Re: Do some symptoms just not go away?

[Guest guest]

,

I believe for many people there can be quite a bit of " lag time "

between the correct numbers and the corresponding physical/emotional

sense of well-being. Also, please remember that being suppressed can

mimic certain hypothyroid symptoms. The only concrete move I could

make to alleviate some of my grogginess (emotional as well as in my

bones!) was exercise. No matter how much I didn't want to (heh)

afterwards I did have some clarity. I do think one of the hardest

parts of thyroid cancer (for me at least) is understanding that the

disease may change who we are but not letting it Become Who we are?.

How long ago were you hypo? You may need to just let yourself Be

sleepy - imagine what our bodies go through!! I hope you feel

caught up with yourself soon.

Shelagh

TT/modified right neck dissection 10/01

RAI 150 mCi 12/01

limited radical right/modified left neck dissection 6/02

RAI 150 mCi 9/02

awaiting biopsy on errant right node

> Hi all,

>

> My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but

some hypo

> related things just don't seem to be going away.

>

> For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much

I sleep.

> I could chalk this up to other stuff, I guess... a lot of things

could cause

> this. But, beyond that... my memory is just non-existent...

completely

> fried. It's been worse lately... I'll repeat the same thing to

someone 2 or

> 3 times and not realize it, or I'll completely forget what I was

doing or

> where I put something. I jokingly chalk it up to old age, but I'm

only 21

> I feel old, though... I'm tired, achy, forgetful...

>

> Anyhow, I know I've heard some of you say you never really do get

back to

> feeling like you were before surgery and RAI. Do you think that's

just what

> I'm experiencing? Are these symptoms just a result of all this

thyroid stuff

> and I should expect them to stay? Could it be something else

entirely? Is

> there anything I can do to help myself?

>

> I'm just feeling a bit discouraged today...

>

> Thanks everyone,

>

> Age 21

> Lump found 10/01

> FNA 2/15/02 dx Pap Car.

> TT 3/18/02 2cm tumor, 5 lymph nodes infected

> RAI 6/6/02 150 mci

> Currently on .2 of Levoxyl

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

>

> My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but

some hypo

> related things just don't seem to be going away.

>

> For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much

I sleep.

> I could chalk this up to other stuff, I guess... a lot of things

could cause

> this. But, beyond that... my memory is just non-existent...

completely

> fried. It's been worse lately... I'll repeat the same thing to

someone 2 or

> 3 times and not realize it, or I'll completely forget what I was

doing or

> where I put something. I jokingly chalk it up to old age, but I'm

only 21

> I feel old, though... I'm tired, achy, forgetful...

>

> Anyhow, I know I've heard some of you say you never really do get

back to

> feeling like you were before surgery and RAI. Do you think that's

just what

> I'm experiencing? Are these symptoms just a result of all this

thyroid stuff

> and I should expect them to stay? Could it be something else

entirely? Is

> there anything I can do to help myself?

>

> I'm just feeling a bit discouraged today...

>

> Thanks everyone,

>

> Age 21

> Lump found 10/01

> FNA 2/15/02 dx Pap Car.

> TT 3/18/02 2cm tumor, 5 lymph nodes infected

> RAI 6/6/02 150 mci

> Currently on .2 of Levoxyl

Hi ,

That's exactly how I feel! I am 32 w/ a 3yr. old son. I was diagnose

about 2 months before my 30th birthday. What a way to celebrate! My

endo says he has me on a " hyper " dose. My TSH is suppressed at0.02

but I certainly don't feel it. I am tired all the time. Basically,

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I joined a kickboxing

class 2 nights a week. I feel great afterwards. It took a couple of

classes to get my endurance up. Are you sure you are not overdoing

it? I am now looking for something to do on Friday nights. I think

part of my problem was that I wasn't being stimulated enough. I

haven't worked on a regular basis since I was diagnosed. My husband

says the reason I feel so " stupid " (my word)is b/c I'm not being

mentally challenged enough. I'm home all the time and my only company

is my 3 yr. old and my dog. So I'm back to work on weekends

consistently. I think I'm on the right track now. Since I don't have

my friends around where I live I call them. Just having a

conversation with them will give me the energy I need to get through

the rest of the afternoon. Other tips that work for me is to get

dressed and put some makeup on. If I look good, I feel good. When my

son is napping I put some music on I really enjoy. Other times you

just have to give in and take a nap.

