Thyroiditis & pain management

[Oatsforlife]

Hi all,

I’m really struggling to get on top of the pain in my neck, that runs up past my ear & causes headache/migraine on the same side.

I’ve had migraines before but this has become an everyday occurrence with the difference being the neck/side of face pain & starting in the night, making my mornings very difficult. Paracetamol & ibuprofen sometimes help to a degree & my migraine tablet helps but it’s not sustainable. I’m also slightly concerned at taking regular pain relief at the time of day when I take levothyroxine?

ENT consultant has pushed for another US scan but the date keeps getting moved. My GP appeared uninterested & only focused on taking levothyroxine. ‘Just take over the counter pain-relief’….

I have Hashimoto’s & hypothyroidism & have had right hemi & just completing first 6week dose of levothyroxine.

Am I missing anything here, in terms of pain relief or other solutions?

Thank you so much for this opportunity 🙏

[DippyDame]

It sounds as if you are almost ready for a levo increase.

Test after 6/8 weeks on a steady dose, the results will then guide you

Post them for advice

[Oatsforlife in reply to DippyDame]

Thanks - I had the GP blood test yesterday & have bought the advanced thyroid kit from Medicheck so hopefully will get a full set of results!

[DippyDame in reply to Oatsforlife]

Good....post results for advice

[SlowDragon Administrator Ambassador]

Headache/migraine is common when on inadequate dose Levo

How much levothyroxine did you start on

Which brand?

Excellent that you will be testing vitamin levels and BOTH TPO and TG antibodies shortly

[Oatsforlife in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your help - I’m on 50mg Hillcross accord. The regular headache/migraine has been for last 2weeks of the 6weeks I’ve taken them but the neck/ear pain has been much longer & getting worse.

Hopefully taking OTC painkillers & migraine tablets don’t affect levothyroxine absorption?

[SlowDragon Administrator Ambassador in reply to Oatsforlife]

Make sure to leave at least an hour between taking Levo and painkillers

Hillcross 25mcg are Teva brand

Accord don’t make 25mcg

[Oatsforlife in reply to SlowDragon]

I take 1 50mcg tablet at the moment. If they increase it, do I need to specifically ask to avoid a particular tablet?

[SlowDragon Administrator Ambassador in reply to Oatsforlife]

Options are

50mcg plus 25mcg - this is most likely

25mcg tablets

Available in following brands

Mercury Pharma

Vencamil - often best option for many people. Lactose free and Mannitol free

Wockhardt - well tolerated

Teva - avoid if possible

Crescent - rare - unlikely to be offered

Or 75mcg tablet

75mcg only made by Teva or Vencamil

Best to avoid Teva at this stage

Teva upsets many people

[Oatsforlife]

Are my current Hillcross Accord 50mcg tablets generally well tolerated?

Thank you x

[SlowDragon Administrator Ambassador in reply to Oatsforlife]

Yes Accord and Mercury Pharma generally well tolerated

Both contain lactose, which can be an issue

[Oatsforlife in reply to SlowDragon]

Really helpful, thank x