Dull pain : Hi, Last week I thought I was coming... - Thyroid UK

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Dull pain

marvalrus profile image
22 Replies

Hi, Last week I thought I was coming down with a sore throat, but it never really developed although I felt a cold was going to hit me. It kinda shifted to the right side my neck and goes up into my ear. It almost feels like a pulled muscle but it's not. When I touch the entire area, the dull pain starts right under my jaw bone on the right side and then goes down to right side of my throat, I think right where the thyroid is.

Does anybody else get this? Is it common? I was looking it up but don't find much, but saw that 38% of thyroid people get a strange feeling in their neck. Does anyone have any clues?

Thank you.

Marsha

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marvalrus profile image
marvalrus
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22 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Marvalrus, that type of pain is typical of an inflamed thyroid lobe, or nodule pressing on a nerve. Next time you see your GP ask for your thyroid gland to be palpated to detect swelling or lumps. Hashimoto's flares will commonly cause inflammation and pain for a few weeks until the attack subsides. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen may help relieve pain.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

_______________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to Clutter

Thank you very much.

Yes, I've taken ibuprofen and it helps. So this is what is meant by a Hashimoto's flare?

Can it make you feverish? Because I have been feeling like I'm becoming ill with something but I'm not. What causes this? Can T4 Synthroid cause this?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to marvalrus

Marvalrus, 90% of hypothyroidism is caused by autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). If you have positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies you have Hashimoto's. A flare up is when the lymphocytes attack the thyroid gland causing inflammation and discomfort. It may make you feel feverish. It's not caused by Synthroid.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

_______________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to Clutter

Ah, OK. So is there any way to settle these flare ups? Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, and I do like to take it. Sometimes I wonder if I'm addicted to it because it always makes me feel better. It does not help my brain fog at all, but it takes the pains away really well and I at least can function during the day better.

I have been eating a gluten free diet ever since I found out I have Hashimoto's. But obviously it's not helping my inflammation.

Appreciate the info. Thank you.

Marsha

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to marvalrus

Marvalrus, it can take up to a year for gluten-free to help, and although it helps many, it doesn't help everyone.

_____________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to Clutter

I've been wondering if I really need to be doing this. It's certainly not helping my appetite. I've never had a sensitivity, but I do seemingly feel better in digestion. My whole family agrees, they do too. The only mistake I've made doing this, was serving a GlutenFree stuffing for Thanksgiving! I had to fess up that it was gluten free and I got a ration of hell for it. I think I will continue doing it, though. But not once have I ever thought I was gluten intolerant. Maybe I should get a celiac test just to be sure. Thanks.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to marvalrus

Marvalrus, there's no point in having a coeliac test when you're g-f, it will come back negative. Having a coeliac test means doing a gluten challenge ie eating normal amounts of gluten daily for up to six weeks prior to testing.

If you and your family have improved digestion from g-f it suggests you do have some sensitivity to gluten.

_____________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to Clutter

Thank you for this info, Clutter. One less thing to worry about it. Yes, it sure does seem to be agreeable, although the others are eating a sandwich here and there. By since I'm "the cook" they're getting gluten free and really like it so far. I bought a fondue yesterday for Christmas eve and Nobody wants gluten free bread, LOL But I myself have a replacement.

decembersignup profile image
decembersignup

On synthetic I often had a sore throat with a pain in ear, round side of neck etc. One of the reasons I decided to try to move away from it. I often felt like a cold was coming on or going. Yet I am 58 and had never ever had a cold before. In the past year I have had about six.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to decembersignup

So what did you go on? And that feeling went away? What you describe is exactly what I feel.

Thank you

2Old profile image
2Old

I am sorry, but it sounds more like your run of the mill, sore throat and/or ear ache. I would take aspirin, not ibuprofen and give it a few days to a week. Cotton in the ears also helps. If the jaw really starts hurting, and you can barely stand to touch your teeth together, it could be trigemenal neuralgia (not sure of the spelling), and you'll need to see a doctor right away, but I really think it's a sore throat. Oh, and gargle with warm salted water.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to 2Old

No, it's def not a sore throat. Initially I thought it was, but it's been going on for over a week, maybe 10 days or so. I still have it. It's right in the middle of my throat vs the back of the mouth. On the right side of my throat. It feels like dull inflammation which in turn makes my right ear hurt just a little. Has nothing to do with my jawbone or teeth. But thank you. I know you're trying to help. Appreciate it.

