fusionqueen
01-17-2007, 10:02 AM
I just switched from Armour to Levoxyl.......was on 52mg of armour now on /50 of Levoxyl..........I am TIRED but still exercising and I am up 4 lbs in less than a week. My ALL TIME HIGH on the scale........what the heck is going on?? Do I need ot add T3 back in? or is it just the adjustment time....
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:
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lucky charms
01-17-2007, 01:23 PM
could it be you are having water weight gain?
birchtree
01-17-2007, 01:37 PM
I think you've got it - you're adjusting.....I went through it (bloat, water retention) but it's going away now. Did you ask your dr. about just a bit of
T3? That might help too....
hang in there!
b
T3? That might help too....
hang in there!
b
fusionqueen
01-17-2007, 01:40 PM
I think you've got it - you're adjusting.....I went through it (bloat, water retention) but it's going away now. Did you ask your dr. about just a bit of
T3? That might help too....
hang in there!
b
I have a call into her today.........I am asking about the T3........do you take Cytomel?? If so once a day or 2x's .........I hear so much about it burning off in 2 hours in your system......any input??
T3? That might help too....
hang in there!
b
I have a call into her today.........I am asking about the T3........do you take Cytomel?? If so once a day or 2x's .........I hear so much about it burning off in 2 hours in your system......any input??
birchtree
01-17-2007, 04:40 PM
I take 5 mcg 1x a day - it stays in your system for 8-12 hours - not 2. I'm going for a blood test in a few more weeks and hoping to get a wee bit more.
b
b
birchtree
01-17-2007, 04:41 PM
sorry - forgot - yes, it's cytomel. I believe cytomel is the only synthetic T3 drug out there....
good luck!
b
good luck!
b
fusionqueen
01-17-2007, 05:07 PM
I take 5 mcg 1x a day - it stays in your system for 8-12 hours - not 2. I'm going for a blood test in a few more weeks and hoping to get a wee bit more.
b
Do you get an afternoon slump? DO you take the med before your blood draw or after?
I am going in tomorrow to talk to my Dr AGAIN!:eek:
b
Do you get an afternoon slump? DO you take the med before your blood draw or after?
I am going in tomorrow to talk to my Dr AGAIN!:eek:
birchtree
01-17-2007, 05:33 PM
yes, I do "slump" at the end of the day but it's getting better. I had good energy last night and didn't need to go to bed until 10 p.m., which is AMAZING for me nowadays. Still, I think a bit more cytomel will help me - but I don't think I'll be devastated if my tests look good and the doc says no.
Splitting the dose might be better but - I'll admit this - I'm lazy and would rather get it over with in the am.
I DO NOT plan on taking the T3 before my next blood draw - no way!!! I'll take it RIGHT after, but not before.
Glad you're talking to your doc tomorrow - let us know what happens!
Splitting the dose might be better but - I'll admit this - I'm lazy and would rather get it over with in the am.
I DO NOT plan on taking the T3 before my next blood draw - no way!!! I'll take it RIGHT after, but not before.
Glad you're talking to your doc tomorrow - let us know what happens!
fusionqueen
01-18-2007, 01:45 PM
I AM SOOOOOOOOOOO FRUSTERATED !!! I just came back from the DR. I am to keep on the Levoxyl........she said all my symptoms are HYPO......since I started it a week ago.....my dizziness is back, blurry vision, JAW PAIN and head aches PLUS I hace gained 5 lbs........even on her scale......she set me up for a ultrasound this afternoon and I am going to an endo next week. I REALLY think I should stop Levoxyl and go back to Armour........I did not feel great on it but better than this..........I THINK!
Thanks for your support!
Thanks for your support!
birchtree
01-18-2007, 02:28 PM
wow - if you can hold on a week longer, perhaps the endo can give you better advice/treatment, etc. When your current doc told you your symptoms were from being hypo, did she offer any relief like more med....? too bad about cytomel - perhaps the endo will be open to it.
good luck - hopefully you'll get good advice from this board re: your labs (your other thread)
b
good luck - hopefully you'll get good advice from this board re: your labs (your other thread)
b
fusionqueen
01-18-2007, 04:25 PM
wow - if you can hold on a week longer, perhaps the endo can give you better advice/treatment, etc. When your current doc told you your symptoms were from being hypo, did she offer any relief like more med....? too bad about cytomel - perhaps the endo will be open to it.
good luck - hopefully you'll get good advice from this board re: your labs (your other thread)
b
She said she was trained in "western medicine" and does not go to the other meds....to much controversy she claims..........she said Armour can give you a reading of "" at 8 a.m. but way off at say 3 p.m. She claims it to be very incosistent and that is why I was switched. A week is a lONG time when you are feeling sick......as we all know...... hope this DR is GOOD and believes in both types of meds!
good luck - hopefully you'll get good advice from this board re: your labs (your other thread)
b
She said she was trained in "western medicine" and does not go to the other meds....to much controversy she claims..........she said Armour can give you a reading of "" at 8 a.m. but way off at say 3 p.m. She claims it to be very incosistent and that is why I was switched. A week is a lONG time when you are feeling sick......as we all know...... hope this DR is GOOD and believes in both types of meds!
