Re: Really need some reassurance & help

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana,

I so know how you feel, I think we all do. I will let Val and some

of the more experienced give you their guidance though I have a

couple of things. Not everyone does well on Isocort, especially

ramping up to quickly. Early on I had some great success with HC

cream you can buy at the drug store either 1 or 1/2% it is very

gentle but is a great pick me up, you just need to use it a few

times a day if you are very busy. You might be able to cut back your

Iso slightly at first and try the cream, it is worth a try and

probably will assist your tired adrenals....Good luck, you are

definitely in the right place for support and great answers.

Duane

>

> Hi everyone,

> this is my first post here. Have been a member of NTH sight since

> Jan. of 06' and also have been on Armour for almost 11 months. I

> resisted accepting that I might have an Adrenal issue all this

time

> until very recently. I suspect it is pretty bad but, would like

some

> feedback from you, the experts.....(can't afford testing) I

seemed

> to do just fine until starting back to work 3 months ago. I

almost

> fainted during work about 5 days ago so I pulled out my Isocort

out

> from the cupboard, ready to begin the next journey. Thankfully,

Val

> has helped me the past few days but, I am feeling not-so-good

right

> now! The first day that I started Isocort, it almost seemed like

my

> body craved more right away. In fact, the first day I ended up

> taking 2 -2.5 doses bc I started to feel nauseous about 3.5 hrs.

> BUT, the rest of the day I felt great! My knees did not hurt for

the

> first time in months. Since the first day, it has been bad. I

have

> had to ramp up a little quicker bc of the effects I get after 3.5

> hrs. after taking a dose. So, on day 4 I am already up to 5 mg.

am-

> 2.5-2.5-2.5 I have had to stress dose already, I believe that

is

> what it was. Mainly, feel shaky, heart beats faster, very

fatigued,

> weak in the legs and nauseous before the last dose wears off. I

> cannot seem to ramp up the way scheduled. I recently got promoted

at

> work, so I have to have my wits about me right now! That is what

> scares me. Today I felt horrible! My legs were weak, very foggy,

> very sleepy all day until the last dose at 5 pm (2.5) (also weak

> legs) I feel better right now then I did mid-morning....I forgot

to

> mention that I did lower my Armour from 2.5 gr. & .025 T4 to 1.0

> grain & .015 T4 because I do NOT want to get a Thyroid Dump....My

> temp last night was 98.3, this am it was 97.7 and a few minutes

ago

> it was 97.1 (9pm) My questions are this:

>

> When am I going to stop feeling so weak and sleepy?

> Why do I feel better later on in the day?

> Is the danger of a Thyroid dump passed now?

> Am I already going hypo?

> Can I raise my Armour up a little and still avoid a dump?

>

> I absolutely have to feel half way decent at work as I stand on my

> feet, bag groceries, count money, and am learning a management

> position which entails accounting, and much more responsibility.

I

> don't understand why my body is reacting this way already? So, if

> many of you could tell me your experiences with HC support, it

would

> be so appreciated!!! And, please tell me that this will pass

soon?

> Because I am close to quitting altogether if I don't start feeling

> better.....I know, crazy but, I am very disheartened.......help!

>

> Dana

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi everyone,

> this is my first post here. Have been a member of NTH sight since

> Jan. of 06' and also have been on Armour for almost 11 months. I

> resisted accepting that I might have an Adrenal issue all this time

> until very recently. I suspect it is pretty bad but, would like some

> feedback from you, the experts.....(can't afford testing) I seemed

> to do just fine until starting back to work 3 months ago. I almost

> fainted during work about 5 days ago so I pulled out my Isocort out

> from the cupboard, ready to begin the next journey. Thankfully, Val

> has helped me the past few days but, I am feeling not-so-good right

> now! The first day that I started Isocort, it almost seemed like my

> body craved more right away. In fact, the first day I ended up

> taking 2 -2.5 doses bc I started to feel nauseous about 3.5 hrs.

