Guest guest Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 I take 75 mg Armour in the morning. The doctor felt taking it this way would allow me to sleep at night. If the fatigue continues, I will take 60 mg in the morning and 15 mg in the afternoon. I was like the energizer bunny when I took Levoxyl. I remember reading Armour T3 has a short life and to go for thyroid testing within three hours of taking it. nan Do you only take your Armour once a day? The T3 in it has a much shorter 'life' than the synthetic T4 you had been taking...I believe about 6-8 hours. I am one who had tried both Levoxyl and Synthroid before going on Armour. I had insomnia really bad and also experienced yawning "fits" and bad fatigue in the evening. My Dr. had me divide the dose into 2 doses a day (for example, prescription is for 1 grain/60mg...take half in the morning and then half in the evening). That way, you have a steady dose of T3 circulating instead of a big dose in the morning with nothing left by evening....which may be why you feel so tired. HTH! Joy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 BJ, My doctor prescribed 75 mg Armour. She said that dose was in between the alternate dose of 125 and 137 mcg Levoxyl I was taking. If the fatigue continues, I will try taking 60 mg Armour in the morning and 15 mg in the afternoon. You are right about Levoxyl causing severe aches and pains. I was barely able to walk while taking Synthroid and Levoxyl. The symptoms disappeared when I started taking Armour. My calcium, vitamin D amd digestive problems disappeared when my meds and TSH decreased. 2.8 TSH is still too high. A person with normal thyroid function has between 1-2 TSH. My doctors are aiming for 1.5-2 TSH. The lower 1-1.5 TSH guards against thyroid cancer. I just took a Jillian (The Biggest Loser) assessment. She recommended 50% protein, 30 % veggies/fruits, 10% starches and 10% fat based on my body shape, exercise, cravings, etc. The assessment claimed my body converts unused protein energy to stored fat. I feel good when I eat protein, veggies and fruit for each meal. I hope doctors determine how to correct your vitamin deficiencies. Nan Nan, You could try splitting the daily dose of Armour into two doses each day. Also, you might want to check if your doctor gave you an equivalent dose of Armour compared to Levoxyl. Example if you were taking 100 mcg of L, you s/b taking 1 grain of A. Or, 150 mcg of L is equivalent to 1.5 grains of A (90 mg). Insomnia seems to be a common side effect of Levoxyl, I experienced it as well and also severe aches/pains and got to the point of barely being able to walk. Surprising within a week of changing to Armour I could skip and run –the aches and pains disappeared. Plus, Armour has T4, T3, T2, T1 and Calcitonin, which I may need and the synthetics lack. I am certain that my TSH has nothing to do with my levels of potassium, calcium, vitamin D, etc. as the highest my TSH has ever been was 2.8. And has been suppressed for a very long time. The many doctors I visited on my journey to get better have all freaked out as it went to <.0001 with T meds, it's now <.01. It's coming up, but slowly. Undoubtedly, a big factor of why I was only finally diagnosed after we found out my DD had Hashi's. I was told more times than I can count it's all in my head, try an AD. Another interesting and worthy note that most doctors forgot about and then later ignored is potassium levels after iodine was put into salt. We require twice the potassium as iodine. If all else fails, you may need to revisit other possibilities. I had numerous lactose, celiac/gluten, and digestive tests both blood and saliva with negative results, but do not tolerate either. I was even told I was allergic to potatoes by a fortuneteller ND. Since being on a gluten/dairy free diet, I have been able to lose weight and lower my meds, almost to half the dose I used to need. The T meds are now getting into my cells where they weren't before. BJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Hi All, I havent posted much before. I need to find out which tests I need and make sure my Doc does them. I have a large solid mass now the size of a ping pong ball it was the size of a penny when I had it biopsied a year 1/2 ago. I have had it biopsied twice (benign). I was on synthroid but quit taking it due to loss of insurance. My joint pain is unbearable, I can barely walk or anything else. My memory is so bad. Anyways... I just got state insurance and I am going to get this treated I can't live like this anymore. I really find support on these boards knowing others know what I am gong thru, I find it helpful. If anyone has severe joint pain please let me know how you cope with it. Take Care, Tami -- In Thyroiditis , " beckyjov " wrote: >> > > > > > > > > > > > You guys are exactly right about how an imbalance in the thyroid > > effects all > > > body symptoms yet you can't get your endo to treat you. I have > hit > > that same > > > wall...awhile back I was about to go postal when they IMO kept > > passing the > > > buck with each Dr saying " that's not my field,you have to see > > a____. " I have > > > decided that the next place I go will be the Mayo clinic who has > a > > dept for > > > hashimotos encephalopathy and are used to treating out of state > > patients and > > > make them top priority and know its a body system thing so they > > have all the > > > specialties right there see you without making you run here there > > and > > > everywhere from what I'm told. There have to be enough of us with > > HT I would > > > think with repetitive symptoms to where they would > > know...especially endos > > > and I would think they would be more educated on different > severity > > of our > > > symptoms....I am non functional and had to go on > > disability....seems like > > > others don't have as many symptoms or to to such a degree. Did I > > ever put my > > > story on here? I can't remember. