feels like im going backwards

[Nat_16]

This isnt really a question as such; more like a vent of frustration in the hope for answers or inspiration.  

My endo tried to increase my meds 2 weeks ago but the increase was too much and so I had the horrid heart palps and high BP associated with a large increase.  Heart palps came on the 7th day after increase (I went from 50mcg to 100mcg at once - not a good idea!)  So my GP bought me back down to the original 50mcg and said give your body 6 weeks to recover from the increase and we'll take more bloods and increase accordingly, but we will do it slowly.  So I thought that sounded ok and went along with it.

But now Im feeling worse than I usually do on the 50mcg, more fatigue, muscle aches and pains, weight gain, dry horrible skin, and now the added symptom of feeling down.  I feel so cr@p because I cant do what I want to do because of my stupid thyroid problems.  I want to go out with friends but I cant because all I want to do is sleep either that or I just feel too down to do anything.  I went out last night, was home before 10pm and sat down all night at a psychic show, was in bed before 11pm woke up after 9am this morning as was ready for a nap by 1pm.  It *****!!

So I went back to the GP today and asked if we could bring the bloods forward because I feel so cr@ppy, cr@ppier than I have ever felt before whilst hypo.  He said we have to wait at least another 3 weeks so the levels will be right and accurate and he doesnt want to increase me too soon after the palps in case they re-appear.  I dont want to feel like this for another 3 weeks.  

Oh, and on top of that, my endo thinks it is no longer necessary for me to have appts with him so now I am purely in the care of my GP, Im considering whether it is worth searching for another endo or not.

OK so thats me, sorry it's so long and all I seemed to do is whinge.  Should I seek out another endo or stick with the GP??  How can I survive the next 3 weeks without loosing it because I feel so cr@p??

[Nat_16]

An update:
Went to the GP yesterday.  T4 meds increased slightly.  No referal to an endo yet, the dr hasnt yet found one he wants to send me to.  (well he found one but it's a 6 hour plane ride away so thats a bit out of the question!!)

So the GP is doing some research between now and my next blood test in 6 weeks so that he knows more about thyroid so he can look after me.

[Nat_16]

Thanks!!! :)

I totally agree that sometimes its necessary to fire dr's...especially when they dont do anything useful.  At my last endo appt he didnt even ask me how I was feeling!!  One look at the scar and one look at lab results told me double my dose of T4 and appt over!!  I wasnt impressed at all!!!

[blsdnsvd]

It's sometimes necessary to fire doctor's...I did! Finding one who will listen to your symptoms is key and never settle for less than... it's also great that your gp is workig with you as well and helping to find a new Endo. God Bless you on the search.

[Nat_16]

Thanks Deb!!! :)

I couldnt have done it without the support and advice from this forum!!!!!!

[Smilerdeb]

For someone so young and having thyroid issues...coming on this forum and in the short time ...taking CONTROL of your life, I think I am one of many who would say well done!
You have learnt so much in such a short time and are now being proactive in yr journey to wellness.
You will go far and gain good results if you keep going like this xxx

[Nat_16]

just an update on the situation.  I've fired my old endo - not going back because he treated me so poorly at the last appt.  I went to my GP, had bloods done and am getting results on friday.  Have spoken to my GP about not seeing the endo.  The GP said he is willing to look after me but he would like a different endo to consult me just so my GP can get an idea of a few things because my GP said he isnt a thyroid specialist and doesnt really know too much besides the basics.  My GP is ringing around and finding me an endo he and I are satisifed with, I told him what I want out of a dr he is finding me one to see.  we are hoping my GP will have an endo for me so he will give me a referal on friday with my lab results.  

[Nat_16]

Great article, great way of explaining things!  Thanks Deb!! :)

Barb - I thought yeah some things (like a broken leg) i'd heal quicker because of my age but I didnt think being sensitive to med changes would change with age....it didnt make sense to me, thanks for shedding some light on the situation!! :)

[Smilerdeb]

Nat...I would be TELLING yr GP that you are going to increase by 12.mcg.
You are most definately HYPO/
Dont wait another 3 weeks.
Go see him/her and say.......you want my body? Also explain the SPOON THEORY.....
Here it is ...click on the link and print it out for your Doc.

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf

[Barb135]

I think your endo did you a disservice by doubling your dose all at once.  

