Lupus Support Group

Paige,

I would definately post this in the hyptothyroidism group. They will know alot more detail than here. It could be a side effect from the Synthroid. I would call the doctor and see if you should lower the amount your taking.

200 mcg or 20 mg is a very hefty dose if you are at normal weight, but it's not an overdose necessarily. I had to be on that dose for awhile until my TSH was in the normal range, then the dose was cut back. The way to be sure, though, is to have your TSH tested in about a month. If it shows your TSH very low then it is an overdose and needs to be cut. It's possible that synthroid does make your heart race and make you sweat; those are definitely possible side effects. Anything is possible. I'm just speaking from personal experience, having difficult-to-control hypothyroidism for almost 20 years. I have been having horrible chill attacks recently (and we've had a record heat wave in Florida) and to me that signals I need a higher dose. It's too bad doctors just don't listen. I can't stand them either when they refuse to take the time to think about the whole picture. And refuse to listen to US when we know how our own bodies react.

Allison, thank you I did not know there was a group. LOL I will go there. I would call the dr but I did that and he did not help.

Wolfgang, I am on 200mcg...I found out that your doses are based on your weight and that I am taking way more than needed for my weight,I am waiting to get into my new GP. I have only been on this new dose for about 1 1/2 weeks I am not sure I can take this high dose anymore and deal with this.

Thank you for your thoughts, I am very much appreciative.

hugs,
paige

Paige....Did you see the doctor that prescribed you the synthroid yesterday? What did he say about the increase dose and then these symptoms popping up? If this were me, and Im NOT a doctor, just what I would do from all my medical experience, is go BACK to the 75mcg of the synthroid NOW and see if these symptoms go away. It sounds like all these symptoms would be caused by thyroid issues. The amount the dr. increased you to may be too much for you or increased too quickly for you. Doctors do NOT know everything. Trust me on this one...They have made mistakes with me in the past that could have killed me. There is no reason why the dr. who prescribed you the synthroid would NOT lower the dose to see if this is the culprit. You cannot always trust doctors and what they say...I wont go into details about my experience but I will just say that you would NOT BELIEVE the mistakes that have been made with me. I dont trust many dr.s either. This can be a normal emotion.

Me.....I would go back down on the synthroid today. Call your dr. and see if that is ok and that going down again will not harm you. Thyroid issues can be very tricky and getting the right dosage of the thyroid medication can VARY from person to person. What may be good for one person with the SAME thyroid issues may NOT be good for another. It can take months of tweaking thyroid meds to find the proper dose for you. It does not sound like this is the right DOSE. You also have to realize that lupus itself causes hormone issues and because you have lupus (i think you do, dont you?) this could also be why the dose is not correct for you. It brings in a whole other issue to be considered.

Dont wait for something bad to happen. Are you seeing an endocrinologist and rheumatologist? Call THEM today. See what they say and regardless, If you are feeling this bad and you have read that synthroid can cause these symptoms go BACK to your lower dose NOW...........Our bodies react to medications differently. I was just tapered down on my prednisone too much too quickly and I literally was ready to kill myself from the side effects of the taper which was NOT right for my body. My rheumy stopped my taper and put me back on my regular dose and the symptoms all went away......

Please keep us posted. Im worried about you.....you vent and be negative with us all you want. we are here to LISTEN and help you. Gotta run
hugs
Melissa

Melissa, thank you so much. I did go back to the dr that prescribed me, my rheumy. I felt that he did not listen to me, he just sent me off to the ER (like I needed that bill) I am going to cut down on my dose, my mom thinks I should cut my pill in half and only take 100mcg for now until I get into my new GP next week.

Yes, I do have Lupus..diagnosed last year but found out I truly had it over three years ago (dr.just didn't tell me) at that time I found out I had two positive ANA (one from the GP and the other from the awful rheumy i had) right now my ANA is negative.

I hate taking meds, they are so scarey with what interacts with what...so scarey I think.

I am calling my rheumy today, also getting a copy of all my records and trying to get into the GP sooner. I will keep you posted.

