A happy ending (at the moment)

[StormsPass]

I want to share my experience in the hope it give some comfort to anyone on a similar rollercoaster.

I was diagnosed Hashi Hypo in Nov 23 with a TSH of 28.

As soon as I started Levo my body went nuts

- Silent reflux

- Inflammation causing my hands wrists do seize up overnight

- bursitis in my shoulders

- severe tendonitis in my hands and wrists

- waking up at 3am every night - cortisol and not getting back to sleep

I saw, ENT, Rheumatologist and Endocrinologist.

Was prescribed 6weeks - celecoxib anti inflammatories and lanzoprozole and Levo of course.

I had weekly physio who also did acupuncture to help my body with the inflammation.

I felt awful and in pain for months despite the month before being super fit!

All I can say is that it takes time to recover. After 6 months (which felt like 6 years) everything was fine and I feel totally normal (apart from frozen shoulder but that’s a story of another day)

Thank you to the support from this forum. I hope my story helps someone going through the same worry a bit less as I was scared by the sudden change from fit and healthy to a total mess.

An important takeaway - despite being adequately medicated it can take several months to get rid of symptoms.

[Sleepman]

Glad ypur well. Really kind to share your experience. This is a wonderful place.

I am well about 18 months in.

I was reading my notes from the start,I was on pain killers for aches and pains. Long gone.

[StormsPass in reply to Sleepman]

Great to hear your are well too. Glad you added that yours took 18 months, shows everyone’s different.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Thankyou for sharing your story StormsPass. I hope your shoulder heals soon, so that your health is fully restored! 🦋

[StormsPass in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you Buddy 🙂

[Sleepman]

I was pretty well by 4 months on 125 mg T4. I take some T3 since then as I have optimised things over last year. My blood tests were always low on T3.

[Merlsworld]

Thank you so much for posting this. I’m only 3 weeks into taking Levo (on a starting dose of 50mcg after TSH level of 48) and it’s really knocking me around; I feel dreadful. I’m seeing an Endocrinologist in a few weeks so hoping for some answers, but your post has given me hope that it’ll all settle down and I’ll get my life back. I (thought) I was the fittest and healthiest I’d ever been before getting my blood results back! Levo has turned things upside down…. So glad you’re feeling better. Thanks again!

[Annoynomice in reply to Merlsworld]

Just to mention (which I am sure you know) that 50 is a low starting dose and they should gradually increase your dose. Most people start at 75 and gradually increase to 100ish.

[StormsPass in reply to Merlsworld]

Hey Merlsworld,

I’m so glad this post helped you to not worry too much and ride it out.

I saw 2 endocrinologists one was regular until the dose was right but he said my symptoms weren’t due to the thyroid so I got a second opinion and they both said the the same. I completely disagree because I had a period of being under medicated and the symptoms started to return.

All I’m saying is - you might not get a clear answer but you’ll learn it yourself over time and experience.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

It’s been a gradual ramp up and being kind to my body but I’m back doing normal training now. Take it slow 😊

[BlueKeith]

Good story glad to hear you are feeling well. Think people new need to hear these stories as can be easy to blame the levothyroxine for feeling so bad and need a reason to endure the sympathy. I was a mess right up to 125mcg and now feel best ive ever felt in my life.

[StormsPass in reply to BlueKeith]

Totally agree Keith glad you are feeling your best ever! I love this forum too because I had great support when I was going through my darkest parts