Marsha

2Old profile image
2Old in reply to marvalrus

Feel right under the center of your chin, right under the jawbone. Is that kind of hard and a little swollen?

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to 2Old

No, nothing there, its soft. But straight down to the far right of my thyroid is the center of the pain on my throat. As of last night it has begun to let up. This morning the feeling in my throat and ear is still there but less as well, so maybe it's on it's way out.

annie-7 profile image
annie-7

Hi marvalrus, I have had the type of pain you describe for years. (I wasn't diagnosed Hypo for many, many years!). I saw countless useless GPs (and Dentists!)

I now only get this pain when I need an increase in T4/T3, or when I am ill (cold, virus etc.). I do have a nodule (under 1cm) on the same side as pain, but after scanning me (ultrasound) twice they have decided that it's probably ok, and is not growing. Hope this helps.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to annie-7

I am currently on T4 only since I got my first Rx late September. Today I had some cortisol/thyroid tests done, so I'll see how that turns out. From what I'm hearing all over the place, not just here, T3 is a necessary element to get on the road to feeling well.

Guess I'll have to find a "quack" if I want something else? Why is the system geared towards T4 only? I'm so bewildered by this. I thought Synthroid was "the best" but now I see some people stayed sick the whole time they were on it.

I went to a salon last January and the lady asked me if I was hypothyroid. She said my hair felt like it. I told her I have been periodically tested but it was always in the "normal" range. Gee, a hairdresser can see the sign, but the doctors can't even when you have all the symptoms. I tell you, the uncaring, inconsiderate nature of mainstream doctors is disgusting when it comes to thyroid.

I began to 100mcg in the morning right around the same time this started. Today I cut back to 75. Maybe I need more? IDK. Maybe I need T3? IDK. I'll never know. This is all so strange to me!

Thank you

Marsha

annie-7 profile image
annie-7 in reply to marvalrus

Hi Marsha, sorry you're feeling so awful. There is a lot to learn with this condition, I'm still learning and trying to figure out what works and what doesn't!

T4 alone didn't work very well for me. Adding T3 helped a lot, but it is tricky to try and determine the correct dose. I also had low Vitamin D, getting the level up has really helped a lot.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to annie-7

I have an appt next week to go over labs, and I am definitely going to tell her I want to take a combination. I am clearly still deficient on cortisol (post-surgery) and regardless, my endo put me on T4 and there's a packet inside Synthroid that says to not give to patients with known adrenal insufficiency. The doc I see next week is not my endo - she's an integrative doctor. She also kept me on T4 but upped the dose - she said for now I really needed to bring down the TSH (it was 19) and the T4 will help that. As for the T3 she did say that she definitely gives that out as well, so maybe next week all I have to do is ask. I hope so. I want to try it and see what a difference it makes.

How long before you feel anything? I think she will give me a T4/T3 combo.

annie-7 profile image
annie-7 in reply to marvalrus

Hi Marsha, I felt an improvement within a week or so. The thing I noticed most was my thinking became much clearer and I could hold a conversation without forgetting what I was going to say!

I think you need to give any new combo at least 3 months to see if it works. Hope your consultation goes well, don't forget to get a copy of the results of your blood tests so you can post them on here.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to annie-7

Will do, thank you. Oh how I so wish for this brain fog to disappear for more than a day. Occasionally it lifts maybe two or three times a month. Been that way for years. I *always* associated it with my adrenal gland, but I really have to wonder. I too forget words, or even the point of a conversation I start. Its pathetic.

In your opinion what is the normal combination dose someone starts with?

annie-7 profile image
annie-7 in reply to marvalrus

I can't really say, as each person needs the amount they need. (and I'm not medically qualified!) Your Doctor should be able to work out your dose.

With T3, it is best to start with a small amount as it is at least 3 times more powerful than T4. There is another thread discussing this here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Hope this helps.

marvalrus profile image
marvalrus in reply to annie-7

Thank you, Annie. I will check it out.

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