My name is Julie. I have many things wrong with me ...

Hi Julie,

I would like to help you sort through what may be going on with you physically, but first I need to ask some questions.

Let's start with what is affecting your entire body and that is the hypothyroidism. When were you diagnosed with that? Do you know what your lab test results were and if so would you post it? How long have you been on thyroid hormone and what is the dosage? Hypothyroidism can cause high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, headaches and joint pain.

Have you had any heart tests done? If so, what were the results?

Do you have a history of migraines prior to what is going on now? What has the doctor said about the migraines?

How is your inner ear dysfunction being treated? This inner ear problem can definitely cause vertigo, hearing loss, and possibly headaches.

What does your OB/GYN say about your pelvic pain? Is this pain like menstrual cramps? Are you back to having regular cycles since the birth of your last baby?

How long have you been experiencing the lower back pain? Do you have a history of this prior to what has been going on the last few months?

The stress from your physical problems right now coupled with the demands of being a mommy to three little ones, could be causing some anxiety which could be another explanation for the heart palpitations, chest pain and tightness.

One more question: do you have a primary care physician who is "looking at the big picture" with you?

If you can answer the above questions, it would help me get a better idea of how to answer your questions.

Edited by vickyb61 on October 18 2006 at 9:06am

__________________
Vicky B. RN

If my answer was helpful to you, please click the "Accept" button. If you would like additional information, please choose "Reply" and I will be glad to help you further.

My thyroid was tested almost 2 months ago and came out at 33.96. My antibodies were 116. A year ago my thyroid was at 1.66. I am on 50 MCG of synthroid. I had an EKG done that came back fine. I had an ultrasound done on my heart that said I have mild regurgitation on both sides. My vaginal ultrasounds revealed pelvic varices both ovaries, and my left ovary looked to have some sort of cyst. I never had any of these things prior to my 3rd pregnancy. My ENT did nothing about my inner ear problem. My migraines only got worse after this pregnancy. I don't now what the white matter is on my MRI. My back pain I could probably link to have kids and picking them up. But it is constant. My joint pains are in different places at different times. Mostly in my leg above me knee, my shoulders, and my hands. Sometimes I can't open a water bottle. I have TMJ, the lock jaw. I am under weight. Alays had a hard time gaining weight. I am 31 years old, 5'2, and weigh 99 lbs. Being that I had 3 kids within 4 years and a hypothyroid I would've thought to be able to gain something.

You have been on only 50 mcg of Synthroid for two months and have not had your TSH retested? It sounds like you need to be retested as soon as possible to see whether or not you are taking enough Synthroid. You most likely need an increase in your dosage. After each increase you need to be retested 4 to 6 weeks later. It may take a year to find your best dosage and get your thyroid blood levels stable so you need to stay assertive about getting tested. I know you feel awful and don't feel like being assertive but I can tell you from personal experience that when your thyroid is not working properly it will effect every part of you, including your brain. It will make your joints achy, cause headaches, cause you to have what hypothyroid people call "brain fog" where you just can't think straight, make your heartrate increase abnormally on exertion,and increase your cholesterol and blood pressure. You can feel better but it takes the right dosage and time. You want your TSH level to be below 3.0 and maybe even lower depending on how you feel. Your normal level of 1.66 a year ago was good.

You don't have to gain weight with Hypothyroidism, although that is more common than not gaining weight. Some people go for a very long time with a slowly developing thyroid disease and aren't diagnosed until months or even years after the onset of the disease. Your thyroid disease could have been diagnosed before you got to the point of gaining a lot of weight which is quite common with women in whom pregnancy triggered the onset.

You've mentioned your heart had mild regurgitation on both sides. Was that mitral valve and aortic valve regurgitation? What did the doctor say about that?

What has your OB/GYN said about your pelvic varicies? Has he or she discussed any treatment options?

