Any suggestions?

[Guest guest]

wow vicki, you too? We are all on Levoxyl? I wonder if that has

anything to do with it?? Best wishes to you too, Vicki. ((HUGS))

Rhonda

> I don't have any suggestions for you because I " m going through the

same thing. About 2 weeks ago I started feeling really bad while we

were on vacation. I was so tired, had headaches, feet and hands ached

real bad (have had bouts with cold sensitivity before), just felt

lousy like you said. I got in to see my doctor when I got back and he

ordered a blood test but upped my Levoxyl to .088 (from .75). I don't

know how the test went yet but I'm on this new dose for a month and

then will be retested and see how I feel. I had a couple really good

days and then a couple really bad days and today was okay. So we'll

see. I know several people who have done wonderful on the first dose

prescribed to them and wonder why my doseage has been changed so

much. Vicki

> Any suggestions?

>

>

> Okay...here's my predicament. I've been treated for

hypothyroidism

> for about two years now, fairly successfully. My doc is an

> endocrinologist who is listed on Shomon's " Top Docs " list, so

> he's not totally ignorant about this thyroid stuff.

>

> Late last fall, I began to feel not so good again...I had bouts of

> depression, itchy skin, cold sensitivity, and found it hard to

lose

> weight again...this after having dropped about 30 pounds earlier

in

> the year cutting back my carbs and refined sugars. Since I don't

have

> great health insurance, I waited until my appointment with my doc

in

> January, knowing without a doubt that my TSH would surely be up

to 3.5

> or more. Well, my blood test came back with a TSH of 1.1! I'm

taking

> Levoxyl and cytomel. Based on my blood work, my doc decided not

to

> change my meds but said that if I was still feeling lousy in

another

> month to re-do the blood work and then he'd look at it again.

Well,

> I'm still having those same symptoms, and the depression is

getting

> increasingly worse. I'm absolutely exhausted by mid-day, and I

just

> generally feel lousy. Also, I exercise religiously and have

adhered

> to my low-carb diet fairly well.

>

> Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I don't

> want to go through the expense of another blood test if my

numbers are

> going to show near perfect TSH. If I was feeling bad before, and

my

> numbers were good, why would my numbers change now?

>

> If I had insurance, I would get re-tested in a heartbeat. But

since

> finances are a consideration, I'm finding myself questioning

what's

> going on more.

>

> Thanks in advance for any suggestions...

>

> Tracie

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

>

[Guest guest]

My aches didn't go away at all until I started taking Armour, which compeletly cured my extremely painful heel spur and arthritis-like aches. I couldn't tolerate the Armour without Cortef though, and a very happy side effect of that drug has been the ability to fall asleep in less than two hours (for the first time in over a decade), no anxiety attacks, much more even moods, and my face has FINALLY quit breaking out (I'm 42!).

Cheryl

Any suggestions?> > > Okay...here's my predicament. I've been treated for hypothyroidism> for about two years now, fairly successfully. My doc is an> endocrinologist who is listed on Shomon's "Top Docs" list, so> he's not totally ignorant about this thyroid stuff.> > Late last fall, I began to feel not so good again...I had bouts of> depression, itchy skin, cold sensitivity, and found it hard to lose> weight again...this after having dropped about 30 pounds earlier in> the year cutting back my carbs and refined sugars. Since I don't have> great health insurance, I waited until my appointment with my doc in> January, knowing without a doubt that my TSH would surely be up to 3.5> or more. Well, my blood test came back with a TSH of 1.1! I'm taking> Levoxyl and cytomel. Based on my blood work, my doc decided not to> change my meds but said that if I was still feeling lousy in another> month to re-do the blood work and then he'd look at it again. Well,> I'm still having those same symptoms, and the depression is getting> increasingly worse. I'm absolutely exhausted by mid-day, and I just> generally feel lousy. Also, I exercise religiously and have adhered> to my low-carb diet fairly well.> > Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I don't> want to go through the expense of another blood test if my numbers are> going to show near perfect TSH. If I was feeling bad before, and my> numbers were good, why would my numbers change now? > > If I had insurance, I would get re-tested in a heartbeat. But since> finances are a consideration, I'm finding myself questioning what's> going on more.> > Thanks in advance for any suggestions...> > Tracie > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------>

[Guest guest]

It's hydrocortisone, and it's for adrenal insufficiency, which often goes along with thryoid problems.

Re: Any suggestions?

What is Cortef?

