Thyroid and Body Pain

Posted by coloradogirl @coloradogirl, Dec 13, 2017

Hi everyone - Wondering if anyone has any experience with chronic body pain and thyroid issues. The list of possible symptoms from being hypothyroid is overwhelming and to be honest, I'm often not sure if what I'm seeing online is a real list based on science or made up by someone trying to sell supplements.

We've finally got my medication to the point where I'm no longer hypothyroid, but I still have body aches all the time. It's better some days and worse others. The last couple of days it's been quite bad and even my skin hurts.

My doc just finished testing for a whole slew of other auto-immune issues including rheumatoid arthritis and celiac. Everything came back fine, so that doesn't explain it. I'm wondering if this is really worth pursuing (given that we have a very high deductible and it's about to roll over) or if it's just one of the fun parts of being a thyroid patient and I need to just deal. Thanks in advance for any advice / experiences that can help.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

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@oldkarl I see now there was a typo in my comment. "But" out to have been "buy". There are well-educated doctors. I do realize they see many patients. I see patients as a herd of cattle (more like sheep) being herded to slaughter. They overbook and have 2 to 5 minutes/patient. This is not even a community health clinic. I have come to realize that a PCP is only good for referrals. A whole new world. No one is accountable. We all know as patients we cannot touch the professionals in their ivory towers and white coats. Only choice is to succumb and hope for the best. Anyone with a mental health issue may as well throw in the towel. Discrimination is not only in ethnic circles. Gets to the point one may be better off seeing a vet as animals are treated more humanely. Vets can do euthanasia. If one is outside the box their goose is cooked.
"800 miles is how far it is to the moon-I think.
Will admit I do have a "tude".

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@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

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@contentandwell I have a Medicare advantage plan which works better for me. At least it gives the PCP something to do. I understand about your thinking about a follow-up. Insurance does vary in states. Not keeping a follow-up could result in Insurance not paying. You are likely aware of such.

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@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

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@doxyjune Correction...Armour is the name brand.

REPLY
@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

Jump to this post

@parus I find it ironic that many people up here in NH (Manchester area) tend to think of Boston doctors as being cold and impersonal. We have found just the opposite. Today we had to go to MGH for a second opinion on a basal cell carcinoma on my husband's nose. We saw two doctors, between the two of them they spent about 45 minutes with us, and they were very personable. It was a well worth the second opinion, they concurred with what we had been told by a radiation oncologist up here, and they actually knew the doctor here, he apparently has spent some time at MGH. He is one of the few doctors up here who did impress me.

Up here it is more as you describe. I was going to change my PCP because I find him so inadequate but at this point I think I will keep him because I won't be here if there is anything serious or if he fails to diagnose anything, I'll be on the road to Boston so why bother to find someone new.
JK

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@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

Jump to this post

@parus I have Medicare and supplement F. I am quite certain that I do not need a follow up, at least not with my PCP. I think the Medicare coverage is pretty standard state to state, although I cannot say that for certain but it is a federal program.
JK

REPLY
@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

Jump to this post

Hi @parus I was on armour thyroid for many years and around 2010 they put out a bad batch of pills. People all over the world were getting very sick. They added a new filler and it was preventing the thyroid getting into the cells. Then I went onto the Acella version. Now I am getting it from Canada, their version is called Erfa. My thyroid problems somehow caused a million other problems including pain in my legs, like a neuropathy. I too gained a ton of weight from these meds. And you can't lose weight if you are a problem patient. Like my mom and 2 aunts are on synthroid and no weight problems. I eat less than all of them. In this world there are almost no doctors who will work with patients on natural thyroid. It is a sad problem especially since before synthyroid was invented in the 60's everyone was on natural thyroid. Now they act like it is heroin or some hard core drug. It is from a pig's thyroid. Just hang in there but I'm getting my new supply from Canada. Good luck.

REPLY
@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

Jump to this post

@doxyjune I call it pig-throid. The synthetic thyroid landed me in the ER gasping for air. I only started taking thus in 2015. Something is out of whack. Everything gets blamed on depression. Is what it is.

