[Anonymous]

#1021086

I have been reading the post on this board for quite a while, but this is my first post as a member. I have learned so much from all my reading. I have had the same kind of hip pain many of you have off and on for the last couple of years. I was surprised to learn that it is Graves related, I thought it was from the walking and execising I do daily. For a while i dreaded turning over and getting out of bed each morning. Did any of you experience shooting pains down the backs of your legs upon hitting the floor? I was always grateful that the aches went away a walking around for a while. Other than learning the hip pain is graves related (glad it’s now on vacation) and not being able to lose weight i have been fortunate since being dx and feel good most of the time. take care…phyllis

[Anonymous]

#1079314

After major health issues and a hospitalization, I was diagnoised with hyperthyroid and Graves disease. I don’t know much about it. On top of that I have Fibromyalgia. I am 41 year old female. I just started Inderal LA 80, Elavil, Lexapro, Xanax for emergencies only, Lunesta and Tapazole about a month ago.My hips and lower back are so back I can’t climb stairs, grades, lift my feet to get in the shower and most embarassing of all, lift myself off the toilet stool. I am shuffling like a little old lady!! Doc said it was caused by the Graves. He said to call my PCP for pain meds. What do I do in the mean time? Will this go away? I feel like I have died and went to hell!!! I do have a stong support system within my church family. My family at home thinks I am off my rocker. i CAN’T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT MOANING IN PAIN. Thank for any tips of the trade you can pass along to me.

Blessings,
Tiff

[Anonymous]

#1079315

Hi Tiff,

I’m so sorry you’re going through all of this! The most encouraging thing I can say is that it WILL get better. A little at a time, but it WILL get better. Try to help your family understand by printing out posts on this bulletin board from other people having your same symptoms, or perhaps just print them a list of symptoms of hyperthyroidism. I remember not even being able to get out of my (very low) car, feeling like I was a hundred years old. It’s over now, and I am back to my same old not-really-fit self. I live for the day I have some actual muscle tone, but meantime I do have my “normal” muscles back and can get out of cars without feeling like I’m going to fall down. Get yourself anything you need for support in the meantime ~ use a cane or leave something near the toilet so you can get up. You are not going to make it worse by getting help, you’re just getting help until it gets better.

Bobbi talks about her muscle loss by saying that she started getting muscle tone back by “weight lifting” small paperback books until she was strong enough to lift actual light weights. Make sure your doctor has okayed you for exercise, then ask for some physical therapy to make sure you’re heading in the right direction and not hurting yourself. It may be too early for that right now ~ you may not be in the position even to start exercising ~ but keep it in mind for later.

I hope you’re feeling much better, and soon! The good news is that you have discovered what you’ve got, and you’ve begun treatment. Believe it or not, some people take years just to get that far. Try to celebrate each victory, no matter how small. And do make sure you are not overdoing in ANY respect. The dust will be there tomorrow, the dishes will wait for you, the grocery store delivers. Be kind to yourself and don’t let anyone else’s doubts get to you.

~Ski
NGDF Assistant Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1079316

Hi Tiff,

You have described the situation I was in a year ago. Sure made public restroom’s a bigger challenge.

My weakness increased after I started taking Tapazole and was worse as the dose increased. I thought my mysery was 100% from Graves. Six months later I changed Endo’s and reported to the new doctor how I was feeling. She immediately suspected a bad reaction the Tapazole. I changed to PTU and felt MUCH better within a week. I still have hip pain but nothing like when I was on Tapazole.

This may not be the case for you. It is definately important to be on some kind of anti-thyroid medication. Evaluate how you felt before the Tapazole compared to now.

I have less pain when I get enough sleep.

I hope you’re feeling better soon.

Linda775

[Anonymous]

#1079317

For whatever it is worth, I think doctors are way to quick to label something as “Fibromyalgia”. It seems to be a great catch-all if they can’t find another cause for the muscle and joint pains we experience. I was originally told I had Fibromyalgia (due to back and hip pain, tight muscles, painful joints, etc) before they finally determined (two years later) I had Graves Disease. Since being treated for Graves in 2/05, my muscle and joint pain has come and gone depending on where my thyroid levels are. When I am “normal” and feeling like myself again, I experience virtually no pain. However, when my thyroid levels begin changing again (like they are now), the tight muscles and pain returns.

I am posting this because the idea of having Fibromyalgia was very defeating for me, as there seemed to be no “light at the end of the tunnel”. Now, I know from experience that this pain is related to the Graves Disease and that it will get better once my thyroid levels are balanced. This will not be the case for everyone, but it’s worth considering. My road to recovery was delayed for two years due to a lazy diagnosis of “Fibromyalgia”. It is stunning to realize how much is affected by an imbalanced thyroid!

[Anonymous]

#1079318

Thank-you for posting that! That’s what I keep telling myself,(levels off) but there’s always a nagging doubt about the unknown. When someone with experience validates us we can go on easier. In the meantime, while it feels like something is trying to chew my leg off at the hip I’ll be more positive looking forward. Thanks ~ Linda775

[Anonymous]

#1079319

Hi Linda,
Absolutely. It took me a long time to figure things out, but over time it became really clear. I know exactly what you are experiencing. I have tight, aching, burning muscles that spasm and cramp. It is maddening, but it does get better. I went through an awesome period of about three months last fall where my levels were great, I felt great, slept great, could think clearly, etc, etc…and my muscles didn’t hurt at all. Ever since then, my TSH has been on the move and we’ve had a hard time getting things back on track again. Things do get better, though. Just keep the faith!

Elizabeth

[Anonymous]

#1079320

Oh…and the pain in my hip joints is the worst part. For some reason it really affects hip joints.

[Anonymous]

#1079321

Help- I was hypothyroid for 10 years and now they tell me I am hperthyroid. The biggest problem is I get a servere burning sensation on my outer hip. What does this mean?? Can anyone help- I was also told I had Graves . I have servere puffiness under my eyes and the eye doctor said I had thyroid eye problems. Is the hip problme a Graves thing or a hyperthyroid thing?

[Anonymous]

#1079322

We really can’t tell you what the pain in your hip is from. The next time you go to your doctor mention this to him/her. I can tell you that to the best of my knowledge this is not a Graves Disease symptom, or thyroid, autoimmune symptom.

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

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