DAVZAN
01-18-2007, 05:08 PM
I was put on Levoxyl and had terrible results - depression, weight gain, mood swings, and they tell me it's the same med as Synthroid! I have just started on 1 1/2 grains of armour, so we'll see how it goes on that.
fusionqueen
01-18-2007, 06:23 PM
I was put on Levoxyl and had terrible results - depression, weight gain, mood swings, and they tell me it's the same med as Synthroid! I have just started on 1 1/2 grains of armour, so we'll see how it goes on that.
I AM NOT ALONE!! THANK YOU for your reply......how long were you on the Levoxyl? what dosage and how much armour have you been switched over to?
Is this a regular Dr or a natual Dr???
Good luck to you!:angel:
I AM NOT ALONE!! THANK YOU for your reply......how long were you on the Levoxyl? what dosage and how much armour have you been switched over to?
Is this a regular Dr or a natual Dr???
Good luck to you!:angel:
DAVZAN
01-19-2007, 04:18 PM
I was only on levoxyl for 3 weeks, but the symtoms developed quickly and I was totally miserable, the depression was the worst! I was taking 112 mcg's, and he had switched me from synthroid (the same dose) because he was trying to lessen my heart palpitations (they didn't by the way). Anyway, I called his office begging for him to do something and he told me to go back to the synthroid until my next office visit (I did get some relief, but don't think I was on the synthroid long enough to really know). When I had my appointment this week I asked him about the T3 and wondered if I could start taking cytemol, but he was concerned about the heart palpitations and thought Armour would be better for me. I have the greatest doctor, he is an Endo and doesn't just go by the numbers, he really listens to the symtoms as well. I won't be jumping to any conclusions in a hurry with the Amour cos I know it's tricky to get the dosage right and for it to get into my system. He also said my T3 was on the low end and so we have room to make changes where necessary. Why did you stop the Amour? By the way, Synthroid did not cause me weight gain, however I am very active and watch what I eat.
fusionqueen
01-19-2007, 06:16 PM
I was only on levoxyl for 3 weeks, but the symtoms developed quickly and I was totally miserable, the depression was the worst! I was taking 112 mcg's, and he had switched me from synthroid (the same dose) because he was trying to lessen my heart palpitations (they didn't by the way). Anyway, I called his office begging for him to do something and he told me to go back to the synthroid until my next office visit (I did get some relief, but don't think I was on the synthroid long enough to really know). When I had my appointment this week I asked him about the T3 and wondered if I could start taking cytemol, but he was concerned about the heart palpitations and thought Armour would be better for me. I have the greatest doctor, he is an Endo and doesn't just go by the numbers, he really listens to the symtoms as well. I won't be jumping to any conclusions in a hurry with the Amour cos I know it's tricky to get the dosage right and for it to get into my system. He also said my T3 was on the low end and so we have room to make changes where necessary. Why did you stop the Amour? By the way, Synthroid did not cause me weight gain, however I am very active and watch what I eat.
I stopped Armour because I was experincing major weakness
my fingernails are peeling, tired just all the HYOP symptoms which now after having my blood work done ny the DR that manages my CFS and SJOGRENS she said NO ARMOUR it is not consistent and switched me to Levoxyl because of all my HYPO symptoms......I took the levoxyl again today and had to go grocery shopping........felt like Iwas so out of it and anxious.....that was gone with Armour.............IMO I think I should have stayed with the Armour and kept upping the dosage..........I am curious if I can switch back after a week and start the build up of it again....I am waiting my results on my Scan as well..........I also feel "puffy" and was soooooooo dizzzy when I got up today I went back to bed until 10:00 a.m. BUT I did have 2 glasses of red wine last night........does that affect the meds at all??
I stopped Armour because I was experincing major weakness
my fingernails are peeling, tired just all the HYOP symptoms which now after having my blood work done ny the DR that manages my CFS and SJOGRENS she said NO ARMOUR it is not consistent and switched me to Levoxyl because of all my HYPO symptoms......I took the levoxyl again today and had to go grocery shopping........felt like Iwas so out of it and anxious.....that was gone with Armour.............IMO I think I should have stayed with the Armour and kept upping the dosage..........I am curious if I can switch back after a week and start the build up of it again....I am waiting my results on my Scan as well..........I also feel "puffy" and was soooooooo dizzzy when I got up today I went back to bed until 10:00 a.m. BUT I did have 2 glasses of red wine last night........does that affect the meds at all??
