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Please Help, I don't know what to think anymore!!!!
Some of you know my story and some may not so here goes. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in April and began Synthroid. I had side effects from the medication and too fast of increases so 7 1/2 weeks ago I began Levoxyl at a starting dose of 25mcg. I am to increase every 4 weeks and currently have been on 37.5mcg for 3 1/2 weeks. I was starting to feel better and by last week I really only had some residual fatigue and aches and pains. Last night I started feeling so tired I could not keep my eyes open and I was freezing. After about 1/2 an hour I was wide awake and hot! Also I felt very shaky and just not right. These cyles continued all night and now this morning I don't seem to feel anxious anymore and am not hot but my whole body feels like it has been hit by a truck, I am exhausted and cold. Basically I feel like he//!!! I don't know if the medication may be doing it or if maybe I hit one of the lovely hyper/hypo spells assciated with Hashi's. All I know is I was starting to feel better and now I feel as bad as I did when I was first diagnosed. Here are my recent labs done this morning:
TSH 4.290 (0.340-5.600) previously 3.890 before starting Levoxyl
Free T4 0.83 (0.61-1.12) previously 0.70 before starting Levoxyl
Free T3 pending (this has to be sent to different lab as no lab in the area runs this. Wil not have results for 3-4 days)
What is going on??? I don't know what to think anymore. I am suppose to see my endo who wants to bump up to 44mcg but what if this is from the medication? If it was the medication would the "spell" only lasted for less than a day? Please help I can't take it anymore, I'm back to believing that my family and I would be better off if I was dead!!!!
TSH 4.290 (0.340-5.600) previously 3.890 before starting Levoxyl
Free T4 0.83 (0.61-1.12) previously 0.70 before starting Levoxyl
Free T3 pending (this has to be sent to different lab as no lab in the area runs this. Wil not have results for 3-4 days)
What is going on??? I don't know what to think anymore. I am suppose to see my endo who wants to bump up to 44mcg but what if this is from the medication? If it was the medication would the "spell" only lasted for less than a day? Please help I can't take it anymore, I'm back to believing that my family and I would be better off if I was dead!!!!
Ya, thats a question I cant answer either, what provokes the antibodies to attack, Thats what stunnes me!
I can see how stress can definately be a negative for thyroid patients but I can't see how it would cause it when people have antibodies that attack it. Who knows I guess ANTHYTHING is possible!!!
Wow, thats unreal, I know when I started having all these problems my stress level was through the roof and my anxiety was too :(...
When I was young I suppose I didn't have a normal childhood, My dad wouldn't be the best/nicest fella, was abusive both verbally and physically! I used go to bed at night praying he wouldn't do anything to harm my mom or anyone! Thankfully I learned to deal with it! but to this day I hate him! Never forgive him for hurting us like that!
Then when I was 12 my lil broter was born with Downs Syndrome! Wow, when i think about it, he was a really sick baby, had 3 holes in his heart and need open heart surgery to survive! The thing was, he was to sick to go for the surgery straight away! So for the first 8 months of his life he was constantly in hospital. I never saw my parents and was always alone... Would be shipped from house to house cause my parents were in the hospital all the time, my older sis was no help to me, a bit on da wild side so I think I had to grow up to soon! I was so sorried Rob (my lil bro) would die, always cried when my parents had to go.... I think that caused me a lot of stress/worry! He means the world to me, and I would have died with out him! I remember my mom telling me the doc said that " all we can do now is pray".... Thankfully he got the operation and is nearly 10 now!!!
And well my last realtionship wasn't the best, too long to go into detail but between him cheating and being an a$$ it caused alot of anxiety!
So maybe its all down to stress I dont know! Just makes me think about things in a different light!
When I was young I suppose I didn't have a normal childhood, My dad wouldn't be the best/nicest fella, was abusive both verbally and physically! I used go to bed at night praying he wouldn't do anything to harm my mom or anyone! Thankfully I learned to deal with it! but to this day I hate him! Never forgive him for hurting us like that!
