[hansontrish]

#1018770

Ok so I have a question for someone, anyone who can help me out.

My endo doc said that I would get some back pain. The key word I thought was "some" NOT "pain"

Why do people with graves get back pain? Is there anything that makes it feel better? I had some muscle relaxers from a prior injury a long time ago, but I called a left a message for my doc, asking if I could take them, and never got a call back, so i did some research and found that people with hyper thyroid issues should not take them. Being that my levels have not yet dropped, I fall into that category.

Why are muscle relaxers bad for us?

I’ve tried everything I could think of in the last 2 days. It’s getting to the point that I want to go into the doc and ask for them to just knock me out. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, but this is getting out of control. I can’t take anymore Ibuprofen, or tylenol, as I’ve hit the max dose. I’ve tried the heat and the cold packs. I have tried muscle rubs. I’ve tried stretching, and getting into a comfortable position…. NOTHING IS WORKING…

I’m so tired because I can’t sleep well, because of the pain. I can’t sit and have a hard time walking and standing… it’s crazy!

I don’t know if I could even begin to describe the pain. It’s almost like an ache, but a sharp pain at times, and then it will cramp… it’s horrible.

If anyone can offer any suggestions, or advice, I’m all ears.

Thanks so much,
Trish.

[Bobbi]

#1066986

This is the first I’ve heard about back pain with Graves, Trish. I don’t know what your endo might have been talking about unless he was talking about something specific with you and your life style or medical history.

In general, for all of us, we have to be careful, while hyperthyroid, not to stress the muscles. Too much thyroid hormone affects their biochemistry, just like it does the rest of the body. In addition to actually losing muscle mass, which causes weakness, I was very aware that my muscles would not work as quickly, recover as quickly, from exertion while I was hyper. So we’re more likely to get pulls, strains, shin splints, without careful behavior with the muscles until our levels are regulated, and the muscles have had time to heal, like the rest of the body.

As for the muscle relaxers, I would call the doctor back to get his take on it; online sources can be helpful, but I prefer to go to someone I trust. I would also (as a backup) ask a pharmacist. Pharmacists spend their college studying chemistry and drugs, and sometimes are really good resources for specific questions about whether a drug is appropriate in certain situations. (It is also easier to reach a pharmacist…..) Until that time, you might try moist heat, laying on your back with your knees up to your chest, probably things you’re already doing…..

I do hope you are feeling better soon.

[hansontrish]

#1066987

Ms Bobbi,
I’m not sure either. But the first time I saw him he asked how my back pain was, and I told him that it was not that bad. He said it would get worse. And everytime I go see him he asks how bad it is. But this is the first time that it has actually been a real problem.

thanks for the info about the way our body reacts when we are hyper, it’s some good info, a lot of things are making sense now.

I don’t have any history of back injury, and never really had back pain that was for no reason…. I mean I’ve hurt myself, like trying to ride my 13 year old neices bike… you know… crazy stuff ” title=”Very Happy” /> but never just because.

I forgot all about the pharmacy… thank you for reminding me. I will give them a call today. I’m having a few isses with the endo doc right now, as a matter of fact I think I would trust the pharmacy over my endo doc. I wish my PCP could do his job, then I wouldn’t have to deal with him.

But anywho… The pain has dulled down for now, so I’m going to take advantage of it and get the house clean.

Thanks again,
Trish.

[jenlynn724]

#1066988

I am going to mention this to my doc as well when I see him at the end of the month. My back, hips, shoulders, and knees are so sore so often, I can hardly walk. My 82 year old grandmother gets around better than me. I have not injured myself, although I do have arthritis in my hips and knees, the chronic pain is awful. It seems like the slightest exertion causes me severe pain for 4 days..

[enough3]

#1066989

I have never had back pain with graves. I have had sore joints, but that can be common with autoimmune disorders. IF your back pain is related to graves, it should get better as your levels get in normal ranges. Although what you described sounds like you may need to check other reasons for the back pain.

[snelsen]

#1066990

Gosh, I sure am sorry about your back pain. You got some good answers, but since it seems uncommon, I would try to be more forceful, get the attention of the guy who keeps telling you it is expected. If that fails, and your insurance allows, I would make an appt. with a different endo. It sounds like you primary care doc has not helped you a lot. IT is so so hard to get the right combination of docs. I am concerned @ your back pain, ’cause it is really impacting your quality of life. I would push harder to get a doc to support you trying the muscle relaxants. Best of luck to you with this, and be sure to write back with your progress or lack of it. Hope it gets resolved soon.

