[barbra]

in reply to: For those of you who have used Cytomel #1176893

I just weaned myself off Cytomel, from 5 MCG twice daily to 5 MCG once a day and now nothing since about a week ago. I’m trying to find out if it had something to do with my hair loss. I had used Cytomel once before, although only for two weeks, and it made a big difference in how I felt.
I’m on Levothyroxine 88 MCG. My labs were normal 6 weeks ago, but I felt awful, once again. As before, the Cytomel helped, except the hair loss started.
I had new labs done last week, FT4 and FT3 in range, a tad towards the upper end of normal, with TSH now at 0.02 ref. 0.4-5.5
I also have gained weight and somehow I am always hungry, well not really hungry but very attracted to food.
The PCP seems OK with all my results of the blood and urine tests, but I’m going to see the endo on Monday. I guess there will be some adjustment to the Levothyroxine. I’m just hoping the whole circus will not start over again.
I’m still taking the 5 MG of Ambien, because if I can’t sleep I’m miserable all day.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: organization abilities compromised #1181724

Hi Raspberry,

I don’t have this thing with the mail, but stringing two thoughts together to think something through seems to be almost impossible. I have one thought and then immediately jump to another one, totally unrelated, which is very annoying and makes completing a task difficult. Short term memory also seems to have suffered.
I do have a stack of papers that need my attention, but that’s not me being overwhelmed, just lazy. I think.

Sometimes it seems that GD stands for Gone Daft.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Recs for endos in Houston, TX? #1181636

Hi mickiko,

There is one post from MikeLSU, who I think is from Houston.
Maybe you can use that name in the search function and PM this person.

Good Luck.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Is Graves as a response instead of a disease? #1180926

Hi,

I had also gone through prolonged stress, 7 years worth, before I was diagnosed with Graves. My symptoms didn’t appear until after my husband passed away. It was a good thing that we were not ill at the same time because he would not have been able to stay at home, even with the help of hospice.
Just one more thing. Nutrition is a wonderful concept, the right diet may even help with this disease and I admire anyone who makes it work. But eating what I like is about the only thing I have left. I quit smoking because, like Sue, I am afraid of TED.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Combination Therapy T3/T4 #1181643

I just want to add a couple of things:

I had RAI on July 1. of this year.

Labs 9/05/2013: FT4 = 0.4, ref. 07 – 1.8
TSH = 34.1, ref. 0.4 – 5.5

9/30/2013: FT4 = 0.7
TSH = 26.8

10/31/2013: FT4 = 1.4
TSH = 3.5
FT3 = 2.8, ref. 2.3 – 4.2

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Combination Therapy T3/T4 #1181642

Hi MiTh,

This is my second go-round with Cytomel. The last one was about 2 months ago, but only for two weeks, when my levels were all over the place and my TSH at 26.8
I had about the same symptoms as I have now: muscle aches, chest pain, cold, tired, no energy, weight gain – just plain miserable. The Cytomel seemed to help within a few days. I felt fine, I even lost 4 pounds. Then, about two weeks ago, the symptoms started again. I went and had early labs done and my levels came back in the normal range, all of them, except I felt terrible. My endo added the Cytomel again, 5mcg twice a day. He said I can take the first dose at the same time as the 88mcg of Levothyroxine, which for me is first thing in the morning. I take the second dose around dinner time.
Unfortunately, my symptoms haven’t changed, in fact I can now add hair loss to the list. I guess the NORMAL I experienced is not MY normal. I am just hoping that with time this crappy period will end. My next appointment with the endo is the middle of December.
Aside from the two meds mentioned above I take Cozaar 50mg for hypertension and 5mg of Ambien so I can sleep.
I bought a blood pressure cuff with memory so I can show my PCP that my blood pressure is consistently low and maybe I can get off the Cozaar, although we have a disagreement about that. He’ll probably say it’s low because of the Cozaar.
I have no idea why I feel so lousy, guess I just have to wait it out.

Sorry, this turned into a novel. I hope you find something useful in my post and I hope the Cytomel helps.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: thyroidectomy is my only option for another baby? #1181599

I’m going to take a blind shot here:
ttc = trying to conceive.

I have no clue on the LLL.

Anybody?

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Graves Disease & Headaches #1181614

Hi Grace,

Your symptoms sound an awful lot like mine when I was hyper. Are you getting copies of your lab results?

Before I was diagnosed with Graves I suffered from severe migraines, sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. Most of the time the pain started around my eyes/sinuses and then just spread out. There was no puffiness, redness or swelling around the eyes. I still don’t know what brought the headaches on.
After I started on the Methimazole and a beta blocker the headaches diminished and since the RAI they are mostly gone. My PCP did not want to prescribe migraine medicine, due to my age, but the neurologist he sent me to had no problem. So, now, if I do get one of those headaches one of the migraine pills knocks it out in about an hour, thank goodness, because that pain used to be an all day affair.