> BUT, the rest of the day I felt great! My knees did not hurt for the

> first time in months. Since the first day, it has been bad. I have

> had to ramp up a little quicker bc of the effects I get after 3.5

> hrs. after taking a dose. So, on day 4 I am already up to 5 mg. am-

> 2.5-2.5-2.5 I have had to stress dose already, I believe that is

> what it was. Mainly, feel shaky, heart beats faster, very fatigued,

> weak in the legs and nauseous before the last dose wears off. I

> cannot seem to ramp up the way scheduled. I recently got promoted at

> work, so I have to have my wits about me right now! That is what

> scares me. Today I felt horrible! My legs were weak, very foggy,

> very sleepy all day until the last dose at 5 pm (2.5) (also weak

> legs) I feel better right now then I did mid-morning....I forgot to

> mention that I did lower my Armour from 2.5 gr. & .025 T4 to 1.0

> grain & .015 T4 because I do NOT want to get a Thyroid Dump....My

> temp last night was 98.3, this am it was 97.7 and a few minutes ago

> it was 97.1 (9pm) My questions are this:

>

> When am I going to stop feeling so weak and sleepy?

> Why do I feel better later on in the day?

> Is the danger of a Thyroid dump passed now?

> Am I already going hypo?

> Can I raise my Armour up a little and still avoid a dump?

>

Hi, Dana,

Sorry you're feeling so lousy!

In my [recent] experience, you may not have even reached the thyroid

dump range, assuming that you're not having one right now.

I've been on too little & too much thyroid meds over my journey. The

one thing that is always a red flag for me is weak legs. When I was

on too much thryoid medication, I had total weakness in my legs.

The more I learn about this whole hormonal imbalance business, the

more I think that in addition to being concerned about a thyroid dump,

we also need to be concerned that we may be on TOO MUCH medication

once the HC/Isocort hits. The symptoms of hypo & hyper can be awfully

similar. I'm not saying that some don't need lots of Armour, most

probably do.

I'm wondering if now might not be a good time to try Armour only and

wait until later to add in extra T4 if necessary.

I would wait on the Armour increase, definitely until you're on the

full dose of Isocort. Are you planning to try HC? I would wait to

raise until HC if you plan to switch. I had a thyroid dump & a

mini-dump...the thyroid dump was horrible. I (and my family) thought

for sure I was going to die. The mini-dump was a day of hyper, and

while I actually got some stuff done for once, it's a pretty miserable

feeling to be going in hyperdrive.

I was still really exhausted on Isocort. But with HC, I at least have

some energy to get through the day, although I've got to commend you

and the others out there working FT...I don't know how you do it!

Good luck with your new job, Dana!

Warmly,

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

I do not think I am near a dump as my temps. are not high at all.

Wouldn't that be the red flag??? And, right now I am freezing, which

is unlike me. I used to be on 3 gr. of Armour for about 4 months and

never reached Hyper state. My labs were fine on 3 gr. I had to add

in the T4 bc my FT4 did not budge from bottom FT4 range. (in 7

months time total) I only take a small amount of T4 and don't

believe that to be a problem at this point. Some of us need a little

more T4 and I suspect I am one. Since I was almost optimal on 3 gr.

that is why I added the T4 in. (but, had to drop down bc my doc

wouldn't allow 3 gr. and some T4) Felt fine on it until going back

to work and my low Adrenal became apparent. I also have to watch the

T3 bc I am on serious pain meds. for bladder disease and I sweat too

much on Armour past 3 grains. I am hoping that was caused by either

the huge imbalance of FT3 & FT4 or maybe Adrenal? We will see, I

guess.

I am in process of ordering HC just in case the Iso. is not strong

enough for me.... I hate having to do this without Saliva Tests but,

being out of work for 2.5 years nixes that right now.....so will go

by how I feel for now.

Don't you think that it may be that my body just wants more Cortisol

and that is causing the weakness in my legs? I dropped my dose of

Armour way down too. I noticed when I got palps yesterday at work, I

took 1/2gr. of Armour and they went away. I think the palps are from

too low a dose of Armour or not enough Cortisol....what do you

think? It has been very difficult going back to work as I have so

many things wrong with me. But, it was a matter of loosing my house

so didn't have any choice. I work with customers with my job so

maybe my body gets stressed bc of that and maybe that is why I might

need more Isocort, quicker? Just don't know and that is why I am

asking you all......It is so hard to do this right now, you know? I

cannot miss work, period. Sorry so long , just wanted you to know

more about my history, hoping it will shed more light! :0) Thanks so

much for your post! Dana

p.s. can you tell me how you felt the first week or weeks on HC??

