Medically I can't help you as I have just started my meds, but I suffer with depression,which is quite good at the moment. But if I dont have to go to work or do stuff for my kids I seem to spend most of my time in my room,sleeping or just chilling. I can't seem to motivate myself to do something for me. Busy shops etc just seem too much to deal with,too much effort etc.
I have mild anxiety,but I don't think that's what stops me. It's very difficult to explain, although there are things I would like to do,I prefer to do nothing much and then feel bad about it.
I feel like a freak,most people I meet in life despite their illnesses still get up and do 'stuff' during the day. I can be sociable, but I force myself to be. I wonder what other people do during the day.....I want to start the gym again,taking it easy,but I can't make myself go.....
So yes I think I relate..
I have been like this for a few years,although sometimes it can get better for while. I am desperate to feel ok and live like the average person,I just can't make myself.
As this is unusual for you I expect it will pass and hopefully someone else can give you meds advice.. Good luck. x

I always feel withdrawn when my thyroid levels are off. Sometimes I can go for days without wanting to go anywhere. I think it's a combination of lack of energy, mental fog, and the anxiety I often feel when I'm having more thyroid problems.

I recently read a book that made me feel a lot better about this stuff - it talks about the mental and emotional effects that thyroid problems can create. It's called The Thyroid Solution by Ridha Arem M.D.

I am going to mention it to my doctor again. I was not like this before I started synthroid so I am starting to think it has caused it. I was not like this until the last of October 2010. It stinks and I hope it clears up soon! Thyroid problems def. effect the mental aspect of things! Thanks guys!

Hoped your doctor also checked the Free T4 since your replacement med is a T4 med and needs to be dosed according to this. The TSH lags several behind and does not get dosed by any meds.

Hope you feel better soon.

{{{hugs}}}

Yes when hypo I get socially with drawn. A bit of agoraphobia.

yup. I do what I call 'hiding in my cave'...just want to curl up on the couch with a book, not very talkative, don't have the will to make the effort to go out, etc. My social life and my appetite are the first things to go!

Thanks Marit! Will it get better and go away???

Barbell, you didn't get your social life back when you went on Armour?

I notice certain things when I start feeling rough, like no appetite or wanting to go anywhere. And then when they start coming back, it's a sign to me that I'm probably getting back to normal.

For example, today I got a noodle bowl from the restaurant across from work for lunch. It was the first time in over 3 weeks that I actually wanted something particular and went and got it. I've been eating very little and have lost 15 pounds, which I can afford as I'm a big girl, but it's still not a healthy thing in 2 weeks! So i'd been making myself eat something because I knew I had too, but not a lot. Today signalled that maybe I was starting to perk up again.

Socially, I have to push myself when I'm feeling a little better to just make the effort to say *sure, let's go to a movie* or whatnot, but once I do, it gets easier and easier and I tend to have fun. Baby steps! I told a friend I would go to a movie next weekend, and am going for coffee with another one later this week. The fact that I can accept even little invitations like that and not obsess over whether I'll feel able is a big deal!

I'm like that now because of all the damn symptoms that have made me feel very self conscious about my appearance.

Marit, your last paragraph is something I need to start doing. I have, but I realize I only go out with people who KNOW I haven't been feeling well, and who know me and what's been going on. If someone else, someone i'm not close to, asks me to hang out, I usually decline because I'm afraid they'll think i'm a freak! I act differently now. I know i'm so much different than i was in highschool. I have to focus harder on conversations and sometimes I don't pay attention or I start to think about something else. It's embarrrasing and it makes the other person think I don't care!

Wow - so many similarities and I thought it was just me..but like many others, prior to diagnosis I thought I was going crazy! It's an effort (in my own mind) but yeah, I have fun once I am out and "away from myself". We can get into our little worlds and it does make a "world of difference" to get out even if it means pushing yourself. It doesn't have to be anything big or even anything planned, but just OUT. Get out of your own routine and even a little out of your comfort zone. This is all needed for personal growth and I feel so much better when I get home! I just don't feel that isolated and some people are aware of my health concerns and some aren't and I don't know if that is even important...just push yourself a little for something that can be so very positive!

If your tsh was a 4 and your doc decreased your dose, that's probably the problem. You have to find out your Free levels, that's what counts, I bet yours are low. As far as anxiety and panic attacks, a LOT of people get those when hypo, not hyper, the symptoms cross over. The brain fog, the withdrawal from social things, all HYPO. Find out your frees. Please don't say he doesn't test these, some docs are out of the dark ages and don't. You need these done.

Brans- My doctor does test those. I had them done today, along with a lot of other tests so I will post them when I get the results. Do those symptoms get better or go away when the levels get balanced?

That is what I do Barbell. Yes stress can really suppress the thyroid hormones as well as heavy dieting. Being in the hospital and maybe other things we don't know about.