Then when I was 12 my lil broter was born with Downs Syndrome! Wow, when i think about it, he was a really sick baby, had 3 holes in his heart and need open heart surgery to survive! The thing was, he was to sick to go for the surgery straight away! So for the first 8 months of his life he was constantly in hospital. I never saw my parents and was always alone... Would be shipped from house to house cause my parents were in the hospital all the time, my older sis was no help to me, a bit on da wild side so I think I had to grow up to soon! I was so sorried Rob (my lil bro) would die, always cried when my parents had to go.... I think that caused me a lot of stress/worry! He means the world to me, and I would have died with out him! I remember my mom telling me the doc said that " all we can do now is pray".... Thankfully he got the operation and is nearly 10 now!!!
And well my last realtionship wasn't the best, too long to go into detail but between him cheating and being an a$$ it caused alot of anxiety!
So maybe its all down to stress I dont know! Just makes me think about things in a different light!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Tamra - I like the Wii Fit also, but working 10 hr days as I have this summer, I've not had time to even turn it on...........I go back to regular schedule on Monday - hoping to have more time for that - and I also love my yoga video.............
When I am stressed, my 'issues' are worse. Hubby travels a lot for his job. A few days before he leaves, my hypo symptoms really kick in. Also, I have a six year old who was diagnosed with sensory integration disorder at age two. Raising her has been a challenge, to say the least. Whenever she would go into a fit, my symptoms would become more severe.
I have really had to learn to adjust and to force myself to take a breather.
Compounding my disease, my vitamin D was an 18 this spring. I have no idea what my B12 was or my other vitamins. I take many supplements now besides my Synthroid and am feeling much better.
I used to be an exercise nut, but now that my body says 'No', I find that Tai Chi REALLY helps. I bought a Tai Chi video, Simplified Tai Chi Chuan by Master Liang, Shou-Yu. He is very good for beginners. This is a wonderful toning and stress release video. The Wii fit is awesome, too.
:) Tamra
I have really had to learn to adjust and to force myself to take a breather.
Compounding my disease, my vitamin D was an 18 this spring. I have no idea what my B12 was or my other vitamins. I take many supplements now besides my Synthroid and am feeling much better.
I used to be an exercise nut, but now that my body says 'No', I find that Tai Chi REALLY helps. I bought a Tai Chi video, Simplified Tai Chi Chuan by Master Liang, Shou-Yu. He is very good for beginners. This is a wonderful toning and stress release video. The Wii fit is awesome, too.
:) Tamra
COMMUNITY LEADER
Very well said --- I used to be one of those people you first talked about, trying to "take on the world" and solve everyone else's problems.
A couple of years ago, my husband had some depression issues and because of that, *I* sought a therapist for myself because he would NOT for himself. I knew I couldn't make HIM better, so I had to find a way to handle it myself. Through several months of therapy, I realized that not everything that happens is MY fault and that *I* can't solve everyone else's problems - sometimes, they just have to "put on their big kids panties and deal with it" themselves..
Whenever I feel myself getting stressed out about something there are 3 questions I ask myself:
1) Did *I* have anything to do with causing the problem?
2) Is there anything I can really DO about it?
3) Will anyone really CARE about this a week from now? a month? or a year? 5 years?
If the answer to these questions is "no" - then I *allow* myself to back off and NOT try to "make if all better" at my own expense........
At work - I do the best I can, knowing that I'm only one person and there's only so much I can get done during an 8 hour day (or 10, as in my summer schedule). I still ask the same 3 questions when it comes to solving problems, but I understand that there might be things that have to be left undone until tomorrow, or the next day....and I refuse to feel guilty about this.......that's where it's important to set priorities......
Get the important things done, like feeding the children, taking care of yourself, etc and worry about the rest later.
I've also learned that if I put some things off that *I* think are rather important, it turns out that they will eventually just "fade away" because they really weren't that important after all..............
A couple of years ago, my husband had some depression issues and because of that, *I* sought a therapist for myself because he would NOT for himself. I knew I couldn't make HIM better, so I had to find a way to handle it myself. Through several months of therapy, I realized that not everything that happens is MY fault and that *I* can't solve everyone else's problems - sometimes, they just have to "put on their big kids panties and deal with it" themselves..
Whenever I feel myself getting stressed out about something there are 3 questions I ask myself:
1) Did *I* have anything to do with causing the problem?
2) Is there anything I can really DO about it?
3) Will anyone really CARE about this a week from now? a month? or a year? 5 years?
If the answer to these questions is "no" - then I *allow* myself to back off and NOT try to "make if all better" at my own expense........
