[Anonymous February 16, 1997 at 1:35 am Post count: 93172]

#1164805

Hi Lynn,

I’ve had the legs/feet cramping the past 3 weeks also. Started just at the end of
January. Mentioned it at a family gathering. They, (Mom, Grandma & Aunt) all
chorused, “Take Potassium”, When I tried to “up” my appt date with my doctor,
The nurse said, try potassium. When I saw the doc (and diagnosed with the hypo-finally!)
he said, yep it’s the thyroid. And when I called a friend who has a hypo thyroid, she
also had Really bad leg cramps. (“Yeah, the kind you wake up from and nearly scream in
pain?!””Yeah! that’s it!” I reply-well, tears for moi) She said, if she doesn’t eat her
daily banana ie: potassium, the cramps hit. So.. I’ve been on Levo and Potassium for a week (Doctor said
the potassium couldn’t hurt..or make a differance rather…) and I haven’t been waking up in
total leg pain.. phew! I was able to walk a bit farther around campus this week too, without resting.
or my legs being in agony, just sort of that “muscle burn” feeling.” I need to work on stretches next.
I’m not sure how much is due to the weight gain also. )sigh(

Huggers, Dawn

[Anonymous February 16, 1997 at 5:08 am Post count: 93172]

#1056935

This is the first I have heard of legs cramping or swelling. This is how after about eight years without symptoms I found out I had a very high thyroid and graves disease again. We were flying back from Mexico and my feet swelled so much that I could hardly walk off the plane. It stayed for a week and then when I went for tests it had started all over again. That was two years ago. My eyes are still very bad with terrible double vision, swelling, weeping and the works. I really would like this to be over. I do get cramps in my legs sometimes but never associated it with the disease. There are so many different symptoms it is scary. Right now my heart is pounding so hard I have to go and take an inderal. Anyway I wish you well. SAS

[Anonymous February 16, 1997 at 3:22 pm Post count: 93172]

#1164806

Hi Dawn,
I think I will going out to get some
bananas for sure, What is Levo?? I went out
with my SO last night for Valentine’s Day and
I wore High Heels WOW!!!Wrong Move!!!! I was almost
crippled by the time I got home. The only thing that
is comfy are my cowboy boots and my old beat up runners.
I guess I am lucky to be able to wear either one to work.
I get so tired of this disease but hey I guess I will
just have to roll with the punches and learn to live
with all the little irritants and bothers.
I sit here by the window looking out at about 1 foot of snow
and it is still falling……I think I am really sick of winter.
We need some sunshine and flowers to give a new outlook
on life!!!
Huggers
Lynn from TO

[Anonymous February 18, 1997 at 12:36 am Post count: 93172]

#1164807

Hi Lynn,

ohh.. ouch on the high heels. (Grin-all I’ve been wearing are my tennies anymore.-
I don’t care HOW it looks with my workclothes.. ;>) Levo (well, there is a longer name-
It is the synthetic hormone (?) replacement for my thyroid hormone. Did I say that right?

How have the banana’s worked? I was a bum and read all day today.. My legs haven’t bothered
me yet today. .. wheeeeeee……

Huggers! Dawn

[Anonymous February 18, 1997 at 12:59 am Post count: 93172]

#1164808

Better stick with flatter shoes: they may look out of place,but what the HEY!
Tennies are good too…

The word you’re looking for is levothyroixine: it’s one of those things you have to take
daily. Yes, hormone replacement or somethin’.

You two have a good day.

[Anonymous February 18, 1997 at 7:31 pm Post count: 93172]

#1164809

Cramping legs and swelling feet may be a sign of HYPO thyroidism. In USA
we have right to a copy of all medical tests. See if you can get a copy
every time you go. And learn what the results mean. Keep a record.
After all the problems I have, I find doctors don’t believe me even with
documentation, but at least I know I’m not remembering things incorrectly.
And I have the proof that it is necessary to dose at current levels.

[Anonymous February 19, 1997 at 2:32 pm Post count: 93172]

#1164810

I can definitely second this opinion of Joan Ryan’s: keep copies of ALL test results and treatments. It helps you see the pattern of the disease and symptoms in relation to levels. I have even put all relevant test results into an Excel file chronologically and then sorted them by test. A copy of this, with H’s and L’s (highs and lows) color-coded will probably be a welcome gift to my endocrinologist, as she won’t have to juggle the huge pile of paper which comprises my medical records relating to Graves’.

Redhen

[Author]

Posts