[barbra]

#1060366

Hi guys and gals,

I haven’t had any labs done since the middle of December and my doctors appointments are not until April and May but I am feeling well. Overlooking small occasional muscle pains, mostly after sitting too long, I think this is what normal was like.
I was diagnosed in April 2013, had RAI in July and have been first on different doses of Levothyroxine and now, since December, on 75 mcg of Synthroid, which seems to work much better. I am still taking the 5 mg of Ambien for sleep.
I quit smoking in September and my next step is to cut the Ambien in half and eventually get off of it completely to see what the sleeping situation will be.
Also, I am determined to shed the 30+ pounds I have gained. This love affair with food has to stop, so, I am cutting back and hope that by summer I can fit into my clothes again.

I think the up and down is over since the dosage should have taken hold by now. Please tell me I’m right.

Wish me luck as I am wishing you all the very best. Hope you get to where I am very soon.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[SueAndHerZoo]

#1182214

Great news – glad to hear it and thanks for sharing! I find that between 6-8 weeks after I start a new dose I am “level” and can determine how I feel at the new level. Before 6 weeks? Not a chance. I get so many symptoms every time I tweak my Levo regardless of what direction I’m tweaking it in.

You say Synthroid works better for you than Levo….. do you mean in the way you feel or the way your labs look? I think Levothyroxine must be working well for me because each time we change my dosage it’s to go LOWER so apparently I’m converting just fine. But I often worry that if they change manufacturers I will have to adjust to new levels again. I contacted my pharmacy and expressed my concerns about the generic drug changing and they assured me they would notify me if and when that happens. Guess we’ll see.

Didn’t mean to get off track. So glad you’re feeling good, and good luck with the weight loss. I’ve been doing Weight Watchers for about 7 weeks now and am down 7 pounds so I’m happy. I’m sure that rate of loss won’t continue forever but I’ll keep at it as best I can. Tis the time of year for most of us to shed the winter pounds.
Sue

[barbra]

#1182215

Hi Sue,

To answer your question, I feel much better with the Synthroid. With the Levo there was adjustment needed with every doctor’s visit because I was tired, worn out and had lots of muscle pain and was just plain miserable. In the last month I have consistently felt good and therefore had no labs done and am going to wait until before my next appointment in April. At least I’m hoping it’ll work out that way.
One would think that my levels may be pretty good according to the way I feel.
I do have a work order for labs, just in case I need it.

I’m on the “Stay away from the fridge” diet, which translates to no breakfast, fruit for lunch and a yummy dinner, and no snacks allowed!

Take care.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[Kimberly]

#1182216

Hi Barbra – Hard to say what will happen in the future, but the fact that you are feeling great now is super encouraging!

One caution – make SURE that you have a system to take the correct medication at the right time. There is currently a trial going on where a woman (actually a member of the Kennedy family) mixed up her thyroid and sleeping meds and ended up with a DWI! Best to have a foolproof system in place for taking the right meds!

[barbra]

#1182217

Hi Kimberly,

My phone wakes me at 7:30 every morning to take the Synthroid which, together with water, sits right by my bed. Then I get to lounge around in bed a while longer since I am retired and have no specific time I have to do anything. No more kids to send to school either.
Synthroid is round, Ambien is oblong. No confusion here.
And that Kennedy thing? She’s lucky I’m not on the jury cause I don’t believe a word of it.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[sarawebberdurnell]

#1182218

It’s fantastic to hear you are doing so well. I hadn’t ever thought about the difference of how the Levo and Synthroid may effect me. I keep referring to my med as Synthroid, but it actually is the Levo and so far it seems to be doing it’s job. I guess we’ll see for sure in 2 weeks when I see my surgeon for a blood draw and follow up.

I too, am trying to knock off the extra weight now that I am feeling tons better. I’m trying to not eat after 8pm as that is my downfall. Good luck!!

Evidently we have the same idea about taking our meds. I keep mine next to my bed with water too and take it when my alarm goes off at 6:30 am, then I get up at 7 to get ready for the day, but make sure to not eat anything until after 7:30.

Out of curiosity, do you know of any foods that I should be wary of that may counteract the levo/synthroid? Or it is all in the timing?

Thanks,
Sara

[barbra]

#1182219

Hi Sara,

I don’t remember any doctor ever mentioning specific foods to avoid after taking the Levo or Synthroid. All they said was to take it on an empty stomach, which for me means in the morning, and not eat for 30 minutes to an hour. So, I lounge in bed for 1/2 hour and then, after spending another 30 minutes doing whatever, I am good to go. I do drink my coffee, though, after I get out of bed.
And I really don’t know, ingredient wise, what the specific difference is between Levo and Synthroid but I feel so much better. On the bottle it says: No substitution! Medically necessary!

A small note on that Kennedy thing: I don’t want you all to think I’m insensitive but, according to the law, ignorance or stupidity is no excuse.
I have no children in the house but my Ambien, which is also on my nightstand, is the only bottle with a child-proof top. That’s so I can always tell the difference.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[Kimberly]

#1182220

sarawebberdurnell wrote:

Out of curiosity, do you know of any foods that I should be wary of that may counteract the levo/synthroid? Or it is all in the timing?

Thanks,
Sara

Hello – Patients are usually advised to space out soy and also calcium/iron supplements 4 hours away from taking thyroid hormone replacement, as these can affect the absorption of the meds. (Although I recently heard one doc say that 2 hours was sufficient).

[sarawebberdurnell]

#1182221

Thanks for the responses Barbra and Kimberly. Most of the “rules” surrounding the synthroid were given to me while I was still in the hospital and on pain medication, so I was a little loopy and don’t recall all of them. I just don’t want to mess anything up taking the medication so I can continue to feel well.

Sara

[barbra]

#1182222

Hi Kimberly,

Thank you for the info. I had forgotten about the soy and calcium/iron. Neither applies to me but it’s always great to have your help.

Hugs.
Barbra.

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