only 39. Is there anything I can do to help myself before Im treated? and will this ease when Im treated because I cant imagine living with this pain all the time.

        Please help- any suggestions or experiences gratefully received.
                                Love Manxie

[marcal]

I am so sorry you having all this trouble. Has any one ever suggested you might have fibromyalgia? I do not know if that is it but all the joint pains sounds very familiar to me. I understand what you are talking about when you say you feel like an old woman. My mom is 76 and in better shape than I am. I have been treated for my thyroid for several years but I am still intoleratant to cold I actually dread the summer more than winter because everyone has there central air on and I shiver . I have to take a jacket everywhere I go...yucky. I try to do yog and stretching exercises to help with my fibro. I also try to make myself stop from overdoing on my good days.On my bads days I just try to baby myself with like soaking in a hot tub and massage although there are times when touch is very painful. I hope you find out soemthing from you gp. Please let us know what you find out-Mar

[Manxie]

Dear Mar,
         No he hasnt suggested fibromyalgia yet - he said he thought the joint issues were connected with the thyroid issues and he hopes they will ease when I am treated. However I know it can take months to get the meds at the right dosage and I cant imagine having this for months the thought makes me want to weep! as it is getting worse slowly but surely and I am in agony already. I guess I'm wondering will this ease when I'm treated? at least to a point where I can manage it better?. I know there will be no guarantees but Im wondering about others experiences and thoughts in this regard.

I am having real problems writing - i've started using a dictaphone for most of my work, but sometimes like filling out referral forms I have to write and its so sore! also unreadable and others are now mentioning this. Im in tyhe middle of a degree programme that Im beginning to struggle with as I feel so damn exhausted all the time.

Have to say the tiredness and the cold sensitivity I have had for years and managed anyway (although as you say its not good!) but these joint pains are much much worse and I am with you for feeling older than 70! . The doc doesnt seem to listen to me when I say this (that my priority issue is the joint pain) and I don't know if I can take anti-inflammatories without messing my thyroid up more?? I forgot to ask the doc, and what about alternative remedies for joint issues can I take them without causing more problems?

I have such a busy life that I am worried also that I cant keep going at the pace I usually do and yet people rely on me doing so (kids,patients,dog, hubby, friends etc). Im sure I will adapt but I really appreciate your reply and any help and advice to help me do so! I do baby myself a lot, but the bad time is all the time at the moment as Im not yet treated and I do hope that the treatment can move this to sometimes at least instead of all the time???.

                Love Manxie

[Manxie]

Dear All,
           Just to give hope to readers who may be expereincing joint pains like the ones I describe mine have eased about 80 percent since I started 50mcg of Levothyroxine eleven days ago! I still have thumb pain a little especially when I try to hold something that weighs something (like a cup) between my thumb and hand. Still dropping things consequently but other than this my joint pains have vanished even when I walked three miles this afternoon!! Amazing.
                    Love Manxie xx