Anyone experience bad joint/muscle pain post thyroid removal?

I had a partial thyroidectomy and one parathyroid removed. I had to start taking medicine due to symptoms of hypothyroidism and was later told that I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I have been having a very hard time with the side effects from the medicine and one of the issues is the bone, muscle, joint pain. I do not know if it is the medicine itself, the dosage being too high or too low, a hashimotos event, or some other cause. Getting regulated on thyroid medicine is incredibly difficult! One doctor kept raising the dose to keep my numbers as low as possible (to prevent cancer regrowth) but the symptoms kept getting worse and worse. I have changed doctors a few times trying to get help and I have changed brands of medication (doctors advice) and the issues changed in severity, but did not resolve. I don’t know whether it’s directly related to the medication, the dosage, or the medication influencing something else, however it is related. (I have had to stop taking medication due to extreme reactions and the issues went away; but then thyroid symptoms came back). My doctor at the cancer hospital has been trying to get my dose adjusted, so it brings my thyroid numbers to the range they were pre-surgery when I felt fine. When my TSH is very low (supposed to prevent regrowth of cancer) I have a lot of bad side effects. My doctor said he thought it was better if the number was a little higher to decrease the side effects.
I had a lot of issues on Synthroid and Tirosint gave me an extreme reaction. Right now, I am on 50 mg of Levoxyl 5 days a week, but the bone, muscles and joint pains are still an issue (reduced but still here several days a week). I am going to a new endocrinologist in two weeks who appears to specialize in Hashimotos and cancer, so I am hopeful that I can get things regulated better. I have also been referred to a rheumatologist to try and determine if there is something else influencing this but will wait to see knew specialist to see who she recommends..
One of the best things I started to do was to write down the medication, the dose and the symptoms and I was able to see patterns. The issues can be very subtle and you might not realize they are related, however when I tracked them I saw the changes in dosage influencing the symptoms. I never had any issue with my thyroid or parathyroid numbers until post surgery, so the medication is new to me. Good luck!

You have a lot going on. I think keeping a journal of your thyroid related meds, any other meds and side effects (pain etc) is best.
If you find a doctor you trust I would remain with them, even if the issues are not resolved. Give meds some time to work.
Try some alternatives - meditation, yoga, walking, swimming, etc. Music therapy is also beneficial.
I am not being dismissive of your issues.
Sending caring vibes.

Thank you for your response. I am sorry that you have been going through so much. You were diagnosed with Hashimoto's after the partial thyroidectomy? May I ask if the thyroid cancer was an incidental finding or if you were having problems that initiated testing, etc. My numbers were always normal prior to surgery as well. I have a rheumatology appointment coming up and will ask about Hashimoto's. I wish you luck with your new specialist and hope that you will get the answers that you need to make you feel better. Please keep in touch and let us know how your appointment went. Take care!

I had my thyroid out now 2 tears ago due to Hurthle cancer. It came back in my neck region about 4 months ago as well as moved to my 8th rib. I had focused radiation to both areas in August. Now for the last 4 weeks my leg muscles and joints seem to ache all the time. Not sure of the cause yet. I have a meeting at the Mayo next week for my PET/CT scan to see if the radiation worked. I was going to also ask is these new ache pains part of this health challenge.

Thank you. I changed doctors when the doctor stopped listening and continued to want to increase medication to “keep your TSH number very low.” Tirosint gave me an extreme reaction where I thought I was having a stroke and the next doctor wanted to try the liquid version…..I had the same extreme reaction! I have had my doctor tell me how everyone seems to tolerate Synthroid well, when I told her about my side effects. I do not trust a doctor who does not listen to their patients side effects when the side effects interfere with living. I trust doctors who listen to their patients and try to come up with possible solutions. When the medication was stopped and the issues went away, I concluded that the medication was causing the reaction. Unfortunately, I need to take medication but have had a lot of difficulty getting a medication and dosage that helps with hypothyroidism without causing the negative side effects.
I should mention that I have had a history of having side effects from medications, as did my father and Grandmother, so I assume it’s something genetic. I do not tend to take a lot of medication unless necessary and am only on Levoxyl 5x’s a week; so any reactions would be associated with this medication.

I continue to see the Endocrinologist at the cancer hospital, who is trying to help me get my medication regulated, however I am not having as much success finding an endocrinologist outside of the cancer hospital. I am hopeful that the specialist with Hashimoto will put me on the right path.

I'm glad to hear that you ate listening to your body and not just one doctor's opinion. Good luck to you!

So very sorry you are going through this. I hope your issues are resolved soon. Hugs.

I am so sorry to hear all that is happening to you.Thank you for your response. Please send updates. Take care!

I had a nodule that they were monitoring. The doctor at the cancer hospital did not think it was cancerous and I did not want to have surgery unless necessary, because of the potential voice issues. He said the nodule was soft and not cancer, however it was crushing the area and causing other problems due to the large size. When I had surgery the doctor discovered that it was cancer…Hurthle Cell Carcinoma. I was told incidentally during my follow up that I had Hashimotos and then it has been confirmed several times.
I was referred to a rheumatologist due to my difficulty with side effects to rule out another influence….I went for two visits to a rheumatologist who turned out to be extremely unorganized. She repeated the same blood work twice by accident (within two weeks!) and didn’t do the tests she was going to do; and then tried to read another persons results to me even after I told her that the date of the blood test was not right. She ruled out a few other autoimmune diseases and arthritis, but thought I had a connective tissue issue….she did not say what that was. I have been unable to get copies of my blood tests.
I am going to ask my new Endocrinologist for name of a new Rheumatolgist; I thought it would be best to get one that she uses in the clinic. I am hopeful! Thank you

I had a total thyroidectomy Oct 21. I am on levothyroxine 137. I have no pains. I am posting just to record a different outcome than yours.
I would see your endocrinologist, but have labs done first.
Hugs.