Not Thyoid?!!!!!

lfly
lfly Member Posts: 50
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I read a post by someone here a few days ago but i can't remember which one it was. Talked about being so tired and it was a thyroid problem. I had mine checked but it is okay. I have had night sweats, terrible hair loss(it's been 1 1/2 years since i had chemo), weight gain, fatigue and insomnia,slow processing(my saying-I can't hear as fast as you speak), terribly cold(take a jacket everywhere) and craving salt bad enough to pour it in mouth like when i was a kid. I went on computer when told it was not thyroid and found that some women show normal readings for that test but may have "adrenal fatigue". Usually stress related. I took the profile test and i do treat myself good to take care of stress. I don't eat correctly enough to repair adrenals. I drink too much coffee and a drink gatorade about 3 or 4 times a week which previous Onc. told me to do. Gatorade is not good for fixing adrenal glands try a vegetable drink like V-8 and herbal tea.

Thank you to whoever wrote that post. I was told by previous Onc. to live with it that there was nothing wrong. When my hair started coming out i wanted answers. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

If anyone knows more about this please let me know.

You ladies are great and i thank you again.

Comments

  • kbc4869
    kbc4869 Member Posts: 159
    Hi Ifly -- it was me, and you're very welcome.

    This is interesting info. My levels were only slightly increased, so they put me on the lowest doseage of meds for it about 10 days ago. I have yet to feel any effects (I'm going to bed at 8:00 every night just so I can function at work). Doc is on vacation, so I can't get in until next week. I will bring this point up to her. Maybe something else is at play here. Thanks for sharing this info.

    Hope you feel better soon!
    Kim
  • lfly
    lfly Member Posts: 50
    kbc4869 said:

    Hi Ifly -- it was me, and you're very welcome.

    This is interesting info. My levels were only slightly increased, so they put me on the lowest doseage of meds for it about 10 days ago. I have yet to feel any effects (I'm going to bed at 8:00 every night just so I can function at work). Doc is on vacation, so I can't get in until next week. I will bring this point up to her. Maybe something else is at play here. Thanks for sharing this info.

    Hope you feel better soon!
    Kim

    Thanks kbc4869,

    There was alot more on the website about causes and solutions. I first went to www.ask.com and then chose a source.

    My Onc. told me, when i called with this new info., to try the changes suggested by the site and let them know how it helps when i come back. They know i don't want anymore pills than necessary.

    I've cut back on coffee and everything with gluten in it. No more gatorade for me either. I bought sea salt but haven't used it yet.

    Thank you again. I've been given a new hope that maybe i'm not really brain damaged. I have brown hair but even my blonde friends are now asking me if my natural hair color is blonde. We LOL.

    I hope you find the answers your looking for. I'll use e-mail next time.

    Love and hugs,lorie
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    You might see if a consultation with an endicrinologist (hormone doctor) might be able to determine what is off. Craving salt can be a sign of Addison's Disease and maybe a few other diseases. Rather than jump to a conclusion, go see the doctor and get tested. By the way, Ritalin has been used to increase processing ability in chemo brain patients with some success. But before you self diagnose, take your symptoms to an expert who is not just a cancer doctor. Just because you had cancer doesn't mean you can't have something else wrong as well. Good luck!
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    I was just diagnosed with graves disease, most likely caused by rapid menopause due to chemo. My symptoms were muscle aches, tired, jittery and very nervous. I went to an endocrinologist who made the diagnosis. He told me to stop all the caffeine, don't use salt with iodine, so I am now using sea salt, and drinking decaf everything. It has helped, and I was put on meds. It might be worth going to an endo, since they do a more complete thyroid study than your regular dr would. Hugs, Lili
  • lfly
    lfly Member Posts: 50

    I was just diagnosed with graves disease, most likely caused by rapid menopause due to chemo. My symptoms were muscle aches, tired, jittery and very nervous. I went to an endocrinologist who made the diagnosis. He told me to stop all the caffeine, don't use salt with iodine, so I am now using sea salt, and drinking decaf everything. It has helped, and I was put on meds. It might be worth going to an endo, since they do a more complete thyroid study than your regular dr would. Hugs, Lili

    Thanks again for your reply's.

    Don't think this new diet is working for me. I'm even more tired. Barely functioning.

    Monday I will make some phone calls. This is ridiculous. I felt better physically while doing chemo.
  • After reading Kim's post, I asked my onc. to test my thyroid. She said it was easy to do and ordered a thyroid test along with my other blood work. If any of you worry about this, I think doing a thyroid test with each blood draw makes for a quick, easy solution. Mine seems to be okay, but I will continue watching. Thanks for the good information. Best wishes, Ifly. I also have changed my diet. love, Joyce