[LBF]

#1059311

I know that this has probably been talked about on here but there are so many posts, it’s difficult to find…so, I had RAI treatment for Graves about 10 years ago…for years now I have had chronic joint/muscle pain. My whole body (from my toes to my neck) feels like it’s bruised constantly…no relief. Mornings are awful, I can barely walk. The center of my back is always in pain and sometimes will spasm and I will be flat on my back for a week and any movement will bring me to tears. I take magnesium supplements, which help some. Every once in a while I will have a flare up of some sort with fatique, headaches and ulcers in my mouth added to the constant joint/muscle pain. Since Lupus runs in my family, I have been tested for Lupus and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease…negative for both…thank goodness!! The doctors just shrug their shoulders. My question to all of you…does anyone else have these same symptoms?? Chronic joint/muscle pain, fatigue, muscle spasms, ulcers, headaches. If so, what do you do and how have you found relief? Thanks!

[adenure]

#1174023

Hi!

Have you had your thyroid labs run lately? Do you still feel this way when your numbers are in range? I know that joint pain and fatigue are symptoms of hypothyroidism. When you get your labs done, do you get your free T3 done? If your hormone levels are in the upper part of the normal range, I’m not sure what it could be. Maybe trying a different thyroid replacement? Are you on generic Synthroid or brand name? Sometimes the fillers in generics can effect absorption. Having been on replacement hormone for the last 10 years though, you probably know all of this! Taking the meds. on an empty stomach, waiting to eat an hour, avoiding calcium, iron, soy and high fiber foods after taking your medication. I don’t know- I wish I could be of more help, but maybe having your labs run again if they haven’t been recently would be a good starting point. It’s normal I think for us to think any time we feel badly, that it must be thyroid/ hormone related, but it may not be. I hope you’re able to find out what the source is. Are you taking Advil or a lot of pain relief for the muscle aches? Maybe the ulcers are caused by the Advil? One of my friend’s mom got ulcers from taking Advil daily.

[LBF]

#1174024

Thanks Alexis,

Yes, I’ve had my levels checked and they are always normal. I take Synthroid….one thing that I didn’t know is not to take calcium and iron. Of course my iron is low so the Dr. (not my endocrinologist) told me to take iron. So maybe I need to change that and see what happens. The pain is daily and have read online where others have the chronic joint/muscle pain as well, so I thought maybe there were others out there that have the other symptoms that I have too since Drs. can’t seem to find a reason. When I was tested for Lupus and MCTD and the results came back negative the Dr said, “Well I guess it’s just arthritis”. It’s not rheumetoid…I forgot to mention that I’ve been checked for that, as well. Maybe some others will respond…will wait and see! Thanks again! ~Leslie

[gatorgirly]

#1174025

You can still take calcium and iron while on Synthroid if your doctor prescribed either or both, but you need to wait at least four hours after taking your Synthroid before taking any supplements or Tums.

My endocrinologist said I can take my other medications – propranolol (beta blocker), loratadine (Claritin for seasonal allergies), and omeprazole (for GERD) 30-60 minutes after taking my Synthroid, but to take selenium and my multivitamin in the afternoon. I don’t remember to take anything when I’m at work, so I just take them before bed with my birth control pill.

As for your joint pain, I know I get that way when I am extremely hypo. I second the suggestion to get some labs done – TSH and T4 especially – even if you’ve had labs done in the last few months. You might need a different dose of Synthroid, or it might be something else altogether. What about your family’s history of osteoporosis? If you were on steroids, PPIs or anything else long-term that ups your risk of bone disease or if you are close to menopause, it might be worth getting a bone scan.

Hope you feel better soon!

[LBF]

#1174022

Thanks for responding. I was waiting at least an hour to take my calcium and Vit D but not 4 hours. Will try to make that change and see if that helps. No steroid, PPI use. I am 52, post menopausal. Osteoporosis, not sure about. Hopefully making the change with the time that I take supplements will give me some relief. Maybe I haven’t been absorbing the Synthroid properly due to the supplements. Thanks!

[spenanelson]

#1174026

I had the same thing. So I found a really good massage therapist who practices deep tissue massage with a focus on Thai techniques. He has really helped me even though it was amazing painful and bruising until my body adjusted. I just had a large amount of scare tissue and overall soft tissue issues due to years of non treated pain. Oh… And a spinal fusion and degerative disk disease.

as a testament to his work… I used to take 800mg of ibuprofen 4–6 times a day for pain and i could not even tie my shoes. Now, I only take ibuprofen for the occasional sinus headache and never more than 4 a week. And I can wear heals and tie my shoes with ease.

If you can’t find a massage therapist, you should alway stretch. Yoga is also great. As long as your doctor has said there is no major structural issues that would keep you from it. Even with my fusion and other issues, I can do all the things someone half my age because of this.

Take care and good luck!

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