question-icon

Struggling With Hashimotos. Having Pain In Neck, Back And Shoulders. Have Severe Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Some Nerve Damage. Help?

default
Posted on Fri, 20 Sep 2013
Twitter Fri, 20 Sep 2013 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 16 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on
Question : I don't know what my next step should be. I have been struggling with Hashimotos for 13 years. Some years have been ok. But often I have pain (feet, hands, low back, neck and shoulders, and headaches lasting 2-4 days). I am 40 with 4 children, so the daytime fatigue is a huge problem. About a year ago, doctor reduced Synthroid from 125 to 100mcg. I woke up two days later with "severe" bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome with some nerve damage, but when doc upped Synthroid to 112mcg, the CTS went away. It has come and gone some since with night braces being helpful. Neurologist gave me Gabapentin for RLS and CTS. It makes me feel drunk, but helps RLS ( which I only have rarely). It does nothing for CTS. When I have these flares, it is totally miserable. My scalp gets crusty and har falls out like crazy leaving noticeably thin patches around my temple area, I am completely exhausted about 3 hours after taking Synthroid. I crave chocolate and eat too much. This morning, my hands were so swollen and stiff and painful that I could not close them at all. Tramadol and Ibuprofen help. I saw a rheumatologist who says I have osteoarthritis in my low back, but it has thankfully gotten much better as has the foot pain. He also said I tested negative for some inflammation syndrome but positive for a lupus test. Then, he said I probably have fibromyalgia and CFS. This is awful! What is it? Should I find a new endo and beg for Armour? I have tried many diets and manage somehow to keep a normal weight 5'6" and 134 pounds. I just want my life back- pain gone, energy and hair restored, please tell me there is a magic pill for this!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Regulate thyroid. do not take armour

Detailed Answer:
I see your complex symptoms. I am sorry to note you have no relief from some problems. Armour is not recommended. Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested like TPO and/or TG antibodies. If so I would like to know if they were positive or negative. Try to keep your TSH in the range of 0.5 to 2

Unfortunately there is no magic pill.

For more information, you may wish to peruse this :

WWW.WWWW.WW
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

127 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Struggling With Hashimotos. Having Pain In Neck, Back And Shoulders. Have Severe Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Some Nerve Damage. Help?

Brief Answer:
Regulate thyroid. do not take armour

Detailed Answer:
I see your complex symptoms. I am sorry to note you have no relief from some problems. Armour is not recommended. Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested like TPO and/or TG antibodies. If so I would like to know if they were positive or negative. Try to keep your TSH in the range of 0.5 to 2

Unfortunately there is no magic pill.

For more information, you may wish to peruse this :

WWW.WWWW.WW