This can't be all from Hashimotos, can it ?

[Jessica_Elizabeth]

Ok, so I was Dx with Hashimoto's about two months ago and put on Levothyroxine.  I have an appointment with a new doc on April 1st (long story, but been having problems with finding a doctor who can/will treat me).  Well, I am on 100mcg of Levothyroxine, and don't feel all that much better. I have slightly more energy, but I am still having random symptoms.   Here is kind of a timeline of my symptoms.  I am so frustrated, as this has been going on for about two years.  I am so tired of being sick. This is my symptom timeline..  Can all these symptoms be from the Hashimotos?
I just want to feel better, and honestly want my life back.

June/August 2006:

Quit Smoking (smoker for 10 years)
•Oral Surgery (Wisdom teeth) * Slow, painful recovery – symptoms began: Excrutiating headaches, Vision disturbances, Sinus problems, stabbing pains up left side of face, extreme exhaustion, cannot sleep enough (Followed up with my surgeon, exam and x-rays showed no abnormalities in healing)

September 2006 – April 2007
• Profuse sweating despite temperature
• hot/cold sweats
• migraines
• TMJ/tooth grinding
• neck stiffness
• constant re-occurring infections (mostly strep & sinus, continuous antibiotics, no lasting help.)
• energy decreased further
• waves of nausea (seemingly random)
• severe light sensitivity
• droopy left eye (almost partly paralyzed), occasional pulsating of left eye
• memory starts to decline, easily confused, easily distracted
• heart palpitations (saw cardiologist, heart is in perfect condition).
• Dx with insulin resistance (pre-diabetes) and put on Januvia.
• Switched from Januvia to Actos
• Hungry all the time, weight gain
• Switched from Actos to Metformin 500mg 2/Day
• Little improvement in symptoms, not much
• Vision gets really bad, depth perception problems very debilitating and affecting my driving
• Skin begins to burn and itch
• Develop severe restless leg syndrome
• Muscle pain and weakness so severe it hurts to move
• Feet & ankles swelling often
• Short term memory severely impaired
• Ringing in ears
• Pins and needles feeling in feet/toes, constantly getting bruises/cuts, not knowing how/when
• Always at the Emergency Care Clinic, sick non-stop: infections, strep throat, sinus problems, canker sores, etc.

April 2007 – October 2007

• Start going to doctors regularly
o Doctor finds no major abnormalities, refers me to an allergist (allergy tested – normal)
o Xrays, CT Scans – normal  
o ENT  blood work okay, ANA negative
o Develop constant lingering bitter/metallic taste in my mouth
o Acid reflux gets worse
o Blood sugars not controlled, often very low
o Metformin decreased from 500mg AM & PM to 500 MG AM
o Begin taking ibuprofen or Tylenol to function through the day (control pain, headaches, inflammation)
o Start seeing ENT in medical center
o Tonsillectomy October 2007
o Slow painful recovery
o Sore throat never went away after surgery
o On and off post-nasal drip  

December 2008-Current
o Dx with Autoimmune Thyroiditis after thyroid ultrasound and evidenced hypothyroid in blood work, otherwise blood work mostly normal
o Dental work, aggravated TMJ, headaches, neck stiffness, facial pain
o Hot flashes, on and off fever
o Random nausea, occasional vomiting
o Energy decreased
o Bowl problems (bowl urgency or constipation, irregular/abnormal patterns, not well digested)
o Small pin sized bumps on skin, occasionally itchy and inflamed
o Generally just don’t feel well, ever …
o Hand & Feet Severe Pain, Cold/Sweaty Toes
o Body/muscle aches increase (Pretty constant, but gets worse with cold weather)
o Continuous post nasal drip, non stop despite medication and nose sprays
o Sore throat (steady since late October 2007)
o Left eye feels gritty and like there’s pressure on it  
o Occasional difficulty breathing, feel throat closing

[Eagle1AmerEagle]

Sounds like you had undiagnosed full-fledged diabetes for a while, and finally switched doctors who put you on metformin.  Side effects include digestion-gas problems, for which I've been trying a 2-wk supply of Activia yogurt, helps some.  Many of us hypo's seem to have Irritable Bowel Syndrome  anyway.  

I too have some small pin-size bumps, on my itchy scalp, don't know if that's thyroid, my shampoo, or a side effect of whatever.

[bet643]

Just want to know if you have recently been to your Endo for anymore blood work and if there has been any change in the way that you are feeling?

[bet643]

I have alot of the same problems that you have. However, I wasn't diagnosed for quite some time because I was also going through menopause and the symptoms were quite the same as hashimotos. Besides being tired all of the time, I just can't figure out why that I have so much pain in my feet and hands. My Endo has yet to give me an answer that is satisfactory. Muscle cramps in the legs are always a problem because it prevents me from excercising the way I should, and that is what makes me gain weight. I've been going through it all for the past three years. Also had a total thyroidectomey due to papilary carcimona. I'm on my second Endocrinologist, and I'm about to say good bye to him real soon. Whenever I tell him how I feel, he tells me that the 150 mcg. of synthroid should take care of it. Yeah, right,.....3 yrs. later and no change. I do hope that you find out something soon and maybe share your info with all of us who are feeling so miserable. Best of luck.

[JLCW]

Most of your symptoms could be caused by our thyroid condition. It take a long time to feel better with a thyroid condition after medication has been started  doses may need adjusting a good way to check if your thyroid is under control is to run a temperature test in the morning the second you wake up if it is low, your thyroid problem is not properly controlled.  

The bowel problems could be  IBS..

There is also an autoimmune disorder called Myasthenia Gravis you are more at risk from this disease as you have Hiroshimas disease this causes muscle weakness and can effect just your eye muscle  but also other muscles .   It would be worth getting this checked by an eye specialist.  As your eye feels gritty it may be you have thyroid eye disease.  

Acid reflux, metallic taste in your mouth and pins and needles pains in your face could be hiatus hernia.  But pins and needles are also a common symptom with thyroid disorders.

The other thing I would say which your Doctor wont agree with is that IBS symptoms, restless leg syndrome and tooth grinding can be a sign of worm infestation so you can look into an alternative health care for that if you choose.  

[kitty9309]

Have you had any adrenal testing?

[peg2cats]

I notice that many Hashimoto patients (including myself) have mentioned TMJ and previous dental work.  One extremely missed cause of  some of the symptoms mentioned is high levels of mercury floating around due to old dental work.  Have often wondered if this could be sparking the auto-immune system into action, lowering one's immunity and causing allergic reactions.