[Guest guest]

I just read you note and am about feeling like you are. I had a couple bad days, a couple good days, a couple so so days and back to a couple bad days. I go tomorrow to be checked again but just don't understand why I don't feel better all the time. I hate hearing my level is normal when I feel like crap. I wonder if he'll decide to up it to .1 I know I've taken it before and it was too high but he said if I got the heart palpitations with the .088 that I should just ride through it. I just hate feeling tired alot and keep packing the weight on. It stinks and I wish I knew the answer.

Vicki

Any suggestions?> > > Okay...here's my predicament. I've been treated for hypothyroidism> for about two years now, fairly successfully. My doc is an> endocrinologist who is listed on Shomon's "Top Docs" list, so> he's not totally ignorant about this thyroid stuff.> > Late last fall, I began to feel not so good again...I had bouts of> depression, itchy skin, cold sensitivity, and found it hard to lose> weight again...this after having dropped about 30 pounds earlier in> the year cutting back my carbs and refined sugars. Since I don't have> great health insurance, I waited until my appointment with my doc in> January, knowing without a doubt that my TSH would surely be up to 3.5> or more. Well, my blood test came back with a TSH of 1.1! I'm taking> Levoxyl and cytomel. Based on my blood work, my doc decided not to> change my meds but said that if I was still feeling lousy in another> month to re-do the blood work and then he'd look at it again. Well,> I'm still having those same symptoms, and the depression is getting> increasingly worse. I'm absolutely exhausted by mid-day, and I just> generally feel lousy. Also, I exercise religiously and have adhered> to my low-carb diet fairly well.> > Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I don't> want to go through the expense of another blood test if my numbers are> going to show near perfect TSH. If I was feeling bad before, and my> numbers were good, why would my numbers change now? > > If I had insurance, I would get re-tested in a heartbeat. But since> finances are a consideration, I'm finding myself questioning what's> going on more.> > Thanks in advance for any suggestions...> > Tracie > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------>

[Guest guest]

I think I need to ask him about the Armour. I ache alot and it stinks!

Vicki

Any suggestions?> > > Okay...here's my predicament. I've been treated for hypothyroidism> for about two years now, fairly successfully. My doc is an> endocrinologist who is listed on Shomon's "Top Docs" list, so> he's not totally ignorant about this thyroid stuff.> > Late last fall, I began to feel not so good again...I had bouts of> depression, itchy skin, cold sensitivity, and found it hard to lose> weight again...this after having dropped about 30 pounds earlier in> the year cutting back my carbs and refined sugars. Since I don't have> great health insurance, I waited until my appointment with my doc in> January, knowing without a doubt that my TSH would surely be up to 3.5> or more. Well, my blood test came back with a TSH of 1.1! I'm taking> Levoxyl and cytomel. Based on my blood work, my doc decided not to> change my meds but said that if I was still feeling lousy in another> month to re-do the blood work and then he'd look at it again. Well,> I'm still having those same symptoms, and the depression is getting> increasingly worse. I'm absolutely exhausted by mid-day, and I just> generally feel lousy. Also, I exercise religiously and have adhered> to my low-carb diet fairly well.> > Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I don't> want to go through the expense of another blood test if my numbers are> going to show near perfect TSH. If I was feeling bad before, and my> numbers were good, why would my numbers change now? > > If I had insurance, I would get re-tested in a heartbeat. But since> finances are a consideration, I'm finding myself questioning what's> going on more.> > Thanks in advance for any suggestions...> > Tracie > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------>

[Guest guest]

Good luck - it's very hard to find doctor's who will prescribe it, but I swear by it. I'm not exaggerating when I tell you I could hardly walk on my right foot my heel hurt so bad and it's absolutely fine now.

Any suggestions?> > > Okay...here's my predicament. I've been treated for hypothyroidism> for about two years now, fairly successfully. My doc is an> endocrinologist who is listed on Shomon's "Top Docs" list, so> he's not totally ignorant about this thyroid stuff.> > Late last fall, I began to feel not so good again...I had bouts of> depression, itchy skin, cold sensitivity, and found it hard to lose> weight again...this after having dropped about 30 pounds earlier in> the year cutting back my carbs and refined sugars. Since I don't have> great health insurance, I waited until my appointment with my doc in> January, knowing without a doubt that my TSH would surely be up to 3.5> or more. Well, my blood test came back with a TSH of 1.1! I'm taking> Levoxyl and cytomel. Based on my blood work, my doc decided not to> change my meds but said that if I was still feeling lousy in another> month to re-do the blood work and then he'd look at it again. Well,> I'm still having those same symptoms, and the depression is getting> increasingly worse. I'm absolutely exhausted by mid-day, and I just> generally feel lousy. Also, I exercise religiously and have adhered> to my low-carb diet fairly well.> > Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I don't> want to go through the expense of another blood test if my numbers are> going to show near perfect TSH. If I was feeling bad before, and my> numbers were good, why would my numbers change now? > > If I had insurance, I would get re-tested in a heartbeat. But since> finances are a consideration, I'm finding myself questioning what's> going on more.> > Thanks in advance for any suggestions...> > Tracie > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------>