I can only guess that by his comment "because you are young", he was referring to the idea that younger people generally bounce back quicker than we old folks do.  Like if you break a leg, your is likely to heal much faster than mine would, simply because, generally, the older we get, the slower we heal.  

Even though that thought might be valid in some instances, I don't believe it would be in this one. Some people might be able to handle "double dosing", while others are more sensitive to the med -- that has nothing to do with age.

I can see why your med was increased -- just can't go along with his justification.

If you feel that badly, it might be worth talking to your gp and see if you can go ahead and test, then up your dose by 12.5 (1/2 of a 25) for a few weeks, then test again.  There doesn't seem to be any point in making you miserable any longer than necessary.  

[Nat_16]

Labs done may 4th
TSH 6.4 (0.40 - 3.5)
FT4 13.9 (10.0 - 23.0)

Dont ask about free T3 - for some reason it wasnt tested so I have no up to date results for that.

After these tests, I saw the endo on may 13th and the dosage went from 50mcg to 100mcg.  Started the 100mcg on the 14th, had the palps and high BP due to the arge on the morning of the 21st.  Dr advised me to skip meds for 2 days which I did and he put me back to the 50mcg until next labs which at the moment are planned for the first week of july.

Im quite new at this only being diagnosed 3 months ago (early march) so this may seem like a silly question but im gunna ask.  The endo said he thought "because I was young" my body could handle the big increase all at once.  Does age have anything to do with the size of each increase???  It just seems really strange to double my dose rather than doing it slowly because I am only 19.

[Barb135]

What were your latest labs and WHEN were they done?  If you can, please post results, along with reference ranges.

Your GP is doing the right thing by letting your body recover from the high dose; however, I'm not convinced you should have to wait so long before doing blood work again.  I would say 4 weeks should be long enough; however, DO make sure blood work is done *prior* to any med increase because right now, you don't where you're at.

I'm quite surprised to hear that your endo, actually doubled your dosage all at once.  Personally, I say "good riddance" to him.  So long as your GP is testing the right things and doing his best to get you well, you will probably be okay with him.  It's not necessary to have an endo -- we just need a doctor who will work with us.  

[Nat_16]

Day 3 of doing nothing is drawing to a close...im either far too tired to go out or really just dont feel like it; if im not tired im down in the dumps.  I cant believe how I've felt the past few days.  Thinking about making another appt with the GP to talk him into doing my labs early.

If the attempted increase was 2 and a half weeks ago, would all the extra T4 be out of my system - will I get an accurate reading this soon after the failed increase??  I took the high amount for 7 days and stopped it 2 and a half weeks back.  Has it been long enough or do I need to wait a bit longer to get an accurate result??????

[Nat_16]

After the endo increased too much I only went to the GP because my endo is 2 hours away and I couldnt get an appt at the time so I just went to my GP.  He doesnt want to raise me yet because he said since it was such a huge increase and my body didnt like it he wanted to give my body time to recover and he wants some more labs done in a few weeks.  If I dont feel any better in the next few days I'll try to convince him to get labs done sooner I think.  I'll give the GP a chance see how he goes and if I feel I need an endo I think I'll look for another.  

I guess the thing I'm worried about most is I feel so bad right now and I have uni exams next week...hopefully somehow I'll feel ok on the exam days.  Only got 2 exams so hopefully it wont be too bad.  

[jtlmom1577]

I am fairly new to this forum and this disease but everything I have heard with treatment is patience, patience, patience.  The endo was initially responsible but your GP is trying to fix it.  Although 50 is probably too low for the long haul, give your body a chance to adjust and unfortunately that may take as much as 6 wks.  My doctor really likes it closer to 8 wks.  Even at the end of 6 wks, the doctor may only bump you up by 12.5 or 25 and you will then have to wait another 6-8 wks.  Give your GP a chance before looking for another doctor.  The GP at least recognized that you were bumped up in medicine too much.  You will survive the next 3 weeks!!!

[thelma201]

The obvious mistake here is what the Endo did by raising your dose too high all at once! Why did your GP deal with this? The Endo is responsible....50 is probably still too low for you.....why won't the Gp raise it a small amount? A 12.5 dose raise probably wouldn't give you hyper issues.....tell your Gp you want blood work NOW.see what's going on and take things from there......IF you feel you need an Endo, I would look for a new one. The Endo was very foolish to double your dose!!!!