Hi, Gordos4, and welcome to the group. I'm sorry you have so much pain going on, but we understand, so vent anytime. People here are very supportive and we learn a lot from each other.

We're glad you're here.

Lynn

Hi! Welcome..
Sorry to hear you are in so much pain..
I m wondering what are your levels in correlation with pain?
I have Graves' disease and when my levels are high, the joint pain is ridiculous.
You may be able to get some useful info on Graves' disease support group forum here as well. I know it is not the same, but basically it is an autoimmune disorder like mine. I learned so much about controlling hypo and hyper .
Hope you feel better soon!!!!!

I have no idea what those things are but sorry your pain is up so high...welcome to the group...we are here to be in your corner...hugs

Thank you for your replies. I called the doctor AGAIN, because I was in so much pain, I only slept an hour last night. He is letting me take 5mg predisone for 2 weeks, like that's going to make it magically disappear.
Hashimotos is an underactive thyroid auto immune disease. I had 1/2 my thyroid removed a year ago & it threw me into a tail spin. When you have Hashis or Graves, it can cause secondary AUD, which PMR is one. It involves a lot of inflammation, joint pain, etc. I cant get comfortable no matter how I position my body. It takes up to 2 years to get it under control, but my MD thinks it only takes a few months. Time to find an internist or another endo, the one I was going to was a total quack & almost killed me last fall. I hate the medical profession.

Oh, I completely understand you there!!
I feel like my endocrine guy thinks I m crazy.

Welcome, sorry you are in such pain. Steroids are very hard on the body. Sounds like a new doctor or at least a second opinion might be helpful.

Vent anytime. We are here.

Gordos,

Hi, sorry you're dealing with so much. Your Dr. isn't just being a jerk, using Corticosteriods for long periods of time can cause several nasty side effects. Most Dr.'s who have patients that need them rotate cycles of use, i.e. several weeks of use, then a period of months off, etc. The side effects of long term use are all pretty serious and cause you more problems than the ones your already dealing with. It can be difficult to find that right balance of healthy/helpful steroid use and the side effect dangers.

Have you talked to your Dr. about a rotation schedule for the Steroids and perhaps changing the Lyrica to one of the other medications in that class and see if changing might give you more relief? There are a few in that group, such as Neurontin and Cymbalta, sometimes just giving your body a new or different substance kickstarts the relief.

I know steroids seem like they are helping, but long term steroids can and will make your illness worse. Long term steroid use causes adrenal insufficiency which then leads to multi system issues including hypothyroidism ( which you are already struggling with) and arthralgia.. It is a vicious cycle.
I almost want say - have you tried talking with a rheumatologist and a naturopath?
There has to be a way to help you with pain and have you feel better.
I am So sorry you are struggling. Hope
Today will be a good day for you !

Thank you all & you are right. I just feel SO much better when Im taking the steroids, I didn't think of the long-term use. I woke up this morning feeling better than I have in months. Up until about 3 years ago, I was healthy as a horse. I exercised like crazy, & now I find out that may have been part of the cause..Now Im in so much pain & so depressed, I don't exercise anymore. That in itself is depressing too. It is a vicious cycle, you are all right. I know it could be worse, I need to remember that also.

Gosh, I wish there was something I could do to help you.. It is so hard to live in pain.. There are some natural antiinflammatory substances which do not kill your adrenals and support your immune system, but I would not want to recommend them to you , because I am not a doctor.. All Of your meds and conditions need to be taken into consideration..
One thing that is absolutely horrible for autoimmune disease is sugar. Coffee is also bad for adrenals.
The good stuff are tumeric ( I take mine in capsules) , ginger, and for hypothyroid is sea kelp capsules. Green tea is thought to be a powerful antioxidant and can also help with inflammation. I have capsules and I drink tons of tea as well.
Idk if this is my genes or what but I have no arthritis and no high cholesterol, likely due to my diet.
Hope you will be feeling better soon!! Xo

Thank you Aronia. My diet could probably be better. I have a horrible sweet tooth, but have managed to keep that under control, until the depression hits me. I take all the recommended herbal supplements including Tumeric. I also have taken kelp capsules. I have suspected that I have adrenal deficiency for quite awhile. I am going to ask the doctor about different meds for inflammation. I drink a lot of tea also, & gave up coffee quite a few months ago. I miss it! lol

Oh.. I know what you mean... About the coffee.
I found that green mountain Black Magic pods are delicious and decaf.
I love it.