[Guest guest]

Gosh, that's exactly how I've been feeling. It is so wonderful to find someone that has gone through the same thing. Not glad you went through it, just that you understand. Wow. I have been lax in doing alot of research on this but why don't doctors like prescribing the Armour????

Vicki

Any suggestions?> > > Okay...here's my predicament. I've been treated for hypothyroidism> for about two years now, fairly successfully. My doc is an> endocrinologist who is listed on Shomon's "Top Docs" list, so> he's not totally ignorant about this thyroid stuff.> > Late last fall, I began to feel not so good again...I had bouts of> depression, itchy skin, cold sensitivity, and found it hard to lose> weight again...this after having dropped about 30 pounds earlier in> the year cutting back my carbs and refined sugars. Since I don't have> great health insurance, I waited until my appointment with my doc in> January, knowing without a doubt that my TSH would surely be up to 3.5> or more. Well, my blood test came back with a TSH of 1.1! I'm taking> Levoxyl and cytomel. Based on my blood work, my doc decided not to> change my meds but said that if I was still feeling lousy in another> month to re-do the blood work and then he'd look at it again. Well,> I'm still having those same symptoms, and the depression is getting> increasingly worse. I'm absolutely exhausted by mid-day, and I just> generally feel lousy. Also, I exercise religiously and have adhered> to my low-carb diet fairly well.> > Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I don't> want to go through the expense of another blood test if my numbers are> going to show near perfect TSH. If I was feeling bad before, and my> numbers were good, why would my numbers change now? > > If I had insurance, I would get re-tested in a heartbeat. But since> finances are a consideration, I'm finding myself questioning what's> going on more.> > Thanks in advance for any suggestions...> > Tracie > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------>

[Guest guest]

Mainly because the makers of synthetic hormones have done a major marketing blitz, claiming that Armour isn't consistent, which is NOT true. You would have to pry it out of my cold dead hands to get me to quit taking it now! I learned a HUGE amount of information by reading the boards at www.thyroid.about.com and the forums at http://thyroid.about.com/mpboards.htm. People are very helpful there and you can do searches for past posts as well. Before I started taking Armour, I did a search for heel spurs, for example, to see if it was a common topic, and sure enough, it was - seems to be a common thyroid problem, and I wanted to know if they were able to successfully treat it or not. Definitely explore these resources if you haven't already, they're extremely helpful. Also, you can go to the Armour website to find doctors that will prescribe it.

Cheryl

Any suggestions?> > > Okay...here's my predicament. I've been treated for hypothyroidism> for about two years now, fairly successfully. My doc is an> endocrinologist who is listed on Shomon's "Top Docs" list, so> he's not totally ignorant about this thyroid stuff.> > Late last fall, I began to feel not so good again...I had bouts of> depression, itchy skin, cold sensitivity, and found it hard to lose> weight again...this after having dropped about 30 pounds earlier in> the year cutting back my carbs and refined sugars. Since I don't have> great health insurance, I waited until my appointment with my doc in> January, knowing without a doubt that my TSH would surely be up to 3.5> or more. Well, my blood test came back with a TSH of 1.1! I'm taking> Levoxyl and cytomel. Based on my blood work, my doc decided not to> change my meds but said that if I was still feeling lousy in another> month to re-do the blood work and then he'd look at it again. Well,> I'm still having those same symptoms, and the depression is getting> increasingly worse. I'm absolutely exhausted by mid-day, and I just> generally feel lousy. Also, I exercise religiously and have adhered> to my low-carb diet fairly well.> > Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I don't> want to go through the expense of another blood test if my numbers are> going to show near perfect TSH. If I was feeling bad before, and my> numbers were good, why would my numbers change now? > > If I had insurance, I would get re-tested in a heartbeat. But since> finances are a consideration, I'm finding myself questioning what's> going on more.> > Thanks in advance for any suggestions...> > Tracie > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------>

[Guest guest]

I'm 3 days on Arnour, and I think I'm noticing a possible slight change! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[Guest guest]

Vicki-If you're anywhere near OK, I have an excellent endo to refer you to!

