leg pain

[sidpb]

Originally Posted by Andros

You are a real funny bunny, MrGraves and we sure love a sense of humor around here!

Hah! If I told you I never graduated from the 10th. grade; would you believe that? No, I am not a doctor. Just a person much like who has stived to better my life. You might say I am one of God's many little miracles!!

Here is some info for you and anyone else who is reading this.

hypothyroidism — a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone — may cause peripheral neuropathy, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to your peripheral nerves — the nerves that carry information between your brain and spinal cord and the rest of your body, such as your arms and legs. Peripheral neuropathy is often caused by diabetes and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. But it may also be caused by other conditions, such as severe, long-term untreated hypothyroidism. The association between hypothyroidism and peripheral neuropathy isn't fully understood.

Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include pain, numbness and tingling in the area affected by the nerve damage. It may also cause muscle weakness or loss of muscle control.

Treatment of peripheral neuropathy due to hypothyroidism is directed at the underlying hypothyroidism.

The above is also true when hyper. As a matter of fact it is usually far worse w/ hyperthyroid.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/AN01038

I have noticed when I get nervous my arms from my elbow down start to go tingle and my thumbs suck in to my hand. This is especially a problem because I Barrel Race and if you can't grip the horn you will fall off, and unfortunately that's when I get the most nervous. However I'm hyper not hypo. Could it be sometimes it runs the other way? I have also notices my eyes have days when the obviously look like TAD is starting in (especially the right one) and others when they look perfectly fine. My husband notices it too. My uptake test was 89% at 4 hours.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by sidpb

I am having the surgery. I go see the surgeon tomorrow (Monday). I would like it ASAP. This is really screwing up my life. The first thing I noticed was I had to start dropping my weights because I couldn't lift as much... that was several months ago. Then I started loosing weight, which really didn't bother me, lol! Eventually tho, I started getting shaky and out of breath when just climbing the stairs. By this time I had given up on exercise and rarely wanted to ride my horses. Usually after I did I was so muscle sore I could hardly move my legs or back for a day or so. I'm a hairdresser so I need to be able to move. My calves started hurting about the same time I started dropping my weights. My grandson would come by and just touch my lower leg and it would hurt. I'm irritable, itchy, the muscles are hanging off my arms and legs like a 90 year old and I'm so weak. This is hard to take for me because I have always been a strength trainer and enjoyed being fairly active and strong even with my small stature. I have never been ill like this a day in my life. I currently take Propranolol (3 in the morning and 3 at night) to try to help with the symptoms. I doesn't seem to help the muscle wasting but does help a little with the shaking and irregular heart beat. I can't take anymore than that and it still doesn't take many of the symptoms away. Is that enough whining, or would you like more, lol!

Believe it or not, this is called faux Myastenia Gravis. You have all the clinical signs but not the antibodies to it. I had the same. I could not take a breath for the muscles supporting the lungs were weakening, had bladder and uterus prolapse, could not stand up or take a few stairs. I had to do everything sitting down. I thought I had MS; truly.

I am full out today; I lift heavy weights (for a woman), do 4.5 and 6 miles cardio per day and really kick some butt at the gym. I am 67 now. There has been permanent organ damage but for the most part, I am doing excellent so hang tough. You will get better.

Yea, yea................get that sucker out. If I could do it over, I would never go on anti-thyroid meds. I would go straight on to surgery. Glad you have opted for that route instead of RAI for a couple of reasons. Good for you.

Let us know what's up after you see the surgeon if you will?

[sidpb]

I sure will. I have already started compiling my questions. Hopefully he will be a little more knowledgeable about this disease than my GP. I would have gone to an Endocrinologist but he was several weeks out and I just want to start my way back to normal as soon as possible. Thank you for your help and being a good listener too. My husband thinks I'm whacked I'm sure!

[Andros]

Originally Posted by sidpb

I sure will. I have already started compiling my questions. Hopefully he will be a little more knowledgeable about this disease than my GP. I would have gone to an Endocrinologist but he was several weeks out and I just want to start my way back to normal as soon as possible. Thank you for your help and being a good listener too. My husband thinks I'm whacked I'm sure!

Give this to hubby......

Letter for families of Grave's patients......
http://home.rica.net/deecee/information.htm

We are here for you; anytime.....................

[nasdaqphil]

Is there an actual test for Myastenia Gravis?

My doctor didn't seem to think there was anything specific but a group of symptoms were required for a dx.

I have mentioned MS to my doctor a thousand times. I think it's unlikely or at least I hope so since I have known thyroid trouble (what would be the odds?)

One of my biggest complaints is what I call muscle ratcheting. When I feel hyper my joints between large muscle groups feel like they ratchet - in other words, when "it" comes on I can't seem to bend my arm in a smooth, even movement but rather a series of ratchet-like clicks - it's the oddest thing - happens to my legs too. Then of course there is the very obvious ptosis or eyelid drooping - it's ALWAYS my left eye only.

Was wondering if anyone knew of specific tests for it so I can ask the doc - rulle out yet one more thing hopefully.

[tbudke]

I recentley came upon this Forum that gives you so much information about Thyroid issues. You may find some information helpful.
http://thyroid.about.com/od/hyperthy..._Condition.htm

thyroid.about.com has a wealth of information.

[Andros]

Originally Posted by nasdaqphil

Is there an actual test for Myastenia Gravis?

My doctor didn't seem to think there was anything specific but a group of symptoms were required for a dx.

I have mentioned MS to my doctor a thousand times. I think it's unlikely or at least I hope so since I have known thyroid trouble (what would be the odds?)

One of my biggest complaints is what I call muscle ratcheting. When I feel hyper my joints between large muscle groups feel like they ratchet - in other words, when "it" comes on I can't seem to bend my arm in a smooth, even movement but rather a series of ratchet-like clicks - it's the oddest thing - happens to my legs too. Then of course there is the very obvious ptosis or eyelid drooping - it's ALWAYS my left eye only.

Was wondering if anyone knew of specific tests for it so I can ask the doc - rulle out yet one more thing hopefully.

A special blood test can detect the presence of immune molecules or acetylcholine receptor antibodies. Most patients with myasthenia gravis have abnormally elevated levels of these antibodies. However, antibodies may not be detected in patients with only ocular forms of the disease.

The complete low-down here.......
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/m....htm#139173153

Yep; the joints are badly affected also as well as the muscles. Sounds like a "delayed transmission" of sorts. Oh, that eye twitch. It used to drive me up a wall!! Yep; you sure do have Graves'. In my mind, there is absolutely no question of it.

My suggestion would be to firstly treat the thyroid! Then if any issues remain 18 months later, address them. Unlikely that you have MS given what we with Graves' are going through. Our whole bodies are wrecked. Who would have ever thought?

[sidpb]

So I went to the surgeon today. He said my pituitary gland was not even trying to function (0.005) as my thyroid was pumping way too much into my system (sorry, don't know what the other levels are). He said I needed to work with an endocrinologist to get my thyroid under control so he could remove it as it was too dangerous to remove right now, BUMMER!! I also went to an Ophthalmologist and he said there was slight swelling behind my eyes but nothing to worry about yet. HOWEVER, the surgeon said when they did the ultrasound on my thyroid they found a mass just under my collar bone that is pushing on my thyroid and they don't know what it is
So I go in tomorrow for a CT to see if they can figure it out... he mentioned the "C" word, YIKES!!!

I was hoping it was causing the problems with my thyroid but he said no, it was an unrelated problem. He said it did not "light up" with the uptake test.

Now I'm scared...

[MrGraves]

sibpb Ill be praying for you.

[sidpb]

Thank you MrGraves, and I for you...