Sorry another question. I was just reading some posts and saw that someone mentioned that they were very sensitive to light. Any bright lights have always bother me a lot. Sometimes I need to go into a dark room with the blinds, and two sets of curtains closed just to feel better. Does this have to do with the adrenals? I have been trying to find out why I have such a problem with the lights for so long. Does it physically hurt in the back of your eyes as well as make you feel terrible?

Thanks.

NinjaMother, I am so sorry that you are dealing with all these issues. Many of us understand how challenging it is to get the correct diagnosis for our health problems. When I was first diagnosed I had very bad thyroid tests. My endo did not want to start me on thyroid meds because I also tested with extremely high ACTH levels and very low cortisol levels. She said if she treated the thyroid before the Addison's I would get worse. After two weeks on the steroids for AD, my thyroid levels were retested. The results were very normal thyroid levels. When any of the endocrine glands are compromised other glands will work harder to keep your body going, that is the reason she waited to see my new thyroid levels.
I don't know if this helps you at all but just my experience.

What your describing about the lights bothering you sounds like what we call a "silent" migraine. You have the symptoms of the migraine but not the pain. If it's really bad, it can take a few days to completely recover from this physically. My migraines went from just occasional to daily after I had Addison's. It would be good if you could see an eye doctor first, then a neurologist to try to find out what is happening.

I agree with everything that Webber has said. Good luck in your search for an answer. I was dx with Addison's and hypothyroidism at the same time 17 years ago..

I'm very sensitive to light as well and have been for years. Come to find out I have Chrinic Lyme disease, any other symptoms?

Chronic Lyme disease that is

There is a big discussion going on about Lyme disease and being hypothyroid on the hypothyroidism site right now. Lots of links and info if you want it.

Thank you all for your comments. It's been hard trying just to get on and focus my mind. I do better at night, but then I am having to take care of my kids.

I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia 30 years ago when my glucose went down to 26, but I had it since I was a small child. I have learned to deal with it with diet.

Many times in the day I have to lie down, not sleep, just lie down flat. When I am upright I too long I start to feel weaker and weaker until I just cant stay upright any longer.

When I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism the doctor didn't check anything else. Just put me on levothyroxine which over time I deteriated more and more until I took myself off of it, because I couldn't take the problems that it caused any more.

here are my some of my symptoms:

When I take thyroid medicine:
-Get extremely tired. The longer I was on the medicine at 100mcg the more tired I got. Fell asleep on the couch in the evening, then kids woke me up to go to bed.
-was extremely thirsty and urinated with urgency all day long.
-skin is extremely dry
-low blood pressure (sometimes in the 70s/40s)
-get chilled to the bone cold (low body temp. 95s or 96s)
-thyroid hurts, becomes stiff and swells
-get brain fog
-gain weight
-constipated (not always too badly)
-hair falls out more and more the longer I am on the medicine
-heart pounds
-cant sweat or shed tears (dry eyes)

When I dont take thyroid medicine:
Good things:
-dont fall asleep all the time (But get tired from being wound up)
-thirst and urination become normal
-skin is normal
-low blood pressure, but not as low (stays in the 80s/50s occasionally in the 90s)
-body temperature more normal (97.4-98)
-thyroid returns to normal size, doesnt hurt, not stiff
-brain fog much less
-hair doesnt fall out much and starts growing back including eyebrows
-lose weight much easier
-sweat and eyes can tear


General problems:
-Have difficulty getting over high stress situations
-Brain racing
-have problems with bright lights (do better in the dim light)
-charlie horses
-loose stools
-hypoglycemia
-painful bowel movements when I eat any carbs
-itchy skin
-dizziness

Have you considered that you might have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease? About half of your problems could be caused by a gluten intolerance. Those are loose stools, painful BM with carbs, itchy skin and dizziness.

The first half of your symptoms sound like your adrenals aren't working as good as they should. Also the brain fog and low blood pressure. You should have the test for Addison's. You might need steroids or perhaps you could see a naturopath doctor and get adrenal support. Once you start steroids it is usually for life. But if you do test positive there is a lot you can do to feel better that the doctors don't know or don't tell you. Those of us living with the disease can help you.

I got Addison's and hypothyroidism from being undiagnosed with celiac disease, and a 10-13 year period of really high stress that burned out my adrenals. The test for celiac is only 40% accurate. The best way is to go gluten free for 90 days, then slowly reintroduce gluten. If it makes you sick then you shouldn't have it. My GI doctor did a blood test, I carry the DNA gene for celiac. I've given it to both my boys. I've felt so much better getting off gluten.

I find your symptoms from the thyroid meds really strange. I've never seen that before. You might want to post that on the hypothyroidism site. They know a lot more than I do about thyroid.

I hope this helps. Sorry it's so long. Hope you'll be feeling better soon.

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for your post. Actually I have been gluten free for 8 years now and it did help a lot.

I took the same lists to my doctor who was also confused about my reaction to thyroid medicine and is going to look into it. Finally, someone listened to me. But I wanted to post on here since it seems that the people living with these problems day to day know a lot more than the doctors do.

Darla, I think that I will bring up Lyme disease next time I see my doctor. I don't think it is, though, because my youngest daughter is exactly like me. My other kids say I gave birth to my clone. They are the ones that noticed that she seems to have hypoglycemia after observing that she acts the same as me with food and moods. So I believe it is something probably genetic.

Typically have pain really bad fatigue too with it and I have to agree that doesn't sound like ur problem. Really strange though that synthroid didn't help u. Have u ever tried natural form of thryroid med like nature thyroid? My thryroid and adrenal prob r all from Lyme. Lynn what sites r those? Thanks ninja mother best wishes too u, I sure hope u get answers. God bless

Hi Darla, you go to the Hypothyroidism support group. The Lyme discussions are on page 2. Here are the name of the two posts. The posts are really long. " Hotze Saved Me" and "Lyme and Hypothyroidism" . Good luck.

I forgot to tell you, once at the support group click on the heading above the posts says "View All". That will give you access to page two at the bottom of the post.

Thanks Lynn, I went to Hotze, unfortunately didn't save me, thanks for info

Did you get that 71/40 reading at the Dr's office? Any readings under 90/60 are worrisome because then you are hypo-tensive and prone to fainting.