The ENT doctor should have told you the cause of your inner ear problem and discussed treatment. There are several common causes for inner ear dysfunction including an acute or chronic infection, a Eustachian tube dysfuntion, or allergies, all of which are treatable. It would be a good idea to call the ENT and request a diagnosis and treatment for your inner ear. If you don't get any help there, request your medical records and go somewhere else.

It makes sense that your migraines are worse now. Not only are you under a lot of stress caring for your three babies, you have three other things going on that will cause you more headaches: hypothyroidism, inner ear problems and TMJ. I'm impressed you can even type coherently with all the pain you must be experiencing!

Have you seen a dentist about your TMJ?

As far as your low back goes, you may have a bulging disc from three pregnancies or some other stress such as a fall or strain. Bulging discs are very common and are usually diagnosed with an MRI and are treated with physical therapy. Surgery is a last resort. Part of your low back pain could also be from the pelvic pain you are experiencing.

One more question: Are you getting any sleep?

I suggest you do the following:

• Have your thyroid levels checked as soon as possible. Ask the lab tech who draws your blood when the results will be in and call back instead of waiting for them to call you. If your TSH is still elevated, ask your doctor for an increase in your Synthroid dose. After the increase, have your levels rechecked within 4 to 6 weeks.
• Make sure you are taking your current dose of Synthroid correctly: take one hour before or three hours after a meal on an empty stomach with plenty of water, do not take with calcium or iron as these may interfere with absorption, take it everyday. (I keep mine in the bathroom with a small cup and take it the first thing every morning. It is at least 45 minutes later until I eat breakfast.)
• Find out exactly what kind of regurgitation your heart was having. Ask the doctor for treatment options. For mitral valve prolapse, which is a common cause of regurgitation, it is important that you keep yourself well hydrated in order to feel better. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Ask your doctor about the treatment for pelvic varicies.
• Call the ENT and ask for a specific diagnosis and treatment. It is possible you need an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory to clear up any inner ear infection you might have.
• You can get help from your dentist for your TMJ. You could also try a mouth guard called Sleep Right that you can purchase at a drug store. Here is a description of it: http://www.splintek.com/advance.html
• Ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist for your back pain. You could see an orthopedist and have an MRI done, if you feel you need to. Perhaps trying some low back exercises first would help while you are deciding. A physical therapist is better at helping with low back pain than a chiropractor. Here is a web page on three low back pain exercises that PT's recommend that you can start doing now: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/0000/0047.asp?index=4372
• Sleep is very important but I know it is not easy to come by for mommys. Try to get as much sleep as you can. Sleep is really critical for the body to heal itself from daily wear and tear. Sleep deprivation can lead to physical aches and pains.

I know that you have so much going on. I see that you have probably seen 4 or 5 doctors and that no one is really coordinating all of your care. It would be ideal if you could gather all your medical records from every source and find a good internist to help you with pulling together your over all care.

Please let me know if I can be of further help to you.

__________________
Vicky B. RN

If my answer was helpful to you, please click the "Accept" button. If you would like additional information, please choose "Reply" and I will be glad to help you further.

Ok, I have more results for you. I did have my thyroid rechecked. My TSH level is 4.33. But my antibodies are still high (76) I also have a new elevation level for you. I was also tested for heavy metal toxins and aluminum. I have a high level of aluminum in my blood. The level is 32, and norm is under 10. Funny, my husband has the same thing. The back pain I had an x-ray done to reveal nothing but a slight curvature of the spine. The regurgitation is the mitral valve prolapse....I drink lots of water on a daily basis. The pelvic varices he said I can get an MRI done of the pelvic area. Could I possibly have something wrong with my kidneys?? I don't know if I mentioned this, but I have 2 children out of 3 that have abnormal kidneys. My first has a pelvic kidney, and me last has a left ectopic kidney. I know kidneys are the main function of secreting toxins out of your body. What do you know about aluminum poisoning and why do my husband and I have the same thing?? He also has low thyroid and high levels of aluminum (29).

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