ErinBeth
01-19-2007, 06:31 PM
Just a few comments, take them or leave them.
1. The more you switch meds, the longer it will take you to get well.
2. You have empathy from us all, but you'll have a myriad of symptoms which do not feel good until you work through the levelling process and finally are on enough medication for a long enough period of time to substantially heal.
3. About the dizziness, it may very well be related to the wine. Alcohol can have a dehydrating effect. I'm not suggesting you not drink a glass of wine or two, but try some Gatorade or similar to see if electrolyte replacement helps relieve the dizziness, whatever caused it.
1. The more you switch meds, the longer it will take you to get well.
2. You have empathy from us all, but you'll have a myriad of symptoms which do not feel good until you work through the levelling process and finally are on enough medication for a long enough period of time to substantially heal.
3. About the dizziness, it may very well be related to the wine. Alcohol can have a dehydrating effect. I'm not suggesting you not drink a glass of wine or two, but try some Gatorade or similar to see if electrolyte replacement helps relieve the dizziness, whatever caused it.
fusionqueen
01-19-2007, 10:08 PM
Just a few comments, take them or leave them.
1. The more you switch meds, the longer it will take you to get well.
2. You have empathy from us all, but you'll have a myriad of symptoms which do not feel good until you work through the levelling process and finally are on enough medication for a long enough period of time to substantially heal.
3. About the dizziness, it may very well be related to the wine. Alcohol can have a dehydrating effect. I'm not suggesting you not drink a glass of wine or two, but try some Gatorade or similar to see if electrolyte replacement helps relieve the dizziness, whatever caused it.
ERINBETH
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I agree with the more I change the longer the it will take to feel better............ I honestly do not like Levoxly any more than synthroid.........Today I went shopping as was so woozy and out of it and blurred vision......ALL that was gone on armour.......Do you think I am nuts to just go back to Armour and continually increase that med until I hopefully feel better........I ahve a family(like alot of people on here) and I need to function and work......
THanks!
1. The more you switch meds, the longer it will take you to get well.
2. You have empathy from us all, but you'll have a myriad of symptoms which do not feel good until you work through the levelling process and finally are on enough medication for a long enough period of time to substantially heal.
3. About the dizziness, it may very well be related to the wine. Alcohol can have a dehydrating effect. I'm not suggesting you not drink a glass of wine or two, but try some Gatorade or similar to see if electrolyte replacement helps relieve the dizziness, whatever caused it.
ERINBETH
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I agree with the more I change the longer the it will take to feel better............ I honestly do not like Levoxly any more than synthroid.........Today I went shopping as was so woozy and out of it and blurred vision......ALL that was gone on armour.......Do you think I am nuts to just go back to Armour and continually increase that med until I hopefully feel better........I ahve a family(like alot of people on here) and I need to function and work......
THanks!
ErinBeth
01-20-2007, 12:04 AM
No, I don't think you are nuts. I think you are just really tired of feeling bad. I understand. I wish we could offer you a shortcut. I seriously doubt anyone can. It just takes time to feel better with this disease. We don't know any shortcuts, sadly.
I tend to think every hypothyroid patient should just give the synthetic T4 med a chance, whichever brand is prescribed. By giving it a chance, I don't mean three weeks, six weeks or even two months. Go through the process of dose, lab, increase in dose, lab, etc., until the best that can be done for you with that med has been done.
Only then consider alternatives.
Why?
1. Most docs you encounter will only be willing to consider the synthetic meds. You'll save yourself time and energy debating if you just go with a synthetic, unless, of course, you are actually allergic. Of course, that would be an exception and dealt with on an individual basis.
2. It just takes time to get levelled. Switching meds just prolongs the agony.
3. At the end of the synthetic med levelling process, there is always the opportunity to add either synthetic T3 or Armour, but you'll only know if you really don't need that if you go through the process of levelling on T4.
I tend to think every hypothyroid patient should just give the synthetic T4 med a chance, whichever brand is prescribed. By giving it a chance, I don't mean three weeks, six weeks or even two months. Go through the process of dose, lab, increase in dose, lab, etc., until the best that can be done for you with that med has been done.
Only then consider alternatives.
Why?
1. Most docs you encounter will only be willing to consider the synthetic meds. You'll save yourself time and energy debating if you just go with a synthetic, unless, of course, you are actually allergic. Of course, that would be an exception and dealt with on an individual basis.
2. It just takes time to get levelled. Switching meds just prolongs the agony.
3. At the end of the synthetic med levelling process, there is always the opportunity to add either synthetic T3 or Armour, but you'll only know if you really don't need that if you go through the process of levelling on T4.