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Tami, I am glad you have insurance and can be treated. I found hydro (water/pool) exercise decrease joint pain. Ortho doctors and the arthritis association recommend this. The Y near my house offers these classes six days a week for people with arthritis, joint problems, etc. Anti inflammatory drugs caused internal bleeding. So I attend four pool exercise classes a week. It is a commitment that is well worth it for me. Nan If anyone has severe joint pain please let me know how you cope with it. Take Care, Tami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 I had previously applied to s Hopkins forconsideration of my case and they just got back withme that they were willing to see me. I have a goodendo but wonder if I should collect all my records andkeep the appointment anyways. I am followed by endo's at s Hopkins, and I couldn't be happier! I'd recommend keeping your appointment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Tami, YIKES! How long have you been off meds? You need an ultra sound and possibly another biopsy. You don't want the mass to grow so big that it damages other glands -like vocal cords etc. Do you have Hashi's? If you don't know for sure, you may request the Anti-thyroid tests: TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibody) and TGab (Thyroglobulin antibody). Most likely a TSH will be done, but accpet nothing less than: Free T4 and Free T3 tests, sometimes written FT4/FT3. You DON " T want the old TT4/TT3 (Total) as they are useless and don't give a reliable picture of the thyroid function. You may also want a Iron Panel with Ferritin. Ferritin is needed to transport the T hormone into the cells. A good doc will also do CMP Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, CMP Calculations, CBC Complete Blood Count, Lipid Profile and Differential -Maybe Cortisol and ACTH to see your Adrenal and Pituitary functions. HTH, BJ -- In Thyroiditis , " tamidd2002 " wrote: > > Hi All, I havent posted much before. I need to find out which tests > I need and make sure my Doc does them. I have a large solid mass now > the size of a ping pong ball it was the size of a penny when I had > it biopsied a year 1/2 ago. I have had it biopsied twice (benign). I > was on synthroid but quit taking it due to loss of insurance. My > joint pain is unbearable, I can barely walk or anything else. My > memory is so bad. Anyways... I just got state insurance and I am > going to get this treated I can't live like this anymore. I really > find support on these boards knowing others know what I am gong > thru, I find it helpful. If anyone has severe joint pain please let > me know how you cope with it. Take Care, Tami > > > > > > > -- In Thyroiditis , " beckyjov " <beckyjov@> wrote: > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You guys are exactly right about how an imbalance in the > thyroid > > > effects all > > > > body symptoms yet you can't get your endo to treat you. I have > > hit > > > that same > > > > wall...awhile back I was about to go postal when they IMO kept > > > passing the > > > > buck with each Dr saying " that's not my field,you have to see > > > a____. " I have > > > > decided that the next place I go will be the Mayo clinic who > has > > a > > > dept for > > > > hashimotos encephalopathy and are used to treating out of > state > > > patients and > > > > make them top priority and know its a body system thing so > they > > > have all the > > > > specialties right there see you without making you run here > there > > > and > > > > everywhere from what I'm told. There have to be enough of us > with > > > HT I would > > > > think with repetitive symptoms to where they would > > > know...especially endos > > > > and I would think they would be more educated on different > > severity > > > of our > > > > symptoms....I am non functional and had to go on > > > disability....seems like > > > > others don't have as many symptoms or to to such a degree. Did > I > > > ever put my > > > > story on here? I can't remember. > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 My doctor's assistant ordered a T3 & 4. The doctor always orders free T tests. When she looked at the results she said the lab changed their range. Then she said they did the wrong test. That is when I spoke up and said her assistant ordered different tests. That led her switching me to Armour, fatigue and my hair falling out. Now I have to wait two months for the Free T tests to be done. Nan Most likely a TSH will be done, but accpet nothing less than: Free T4 and Free T3 tests, sometimes written FT4/FT3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 > > > > > > > > > > You guys are exactly right about how an imbalance in the > > thyroid > > > > effects all > > > > > body symptoms yet you can't get your endo to treat you. I > have > > > hit > > > > that same > > > > > wall...awhile back I was about to go postal when they IMO > kept > > > > passing the > > > > > buck with each Dr saying " that's not my field,you have to see > > > > a____. " I have > > > > > decided that the next place I go will be the Mayo clinic who > > has > > > a > > > > dept for > > > > > hashimotos encephalopathy and are used to treating out of > > state > > > > patients