Do I have Hypo? Help I'm Scared

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Do I have Hypo? Help I'm Scared
5
Sat, 11-13-2004 - 10:01pm
Hello.

Let me begin. About 6 years ago I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis an autoimmune condition that involves the neuro system. I was on medication for a while and stopped taking it after my symptoms went away. My father also have it. Recently I started experiencing severe pains in my hands and wrists. It would leave one area and go to another, it was like it was jumping around. I took all the over the counter meds you can imagine to no avail. I even put on Lanacane and Ben Gay. The pains then started going to my knees, shoulders and elbows but never two places at the same time. My husband suggeste sitting in our whirlpool and take an alcohol bath and also a bath with Epsom Salt. This still did not relieve the symptoms. The pain had gotten so bad I could barely use my hands, could barely walk specially up and down stairs and I am a child care provider!

I went to see my physician who said I probably had some type of virus. He gave me a blood test to check for Parvo and Lyne Disease. They both came back negative. He did give me some muscle relaxants, but it was like I wasn't taking anything. I decided to see my father's neurologist I thought maybe it may be the MG acting up! He gave me some blood test ad one of them was for my thyroids. The test for the MG came back positive but the count was low, he said however the test for my thyroids he was really concerned about. He faxed the lab report to my primary doctor. I do not know what the level was. I am now scheduled to have a MRI and a Cat Scan done on Monday for my thyroid and thymus(MG). He prescribed some muscle relaxant and pain medication which has made me feel 85% better. Do the following symptoms seem familiar to anyone. The severe joint aches, toenails brittle and falling off, constant urination, constant gas and bowel movements, exhaustion, sore throat with hoarseness every now and then, weight gain. Exactly where is the thyroid? Does an enlarged thyroid look like you may have a double chin? Please answer, I am worried and scared. One other thing my mother had her thyroid removed in her late 20's or early 30's.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 8:57am
Hello and welcome to the board...

The first thing I want to say is try not to be so worried. I know that isn't easy to do with all this medical stuff coming at you but it really won't do you any good!

I don't know anything about Myasthenia Gravis but since it is also an autoimmune condition, my understanding (from other postings on this board) is that having one autoimmune condition kind of makes you more susceptible to others. Hypothyroidism is an autoimmune condition too.

You can lead a perfectly normal life if your thyroid condition is treated properly. I've posted a link to ivillage's hypothyroidism page and it lists a bunch of symptoms:

http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/content/0,,241012_245644,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=2

I'm also posting a link to another site that might also give more lots more information:

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/thyroid101.htm

My understanding to this "trick" is to get a doctor who understands the "new" levels of lab results and treats YOU not your numbers! Your TSH level should be between 0.3 and 3, I think, someone else might have the exact numbers, but these are close. And you should ASK your doctor for a copy of that lab report, or for the exact numbers. If you post them here there are several people (especially the cl's) who can help you interpret them.

It sounds to me like your neurologist had the right idea, and is concerned about YOUR health and well being.

Many of the symptoms you describe can be symptoms of hypothyroidism and many of us, even after beginning treatment, still have some of them. It takes awhile to get the medications and the thyroid hormone levels adjusted. One thing, if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidim, you will have to take the medication for the rest of your life. It's not really that big a deal, just remember to take it first thing in the morning (at least one hour before eating and at least 4 hours before taking anything else) although, with your other conditions/medications, you want to talk to your doctor about that.

You have come to a very informative and supportive place here, and there are lots of others who can further help you to understand what hypothyroidism is...

Let us know if you have any more questions, and let us know how your testing goes.

Good luck to you!

dazed

Dazed
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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 11:11am


Hi:

"Dazed" has given you great info, here! I just want to add that when you get your labs back, if it shows that you have antithyroid antibodies, this means that you're thyroid problem is autoimmune. I'm learning that autoimmune disorders come in pairs or even groups... so you should ask your doctor if there is some other underlying autoimmune problem. The joint pain may indicate something else is going on as well.

Let us know the lab results when you get them.

Hang in there & we're here for you when you want to come vent about feeling awful!

Take care,

Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 3:30pm
Thanks, to your replies. I am trying to think positive thoughts! Will let you know when I get the results. Thank you. I am looking forward to hearing from everyone.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Wed, 11-17-2004 - 8:43am

I had a ct and sonogram done on my neck Monday. The radiologist told me my doctor should have ther results by Wednesday. Last night while I was out my neurologist called me (I had the results sent to my neurologist and private practitioner). He had called around 8 in the evening. You can imagine how scared I was, a doctor calling that late had to be bad news. I called his answer service and he returned my call. He said that the report stated I had 2 nodules on my thyroids and there was something on the xray of my breast. I told him that I didn't have a breast xray. He said that the report showed that my breast were asymmetrical which means they are not even. He told me to make an appointment regarding the nodules with my practitioner. I don't know the size of the nodules or if they are cancerous or benign.
Q. I had the test done with the iodine. Does anyone know if one of the side effects is chest pains. I was experiencing chest pains for a few hours yesterday, it went away after I took my muscle relaxants and laid down.

Q. The nodules in my neck shouldn't I be able to see them or feel them? What will happen now? I made an appointment with my primary care but its not until Monday. Should I try to get an appointment sooner?

Please advise me!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Thu, 11-18-2004 - 4:34pm

Hi,

I just spoke with my General Practioner on the phone. He said that my sonogram showed two small nodules on my thyroid but my ct scan was what he was more concerned about. The ct scan of my chest showed some abnormalities in my breast and that I needed to schedule a mammogram. I asked him about my thyroid problem he said that right now it could wait until I got the results from the mammogram back. I asked him what should I do about the bad muscle and joint pains and the run down feeling I'm experiencing. He told me to continue taking the muscle relaxants and pain medicine he prescribed for me. Now after all this I am afraid I may have breast cancer, hypothyroidism and now he's trying to get me addicted to pain killers!. I am in so much pain both emotionally and physcally. Please help me!!!