Did you feel better right away? Did you ever have what I am

experiencing?

danamarie39-first post----below

My questions are this:

> >

> > When am I going to stop feeling so weak and sleepy?

> > Why do I feel better later on in the day?

> > Is the danger of a Thyroid dump passed now?

> > Am I already going hypo?

> > Can I raise my Armour up a little and still avoid a dump?

> >

>

Hi, Dana,

>

> Sorry you're feeling so lousy!

>

> In my [recent] experience, you may not have even reached the thyroid

> dump range, assuming that you're not having one right now.

>

> I've been on too little & too much thyroid meds over my journey.

The

> one thing that is always a red flag for me is weak legs. When I was

> on too much thryoid medication, I had total weakness in my legs.

>

> The more I learn about this whole hormonal imbalance business, the

> more I think that in addition to being concerned about a thyroid

dump,

> we also need to be concerned that we may be on TOO MUCH medication

> once the HC/Isocort hits. The symptoms of hypo & hyper can be

awfully

> similar. I'm not saying that some don't need lots of Armour, most

> probably do.

>

> I'm wondering if now might not be a good time to try Armour only and

> wait until later to add in extra T4 if necessary.

>

> I would wait on the Armour increase, definitely until you're on the

> full dose of Isocort. Are you planning to try HC? I would wait to

> raise until HC if you plan to switch. I had a thyroid dump & a

> mini-dump...the thyroid dump was horrible. I (and my family)

thought

> for sure I was going to die. The mini-dump was a day of hyper, and

> while I actually got some stuff done for once, it's a pretty

miserable

> feeling to be going in hyperdrive.

>

> I was still really exhausted on Isocort. But with HC, I at least

have

> some energy to get through the day, although I've got to commend you

> and the others out there working FT...I don't know how you do it!

>

> Good luck with your new job, Dana!

>

> Warmly,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana! We are much the same folks here as on NTH but some extras and

you will find lots of helpful support here!

--

Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

[Guest guest]

>>My labs were fine on 3 gr<<

But they WILL be and can even be WAY over range when you are in adrenal fatigue.

All this changes when you take HC. When you are low in cortisol, as in adrenal

fatigue, they thyroid builds up in the blood and cannot get into the cells. This

will give you HIGH lab T3, but when you start HC that T3 can get into the cells

to work and then you will find suddenly you need alot more Armour! HC used up

Armour and when you take enough to support your adrenals you most likely will

need more than 3 grains. Seriously your whole labs will change and i would drop

the T4 to avoid confusion about symptoms as synthetic T4 can have symptoms all

it's own.

--

Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

[Guest guest]

,

When in adrenal fatigue, would saliva test results also show higher FT3 and FT4?

Or are you talking more about blood test results being elevated due to low

cortisol?

wrote: >>My labs were fine on 3 gr<<

But they WILL be and can even be WAY over range when you are in adrenal fatigue.

All this changes when you take HC. When you are low in cortisol, as in adrenal

fatigue, they thyroid builds up in the blood and cannot get into the cells. This

will give you HIGH lab T3, but when you start HC that T3 can get into the cells

to work and then you will find suddenly you need alot more Armour! HC used up

Armour and when you take enough to support your adrenals you most likely will

need more than 3 grains. Seriously your whole labs will change and i would drop

the T4 to avoid confusion about symptoms as synthetic T4 can have symptoms all

it's own.

--

Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

[Guest guest]

>>When in adrenal fatigue, would saliva test results also show higher FT3 and

FT4? Or are you talking more about blood test results being elevated due to low

cortisol?<<

NO this is one place where doing both saliva and blood testing close together

is VERY useful. The saliva testing shows the levels of thyroid in the TISSUES in

other words what is getting into the cells.In untreated adrenal fatigue your

saliva tests will show you much more hypo and blood tests will likely be over

range especially the Free T3.