At work - I do the best I can, knowing that I'm only one person and there's only so much I can get done during an 8 hour day (or 10, as in my summer schedule). I still ask the same 3 questions when it comes to solving problems, but I understand that there might be things that have to be left undone until tomorrow, or the next day....and I refuse to feel guilty about this.......that's where it's important to set priorities......
Get the important things done, like feeding the children, taking care of yourself, etc and worry about the rest later.
I've also learned that if I put some things off that *I* think are rather important, it turns out that they will eventually just "fade away" because they really weren't that important after all..............
"How do I deal with mine?" ... she asked..??
If I poured out my life within 20 years you would literally freak out... BUT--
here are a few things I have done to get over my stress to make ME better.
1. I think of myself some now. I still give... give... give... to people - but now I have my limits ..... I have learned to back off from exhausting myself giving to others and saving some for me.
2. I have prioritized my life now. After being so ill and seriously, at the brink of dying twice - I realized I am only around this planet one time. I ask myself - What's important? - that 's what I work on then.
3. I came to the conclusion after regaining my health that "some people" were more burdens than benefits in my world. When I crashed and was absolutely useless to anyone - more so my family. I had NO ONE within my realm of friends that stepped up to help me. Not even a phone call from some of them asking how I was - even my own mother and sister was convinced I was nuts - more than ill. After getting well. my mom and sister realize THEY were wrong and I have forgave them - but not so much the friends. I treated them like family and when it came time for them to support me - they ran for the hills.
4. I adore my kids. I always did - but they stuck to me like glue when I was out of it. I will always appreciate that. They are older boys, 20 and 18 now. but during that time I was useless to my older son his whole highschool years but he has never backlashed me for that.
5. I no longer beat the he// out of myself about money. I do what I can and pay what I can and that's it. My health comes first. I will say however after years of battling with idiots for doctors in my past. I NEVER paid them one red dime for almost killing me. I wrote them letters now with my new doctors treatment and showing them how they almost killed me-.......... I stopped receiving bills ironically from 80% of them.
6.I appreciate what I have.
7 . I live for the day now. I live for me.
8 I don't listen to something I believe is wrong anymore, If something makes me happy and doesn't agree with the "outside" my family's thoughts.. I could care less.
9 I know now I am NOT super woman. and probably never was. I do what I can on a daily basis.
10 - this was most important.... for me. I forgave my father... He's dead now, and right after he died ( I was diagnoised the day after he died with Graves) I no longer have the oppurtunity to PROVE myself and after almost dying myself... I do need to prove anything to him or anyone anymore. I am ME - and that's what I have.
If I poured out my life within 20 years you would literally freak out... BUT--
here are a few things I have done to get over my stress to make ME better.
1. I think of myself some now. I still give... give... give... to people - but now I have my limits ..... I have learned to back off from exhausting myself giving to others and saving some for me.
2. I have prioritized my life now. After being so ill and seriously, at the brink of dying twice - I realized I am only around this planet one time. I ask myself - What's important? - that 's what I work on then.
3. I came to the conclusion after regaining my health that "some people" were more burdens than benefits in my world. When I crashed and was absolutely useless to anyone - more so my family. I had NO ONE within my realm of friends that stepped up to help me. Not even a phone call from some of them asking how I was - even my own mother and sister was convinced I was nuts - more than ill. After getting well. my mom and sister realize THEY were wrong and I have forgave them - but not so much the friends. I treated them like family and when it came time for them to support me - they ran for the hills.
4. I adore my kids. I always did - but they stuck to me like glue when I was out of it. I will always appreciate that. They are older boys, 20 and 18 now. but during that time I was useless to my older son his whole highschool years but he has never backlashed me for that.
5. I no longer beat the he// out of myself about money. I do what I can and pay what I can and that's it. My health comes first. I will say however after years of battling with idiots for doctors in my past. I NEVER paid them one red dime for almost killing me. I wrote them letters now with my new doctors treatment and showing them how they almost killed me-.......... I stopped receiving bills ironically from 80% of them.
6.I appreciate what I have.
7 . I live for the day now. I live for me.
8 I don't listen to something I believe is wrong anymore, If something makes me happy and doesn't agree with the "outside" my family's thoughts.. I could care less.