I really appreciate your thoughts. I hope you are doing well.

hugs,
paige

doctors can be real jerks sometimes and yet we need them because we are sick and in vulnerable positions so of course they have much power to intimidate us. i found a GP that i can fuss at when ever i need to. my chiro calls me a pain in the butt but he uses the A world, he says i am because i have good reason to be tho, so for the most part i have a good relationship with my doctors. when i don't i doctor shop till i can find one who can handle me! i have so much going on but i don't want to be compartmentalized because i am ONE PERSON will many things happening with my body, a lot of lupus related. it would be nice if all doctor could treat us as a whole human being and not a series of diseases, disorders and injuries.

i feel for you because i know the frustration of not being told what the heck is going on! it is my body after all and it is extremely frightening when they do that, GO TO THE ER IMMEDIATELY! thing, they have done it to me too. i too look up stuff for myself so i can be better informed so i can make a pain of myself in their... by asking a boatload of questions! hope you get it all worked out and hey this is the place for us to vent and share so please don't apologize for that! we are all sisters going thru similar situations at least we can offer understanding to each other!

thank you so much, i am waiting for the dr to call me back now. I appreciate all of you and your advice and kind words.

hugs,
paige

Paige,
Another thing I would suggest is seeing a endocrinologist which specialize in thyroid issues. Rheumatologists specialize in rheumatology and are not as knowlegable as dr.s who specialize in thyroid issues....I know its a pain to see a new dr. but truely, this is your life we are dealing with. A GP or rheumy does not know nearly as much as say, a psychiatrist if a person with lupus is having anxiety, panic attacks, depression, etc. They will just prescribe a generic drug for it which may not be the right one for you. It doesnt work for the person, they stop taking it, when in fact there are other drugs and combinations that WOULD work for that person...This is just an example of how you really need to see specialists for certain issues. Has your rheumy not suggested you see an endocrinologist?

Are your symptoms better today on the lower dose. Hope you do feel better. I hate taking meds too but have come to terms that in order to live as well as possible, I have to be on them. Im paranoid of starting new drugs and now freaking out over the tylenol and vicodin I have to take. So, I totally understand your hatred of meds.
hugs
Melissa

Hey Melissa, I am doing ok today..just in bed, can't go in the light, still no appetite, still dizzy, still migrane (more like a deep presure when I move it) still blurred vision and pain in my eyes.

I talked to the nurse at my rheumy's office, I am going in for a new blood test today and told her I cut my pill in half...I am finding that they know nothing about THYROID ISSUES. I have never heard of an ENDOCRINOLOGIST, ever....why would no dr.s tell me about that? My rheumy has never suggested I go and see any other dr.s nor has my past general dr.s. I just learned on this site....that is why i finally took control and found some other dr.s for my other issues (as you suggested). I have seen the eye dr. need glasses and see the dermatologist today.

I am also getting a copy of all my medical records for me, I am just feeling like my rheumy does not really care.

Thanks again for your advice and support. I hope you are doing well.

hugs,
paige

Hi Paige....I am stunned that your dr. did NOT refer you to an endocrinologist who SPECIALIZES in thyroid issues!!! Im sad to say that it is probably because HE (your doctor) wants to make more money off of you then to send you to someone else to give money to. Shocking. Rheumies know about Rheumatological issues. They are not the ones to treat neurological issues (unless the neuro gives them exact directions on what to give you), thyroid issues, psychiatric issues, etc. because they do not see enough of that particular problem to specialize in it and know exactly what works for that person (Im sure there may be a few dr.s who are very knowlegable in everything but they are few and far between). You are new to this, so dont feel bad...Alot of us have a team of doctors that all know what is going on with us. My GP has all my Rheumies records, my rheumy has all my neuro records, etc. They are all on the same page and help us in a different way.

Please make an appointment with an endocrinologist because if you are taking thyroid medication it has to be monitored closely. Your thyroid is a major hormone producer of our bodies and can cause severe problems if it is not treated properly. Too much synthroid, for example can damadge the thyroid further. Dont freak out but I would stay on the lower dose until you see an endo. Im glad that you at least realized that your rheumy isnt familiar with Thyroid issues and you will get the proper care you need.
Hugs
Melissa