and > > > > > make them top priority and know its a body system thing so > > they > > > > have all the > > > > > specialties right there see you without making you run here > > there > > > > and > > > > > everywhere from what I'm told. There have to be enough of us > > with > > > > HT I would > > > > > think with repetitive symptoms to where they would > > > > know...especially endos > > > > > and I would think they would be more educated on different > > > severity > > > > of our > > > > > symptoms....I am non functional and had to go on > > > > disability....seems like > > > > > others don't have as many symptoms or to to such a degree. > Did > > I > > > > ever put my > > > > > story on here? I can't remember. > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 -I just got home from my Doc and I was shocked , He told me joint pain has nothing to do with the thyroid!!!!! I have to go back friday to find out about my labs and ultrasound. I think I will have to find another Doc. So far he wants to put me on a diet and has prescribed me celebrex for the joint inflamation. I hope I can loose weight eventho my thyroid is so messed up. I dont think my ultrasound was very good by their reaction and he said I would have to talk with the Doc about it. Isnt this typical how they treat us!!!! Tami Thyroiditis , " tamidd2002 " wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > You guys are exactly right about how an imbalance in the > > > thyroid > > > > > effects all > > > > > > body symptoms yet you can't get your endo to treat you. I > > have > > > > hit > > > > > that same > > > > > > wall...awhile back I was about to go postal when they IMO > > kept > > > > > passing the > > > > > > buck with each Dr saying " that's not my field,you have to > see > > > > > a____. " I have > > > > > > decided that the next place I go will be the Mayo clinic > who > > > has > > > > a > > > > > dept for > > > > > > hashimotos encephalopathy and are used to treating out of > > > state > > > > > patients and > > > > > > make them top priority and know its a body system thing so > > > they > > > > > have all the > > > > > > specialties right there see you without making you run > here > > > there > > > > > and > > > > > > everywhere from what I'm told. There have to be enough of > us > > > with > > > > > HT I would > > > > > > think with repetitive symptoms to where they would > > > > > know...especially endos > > > > > > and I would think they would be more educated on different > > > > severity > > > > > of our > > > > > > symptoms....I am non functional and had to go on > > > > > disability....seems like > > > > > > others don't have as many symptoms or to to such a degree. > > Did > > > I > > > > > ever put my > > > > > > story on here? I can't remember. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 when I am undermedicated my thumb joints and knees hurt so bad I can't use them. Re: frustrated -I just got home from my Doc and I was shocked , He told me joint pain has nothing to do with the thyroid!!!!! I have to go back friday to find out about my labs and ultrasound. I think I will have to find another Doc. So far he wants to put me on a diet and has prescribed me celebrex for the joint inflamation. I hope I can loose weight eventho my thyroid is so messed up. I dont think my ultrasound was very good by their reaction and he said I would have to talk with the Doc about it. Isnt this typical how they treat us!!!! TamiThyroiditis , "tamidd2002" wrote:>> > > > > > >> > > > > > You guys are exactly right about how an imbalance in the > > > thyroid > > > > > effects all> > > > > > body symptoms yet you can't get your endo to treat you. I > > have > > > > hit > > > > > that same> > > > > > wall...awhile back I was about to go postal when they IMO > > kept > > > > > passing the> > > > > > buck with each Dr saying "that's not my field,you have to > see > > > > > a____." I have> > > > > > decided that the next place I go will be the Mayo clinic > who > > > has > > > > a > > > > > dept for> > > > > > hashimotos encephalopathy and are used to treating out of > > > state > > > > > patients and> > > > > > make them top priority and know its a body system thing so > > > they > > > > > have all the> > > > > > specialties right there see you without making you run > here > > > there > > > > > and> > > > > > everywhere from what I'm told. There have to be enough of > us > > > with > > > > > HT I would> > > > > > think with repetitive symptoms to where they would > > > > > know...especially endos> > > > > > and I would think they would be more educated on different > > > > severity > > > > > of our> > > > > > symptoms....I am non functional and had to go on > > > > > disability....seems like> > > > > > others don't have as many symptoms or to to such a degree. > > Did > > > I > > > > > ever put my> > > > > > story on here? I can't remember.