[Guest guest]

I live on the east side of Memphis, TN.

Vicki

Pages completed - 189Goal for 2004 - 600 pages

Re: Any suggestions?

Vicki-If you're anywhere near OK, I have an excellent endo to refer you to!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/15/04 4:51:25 PM Central Daylight Time, avalchro@... writes:

My aches didn't go away at all until I started taking Armour, which compeletly cured my extremely painful heel spur and arthritis-like aches.

when you all talk of aches, what sort is it?

I've been getting these aches/pains in my calves when I sit. Well, I dont notice it until I stand and walk, then it's like my calves have stiffened up. But once I've taken a few steps, they're fine. It's very odd. I did mention it to my GP, but she just said it wasnt really indicative of anything specific. But then, I'm skeptical about my GP in general....I'm on levoxyl too, and also toprol that I have to take for my tachycardia (which I'm sure is some how related to my thyroid prob) Usually, they only give me like 2 or 3 refills on my prescriptions , and then I have to call in again. She said at this point, my thyroid levels have stayed pretty equal with everytime they've been tested since I was diagnosed, so I should only need to have them checked once a year, and yet, they still only give me a couple of months on my meds...I called them a week ago to get them to write me new scripts. We have a mail order prescription program for meds taken regularly, that is much cheaper than paying monthly. But I needed to mail in a new script. I called on a wednesday, then again the following monday because no one ever called. They finally called me back Tuesday saying I could pick them up. Well, it has to be written for 180 days (specifically NOT 6 months! found that out the hard way! lol) they wrote it for 180 days, but with 3 refills!!! so now they have basically given me 2 yrs worth on my meds!!!

ya just gotta wonder about them......

does seem strange so many of us are on Levoxyl and having aches and pains of some sort....

pam

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/21/04 3:56:43 PM Central Daylight Time, avalchro@... writes:

Pam, I had the aches and pains before I started taking Levoxyl, for years. Mine were in my joints, primarily my arms and shoulders and when I woke up in the morning it took a good ten minutes before I could loosen up enough to move freely. My shoulders would ache and throb so bad that it would sometimes wake me up, but they rarely do that anymore. I don't think the Levoxyl caused any problems, just that it didn't really solve them

I dont remember having the aches and pains...but then, when I was diagnosed, I'd had a baby within the past year, so I guess I had had some, but anything weird I was feeling, I just chalked up to being post preggo!

I dont think the levoxyl causes the pains, but it does make me wonder if it's not working well enough to take away the normal aches and pains that come with the hypothyroidism.

I do know, I didnt use to have the calf pain I have now, it's a new thing for me.

pam

[Guest guest]

Time to fire the Dr.! SHe's not listening to you. The aches (for me) are just feeling like you body is sooooooo exhausted, you can't do one more thing. I had a hard time with my hands, so alot of the time I had to lay down to feed/hold him. That is all gone now. Hooray!

[Guest guest]

P.S. On the aches, etc. That all went away when I stared taking Armour thyroid. I took synthroid for 2 1/2 years. Normal labs and all, but fely icky. Got the Dr. to switch me, and in one week, I feel a world of a difference!

[Guest guest]

that's what all the dr's were telling me, and I said that i was NOT taking antidepressants. That was not the problem and I knew it. Are you authorized a second opinion with your insurance?

[Guest guest]

Pam, I had the aches and pains before I started taking Levoxyl, for years. Mine were in my joints, primarily my arms and shoulders and when I woke up in the morning it took a good ten minutes before I could loosen up enough to move freely. My shoulders would ache and throb so bad that it would sometimes wake me up, but they rarely do that anymore. I don't think the Levoxyl caused any problems, just that it didn't really solve them

Cheryl

Re: Any suggestions?

In a message dated 4/15/04 4:51:25 PM Central Daylight Time, avalchro@... writes:

My aches didn't go away at all until I started taking Armour, which compeletly cured my extremely painful heel spur and arthritis-like aches.

when you all talk of aches, what sort is it?