[Corinne]

#1066991

Hi,
I am newly diagnosed with Grave’s, so I hadn’t put it together but I have experience mild back pain. I don’t know if its related. I first noticed it in my classes, where I noticed it seems like I can never comfortably sit in the chairs because my back would be sore. Now I really can’t sit anywhere cause it hurts when I am sitting. I am too young to really have back pain, so everyone writes it off. I don’t have terrible pain like you are describing though….I hope you feel better.

[hansontrish]

#1066992

Thanks for all the info guys… I have done some research and found that as you guys have mentioned, joint and muscle pain are very normal, but "back pain" is not an actual symptom. I’m not sure what has caused it. It finally went away, after about a week and more motrin then a regular person should have.

I’ve tried talking to the docs, and tried getting someone to listen, but everytime it’s "here take this pill". I’m not saying that I’m anti pills… just I would like to know what is wrong before I start dosing myself with drugs. But with the new year, my husband has agreed to help me "stand up and be heard"… he’s going to be my back up if I can’t get through to them.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to get a new doctor. I can’t get it to happen before my RAI, so I’m going to have to wait until after. (insurance issues.)

It’s not just because of the pain, it’s a whole bunch of stuff… I had another post on here about most of it.

So with that said.
The back pain has subsided, with motrin, muscle rub, and rest. I’m going to watch to see what seems to trigger it. I’m just really hoping that it does not come back.

Thanks again guys for all your advice, and support.
Ya’ll rock.
Trish.

[Ski]

#1066993

There’s one reason behind back pain that may be traced back to Graves’. The first thing that comes to mind is the muscle-wasting that we suffer while hyperthyroid. When our muscles start wasting, they can’t give the level of support we need, and that can lead to "weak spots" and soreness. That could happen in your joints or in your back, depending on how it’s happening to you.

The other thing you may want to consider is that, once we have one autoimmune disease, we have a slightly higher chance of getting another. Fibromyalgia has been identified as an autoimmune disease, and it can cause exactly the phenomenon that you’ve just been through. One little "kink" and you suffer for an inordinate period of time. I’m not sure the mechanisms for figuring out whether you indeed may have fibromyalgia, but it may be a good idea to read up on it anyway.

[Kimberly]

#1066994

Hi Trish – Have you had a bone dexa scan done to check your bone density? Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause loss of bone mass. When I was first diagnosed, my doctor did a bone scan that showed that two of my vertabrae were "compressed". Getting my levels stabilized and taking calcium & vitamin D supplements has helped some. Maybe this is what your doc was talking about?

Best of luck!

[hansontrish]

#1066995

Ski, thanks for the info, and I will look into the fibro stuff… I’m getting it again… and I have done nothing to injure it…. kinda makes you wonder.

Kimberly, I will ask the next doctor I see… I think that I’m done with this one. I’ve been on the phone all night with my older sister, who is a nurse, and she has raised some pretty good questions to which I had no answers…. but she is threatning to come here and start standing up for me and making some decisions… so I better get it done so she does not have to do that…. hehehe *wink *wink. ” title=”Confused” />

I’m not really sure what the doc has been talking about because I can’t get him to answer me… I actually went to the hospital today and still got nothing, nothing but the run around… It’s getting very frustrating!!! .. ON second thought maybe I should let her come…

You all have been great… Thanks for all the help. And I will check up on these two main points.
Thanks again,
Trish.

[mama_44]

#1066996

I too am having back problems. It hurts with every move i make. I can barely stand long enough to get the dishes done. I went to the er, they prescribed me pain pills and suggest I talk this over with my doctor.

[hyperm]

#1066997

I have back pain too ” title=”Sad” /> Like others joint pain also – my hands and feet are curled up in the morning but more recently my back has been in agony and in fact I just mentioned to my hubby that I think I will need to go to the doctor about it. Never thought for a moment a correlation to GD. However they way my levels have been I wouldn’t be surprised if its a combination of muscle wastage/ having babies and an injury at work all coming together now due to muscle weakness.

My GP suspected fibromyalgia after the TS. However, there was so much going on that I never went back and in fact I am wondering now if I should.

Keep us posted on how you get on xxx

[SharonS111]

#1066998

I’ve found that when I go to the gym and use the back extender, it really relieves the lower back pain I have. I look forward to using it.

[snapshot]

#1066999

My sister with graves had the same problem and it was indeed fibromyalgia…definitely worth checking out and i hope that you feel better soon….

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