This may not be what you were looking for but thought I'd share with

you what helps me. I, too hope this is only temporary.

Hang in there. Take care.

Sandy in NJ

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

>

> My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but

some hypo

> related things just don't seem to be going away.

>

> For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much

I sleep.

> I could chalk this up to other stuff, I guess... a lot of things

could cause

> this. But, beyond that... my memory is just non-existent...

completely

> fried. It's been worse lately... I'll repeat the same thing to

someone 2 or

> 3 times and not realize it, or I'll completely forget what I was

doing or

> where I put something. I jokingly chalk it up to old age, but I'm

only 21

> I feel old, though... I'm tired, achy, forgetful...

>

> Anyhow, I know I've heard some of you say you never really do get

back to

> feeling like you were before surgery and RAI. Do you think that's

just what

> I'm experiencing? Are these symptoms just a result of all this

thyroid stuff

> and I should expect them to stay? Could it be something else

entirely? Is

> there anything I can do to help myself?

>

> I'm just feeling a bit discouraged today...

>

> Thanks everyone,

>

> Age 21

> Lump found 10/01

> FNA 2/15/02 dx Pap Car.

> TT 3/18/02 2cm tumor, 5 lymph nodes infected

> RAI 6/6/02 150 mci

> Currently on .2 of Levoxyl

Hi ,

That's exactly how I feel! I am 32 w/ a 3yr. old son. I was diagnose

about 2 months before my 30th birthday. What a way to celebrate! My

endo says he has me on a " hyper " dose. My TSH is suppressed at0.02

but I certainly don't feel it. I am tired all the time. Basically,

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I joined a kickboxing

class 2 nights a week. I feel great afterwards. It took a couple of

classes to get my endurance up. Are you sure you are not overdoing

it? I am now looking for something to do on Friday nights. I think

part of my problem was that I wasn't being stimulated enough. I

haven't worked on a regular basis since I was diagnosed. My husband

says the reason I feel so " stupid " (my word)is b/c I'm not being

mentally challenged enough. I'm home all the time and my only company

is my 3 yr. old and my dog. So I'm back to work on weekends

consistently. I think I'm on the right track now. Since I don't have

my friends around where I live I call them. Just having a

conversation with them will give me the energy I need to get through

the rest of the afternoon. Other tips that work for me is to get

dressed and put some makeup on. If I look good, I feel good. When my

son is napping I put some music on I really enjoy. Other times you

just have to give in and take a nap.

This may not be what you were looking for but thought I'd share with

you what helps me. I, too hope this is only temporary.

Hang in there. Take care.

Sandy in NJ

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

>

> My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but some hypo

related things just don't seem to be going away.

>

> For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much I sleep I

could chalk this up to other stuff, I guess... a lot of things could cause this.

But, beyond that... my memory is just non-existent... completely fried. It's

been worse lately... I'll repeat the same thing to someone 2 or 3 times and not

realize it, or I'll completely forget what I was doing or where I put something.

I jokingly chalk it up to old age, but I'm only 21

> I feel old, though... I'm tired, achy, forgetful...

---

Hi ,

Really, some of us do get to where we feel like our pre-thyca selves. Shelagh

gave you excellent information. You didn't say what your TSH is. If it is as low

as Sandy in NJ, you may need to have your T4 dose `tweaked' just a wee bit in

order to bring you up a little closer to 0.1. My TSH (yesterday) is 0.01

(tired, lack concentration, etc.). I'm working my way back up to 0.08, the level

at which I feel best. Each of us has our individual level at which we function

best. We think that my beginning an antidepressant this winter (Celexa is my new

best friend:)) has pushed my TSH down to where I was having heart

irregularities. I was at (<0.001) 2 months ago~!