9 I know now I am NOT super woman. and probably never was. I do what I can on a daily basis.
10 - this was most important.... for me. I forgave my father... He's dead now, and right after he died ( I was diagnoised the day after he died with Graves) I no longer have the oppurtunity to PROVE myself and after almost dying myself... I do need to prove anything to him or anyone anymore. I am ME - and that's what I have.
Good posting Stella....my labs have gone haywire a few times from major stress!
And I too USED to be on e of those that tried to solve everyones problems except my own!
Now I say............NO to people.
And feel a lot better for it.
Although I still have to remind myself sometimes that I cannot change the world lol !
And I too USED to be on e of those that tried to solve everyones problems except my own!
Now I say............NO to people.
And feel a lot better for it.
Although I still have to remind myself sometimes that I cannot change the world lol !
Well you just summed me up as well ;-) Here's a little history about me. Married and 1st child at 19, second child 10 months after 1st. Terrible marriage with a husband with a severe drug and alcohol addiction. After dealing with that for 5 years I kicked my husband out and suddenly became a single mom of 2 young boys. Trying to raise and support 2 small children on 1 salary as he never paid child support (currently is $16,000 behind). My first symptoms of thyroid problems started at this point but every doctor told me I was depressed. Met a wonderful man about a year later who was amazing to my boys. Still had some health issues, but was feeling better. Remarried to my wonderful husband in October 2005. Became pregnant in December and delivered a beautiful daughter. Two months after she was born I was pregnant again!!! This is when my thyroid symptoms returned. The whole pregnancy was terrible and after her delivery in July of 2007 things have spiraled downhill fast. Also during a 2 year span prior to becoming pregnant with my first daughter I had 3 surgeries. In additional my youngest son was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD and I LIVED at his school last year and became best friends with the principal! Now I am a happily married 33 year old woman with 4 beautiful children ages 13, 12, 3 and 2. I have 3 dogs and my husband is a police officer who works night shift so I fly solo 5 days a week at night with 2 small children who DO NOT sleep through the night. I also work full time as an administrative assistant. Boy after typing that I can see where I might have some stress ;-) How do you deal with yours? I know I need to learn how to calm down and relax but I don't know how. There are always 10 million things that need to be done and no time to do it. And when you add into the equation always feeling like he// it doesn't help so I am eager to learn of ways to relax.
It seems in a sterotypical view I have made. Most malfunctioning thyroid issues seem to happen to people that have lead lives of excessive multi tasking - over stressed - excessive control issues- dominant people and all around over exhausted individuals that pushed themselves to hard - that something had to break.
These things above are not "bad" traits. I match everyone of them... the only thing is taking on too much CAN and WILL burn a person out.
Problem is::: When you are that kind of person you don't listen to the warning signs happening - until it's too late.
I think stress really plays a bigger role than genetics do. Family cells are very important - but we all have them - most of the time - the people who really know therir limits and stay within them - live normally.
These things above are not "bad" traits. I match everyone of them... the only thing is taking on too much CAN and WILL burn a person out.
Problem is::: When you are that kind of person you don't listen to the warning signs happening - until it's too late.
I think stress really plays a bigger role than genetics do. Family cells are very important - but we all have them - most of the time - the people who really know therir limits and stay within them - live normally.
I am not currently on anthing routinely other than my thyroid medication. I have allergies and asthma so I take 6 allergy shots a week, allergy medication as needed and an inhaler when needed. I am VERY sensitive to medications so I stay away from as much as possible even OTC and especially herbal due to my allergies. How about you? Do you have a thyroid problem and are you on medication?
Hi dani, I'm new here so I don't know a thing other than this post from you. I'm dealing with lots of issues myself. Most of my problems right now are related to other meds, so I'm wondering if you take anything aside from Levoxyl. Rx, herbal, otc, etc.?
Thanks for your reply and you are absolutely right, time is the enemy. I have come to terms with the understanding that it will take time but still struggling with starting to feel better and getting optimistic only to start spiralling downhill again. I know I need more meds but it is still emotionally exahuasting. I would just like my life back and enjoy it with my husband and 4 beautiful children! I will take your advice about tracking my symptoms. I have always relyed on my trust worthy brain to remember everything but as we all with thyroid problems know, I can't even remember what I did 2 hours ago, LOL! Thanks again and hugs to you too!
That "stress" level would make anyone super anxious and tired.
