migraines, auto-immune disease, and thyroid

[stalightz]

           I have had a lot of headaches over the last couple years and recently started having migraines with neurological complications (like speech problems, blacking out and dizziness), and in the course of trying to figure out what was going on, I went to see a neurologist who discovered that I have high ANA levels.  I do have a history of autoimmune disease in the family since my mom has Behcets. About 15 years ago a doctor noticed a goiter in my thyroid. At that time my thyroid levels were a little low but within normal levels and I forgot all about it.
           Well now I'm beginning to wonder if this isn't Hashimoto's? In this past year, I've also had a huge increase in problems with allergies and asthma, feel generally tired and yucky a lot, and have post-nasal drip all the time.  Has this type of presentation occurred for anyone else?  And, if so, did your migraines and allergies stop with thyroid treatment?

[stalightz]

Your situation does sound eerily similar to mine. I have recently started having trouble swallowing too. It feels like there is a big lump or something in my throat. I saw an endocrinologist today who had almost no interest in talking to me because I hadn't seen a Rheumotologist first and I didn't walk in with thyroid tests in my hand. (Like they were supposed to materialize from thin air).  I felt like it was a great big deal to get even the basic thyroid levels checked. Mmm. If your bloodwork wasn''t that abnormal, how in the WORLD, did you get any of the doctors to LISTEN??

[tatgirl67]

This sounds very sinilar to my situation. A coulpe of years ago I started to get severe migraines, complete with slurred speech, loss of vision, and occasionally some weakness in my left arm. I also had an increase in my asthma and allergy symptoms , to the point that I had to see a pulmonologist. My labs were all normal, and I was told it was perimenopause (I was 37!). My symptoms continued, and I started to investigate on my own. I started to consider Hashis, and asked for some more labs (my TSH was higher that previous tests, but still not "hypo"). Then I started to have difficulty swallowing. I had a subtotal thyroidectomy several moths ago and started taking thyroid meds. I started to feel better almost immediately. Then I started to have swallowing problems again about 1 month ago. I had my pathology reviewd by a different lab, and they found cancer. I don't know how the first pathologist missed it, but now I'm waiting for the surgeon at the cancer center to fit me into his schedule. Now, in addition to having the remaining thyroid tissue removed, I am also having a neck dissection to remove all of the lymph nodes in my neck, as well as some fatty tissue. You know your body, and if you don't feel right, get second opinions until you are satisfied!!  

[stalightz]

Wow, thanks for the suggestion! That sounds scary but when I get in to see an endocrinologist again I want to know as much as possible so I can get to the bottom of this more quickly. At least knowing what I'm dealing with would be something. I can't imagine the days before internet when sharing experiences and knowledge was so much more difficult. Again, thanks for taking the time to respond :)

[GravesLady]

You might have doctor check for Hashimoto's Encephalopathy, a neuroendocrine disorder where antibodies attack neurons in the brain. Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is quite rare and there may only be several dozen diagnosed patients in the U.S.  However, it is also likely that there are many more undiagnosed sufferers.
Some of the most common symptoms of Hashimoto's Encephalopathy include: disorientation, psychosis, tremors, concentration and memory problems, jerks in the muscles and lack of coordination, HEADACHES, partial paralysis on the right side, and speech problems.
Antibodies levels will be high, witrh a diagnosable case of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, but TSH levels may also be normal.
The primary treatment for Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is oral corticosteroid drugs - for example, Prednisone. While Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is a relapsing condition, the use of oral corticosteroids can keep the condition manageable for many patients.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12407305&dopt=Abstract

http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?
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http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=thyroid&cdn=health&tm=334&gps=322_891_1239_600&f=22&su=p284.7.420.ip_p284.5.420.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.orgsites.com/fl/hashimotos-encephalopathy-casestudies


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