jsjek
09-02-2007, 11:58 PM
Since I was about 9, I can remember having spots on my body that hurt to touch. I had an old aunt who would pinch my cheeks, and it hurt like crazy. An uncle would gouge my ribs, and I would collapse in pain. My shins always hurt, but since I played baseball everyone though it was from running in cleats. I always continued to be very very active, and still play and coach soccer to this day.
About 10 years ago, I had balooned up to 240 pounds, and after an x-ray due to pneumonia, it was discovered I had a massive thyroid tumor. I was rushed to surgery, and awoke 2 days later in ICU with my entire sternum sawed in half and wired back shut.
After that, I just never recovered. I went back to work in the mill, working 12 hour shifts on concrete and steel, constantly on my feet. I continued to chase around my kids, and play soccer. But at the end of every day, I just collapsed. I began to be in constant pain. One night at work, one of my legs swole up so bad I couldn't get my jeans back on after pulling them down to pee. I called my husband on my cell phone, and he and the paramedics rescued me from the bathroom. They ran test after test, suspecting a blood clot, and found absolutely nothing wrong. Thus began 18 months of test after test after test, finally arriving at a diagnosis of fibro.
My doctor forced me to quit my job, he wouldn't allow me to continue working. He told me to file for disability. I tried, but I couldn't remember all the crap they wanted to know, like all the doctors I had seen, meds I had taken, dx's I had been given. I got so frustrated and broke down bawling and took the paperwork outside and burned it. I tried to talk my doctor into releasin me to go back to work, but he refused. He wouldn't help me with my paperwork though. I rebelled, and went to work cleaning houses.
I am in pain all the time, but I don't pay attention to it. I've learned to block it because I never could afford the 10 or so prescriptions I was given every month. The only meds I take now are ultram (I get 90 a month) and synthroid. I still am exhausted, in pain, and having brain fog. I still don't liek to be touched because it hurts. But, I find that when my thyroid is well controlled (which has been difficult to do when I had to choose between my husbands high blood pressure meds or my thyroid meds) I felt much better. Now, WalMArt has a new $4 program, and my ultram, synthroid, and my hubby's 2 bp meds are all in it, so I never have to worry anymore.
What I'm wondering (as is my pcp, I've stopped seeing all the other docs liek the rheumy and the pain doc who was giving me intramuscular injections that my insurance said were surgery and billed me about 100 a visit) is what role the thyroid plays in fibro? I know several women with hashimoto's who also have fibro. Do any of you have thyroid problems?
About 10 years ago, I had balooned up to 240 pounds, and after an x-ray due to pneumonia, it was discovered I had a massive thyroid tumor. I was rushed to surgery, and awoke 2 days later in ICU with my entire sternum sawed in half and wired back shut.
After that, I just never recovered. I went back to work in the mill, working 12 hour shifts on concrete and steel, constantly on my feet. I continued to chase around my kids, and play soccer. But at the end of every day, I just collapsed. I began to be in constant pain. One night at work, one of my legs swole up so bad I couldn't get my jeans back on after pulling them down to pee. I called my husband on my cell phone, and he and the paramedics rescued me from the bathroom. They ran test after test, suspecting a blood clot, and found absolutely nothing wrong. Thus began 18 months of test after test after test, finally arriving at a diagnosis of fibro.
My doctor forced me to quit my job, he wouldn't allow me to continue working. He told me to file for disability. I tried, but I couldn't remember all the crap they wanted to know, like all the doctors I had seen, meds I had taken, dx's I had been given. I got so frustrated and broke down bawling and took the paperwork outside and burned it. I tried to talk my doctor into releasin me to go back to work, but he refused. He wouldn't help me with my paperwork though. I rebelled, and went to work cleaning houses.
I am in pain all the time, but I don't pay attention to it. I've learned to block it because I never could afford the 10 or so prescriptions I was given every month. The only meds I take now are ultram (I get 90 a month) and synthroid. I still am exhausted, in pain, and having brain fog. I still don't liek to be touched because it hurts. But, I find that when my thyroid is well controlled (which has been difficult to do when I had to choose between my husbands high blood pressure meds or my thyroid meds) I felt much better. Now, WalMArt has a new $4 program, and my ultram, synthroid, and my hubby's 2 bp meds are all in it, so I never have to worry anymore.
What I'm wondering (as is my pcp, I've stopped seeing all the other docs liek the rheumy and the pain doc who was giving me intramuscular injections that my insurance said were surgery and billed me about 100 a visit) is what role the thyroid plays in fibro? I know several women with hashimoto's who also have fibro. Do any of you have thyroid problems?
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moonbeam24
09-03-2007, 01:19 AM
Hi. I wanted to respond to your message because your story sounds similar to mine. I think I have had FMS problems my whole life. When I was younger and my mom would brush my hair, my head would burn and hurt and I didn't know why. While all the other kids my age were roller skating and ice skating I found out really quickly that I couldn't because the pain in my feet was so intense. Anyway, I don't have nearly the thyroid issues you do, but I am taking synthroid at a very low dose because I was at the low end of normal. I think when my thyroid is under control I have much less fatigue, but it does not help with my other symptoms.
kirstee
09-03-2007, 01:58 PM
Welcome to the board. I really feel for you and I send loving and loving thoughts your way.
Thyroid problems are a common problem for FMS patients. You might have better success with Armour Thyroid in place of the Synthroid you are currently taking. Armour replaces more of the T hormones in your system. Don't know if $4 prescription policy would apply to Armour, however. Studies done on Synthroid have shown this drug can cause a loss of as much as 13 percent of bone mass!
If you are able to afford it, taking 2,000-3,000 mg of kelp daily, as well as L. Tyrosine 500 mg daily might help you gain more energy. Also a basic Vitaman B complex would be helpful.
Blessings,
Kirstee
Thyroid problems are a common problem for FMS patients. You might have better success with Armour Thyroid in place of the Synthroid you are currently taking. Armour replaces more of the T hormones in your system. Don't know if $4 prescription policy would apply to Armour, however. Studies done on Synthroid have shown this drug can cause a loss of as much as 13 percent of bone mass!
If you are able to afford it, taking 2,000-3,000 mg of kelp daily, as well as L. Tyrosine 500 mg daily might help you gain more energy. Also a basic Vitaman B complex would be helpful.
Blessings,
Kirstee
jsjek
09-03-2007, 03:37 PM
Wow, Kirstee, I didn't know about the bone mass thing. I already take a couple of Viactive's a day because I have a family history of osteoporosis. Thanks for the info, I'll definitely talk to my doc about it. I've also heard good things about Armour before, just never have tried it. I might have to, because the levo I tend to bounce around all over the place numbers wise. I get hyper pretty easily on my 100 mcg dose. My doctor (a general practicioner, I got tired of going to all kinds of specialists) and I both think thyroid disease could play some kind of role in fibro. I don't know what I'm going to do when he retires, he's been my doctor since I was 13, and I'm 35 now. He's pushing 70. 3 of the other doctors in his practice went to high school with me lol, and I dated 2 of them, so I really don't want them to be my doctor!