--

Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

[Guest guest]

I did saliva testing 2 weeks after blood work. My FT3 was still high

normal and FT4 low normal on the saliva testing just like it was on

the blood test. My TSH, however, went from 0.02 (below range) on the

blood to borderline high 96 (range 20-120) with the saliva.

Dianne

>>My labs were fine on

3 gr<<

>

> But they WILL be and can even be WAY over range when you are in

adrenal fatigue. All this changes when you take HC. When you are low

in cortisol, as in adrenal fatigue, they thyroid builds up in the

blood and cannot get into the cells. This will give you HIGH lab T3,

but when you start HC that T3 can get into the cells to work and then

you will find suddenly you need alot more Armour! HC used up Armour

and when you take enough to support your adrenals you most likely

will need more than 3 grains. Seriously your whole labs will change

and i would drop the T4 to avoid confusion about symptoms as

synthetic T4 can have symptoms all it's own.

>

> --

> Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

> My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

>

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

> http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Val,

My labs taken at 3 grains -my FT3 was only a little above mid-range

and my FT4 was bottom and it stayed that way the whole time on 3 gr.

(about 3-4 months) So, I never went above range. I had a terrible

problem with overheating at that dose. My face would sweat for no

reason and it was so uncomfortable and embarressing. When my FT4 did

not raise any, that was why I decided to add the T4. then, I went

from 3 gr. to 2.5 bc my Endo. was freaking about my labs. In order

to pacify her, that is what I did. Now, the sweating is better and I

did have more strength being on the extra T4 until I worked steady

for 2 months and then the general unwell feeling became very strong.

I understand you wanting me to drop the T4 BUT, I don't want to

change too many things to upset the apple cart even more. I DO want

to know why my legs feel so very weak? Again, I did drop down my

Armour from 2.5 down to 1.0 since starting the Iso. Do you think it

is from hypo or the Iso that is causing this? My temps are down

too. I notice that I feel way better by evening the past few

days....is this telling me that I don't need the Isocort or that I

need more??? That is the question that is perplexing me now....I

took 5mg this am and will take 2.5 x3 more today but, when at work it

seems like I already need more. (stress dosing) and I have had to

take one more pill a few times the past few days....What do you think?

Has anyone else felt this way at the beginning of starting HC

support? Thanks

Dana

>

> >>My labs were fine on 3 gr<<

>

> But they WILL be and can even be WAY over range when you are in

adrenal fatigue. All this changes when you take HC. When you are low

in cortisol, as in adrenal fatigue, they thyroid builds up in the

blood and cannot get into the cells. This will give you HIGH lab T3,

but when you start HC that T3 can get into the cells to work and then

you will find suddenly you need alot more Armour! HC used up Armour

and when you take enough to support your adrenals you most likely

will need more than 3 grains. Seriously your whole labs will change

and i would drop the T4 to avoid confusion about symptoms as

synthetic T4 can have symptoms all it's own.

>

> --

> Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

> My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

>

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

> http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Val,

I feel good being here....I recognize many familiar names too!

Dana

>

> Hi Dana! We are much the same folks here as on NTH but some extras

and

> you will find lots of helpful support here!

>

> --

> Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

> My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

>

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

> http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

>

[Guest guest]

So if your blood work shows FT3 over the range, this should be ignored when

adrenal fatigue is in the picutre? I wonder how many people ignore their

readings in such a case as this.

I guess blood work would tell how much over the range your FT3 would be and then

you'd know to back down? That's why it's VERY important?

Thanks,

wrote: >>When in adrenal fatigue,

would saliva test results also show higher FT3 and FT4? Or are you talking more

about blood test results being elevated due to low cortisol?<<

NO this is one place where doing both saliva and blood testing close together

is VERY useful. The saliva testing shows the levels of thyroid in the TISSUES in

other words what is getting into the cells.In untreated adrenal fatigue your

saliva tests will show you much more hypo and blood tests will likely be over

range especially the Free T3.