Hope this helps and that you get to feeling better soon,

in OH

dx 1965

[Guest guest]

> Hi all,

>

> My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but some hypo

related things just don't seem to be going away.

>

> For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much I sleep I

could chalk this up to other stuff, I guess... a lot of things could cause this.

But, beyond that... my memory is just non-existent... completely fried. It's

been worse lately... I'll repeat the same thing to someone 2 or 3 times and not

realize it, or I'll completely forget what I was doing or where I put something.

I jokingly chalk it up to old age, but I'm only 21

> I feel old, though... I'm tired, achy, forgetful...

---

Hi ,

Really, some of us do get to where we feel like our pre-thyca selves. Shelagh

gave you excellent information. You didn't say what your TSH is. If it is as low

as Sandy in NJ, you may need to have your T4 dose `tweaked' just a wee bit in

order to bring you up a little closer to 0.1. My TSH (yesterday) is 0.01

(tired, lack concentration, etc.). I'm working my way back up to 0.08, the level

at which I feel best. Each of us has our individual level at which we function

best. We think that my beginning an antidepressant this winter (Celexa is my new

best friend:)) has pushed my TSH down to where I was having heart

irregularities. I was at (<0.001) 2 months ago~!

Hope this helps and that you get to feeling better soon,

in OH

dx 1965

[Guest guest]

,

I'm new on the list & haven't even had RAI yet, but as a RN wanted to suggest

having your hemoglobin checked. I hope with time your energy returns!

Tardie

TT 1-28-03

Going hypo for RAI (about 3-10-03)

Do some symptoms just not go away?

Hi all,

My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but some hypo

related things just don't seem to be going away.

For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much I sleep....

[Guest guest]

,

I'm new on the list & haven't even had RAI yet, but as a RN wanted to suggest

having your hemoglobin checked. I hope with time your energy returns!

Tardie

TT 1-28-03

Going hypo for RAI (about 3-10-03)

Do some symptoms just not go away?

Hi all,

My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but some hypo

related things just don't seem to be going away.

For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much I sleep....

[Guest guest]

Hi !

It sounds like you're feeling just as bad as I am! I haven't posted

since I don't always have access to a computer. When I read your

post it sounds like your describing exactly how I feel. I am 26 and

was diagnosed in 2/02,had my TT and neck dissection in 5/02, and RAI

(213mCi) in 8/02. I am on 100mcg of synthroid and recently have

started on cytomel (5 mcg 4 times a day) hoping for a little strength

or energy. It has helped me a little- I can at least stay awake most

of the day! I am still exausted though and my legs are very weak-

sometimes I can't even walk. What dosage of synthroid are you on?

Do you know what your TSH is? Mine is suppressed at .01. I too am

very sleepy and sleep at least 10-11 hours a night and wake up so

stiff,swollen and soooo tired that I don't even know how I am going

to face another day. Even a shower is a major acco

mplishment…..forget

about trying to exercise. I was feeling bad after surgery but the

RAI completely knocked me out. I would love to talk to you more

about this. We are supposed to be feeling great and full of energy

in our twenties and we both feel so old! You can e-mail me at

griepper @aol.com. I get to check my e-mail periodically. Maybe we

can exchange phone numbers so we can talk about just how bad

we're

feeling!

Suzanne in NJ

FNA pap. 2/02

TT 5/02

RAI(213)mCi8/02

[Guest guest]

Hi !

It sounds like you're feeling just as bad as I am! I haven't posted

since I don't always have access to a computer. When I read your

post it sounds like your describing exactly how I feel. I am 26 and

was diagnosed in 2/02,had my TT and neck dissection in 5/02, and RAI

(213mCi) in 8/02. I am on 100mcg of synthroid and recently have

started on cytomel (5 mcg 4 times a day) hoping for a little strength

or energy. It has helped me a little- I can at least stay awake most

of the day! I am still exausted though and my legs are very weak-

sometimes I can't even walk. What dosage of synthroid are you on?

