Anxiety

[Andypandy30]

Hello I have had alot anxiety since increasing thyroxine I have imbeen feeling very nervous and shaky on and off .I know by blood results I am in need of the increase from 75 to 100 .doctor has prescribed diazepam 2 mg for this time .has anyone else to do this to get through the anxiety of increasing dose as they tell me there is nothing I can do until I am on increase for 4 to 6 weeks and see if symptoms settle .please be kind

[Dahliasanddaisies]

Hi Andy, I've been there. Did you go up by 25mcg a day? That really set off my anxiety and after 2 weeks I had to go back down. As suggested by other members, I tried going up by 12.5mcg a day. I managed this for 6 weeks (still some anxiety) and then added the rest of the dose to get me to 100. So it's taken 12 weeks but I'm on week 6 and anxiety is much better now.

If your anxiety is unbearable for now, try the low and slow method and just expect that weeks 4/5 will be tougher but it will pass (I know how hard this is to sit through)

[Andypandy30 in reply to Dahliasanddaisies]

I don't know what to do now .the doctor has scared me by saying I must stay on 100 a day due to a very high TSH but if I reduce then will that not cause me problems from hypo symptoms

[arTistapple]

As Dahliasanddaisies refers, 25 mcg is a big jump, especially if you are sensitive for any reason (not sure we ever know why - it’s just like that for some). I can’t even manage 12.5mcg. I have just done 6.25 mcg and I am not unscathed. It’s annoying and time consuming BUT I have learned things about myself and my condition, which may further help me. Sitting tight can have its recompenses. I say tentatively.

[Andypandy30 in reply to arTistapple]

Do you think I should continue .I'm on third week .if I stop now then I will have longer to get through

[arTistapple in reply to Andypandy30]

I know just what you mean/where you are and I too have to make that decision when I feel terrible. I would say don’t make the decision at night or absolutely first thing in the morning. Make it when you are as compus mentis as you can be under the circumstances. Otherwise you will always feel uncomfortable about your decision! You have a number of choices. Go with courage and compassion for yourself.

I hope you understand me.

[Andypandy30]

I'm not sure what to do .I haven't taken any dose today and am even more confused .I get anxiety with the 100 but doctor insisted I went straight to this dose due to high TSH

[arTistapple]

I can’t see blood test results anywhere. Just references to high TSH. I can see your dilemma though. Doctor insists on the raise. Well that might well be the case but the doctor insisting can’t just magic things to happen. I have found it a lot harder to re-increase my Levo than when I lowered it. Dropping it the body must just have let it go at a suitable rate. However increasing it (and quickly) has been a different matter altogether.

If you want to follow the doctors advice, please understand that is absolutely fine. However I find doctors know nothing about the practicalities of changed dosage.

Diazepam will not be dangerous for a few days if you need the space but as humanbean has said it’s not good in the long run.

TSH of course is some sort of indicator but it’s not the problem. TSH won’t harm you. Even the temporary blip in your medication won’t.

It’s truly awful the symptoms of messing around with your thyroid medication. The aim is to settle it ASAP for your own comfort. Not easy but doable.

Forget the time it takes - just take it slowly.

It’s because it has not been done slowly in the first place this has happened I would bet.

[Andypandy30 in reply to arTistapple]

Thank you for all your help and advice .If the aim is to get me to 100 again which i was comfortably on for years then I need to do it in a way I can come with so if I go alternate days until I'm comfortably able to take the 100 daily would that be safe to do without doctors knowledge

[arTistapple in reply to Andypandy30]

I must highlight the fact that you still have not posted any blood results. Help is severely limited without those.

If you drop to 100 mcgs every second day you probably understand that averages you at only 50 mcg per day. This is yet another drop in your level and likely to make it harder to move forward in my experience. Were you relatively comfortable/got used to 75 mcg? You could miss a couple of days of your 100 mcg and then restart at 75 mcg without involving your doctor. It’s your doctor who got you into this pickle right now! However you are going to have to stick out the 75 (if that’s your decision) for at least six weeks and test again. I hate when I am told this myself but through experience I have found it to be the lesser evil.

Post your results (after the six weeks) for some more guided guidance! There is a limit to advice without up to date blood test results.

Go private for bloods. I have a suspicion since you have not posted any results because you have not got any.

I am replying because I have been in this situation myself and I hear your cry but the decisions have to be yours.