I've been getting these aches/pains in my calves when I sit. Well, I dont notice it until I stand and walk, then it's like my calves have stiffened up. But once I've taken a few steps, they're fine. It's very odd. I did mention it to my GP, but she just said it wasnt really indicative of anything specific. But then, I'm skeptical about my GP in general....I'm on levoxyl too, and also toprol that I have to take for my tachycardia (which I'm sure is some how related to my thyroid prob) Usually, they only give me like 2 or 3 refills on my prescriptions , and then I have to call in again. She said at this point, my thyroid levels have stayed pretty equal with everytime they've been tested since I was diagnosed, so I should only need to have them checked once a year, and yet, they still only give me a couple of months on my meds...I called them a week ago to get them to write me new scripts. We have a mail order prescription program for meds taken regularly, that is much cheaper than paying monthly. But I needed to mail in a new script. I called on a wednesday, then again the following monday because no one ever called. They finally called me back Tuesday saying I could pick them up. Well, it has to be written for 180 days (specifically NOT 6 months! found that out the hard way! lol) they wrote it for 180 days, but with 3 refills!!! so now they have basically given me 2 yrs worth on my meds!!!

ya just gotta wonder about them......

does seem strange so many of us are on Levoxyl and having aches and pains of some sort....

pam

[Guest guest]

I went to my dr appt on Friday and he left my meds at .088 and started me on some anti depressent medication. He seems to think that's the problem. Well wouldn't you be depressed if you hadn't felt good regularly in 3 years. He won't give me a referral to an endocronologist right now. I go back next month and if I'm not feeling better, I will demand one or see if there's a way around him giving me a referral.

My aches and pains are my forearms and hands, ankles and feet. They just ache most of the time.

Vicki

Re: Any suggestions?

P.S. On the aches, etc. That all went away when I stared taking Armour thyroid. I took synthroid for 2 1/2 years. Normal labs and all, but fely icky. Got the Dr. to switch me, and in one week, I feel a world of a difference!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/21/04 6:59:34 PM Central Daylight Time, tnscrapper@... writes:

He won't give me a referral to an endocronologist right now. I go back next month and if I'm not feeling better, I will demand one or see if there's a way around him giving me a referral

what is with that??? I just dont get a dr NOT giving a referral! I know, they lose business, etc...but still! sounds to me like they wouldnt have confidence in their own work, if they dont want someone else to see it!! just doesnt seem right that they can flat out refuse to give you a referral for one!

Sorry you didnt get the answers you needed!

pam

[Guest guest]

He wouldn't even lose my business because I see him for everything. I just would see someone else for the hypothyroidism. We'll see what the next month brings.

Vicki

Re: Any suggestions?

In a message dated 4/21/04 6:59:34 PM Central Daylight Time, tnscrapper@... writes:

He won't give me a referral to an endocronologist right now. I go back next month and if I'm not feeling better, I will demand one or see if there's a way around him giving me a referral

what is with that??? I just dont get a dr NOT giving a referral! I know, they lose business, etc...but still! sounds to me like they wouldnt have confidence in their own work, if they dont want someone else to see it!! just doesnt seem right that they can flat out refuse to give you a referral for one!

Sorry you didnt get the answers you needed!

pam

[Guest guest]

I'll have to check into that. Thanks, Vicki

Re: Any suggestions?

that's what all the dr's were telling me, and I said that i was NOT taking antidepressants. That was not the problem and I knew it. Are you authorized a second opinion with your insurance?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/22/04 9:51:09 AM Central Daylight Time, rollerqueen@... writes:

Well, I'm now off to my first mammogram, so I can only hope everything with that will be fine at least.

good luck on the mammo!! hope all is well!!

pam

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/22/04 8:11:01 AM Central Daylight Time, rollerqueen@... writes:

I never focused much on aches/pains, but now that you all mention it, I have had weird pains like my shins aches sometimes, or my knee for no real reason.

mine started with the back side of my knees. I'd notice when I stood up, or walked a lot. At first, I was paranoid about a blood clot in my leg, but then I realized it was both legs,and what are the chances of blood clots in both legs? lol now it's just my calves that ache from time to time, but that's it....

pam

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/22/04 12:11:01 AM Central Daylight Time, tnscrapper@... writes:

He wouldn't even lose my business because I see him for everything. I just would see someone else for the hypothyroidism. We'll see what the next month brings.

that's my dr too, I go to her for everything...but she did say she didnt have a problem giving me a referral if I wanted one...I've just never dont it. There's only 2 endos here, one everyone goes to and is super busy, hard to get into (I've heard, at times, up to 6 months to get an appt!!)..the other one, I dont care to see for personal reasons. (Knock on wood) I've been feeling pretty good lately, so I havent worried about it...guess I'll cross that bridge when I have to...

pam

[Guest guest]

YAY Bee! I'm so glad when we get the treatment we NEED!

Love,