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 I never had the joint pain until they started messing with my meds. I hurt all over. I also have the thumb joints and finger joint pain. Even the tips of my fingers hurt. My knees and back are hurting also. By mid afternoon I cant hardly make my legs climb steps. They just wont lift!! I know for a fact that this joint pain is related to my thyroid. I never had this problem till they messed with my meds and now I am so hypo. I am trying to work myself back up the ladder of increases. Re: frustrated -I just got home from my Doc and I was shocked , He told me joint pain has nothing to do with the thyroid!!!!! I have to go back friday to find out about my labs and ultrasound. I think I will have to find another Doc. So far he wants to put me on a diet and has prescribed me celebrex for the joint inflamation. I hope I can loose weight eventho my thyroid is so messed up. I dont think my ultrasound was very good by their reaction and he said I would have to talk with the Doc about it. Isnt this typical how they treat us!!!! TamiThyroiditis , "tamidd2002" wrote:>> > > > > > >> > > > > > You guys are exactly right about how an imbalance in the > > > thyroid > > > > > effects all> > > > > > body symptoms yet you can't get your endo to treat you. I > > have > > > > hit > > > > > that same> > > > > > wall...awhile back I was about to go postal when they IMO > > kept > > > > > passing the> > > > > > buck with each Dr saying "that's not my field,you have to > see > > > > > a____." I have> > > > > > decided that the next place I go will be the Mayo clinic > who > > > has > > > > a > > > > > dept for> > > > > > hashimotos encephalopathy and are used to treating out of > > > state > > > > > patients and> > > > > > make them top priority and know its a body system thing so > > > they > > > > > have all the> > > > > > specialties right there see you without making you run > here > > > there > > > > > and> > > > > > everywhere from what I'm told. There have to be enough of > us > > > with > > > > > HT I would> > > > > > think with repetitive symptoms to where they would > > > > > know...especially endos> > > > > > and I would think they would be more educated on different > > > > severity > > > > > of our> > > > > > symptoms....I am non functional and had to go on > > > > > disability....seems like> > > > > > others don't have as many symptoms or to to such a degree. > > Did > > > I > > > > > ever put my> > > > > > story on here? I can't remember.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 , I hope your journey to the top of the ladder is short. As for joint pain being thyroid related, I am living proof. When I took Synthroid and Levoxyl, I could not stand, walk, etc. As soon as I started taking Armour the aches and pains disappeared. What thyroid medication do you take? Nan I never had the joint pain until they started messing with my meds. I hurt all over. I also have the thumb joints and finger joint pain. Even the tips of my fingers hurt. My knees and back are hurting also. By mid afternoon I cant hardly make my legs climb steps. They just wont lift!! I know for a fact that this joint pain is related to my thyroid. I never had this problem till they messed with my meds and now I am so hypo. I am trying to work myself back up the ladder of increases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Last night I put on my bathrob and had my pj`s on and hoped I wouldn`t bump into anyone while I went out and jumped into the elevator in my building up to the next floor to drop off a bag of garbage into the garbage shoot. Naturally I saw someone in the elevator I new. The woman would not let me go we talked for quite bit. She actually used to be married to someone in my family. After 20 minutes I finally broke free. I did however leave after hearing about her having a wonderful job that pays her great money but she does have to work long long hours. That would be fine but she also pointed out that she had been dx`d with fibro and cfs. Not for anything. But, cfs is my so called illness that and ms-like disease. I`am bedridden every other day and the opposite day isn`t a picnic either. I cant walk without having to rest at various intervals. I can`t think anymore to ever consider working. I make mistakes all the time at home because of memory problems. I can`t go on vacations because I don`t have the stamina to drive or get anywhere. And the list goes on. Now I know the cfs probably comes in various size and shapes but I can`t help but wonder when someone says they have cfs and they work 50-60 hours a week and they are taking trips all the time. Call me frustrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 When the infamous CDC and Reeves determined the criteria for CFS everyone soon had CFS it was an easy diagnosis for people who complained of fatigue and the lines between CFS and fatigue blurred ~~ In a message dated 11/6/2009 8:01:16 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, Roxygardens@... writes: Last night I put on my bathrob and had my pj`s on and hoped I wouldn`t bump into anyone while I went out and jumped into the elevator in my building up to the next floor to drop off a bag of garbage into the garbage shoot. Naturally I saw someone in the elevator I new. The woman would not let me go we talked for quite bit. She actually used to be married to someone in my family. After 20 minutes I finally broke free. I did however leave after hearing about her having a wonderful job that pays her great money but she does have to work long long hours. That would be fine but she also pointed out that she had been dx`d with fibro and cfs. Not for anything. But, cfs is my so called illness that and ms-like disease. I`am bedridden every other day and the opposite day isn`t a picnic either. I cant walk without having to rest at various intervals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 Roxy, I just hate it when people say they had a really difficult time with the marathon because of their chronic pain. I have to just ignore them. I have read many posts like that. (well, not exactly a marathon, but you know what I mean.) Let's call them on every single thing they say like that. Pamela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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