Nervous about being hypothyroid... Any advice?

Thyrogue

Hi,

I got my papillary diagnosis in early April and had my thyroidectomy in mid-May. My first scan is scheduled for the end of this month, so I will stop taking my Cytomel next week. I'm nervous about the symptoms of being very hypothyroid, and the only information that I can seem to find on the subject just discusses how to treat hypothyroidism with Synthroid. I know that everyone's body is different, but does anyone have any advice or tricks on how treat the fatigue, constipation, hair loss, etc. during that time? How was your experience going through your hypothyroid period?

Thanks for your help & insight!

- Thyrogue

FCT2010

Like you said, it is different for everyone. I got tired, but not every day, so I took naps when I needed them. You are not supposed to drive when you are severely hypo, but I was able to drive myself around, even to my RAI appt (last week on 7/1/10). I didn't really start to feel really lethargic until after I had my RAI dose. My ENDO instructed me to start taking Levoxyl 48 hours after RAI. The first day on it I felt a little more energy than the two days before, and now almost a week later my energy is coming back but slowly. Otherwise, I did get a bit irritable, didn't have problematic bowel movements, didn't really notice any change in my hair other than it seemed to do less of what I wanted it to do than normal.

Other possible factors - I'm 40, I wasn't on any other type of thyroid meds until after my second surgery, Cytomel (25mcg) for four weeks.

I think the best thing to do is to keep an open mind. You know what the symptoms are, but don't focus on them so much that they actually do happen to you. Might be a good idea to start preparing for the low-iodine diet now as well in case you do end up getting the worst of all the hypo symptoms.

Good Luck!

Thyrogue

FCT2010 said:

Like you said, it is different for everyone. I got tired, but not every day, so I took naps when I needed them. You are not supposed to drive when you are severely hypo, but I was able to drive myself around, even to my RAI appt (last week on 7/1/10). I didn't really start to feel really lethargic until after I had my RAI dose. My ENDO instructed me to start taking Levoxyl 48 hours after RAI. The first day on it I felt a little more energy than the two days before, and now almost a week later my energy is coming back but slowly. Otherwise, I did get a bit irritable, didn't have problematic bowel movements, didn't really notice any change in my hair other than it seemed to do less of what I wanted it to do than normal.

Other possible factors - I'm 40, I wasn't on any other type of thyroid meds until after my second surgery, Cytomel (25mcg) for four weeks.

I think the best thing to do is to keep an open mind. You know what the symptoms are, but don't focus on them so much that they actually do happen to you. Might be a good idea to start preparing for the low-iodine diet now as well in case you do end up getting the worst of all the hypo symptoms.

Good Luck!

Thanks
Thanks for the advice! I'm trying to prepare for the worst, but praying for the best.

skcalkins

Thyrogue said:

Thanks
Thanks for the advice! I'm trying to prepare for the worst, but praying for the best.

The worst for me was the
The worst for me was the muscle and joint pain. I had my surgery on May 6 and RAI on July 9th so I want total hypo. I did have to quit driving as it was hard to stay focused enough for me to feel safe about driving with my girls. I have slept alot and my snoring got really loud....lol. The hard part is having to rely on other people. If you can I would start preparing meals now. I didn't find this site till I was already pretty hypo. I can't wait till Monday when I can go back on my meds so I can get my energy back. Good luck hope this helps.

Thyrogue

skcalkins said:

The worst for me was the
The worst for me was the muscle and joint pain. I had my surgery on May 6 and RAI on July 9th so I want total hypo. I did have to quit driving as it was hard to stay focused enough for me to feel safe about driving with my girls. I have slept alot and my snoring got really loud....lol. The hard part is having to rely on other people. If you can I would start preparing meals now. I didn't find this site till I was already pretty hypo. I can't wait till Monday when I can go back on my meds so I can get my energy back. Good luck hope this helps.

Thanks
I was able to get a few low-iodine meals made up and put them in the freezer last night. I'll try to see if I can cook a few more before the weekend. Thanks for the advice & good wishes!

nasher

Thyrogue said:

Thanks
I was able to get a few low-iodine meals made up and put them in the freezer last night. I'll try to see if I can cook a few more before the weekend. Thanks for the advice & good wishes!

hypo...
myself i got rather lathargic and took lots of naps. I was able to drive fine i just was not able to do much besides go to work do work go home eat and sleep.

I also had some depression set in from being Hypo. It is only for a few weeks. It may help to find a support site near you or some people near you who have gone through this (myself i found 3 other people i already knew were thyroid cancer survivors)

I also found I was getting rather forgetfull during the time i was Hypo. I recomend lots of lists and pre cooking all the food you can for the time on the Low Iodine Diet. Spices are one of the things that made the LID survivable. You can find lots of spices that will make the food taset better out there that will not affect your low iodine diet.

Remember it is only for a short time.
Have friends and faimly help
You will beat this.

Good luck

weberdns

Had RAI in April
For me being hypo wasn't too bad. I worked until my RAI, drove until my RAI. I did go to bed earlier, andn some evenings had to skip activities as I was tired. For constipation I drank plenty of fluids, and used Miralax. I was able to take my Synthroid 72 hours after my treatment dose (but had a test dose 3 days before my treatment dose....no meds during that time). When I was in isolation with the RAI I got more tired, but still cooked my own meals, and walked around the yard during the day when nobody was home. There was some joint pain, and fatigue, but I took some ibuprofen and rested (right before my Synthroid dose I slept 14 hours...but was in isolation so it didn't matter!)Focus on what you CAN do and take steps to manage the things that bother you and you will be fine. Keep a positive attitude that this is uncomfortable, but that this treatment is going to cure you of this disease! Hugs.....you will get through this!

Thyrogue

weberdns said:

Had RAI in April
For me being hypo wasn't too bad. I worked until my RAI, drove until my RAI. I did go to bed earlier, andn some evenings had to skip activities as I was tired. For constipation I drank plenty of fluids, and used Miralax. I was able to take my Synthroid 72 hours after my treatment dose (but had a test dose 3 days before my treatment dose....no meds during that time). When I was in isolation with the RAI I got more tired, but still cooked my own meals, and walked around the yard during the day when nobody was home. There was some joint pain, and fatigue, but I took some ibuprofen and rested (right before my Synthroid dose I slept 14 hours...but was in isolation so it didn't matter!)Focus on what you CAN do and take steps to manage the things that bother you and you will be fine. Keep a positive attitude that this is uncomfortable, but that this treatment is going to cure you of this disease! Hugs.....you will get through this!

Thanks everyone!
Thanks for the input from everyone! I'm 2 days into the low-iodine diet now, and looking toward the "light at the end of the tunnel" in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your support!