[Darcy43]

#1058960

I know this has been discussed but wow the pain can be intense. Lately I have had major muscle cramps in the arch of my feet, my calves and near my hips. To say that this hurts is the understatement of the decade. It wakes me up from a deep sleep due to the pain. It shoots through me something fierce. It is worse than plain ole “charley horses”. I have upped my potassium and magnesium intake (safely) and I try to incorporate more protein in my diet. I am drinking tons of water also because it might be an electrolyte imbalance (along with all the other imbalances caused by this dreadful disease). I cannot even touch it to massage them away. I have to simply wait it out. What have you all done to help with these muscle cramps? Suggestions? It has been over a month and they are constant.

[Gem28]

#1171209

WOW omg I have these in my right leg arms and my fingers it’s killing me even typing this I can’t even open a packet of crisps

This for me is one of the worst parts of this illness as it really does mess with your lifestyle

I really do not know what to do about it either I just want you to know ur not alone. I’d be interested to know if is is a symptom EVERYone has with this disease or is it part of the tablets?? Anybody have any remedies? The only way I can explain it is when your serverly cold and ur bones seize it’s like that to me is that the same as you?

Gem x

[Kimberly]

#1171210

Hello – Here’s some info from the Mayo clinic on cramping; they do note that cramps can be associated with thyroid disorders.

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/muscle-cramp/DS00311/DSECTION=causes

Muscle or joint pain, as opposed to cramps, can potentially be a side effect of anti-thyroid drugs, so for those on ATDs, I would definitely report any symptoms like this to your doctor or pharmacist.

[Darcy43]

#1171211

Hi Gem glad to know I am not losing my mind and I am not alone.

Yes, you can cramp up everywhere and it was never like this prior to the diagnose.

Kimberly I think you are on to something, maybe it is the ATD meds. I will mention this to my doctor. I will also check out the link. It is brutal pain.

Sometimes my neck hurts horribly. I thought it was tension due to the computer/monitor so I raised it. Nada. My shoulder blades, then the leg cramps, etc. and it can strike out of nowhere.

Hang in there GEM. I am right there with you.

[gatorgirly]

#1171212

I had pretty bad muscle cramps and my endocrinologist said it was from the PTU. Sure enough, once I had RAI and stopped the PTU for good, the pain went away. At 27, I feel like I’m trapped inside an 80-year-old’s body but now that I’m off the PTU, that probably has more to do with my former life as a gymnast than it does with Graves.

[Darcy43]

#1171213

I feel your pain, especially about feeling like our bodies are 80+. Along with the aches and pains, the senility that kicks in is incredible. I cannot tell you how many times I am in mid sentence and then I forget my thoughts. Then, when I am speaking, I have to keep telling myself “use your words.” This is from someone who was the Great Orator, the Gift of Gab, etc. Humbling indeed. Sigh…

[mvk]

#1171214

This is the first time I am posting on the forum. I have been diagnosed for about a month and will be taking the RAI treatment next week. I am 62 years old and my symptoms started with severe muscle pain in my rear end. First one side and I finally got it under control and then it went to the other side. I was training for a half marathon and just figured that I was accelerating my training schedule too fast. Very painful two months for me and I sympathize with your discomfort. Now I am barely walking at all. The symptom that got me into the doctor were the heart palpitations. She suspected my thyroid right away and I am ever so grateful for her wisdom in diagnosing me so quickly. I started the low iodine diet this week in anticipation of the treatment. Any suggestions for food would be much appreciated. I am learning a lot from these forum discussions. The whole thing is just overwhelming. I am experiencing a lot of anxiety as well. Thank you for all your help.

[Bobbi]

#1171215

Hi, mvk, and welcome to our board.

Anxiety is a typical symptom of being hyper — hopefully it will go away as soon as you get back to controlled normal levels of hormone.

The best food advice is really to eat for nutrition right now. Your body has been working overtime, and depleting it’s resources. Eating nourishing food, dense with vitamins and minerals, is going to be a huge help. I gave up “empty calories” for a while, which also helped with weight issues. Some online sites will try to steer you away from veggies containing “goitrogens” — substances thought (or possibly known) to cause enlargement of the thyroid (i.e. goiter), but when I checked that with my endo, she told me that you would need to eat truckloads of the foods to make any type of impact: in other words, it would be physically impossible.

Wishing you good luck, and better health soon.

[Gem28]

#1171216

ACHES GO AWAYYYYYY ;(

I’m struggling driving now ;( my hands and fingers are aching and I feel exhausted and very anxious and upset ;( aswell as looking like I have flees itching constantly ;( Im a travel agent part time when I don’t have the 3 baby’s ;( how can I work feeling like this??? Has anybody been signed off for a few weeks to recover or maybe like me just waiting for new meds to take effect???

[Savvyrat]

#1171217

Oh yeah! I get these in my legs. I always assumed it was due to dairy, because I used to get dairy related muscle pain as a child. When thy started with a new vengeance this year I should have known something more was up. Go figure!

[Darcy43]

#1171218

Although I really sympathize with all of you, it is good to hear that I am not crazy. Yes the itching (I take claratin – not claratin D) but I was on that for years due to hives – should have known an autoimmune was coming on right? I had read that you should stay away from antihistimines, but since I was on the claritin for years, I haven’t stopped and this has not had an adverse affect on my symptoms. The itching is controlled by it actually.

savvyrat and marathon trainer at 62 (God bless you, you rock) I am sorry that you both have the aches and pains. It will get better, but they are just annoying. I did an hour long session of pilates (the medevial torture kind on the bed, with pulleys, etc.) and it did WONDERS. It gave me some relief. I am on my way to yoga now. I think these keep me mentally calm which really helps control the Graves symptoms from flaring up. Hey I will try anything. I am looking foward to going into remission (I pray I get there by my 12th month).

I am praying for us all. This is a great forum.

[StacyQ]

#1171219

I felt your pain before I had the RAI treatment. After I got that done, I haven’t had those kind of pains again. But before the treatment, WOW, it would wake me up in the middle of the night, i wouldn’t want to get out of bed..it was horrible. Hope you can find something to relieve this pain! Good luck!

~Stacy

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