It does take sometime after any change - whether different meds - or decreases /increase,
Sometimes "time" can be the enemy in your minds too - LOL
In this day - we are used to immediate results - in everything - thyroid for sure - is not immediate by no means....
Take care - track your symptoms and get some rest.
It does take sometime after any change - whether different meds - or decreases /increase,
Sometimes "time" can be the enemy in your minds too - LOL
In this day - we are used to immediate results - in everything - thyroid for sure - is not immediate by no means....
Take care - track your symptoms and get some rest.
It sounds like you've had some good reasons for anxiety and to be tired. Sleep!! As much as we all rely on the "scapethyroid", the poor thing isn't responsible for everything! I need a good night's sleep myself...
Thank you so much for your help like always ;-) There are days like last night when my mind was running with am I over medicated, do I have diabetes now too, is this anxiety and of course the usual what the he// is wrong with me!!! The physical symptoms are bad enough but when you start feeling a little more human only to be blown down again it really plays havoc with the emotional symptoms as well. I never would have guessed the thyroid can be so destructing to your life. I am so glad that I found this forum especially a selected few who have been soooooo very helpful with me yourself included! When I posted this question I kept checking back and looking for my "selected few" and again that includes you. I don't know why but it helps more than I can ever express to have someone who understands!!! My family tries but well my mother's last comment to me was "are you sure you're not just creating these problems because you are afraid to feel normal again" After thinking about it more and more I think my "spell" was a combination of a brief hyper spell from the Hashi's along with stress which I know can cause the thyroid to act up more. We just had a major flooding last week where I live and my brother and sister in law lost everything and I had major damage to one of my vehicles so I think that played a part. Goolarra thank you so much again for everything! I wish I could carry you around with me and when I have problems pull you out of my pocket so you can reassure me everything is ok. Hugs!!!!
I think we all (myself included) get caught up in micro-diagnosis at times. Am I tired because I'm hypo? Or am I tired because I was wide awake last night because I'm overmedicated? Or am I just tired because sometimes you're just legitimtely tired?
Give it a while. You may feel just fine again tomorrow after a good night's sleep...that's if you don't work yourself into a tither so you can't get a good night's sleep. Easier said than done, I realize.
Anxiety and a lousy night's sleep can make you feel like you've been run over by a truck. Even when your dosage is "perfectly" tweked, you are going to have those days, and often they won't be (directly) thyroid related.
Obviously, you do need meds increases, but I do know your story, and patience, patience, patience. Your FT4 is on its way up.
Give it a while. You may feel just fine again tomorrow after a good night's sleep...that's if you don't work yourself into a tither so you can't get a good night's sleep. Easier said than done, I realize.
Anxiety and a lousy night's sleep can make you feel like you've been run over by a truck. Even when your dosage is "perfectly" tweked, you are going to have those days, and often they won't be (directly) thyroid related.
Obviously, you do need meds increases, but I do know your story, and patience, patience, patience. Your FT4 is on its way up.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your TSH is still high - the 5.6 top end of the range for TSH is outdated - the new "upper level" is 3.0 and your Free T4 is only the bottom of its range, so I'd say you are still hypo. It could be that you haven't been at the higher dosage long enough or that maybe it's time to go up to the next one. It's really hard to say without the FT3 result.
It will be interesting to see what your Free T3 is, since that is the most indicative of hypo/hyper........
I have Hashi's too and I sometimes have these swings between hot/cold, fatigue/insomnia, etc. It's usually when the antibodies are ready to start "kicking up a storm" again. I find that taking a daily dose of selenium helps keep this in check somewhat. Magnesium taken at bedtime might help with the aches and pains.
Please post your FT3 as soon as you get it..that will help members assist you better.
You should be about ready to move up to the next level of med - hopefully that will help.........if not, contact your doctor.
It will be interesting to see what your Free T3 is, since that is the most indicative of hypo/hyper........
I have Hashi's too and I sometimes have these swings between hot/cold, fatigue/insomnia, etc. It's usually when the antibodies are ready to start "kicking up a storm" again. I find that taking a daily dose of selenium helps keep this in check somewhat. Magnesium taken at bedtime might help with the aches and pains.
Please post your FT3 as soon as you get it..that will help members assist you better.
You should be about ready to move up to the next level of med - hopefully that will help.........if not, contact your doctor.
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