Hello, new to Anxiety but not new to MedHelp... Anybody out there have Anxiety from Thyroid disesae or Synthroid med used to treat Thyroid disorders?

[ChitChatNIne]

I am taking replacement thyroid hormone (Synthroid) for 14mos after a partial thyroidectomy where the other side decided not to function after surgery (happens 20% of the time) so I must remain on Synthroid rest of my life which,is ok because I feel great on the meds, EXCEPT when anything (even small) causes stress in my life ... then I find I get very anxious and have mood swings which I know wouldn't happen from similar small am't of stress in my life not being on the Synthroid.  I have the option to take less Synthroid and then this doesn't happen -- but (isn't there always a but in these ?'s LOL) since they found small cancer it is in my best interest to take this am't of med to prevent future occurence.  So a fine line balancing quality of life,cancer prevention .....and managing anxiety.

Anybody else out there have this, too, or can offer ways/ideas to help de-stress when a mood like this happens .. the cause: outside stress from a normal, daily living event .................the effect:  anxiety interfeirng with sleep w/overall feeling of jitters during day .... once the outside stimulus is gone (stressor) then all is 100% fine with no anxiety lingering.  I have the option of lowering the med and this doesn't happen but don't want to do that unless absolutely necessary bcz the cancer prevention is less effective at the lower med dose.

Thanks ..

Cheryl (partial thyroidectomy 1/07...transient anxiety assoc with Synthroid thyroid hormonal replacement meds)

[ChitChatNIne]

I take 1/2mg.of Ativan which works when needed.  I only use it on occasion and am very sensitive to meds so 0.5mg of Ativan for me is like 1.5mgs for the avg. person :)  I have been blood tested and my results are the same in the thyroid dept (TSH #'s) when having the anxiety or not having the anxiety which rules out the other side of the thyroid is now functioning again and too much hormones being produced.

Cheryl

[nursegirl6572]

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles.  Hopefully I can offer some insight for you, medically speaking anyway...

You would actually be more likely to have significant anxiety symptoms if your Synthroid is NOT managed correctly.  Not to say that the med cannot cause some of those side effects, but it is much better to be sure you are properly regulated on the medication.  I think once you start getting used to the new dose schedule, you will notice some pretty big changes in how you feel, both physically and emotionally.  This is all so very new to you and your system is still adjusting.  Also, like you said, the medication is important due to your new diagnosis.

Also, while you are probably aware that thyroid cancer is VERY treatable, with most forms being over 99% cureable, of COURSE it is completely normal for you to be anxious about that new diagnosis.  No one likes the idea of the "C" word, you know?  Just the thought is enough to make you anxious.  If you feel the anxiety is significant, maybe even talk to your endocrinologist about a referral to see a psychologist, to work through some of your emotions.  In the meantime, remember, the emotions you may be having are COMPLETELY understandable.  Don't be hard on yourself and place unrealistic goals upon yourself (ie..."I should be feeling normal by now")...everyone recovers differently.

My advice to you, as a medical professional, and as a fellow anxiety sufferer, is to keep your doctor up to date with your symtpoms, be sure to follow up with all of your lab work, and report anything increasingly bothersome to your doctor.  While doing that, try to give it some time and see if you notice a change.  Certainly, if you don't, then of course your medication may need adjusted or changed.

What you are feeling is totally normal.....try to be kind to yourself, allow yourself to feel what you are feeling, and like Cheryl said above, talk to your doc about an anti-anxiety med if you need it, at least to get you through this difficult time.  No need to be a hero, right?

One last thing...my sister had a total thyroidectomy last year, and she has battled with low calcium (her parathyroid glands never started functioning post-op)...and I tell you, when they were in the process of adjusting her Synthroid (and calcium meds) to get the levels right, she was VERY anxious.  And, my sister is not an "anxious" person whatsoever.

Best of luck to you, I hope you are feeling better soon.  

[ChitChatNIne]

Thank you so much for your post back to me.  I know I am ok with all the diagnosis issues because when I take 75mcgs vs. 88mcgs of Synthroid there is not even a hint of anxiety .. but my bloodwork #'s are pretty above the norm for where they should be at that dosage for Cancer Supression.  Therefore, I have two options:  take the lower dose and have no anxiety or take the higher dose and live with it is what it seems to come down to.  But, in the big realm of things ..  it could be worse and other treatments are much worse so I have come to appreciate life ea. day and don't ever stress over the little stuffs in life anymore -- I take ea. morning as a gift.  And I really mean this. but when the anxiety creeps in there .. it isn't fun either and reminds me of my condition which otherwise can go weeks without a thought.  so maybe you are right .. maybe there is a small play there .. symptom reminds me and escalates it a bit ..hmmmmmm something I will think more about.  THANKS!

I have gone thru all the stages of acceptance which took a good 3-4months to be honest with you and when somebody told me there was no time limit to heal and that some never accept it 100% that is when I became healed with 100% total acceptance.  It was amazing.

I appreciate the time you took to post to me,

Cheryl ~ 2  Papillary Microcarcinomas (1/07) .. orig nodules found and removed were totally benign!!!