It can take some weeks for the Methimazole dosage change to take hold, heaven knows we are all familiar with that waiting.
Does your doctor know how bad you feel, does he know about the headaches?

I hope that you’ll get better soon.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: My meds decided to stop working #1181610

Hi,

Sorry, you are feeling so lousy. You’re in the right place here, because at one time or another we all feel that way.
Luckily, when I took the Methimazole I never detected any kind of taste at all, but I have heard other people say that they did.
Your symptoms sound a lot like mine were when I was hyper. Is your specialist an Endocrinologist? Maybe you can try to get copies of the results of your blood tests.
Something to think about: with any of the three treatments the results are not immediate. There is still juggling with the Synthroid going on trying to find the ideal dose.
I hope that your eye issues are just dry eye and can be resolved soon.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted as to how you are.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: A low FT3 with Graves? #1181590

Hi,

It’s not a strange question at all and I wish I knew the answer to it.

It looks like your T3 is in the normal range, which is about where mine is. I have Graves’. All my levels are “normal” and I do not feel well right now.
I don’t know what causes low T3. And since it doesn’t get tested every time it’s hard to keep track of where it stands.

Maybe someone else here on the forum has the answer.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: All normal but feeling terrible. #1181548

Thanks, everyone, for commiserating with me and thanks for the link to the video, Kimberly.

I do hope things go well at the hairdresser’s tomorrow, Sue. I had to smile at the thought of the hairdresser’s face looking at your hair stuck on the rods. And for that I’m truly sorry!
My hair also looks healthy and shiny as it lays in the shower drain, on the sink and in my comb.

Somehow, thinking back to my last trip through this miserable leg of the journey, it came to me that maybe it’s not so much the TSH as maybe the T3, which is at the low end of normal. I just started the new dose of Levothyroxine and since the Cytomel did such a great job the last go-round I am hoping for the same result. I just hate that it took my body four weeks to decide that “this isn’t it”.

So, let’s start again and good luck to all of us.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: All normal but feeling terrible. #1181540

Hi,

@Kimberly,
Last year when my husband passed away I did use the local PD’s take-back program to get rid of his leftover meds. It was embarrassing how much unused medicine he had. He was treated for his cancer by the VA and I have to say that, unlike my insurance company, they were never stingy with any kind of meds.

@mvk,
I am 70 years old and do occasionally run into a doctor who is very careful in prescribing medicine. Like my PCP for instance, who still thinks that the “good” migraine medicine will kill me on the spot. So he sent me to a neurologist, who had no problem giving it to me.

@Shirley,
I’m pretty sure you’re right, as always.

BTW, while I got you all here I have a favor to ask: Some time back someone posted a remedy for hair loss, some shampoo, maybe from Biotene. I searched the posts but can’t find it anymore. I’m hoping someone remembers or has a remedy.
Help, the hair falling out has become a problem in the last week. I’ve never had an over-abundance of hair to begin with.

Thanks for putting up with me, again.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: All normal but feeling terrible. #1181536

Hi Laurel,

Sounds like we’re trying to thread the eye of the needle here.

I had really hoped that we had stumbled on to the right dosage. What surprised me was that my TSH was 26.8 five weeks ago and I never thought it would drop into the normal range that fast on only 75 mcg of Levothyroxine.

One would have thought I would remember this ride from a while back. It’s like having a baby, as soon as one feels better one forgets how much it hurt.

I’ve only seen my endo twice since the RAI, which was done by someone different at the hospital on the first of July this year, but he does get back to me when needed.

Congratulations on your remission, that’s great, and I hope you stay that way.
It’s good to hear from someone who’s actually steady up on that tightrope.

Hugs.
Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: RIA Verses MEDS #1181482

Hello Curlyred,

I agree with Shirley, there is no rush to make huge decisions right away. Once you start on the anti thyroid meds you’ll find that you have time to really consider which treatment path to choose. Each one has it’s own rewards/pitfalls, not one of them is easy or a quick fix. We all have to try to keep our hormone levels even, which may be easier for some than for others.
I eventually chose RAI and I’m happy with it. I feel OK but I’m still in the “game” trying to find the ideal dose of Synthroid.
Unfortunately, Graves’ disease is not a quick ride. It’s more like a long winding drive. Don’t get discouraged, it does get better and you can find lots of answers here to almost any question.

Hugs.

Barbra.

[barbra]

in reply to: Medical Alert Jewelry for People Without a Thyroid #1181431

I got the Medical History Bracelet in the mail yesterday, very quick delivery.

Mine is black and made from a pliable substance with the noticeable red medical symbol, waterproof and holds an astonishing amount of detailed information, very neatly categorized. At least as much info as my doctors have, maybe more, plus test results, family history, meds, emergency contacts and doctor’s info.

Now, it’s not elegant, but it’s comfortable to wear even while sleeping, not clunky, very light weight, not too big, fits very well.
And information can be changed as needed.

I am happy with it so far and you can’t beat the price.
So, if stop liking it, or whatever, I’m not out an arm and a leg.

Hugs,

Barbra.

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