MORE MIGRAINES, HEADACHES SINCE MEDS...?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2005
MORE MIGRAINES, HEADACHES SINCE MEDS...?
3
Wed, 03-09-2005 - 12:58pm

HI EVERYONE!! HOW IS EVERYONE DOING? SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER... :) CAN'T WAIT!!
CAN ANYONE THAT HAS ALREADY (BEFORE BEING DIAGNOSED)BEEN A MIGRAINE SUFFERER TELL ME IF THEY GOT A LOT MORE AFTER STARTING MEDICATION, PLEASE? I DO KNOW THIS IS A POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECT OF MEDS, AS I RESEARCHED ALL OF THIS HEAVILY BEFORE SEEING THE ENDO, AND HE DID TELL ME THAT AS A MIGRAINE SUFFERER THAT I SHOULD KNOW THAT LEVOXYL HAD THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HEADACHES AS A SIDE EFFECT... I WAS NOT THRILLED TO HEAR THAT, BUT KNEW I HAD TO BE ON SOMETHING SINCE I AM DEFINITELY HYPO NOW. HE FELT LEVOXYL WAS THE BEST THING TO TRY ANYWAY. I HAVE BEEN ON IT ONE MONTH NOW AND HAD APPROX. 18-21 MIGRAINES, USUALLY WAKING BETWEEN 4-6:30 AM WITH THEM. THEY ARE DIFFERENT THAN MY MIGRAINES THAT I HAVE HAD FOR 30 YEARS, CAN'T REALLY EXPLAIN THEM, OTHER THAN THEY SEEM TO BE "HEAVIER" AND AND I HAVE A LOT MORE NAUSEA WTIH THEM, THEY PRETTY MUCH WIPE ME OUT FOR THE DAY. THEY SEEM MORE LIKE ONES I HAD A 18 - 20 YEARS OLD!! BUT ALSO INVOLVE MY NECK AND BACK OF MY HEAD. I THEN HAVE TO TAKE MY ZOMIG (CUT IN HALF) WHICH MAKES ME SICKER (I HAVE NEVER TOLERATED ANY MEDS VERY WELL)!

I DECIDED TO STAY ON THE LEVOYXL INSTEAD OF "JUMP SHIP" RIGHT AWAY, TO GIVE IT A GOOD TRY. SINCE I HAVE HAD NON-STOP RESPIRITORY/ SINUS INFECTIONS FOR 5 WEEKS, I KEPT THINKING THAT WAS IT, BUT I AM AT THE END ALMOST OF ANOTHER ANTIBIODIC AND STILL HAD ANOTHER MIGRAINE THIS MORNING.

I WENT TO MY NUCCA CHIROPRACTOR LAST WEEK, BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY THING I HAVE EVER GOTTEN RELIEF FROM (STARTED THAT 5 YEARS AGO), BUT I HAVE HAD 3 SINCE THEN EVEN, SO I HAVE TO THINK ITS MED RELATED. MY FAMILY SAYS THEY'VE REALLY NOTICED IT TOO, SINCE THE DAY I STARTED, AND HOW REALLY BAD THEY ARE. ENDO'S OFFICE SAYS COME AND GET SAMPLES OF SYNTHROID AND SWITCH OVER TO THAT BUT I'M WORRIED ABOUT CHANGING MEDS A WEEK BEFORE WE GO ON OUR FAMILY VACATION!!! AT LEAST MY TSH LEVEL WAS NORMAL LAST WEEK AT MY REG DOC'S OFFICE (1.2), SO I KIND OF HATE TO MESS WITH IT, BUT AM DESPERATE NOT TO BE AT THE BEACH & DISNEYWORLD WITH MY DARLING GRANDDAUGHERS AND BE TOO SICK OR IN PAIN TO DO ANYTHING.

ANYONE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS, SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, OR EXPERIENCES WITH THIS? IF SO, I WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE IT. ALSO, HAVE ANY OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD TO SWITCH FROM ONE TO THE OTHER, THAT HAD HAIR LOSS PRIOR TO MEDICATION, NOTICED ANY ADDITIONAL HAIR LOSS WITH ONE MEDICATION OR THE OTHER? I HAD SIGNIFICANT HAIR LOSS LAST FALL AND WINTER WHICH WAS THE FIRST BIG INDICATOR SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG AND AM FINALLY STARTING TO GET REGROWTH AND SHINER, HEALTHIER HAIR--SO I REALLY DON'T WANT TO START THAT HAPPENING AGAIN!! AS ALWAYS, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOU ON HERE, YOU ARE A GODSEND TO ALL OF US WITH THIS!! TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS!!! BECKY

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Wed, 03-09-2005 - 10:55pm

Hi Becky - I looked up the side effects of Levoxyl, which I'm sure you've seen and found this, among other things:

SIDE EFFECTS: Levothyroxine therapy is usually well-tolerated. If symptoms occur, often they are due to toxic levels of thyroid hormone and the symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism. Symptoms may include all or some of the following: chest pain, increased heart rate or pulse rate, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, nervousness, headache, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, or fever. Women may experience irregular menstrual cycles.
What are the possible side effects of Levoxyl?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Levoxyl and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· vomiting; or
· chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Levoxyl and talk to your doctor or try another similar medication if you experience
· tremor, nervousness, or irritability;
· headache;
· insomnia;
· diarrhea, changes in appetite, or weight loss;
· leg cramps;
· menstrual irregularities; or
· fever, sweating, or heat sensitivity

When I looked up the side effects of Synthroid, I couldn't find any. I'll keep looking but in the meantime, that sounds like too many migraines to me!! It's not going to hurt you to change over to Synthroid at this point so I wouldn't worry about it at all. It will take a little while for the Levoxyl to be out of your system but still, it's worth it. I had to switch after about a year of taking levoxyl and I had no reaction to the switch at all. The hair loss is a symptom of hypo, as you know, I'm sure. And you'll get the same relief from taking Synthroid. I hope this helps a bit! I'd switch if I were you!! Go on vacation and have some fun!! Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2005
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 12:12am

Thanks, Cathy!! I really appreciate hearing back from you so soon!! Do you mind my asking why did you have to switch from Levoxyl to Snythroid? How long were you on it? My head is still pounding tonight, and what I couldn't seem to put into words this morning about the "different" feeling, I think I can tonight. It's like a really heavy feeling all over my head and face, dizzy, and a kind of "burning" feeling in the top of my head near the forehead. I don't think very clearly with these headaches, hard to concentrate on anything.

I think I will pick up the samples of Snythroid anyway, that way I will have them with me. I just really hate to change meds and be out of town, but it's good to know that you did okay with it.

Are you doing anything fun this spring? We live in a very cold area (Iowa) so Florida is always a huge treat whenever we can get there!! Thanks again for the quick answer, Cathy! Take care and have a great Thursday! Becky

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 9:17am

Thanks for the info! I am on levoxyl.