I'm scared-

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
I'm scared-
10
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 3:38pm
I just had an increase in my thyroid med-and I feel good-but Ialso have heart palpitations-and a little hand tremors-I called the Dr. and he said he'll see me on friday-I called the pharmacist and she said that it might be the increase was too much-or it might be the med was the wrong brand generic-(I take levoxyl)has anyone else experienced this?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 3:50pm
Hi serinas_mom,

I haven't experienced this personally, but from what I've read here, what you are experiencing could indeed be a result of the increase in meds. Those symptoms can be symptoms of hyPERthyroid and that can happen if your dosage is too high.

It is also entirely possible that the problems could be from the generic too. Usually, once you start on a certain brand of thyroid medication, you should not change it. Your pharmacy should not change it without your doctors approval!!! If they keep doing this to you, have your doctor call them.

Talk to your doctor about this (generic vs. brand names and whether or not your pharmacy should change what they are giving you) when you see him on Friday.

I hope you feel better soon!!

dazed

Dazed
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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 4:23pm
The pharmacy didn't really change it-I asked for the generic because I wanted to start on the med right away and that was all they had-they didn't have the levothroid the Dr. specified-they won't have it in till the 18th-
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 4:57pm
Hi - It would be a good idea to switch over the Levoxyl when the pharmacy gets it in - or go to another pharmacy to have your prescription filled now, if you can. How long have you been taking the medication? And what dose did you start on? Your doctor will be able to help you on Friday, but make sure you don't stay on the generics. They aren't as good as the name brands. Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 5:41pm
The pharmacy at the time gave me enough for thirty days- I can't go to another pharmacy because another pharmacy won't give me any more-even if they do have levothroid-I still have the balance of thirty days worth of meds to take before they'll give me anything else-whether I pay for it or not-I've only been taking the meds for about 5 days- since the first-so I still have 25 pills left before anyone can give me anymore-

I feel like such an Idiot-I didn't know that you shouldn't switch without first asking the Dr-now I have these meds that I may not be able to take-


Edited 10/6/2004 6:03 pm ET ET by serinas_mom

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 10-06-2004 - 9:32pm
Don't feel bad!!!

This whole thing is a learning process for all of us...everyday we learn new stuff about our conditions!

I understand your dilemma...the insurance won't allow you to get the name brand since you have the generics. But there is a bright side!!! If the doc thinks your dosage is too high, he might prescribe a lower dose that you can get in non-generic form!!! See what he says on Friday.

I have lots of pills left over from when my doc was getting my dosage right. It sucks to have to pay for them and then only take less than half, but sometimes that's just how it goes. I think of them as little milestones to feeling better...each one is another step toward that goal and with each one I've learned something about being hypothyroid.

Try not to get mad at yourself! You just have to keep moving forward and learning!

Let us know what happens on Friday!

dazed

Dazed
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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 10:30pm
Oh no!! Don't waste your time feeling like an idiot! LOL! How could you have known? That's why we're here! :) Well, it's certainly not going to hurt you to take the generic. It's just that each pill might not contain the same amount of medication as another pill. But I wouldn't worry about it. At least you'll be getting something in you and since you haven't taken any medication before now, it will help. Then you can switch over!! The generics are brand new so even the pharmacies probably don't nkow that they aren't up to par with the brand names. This is not an exact science, you will soon find out!! LOL! That is why you need to start to educate yourself now so thqt you can protect yourself and get yourself the best care. Sometimes you might even know more than your doctor. It's strange but true!! Try to read some of the old posts on the board here. They have lots of info. And stick around!! Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Fri, 10-08-2004 - 11:20am
Well-went to the Dr today-told him what was going on-he prescribed a beta blocker to help steady my heart-it's ok because my BP is a little up too-I'm going back in 4 weeks to be reevaluated-and if all is OK-he'll take me off-
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 10-08-2004 - 12:12pm
Sending hugs & prayers your way!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Fri, 10-08-2004 - 9:43pm
I hope you get some relief soon!! Hugs, Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 10-10-2004 - 11:01pm


>Well-went to the Dr today-told him what was going on-he prescribed a beta blocker to help steady my heart<

Hi,

I initially went to my D.O. because my heart was racing...110bpm (resting). I, too, was prescribed a beta blocker. What did your Dr. put you on? I am on 25mg/day of Toprol XL. (My blood pressure, cholesterol, and everything else was perfect, even prior to being put on the beta blocker...just the rapid heartbeat.)

Once my TSH came down I asked if I could be taken off the beta blocker...he cut the dosage in half, and my heart raced again, not as bad as it was, however. I believe, in my case, it is partially my paranoia! I am now back on the 25mg/day. It helps me sleep, too!

~Karen

P.S. Are you Hypo or Hyperthyroid? I am Hypo.