--

Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

[Guest guest]

>>My labs taken at 3 grains -my FT3 was only a little above mid-range

and my FT4 was bottom and it stayed that way the whole time on 3 gr.

(about 3-4 months) So, I never went above range. I had a terrible

problem with overheating at that dose. My face would sweat for no

reason and it was so uncomfortable and embarressing.<<

You know I had that hporroible HOT feeling and sweating every time the room was

over 65 degrees for YEARS. Since treating my adrenals it is GONE, and i am on

more T3 now than most people would believe! That hot feeling was most likely

from adrenal fatigue rather than to ohigh T3. You were also stil hypo and needed

more Armoru btu couldn't take it due to the weajk adrenals. You may find once

you are on HC for a fe2w weeks thta all cahnges. Thsi is why we take it, so we

CAN optimize ou Armoru.

--

Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

[Guest guest]

>>I guess blood work would tell how much over the range your FT3 would be and

then you'd know to back down? That's why it's VERY important?<<

If the Free T3 is over range but Free T4 is mid range or lower, every time I

have seen this it was due to adrenal fatigue and the T3 not being able to get

into the cells. Now if T4 is also high, then it might be time to lower the

Armour dose.

On the other end of the spectrum, something I learned form my own labs and

adrenal treatment, if you are at the beginning stages of adrenal fatigue where

cortisol is high, you may well have too high T4 and low T3! This is due to high

cortisol blocking conversion of T4 to T3. I wondered for years why I never had

enough T3 no matter how much I took! My T3 now, after HC for 18 months is just a

tad above range for the first time in my life!

--

Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

[Guest guest]

That is just what I wanted to hear! I would be so happy to not get

that sweating....it really affects me, specially since starting back

to work. I did suspect that might be the cause as I sweat but, my

temps are not high, but, low! Hmmmm, very interesting! Thanks Val,

Dana

>

> >>My labs taken at 3 grains -my FT3 was only a little above mid-

range

> and my FT4 was bottom and it stayed that way the whole time on 3

gr.

> (about 3-4 months) So, I never went above range. I had a terrible

> problem with overheating at that dose. My face would sweat for no

> reason and it was so uncomfortable and embarressing.<<

>

> You know I had that hporroible HOT feeling and sweating every time

the room was over 65 degrees for YEARS. Since treating my adrenals it

is GONE, and i am on more T3 now than most people would believe! That

hot feeling was most likely from adrenal fatigue rather than to ohigh

T3. You were also stil hypo and needed more Armoru btu couldn't take

it due to the weajk adrenals. You may find once you are on HC for a

fe2w weeks thta all cahnges. Thsi is why we take it, so we CAN

optimize ou Armoru.

>

> --

> Artistic Grooming- Hurricane WV

> My Ebay Jewelry Store (Closing after Xmas!!!)

>

http://stores.ebay.com/valeriescrystalcreations

> http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Thanks ,

> I do not think I am near a dump as my temps. are not high at all.

> Wouldn't that be the red flag???

Hi, Dana,

Probably, but you wouldn't know until you got there...in other words,

when you increase the Isocort/HC to a certain point, then all of a

sudden the body has what it needs & the receptors open up, then all of

the thyroid meds that have been floating around in your bloodstream

come crashing in - THEN your temps would probably go up...not pleasant!

To be honest, before I had one, I couldn't imagine how a thyroid dump

could be worse than the way I was feeling...it felt different, but

equally bad!

And, right now I am freezing, which

> is unlike me.

Probably adrenal. I was never cold before in my life until the

adrenals crashed...I was like you described in your other post -

constantly hot & sweaty. Hated that!

I used to be on 3 gr. of Armour for about 4 months and

> never reached Hyper state. My labs were fine on 3 gr. I had to add

> in the T4 bc my FT4 did not budge from bottom FT4 range. (in 7

> months time total) I only take a small amount of T4 and don't

> believe that to be a problem at this point. Some of us need a little

> more T4 and I suspect I am one. Since I was almost optimal on 3 gr.