Do you know what your TSH is? Mine is suppressed at .01. I too am

very sleepy and sleep at least 10-11 hours a night and wake up so

stiff,swollen and soooo tired that I don't even know how I am going

to face another day. Even a shower is a major acco

mplishment…..forget

about trying to exercise. I was feeling bad after surgery but the

RAI completely knocked me out. I would love to talk to you more

about this. We are supposed to be feeling great and full of energy

in our twenties and we both feel so old! You can e-mail me at

griepper @aol.com. I get to check my e-mail periodically. Maybe we

can exchange phone numbers so we can talk about just how bad

we're

feeling!

Suzanne in NJ

FNA pap. 2/02

TT 5/02

RAI(213)mCi8/02

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but some hypo

> related things just don't seem to be going away.

>

> For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much I sleep.

> I could chalk this up to other stuff, I guess... a lot of things could cause

> this. But, beyond that... my memory is just non-existent... completely

> fried. It's been worse lately... I'll repeat the same thing to someone 2 or

> 3 times and not realize it, or I'll completely forget what I was doing or

> where I put something. I jokingly chalk it up to old age, but I'm only 21

> I feel old, though... I'm tired, achy, forgetful...

,

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but you sound a lot like I did

several months after surgery. My [former] endo kept telling me that I

was imagining these symptoms, and since I was ignorant enough to

believe him I tried to resign myself to the fact that some hypo

symptoms are permanent. Imagine how happy I was to discover that

(for me, at least) it wasn't true! All of my symptoms eventually

went away -- some of them so gradually that I hardly noticed it at

the time -- but it took more than a year before I felt like my pre-

thyca self. About two years post-tt, I realized that I actually felt

BETTER than I had before surgery. It's a slow and often frustrating

process, but for most of us there IS life after thyca!

Hang in there; it will get better.

ellen

--

mailto:ellen@...

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but some hypo

> related things just don't seem to be going away.

>

> For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much I sleep.

> I could chalk this up to other stuff, I guess... a lot of things could cause

> this. But, beyond that... my memory is just non-existent... completely

> fried. It's been worse lately... I'll repeat the same thing to someone 2 or

> 3 times and not realize it, or I'll completely forget what I was doing or

> where I put something. I jokingly chalk it up to old age, but I'm only 21

> I feel old, though... I'm tired, achy, forgetful...

,

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but you sound a lot like I did

several months after surgery. My [former] endo kept telling me that I

was imagining these symptoms, and since I was ignorant enough to

believe him I tried to resign myself to the fact that some hypo

symptoms are permanent. Imagine how happy I was to discover that

(for me, at least) it wasn't true! All of my symptoms eventually

went away -- some of them so gradually that I hardly noticed it at

the time -- but it took more than a year before I felt like my pre-

thyca self. About two years post-tt, I realized that I actually felt

BETTER than I had before surgery. It's a slow and often frustrating

process, but for most of us there IS life after thyca!

Hang in there; it will get better.

ellen

--

mailto:ellen@...

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> My doctor has finally gotten my medication and TSH regulated, but some hypo

> related things just don't seem to be going away.

>

> For one, I'm still really sleepy, all the time, no matter how much I sleep.

> I could chalk this up to other stuff, I guess... a lot of things could cause

> this. But, beyond that... my memory is just non-existent... completely

> fried. It's been worse lately... I'll repeat the same thing to someone 2 or

> 3 times and not realize it, or I'll completely forget what I was doing or

> where I put something. I jokingly chalk it up to old age, but I'm only 21

> I feel old, though... I'm tired, achy, forgetful...

,

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but you sound a lot like I did

several months after surgery. My [former] endo kept telling me that I

was imagining these symptoms, and since I was ignorant enough to

believe him I tried to resign myself to the fact that some hypo

symptoms are permanent. Imagine how happy I was to discover that

(for me, at least) it wasn't true! All of my symptoms eventually

went away -- some of them so gradually that I hardly noticed it at

the time -- but it took more than a year before I felt like my pre-

thyca self. About two years post-tt, I realized that I actually felt

BETTER than I had before surgery. It's a slow and often frustrating

process, but for most of us there IS life after thyca!

Hang in there; it will get better.

ellen

--

mailto:ellen@...