REPLY
@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

Jump to this post

Hi @parus, Since my Feb. posts - I did see the conventional endo and told her I was off the synthroid and back on the defective Acella natural thryoid. Then I remembered about 6 or 7 years ago there was a bad problem w/Armour (people all over the world got very ill as did I, totally hypo and very bad) and I ended up getting Erfa natural thyroid from Canada. I had some of the old pills still and ordered some new Erfa. So for about 4 weeks I have been on the Canadian version. I had my dr. who gives me my pain meds do this as the conventional one well, she means well, has a ton of patience but is only into synthroid. I am now on only 2 60mg pills which is not enough. I'm tired and continue to gain weight, and I found that unless I become hyper the weight does not come off ever. What dosage are you on now and what dosage were you on when you felt good? I was on cymbalta for 6 weeks and that drug took my appetite away and even on days that I barely ate anything I still retained water and gained weight. None of my pants fit. Well I was supposed to wait 6 weeks for blood work but as I am feeling so lousy I'm getting it checked this week. The conventional endo is only concerned with my suppressed TSH. I have been to other drs. (don't live near them now) who totally disregard the TSH and say it is worthless and only go by Free T3 and Free T4. I tend to agree w/them but the conventional endo says that is 100% wrong. 2 completely opposite opinions. So that is the update. And yes it is awful being hypo - I am going to go to 3 of the erfa pills a day as gaining weight (also being in pain) while eating 500 calories is not a well balanced thyroid no matter what the "experts" say.

REPLY
@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

Jump to this post

@doxyjune I saw an Endo and he was so helpful in explaining things. Once the thyroid was stabilized I stopped seeing him. The TSH regulates the pituitary which you probably already know. I am going for blood work on the TSH when I can get myself together enough to do so. I have the order and just cannot seem to get myself to get to the lab. The cold, gray days are uninspiring when it involves leaving my woman's cave. I have been taking Nature-Throid for nearly 2 years. I had not heard of the problem with Armour. I take 65 mg/day. Weight gain is most discouraging and I have not had this problem-always gain a few extra pounds in the winter. Thank you for the update on how you are doing. Are you able to do any exercising? I have been trying to get back into some gentle stuff..."trying" rather than "doing". Also struggle with depression. Take care.

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@parus

Hi y'all. Been struggling with pain and depression and things became worse when the new PCP person changed my dosage for the Nature-Throid. Even ended up at the cardiologist since this newbie thought my symptoms were my heart-Duh. Certainly did not want to get off on the wrong foot with the newbie so played along and ended up wishing I had been brave enough to speak up for myself. Nature-Throid is different to work with than the synthetic (allergic to name brand and generic). Heart is fine and now there is a cardiologist wondering why I was sent there in the 1st place. I don't think the newbie won any points with him. I tried to tell the newbie (the PCP I was currently seeing relocated due to family illness) the change in thyroid med dosage was not a good idea-oh well. What does an old, tired, useless person know about such things? Takes a while to get things back on track. She is currently in Haiti helping the needy there. Sure hope she helps them more than she did me. I think her mind was more on her good-will trip than her patients here.
When it comes to the thyroid a lot of quirky things can happen when it is off kilter. My depression and pain are bad enough w/o having the thyroid med mucked with. My theory is, if it is not broke why fix it?? The only med I take and since I was new to her she had to change something-Currently hoping she stays in Haiti!!! Now trying to get my pain and depression back under control in hopes of enjoying Christmas w/ my grandkids.
My apologies as my mood is anything but festive right now.
Be sure the doc you see has their numbers right as being hypothyroid can wreak havoc with your life.
Thanks for a chance to vent.

Jump to this post

@parus it may seem counterintuitive but I have read that exercise can really help with depression, as can diet. I dread going to my health club but I am always glad afterwards. It increases your endorphins or something like that. The challenge of course is getting yourself to go. When I started to go regularly my husband resumed going to his gym, I think he felt shamed into it. Now on days when it’s a real effort for me I go because I won’t let him outdo me. It really does help my day when I go.
JK

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