Fed Up with Hypothyroidism...

[rosyposy84]

Hi,

I am new to this but I am really struggling with life at the moment. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in Spring 2015 after being so exhausted, I found it extremely difficult to even climb stairs. My dosage is correct at the moment but the fatigue is still there. On top of this, I am taking beta blockers as it seems to be the only thing that stops me getting migraines and am also on morphine, tramadol, dihydracodeine, amityptiline, omeprazole & naproxen for 3 slipped discs in my back. I recently had cortisone injections in my back - but it seems to have made my back worse. I am really struggling to cope with the fatigue and the crippling pain that I am in every day. Because of my back issues (which have been ongoing for 18 months), I am unable to do any kind of exercise, so I am putting on weight. I really don't know how I can start to feel better. It's dragging me down so much - I fell to sleep at my desk at work today. I work as a contractor which means no sick pay & holiday pay. If I don't work, I don't get paid.

I feel so useless and burdened and I feel like I am moaning all the time... I just don't know how to start feeling better again

[shaws Administrator]

Hi rosyposy84

I doubt you are on the right medication at present otherwise you shouldn't have fatigue. Ignore the whereabouts of the blood tests when you still feel unwell.

Can you post your results with the ranges,please of your latest blood tests for your thyroid hormones.

I also understand with your myriad of other problems that they could partly be the cause but if your thyroid hormones aren't at an optimum you cannot progress with alleviating the rest of your problems even a little.

What dose and what hormones, i.e. levo, (T4) or T4/T3 etc.

[Marz]

Cannot see how Omeprazole will help your back pain. It is a PPI which can be the cause of poor absorption of vital minerals and vitamins. You probably have low acid and not high.

It lowers your B12 which you need for protection of the sheaths protecting the nerves. Have you had FERRITIN - FOLATE - VITD - B12 tested and if so what were the results with ranges ?

You are on very strong medication which is surely causing fatigue. It could be the cocktail of drugs you are taking that is causing the migraines. Also low iron can be responsible.

How is your diet ? - and do you have Hashimotos ?

[humanbean in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz,

The omeprazole will be to protect the stomach from the damaging effects of the Naproxen (an NSAID). It isn't really optional under those circumstances.

[Marz in reply to humanbean]

Oh I see ! But won't it still affect absorption of vitals ? Isn't there something more natural that can protect the stomach lining ?

[humanbean in reply to Marz]

Oh yes, it will definitely affect absorption of nutrients. But without the PPI or something with a similar affect the inevitable results of taking Naproxen or other NSAIDs long term will be severe gastritis and gastric ulcers.

I am on Naproxen now, and have been for a few months. I'm not taking a PPI, I'm taking Ranitidine 150mg, one with each Naproxen. I got the idea that taking Ranitidine (which is an H2 receptor antagonist, rather than a PPI) is not quite so bad as taking a PPI, but I am prepared to believe I'm fooling myself.

I'm in the process of experimenting with different pain meds at the moment in the hope of being able to drop the Naproxen. If I succeed then I'll stop the ranitidine and go back to treating my gut in a much better way.

I don't know of any natural way of protecting the gut from NSAIDs. I wish I did.

[Marz in reply to humanbean]

Hope you do find something that makes you feel well.....

[Chillypepper in reply to humanbean]

Hi there

I take ranitidine for my stomach and it def isn't as bad as the anti inflammatorys.... Well in my case anyway.

[Rapunzel]

(((rosyposy84)))

I am sorry you're feeling so down. It's very difficult, just with hypothyroid symptoms not properly medicated, to feel positive and you have other health concerns, too. Have to agree with the other posters that you are unlikely to be optimally medicated if you are still feeling so ill, albeit that you have slipped discs, which must cause you a lot of pain.

Sometimes a plan of action is empowering and can make you feel better. Can I recommend three things ?

Do some research on TUK forums - there will be some other poor soul who has walked in your moccasins and their experience might help

Healing back pain by Dr John Sarno

Anything you care to choose from the oeuvre of Dorothy Rowe but don't pay too much attention to the title - just read the book !

My best to you as you work towards a solution xx

[rosyposy84]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to my Plea.

Marz, humanbean is right, the omeprazole is to counteract the Naproxen.

I don't have my blood test results at the moment but am looking to grab these from my doctors sometime this week. Once I have them, I will post the results on here.

To be honest, sometimes it's just nice to have a place to rant where people understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately I have been in pain / exhausted for so long now, it is becoming par for the course

[Marz in reply to rosyposy84]

Yes I did acknowledge the comment from humanbean

It is important to have a rant and I can empathise with your back pain - it is horrid. I had spinal surgery in 2007 for stenosis having had spondylolithesis or is it spondylilothesis !! - for over 40 years. The surgery has of course left its mark with numbness and nerve pains in the lower legs and constant sciatica. However on the plus side I started teaching yoga at 65 and have three classes a week here in Crete Now in my 5th year of teaching.....

Having learnt more and more from others that know more than me I have a sneaking suspicion that my spinal cord issues were more to do with B12 Deficiency as my Terminal Ileum was removed over 40 years ago with TB/Crohns. That is the area of the gut where most of the B12 is metabolised. Guess they just forgot to tell me that I would need injections for life. I now have them weekly and have made some progress - especially with the pain.

Hope you soon feel better too.... will look out for your results when you post.

[Chillypepper]

Hi sorry your feeling rubbish I'm new here so just getting the hang of melds etc but I can say my doc took me off naproxen a while ago .. Said it wasn't being used here in the UK anymore due to side effects. hope you get some answers on your probs

Take care

[Pookie50]

Hi rosyposy

I can fully sympathise with your back issues. I know how frustrating it can be not to be fully mobile and in pain all the time.

I'm not sure if it would be any use for slipped discs, but I go to a brilliant McTimoney Chiropractor for my back. They use very gentle techniques to help realign back, neck shoulders etc. It could possibly even help with your headaches. Might be worth checking out their website.

mctimoney-chiropractic.org/

I do hope you feel better soon.

[rosyposy84]

Thanks guys for all your support and suggestions. I am definitely going to have to go back to my docs about meds.

Pookie50, unfortunately I have gone down almost every avenue open to me, bar surgery. I have been to chiropractor, osteopath, physio and recently had facet joint injections. All to no avail. In fact the facet joint injections have made it worse 😪 I have to wait 3 more weeks and then I can go back to pain clinic For a follow up and hopefully an epidural.

I think I was just having a really bad day yesterday so I really really appreciate all your support and for you taking the time to post 😃

[Pookie50 in reply to rosyposy84]

You have had a torrid time. I feel for you.

Have you tried a TENS unit to block the pain?

Good luck I hope you find a solution soon.

[rosyposy84]

Yup, tried that too. It works a treat for my mums back pain but alas, provided no relief for me

[Chillypepper]

Maybe try acti patch.. You can wear it all the time and it def helped me. Good luck