> that is why I added the T4 in. (but, had to drop down bc my doc

> wouldn't allow 3 gr. and some T4) Felt fine on it until going back

> to work and my low Adrenal became apparent. I also have to watch the

> T3 bc I am on serious pain meds. for bladder disease and I sweat too

> much on Armour past 3 grains. I am hoping that was caused by either

> the huge imbalance of FT3 & FT4 or maybe Adrenal? We will see, I

> guess.

I'm not an expert here, but I agree with what Val posted regarding the

high T3 and low T4, even if both were in range, was probably caused by

adrenals. (I'm assuming that you know that you SHOULDN'T take a T3

med prior to bloodwork - that will send up the bloodwork T3 results

pronto!)

I understand that you don't want to tip the apple cart further by

eliminating the T4 now, but I'm kind of thinking that leaving it in

might tip the cart. And, you've already tipped the cart by lowering

your thyroid meds. Maybe when you increase Armour, eliminate T4? Just

my opinion, and you're free to discard it with a click of the delete

key! : )

My concern is that you might end up with T4 good & T3 too high, or

some other combination, and you won't be able to determine which is

causing the results.

I'm not opposed to adding in the T4 later if you still need it. I was

fascinated by the results some have experienced.

Also, saliva testing will help you to know what's actually getting

into the cells. I know it's probably not affordable now, but

definitely something to shoot for. At first, I was skeptical about

saliva testing, but then I did some research on it - now I'm a convert!

> I am in process of ordering HC just in case the Iso. is not strong

> enough for me.... I hate having to do this without Saliva Tests but,

> being out of work for 2.5 years nixes that right now.....so will go

> by how I feel for now.

>

> Don't you think that it may be that my body just wants more Cortisol

> and that is causing the weakness in my legs? I dropped my dose of

> Armour way down too. I noticed when I got palps yesterday at work, I

> took 1/2gr. of Armour and they went away. I think the palps are from

> too low a dose of Armour or not enough Cortisol....what do you

> think?

I think it's hard to know which end is up in this state. I think you

kind of need to track your symptoms & see what works. I think you'll

be able to get a better feel for everything when you're stabilized on

Isocort or HC.

As my HC wears off (around hour 3 of 4) I can actually feel my thyroid

start to " goiterize, " like it starts to work harder to get some

hormone out there. Bizarre, but it's a living thing, and presently

not suppressed, I guess, due to the low amount of thyroid meds that

I'm on.

>

> p.s. can you tell me how you felt the first week or weeks on HC??

> Did you feel better right away? Did you ever have what I am

> experiencing?

Like you, I started on Isocort & had a very similar experience. I did

a mad dash saliva test, because I was getting visibly worse by the

day. So, I did the saliva on a Thursday, and started Isocort on

Friday. By Monday, I was the worst I'd ever been, and was stress

dosing just to keep my BP up.

I was so hypo anyway in labs that I didn't lower my Naturethroid

(probably should have lowered anyway). And I fast-tracked a bit,

since I was stress-dosing frequently anyway. The perfect recipe for a

major thyroid dump by Friday. Really bad, because I was STILL having

horrible adrenal symptoms, then add in the thyroid dump. It was BAD.

So, if you can try to be patient. I know it's hard. I wasn't

patient, but I think if I hadn't fast-tracked/stress-dosed, the

outcome might not have been so good. I was pretty bad off.

Then, I had another mini-dump when I switched to HC, but probably more

due to adding massive amounts of progesterone to stop my excessive

menstrual flow that you may have read about...that was more like a day

on speed, but still none too pleasant.

So, now after I think 3 1/2 weeks total on adrenal support I'm

beginning to stabilize - the longest 3 1/2 weeks of my life! (I think

I recall Helen saying the same thing, and I just didn't " get " what she

meant, until now!) It's just a rough road until you're stabilized.

But you'll get there!

See how you feel when you're ramped up on the Isocort...you'll know if

you need to move to the HC, because you still won't be feeling that

much better.

As for feeling better late in the day, that's classic adrenal fatigue!

If you had done saliva tests, they probably would be closest to

normal around that time of day.

>

Good luck, Dana! Keep us posted...

Warmly,