As you know, those of you who have followed my posts here, I have had Meniere's since 2008 (first it was named cochlear hydrops) then developed into Meniere's. I've had the endolymphatic shunt surgery and that stopped the Vertigo completely since 2012! However, I have been really up and down with symptoms of nausea, dizziness, fullness or 'pressure' in my head! I have hearing loss in my affected ear and some in the good ear. Wear bilateral hearing aids. I have tried the anti-virals, acupuncture, etc. And some of the John of Ohio suggestions. These all work well for many people here, just not for me. And, like so many the anxiety of this and the depression has taken it's toll. I've tried anti-depressants, and Xanax-Valium, you name it! I've learned to 'keep on keeping on' but not really enjoying much but refuse to let this take away my joy in life, but lately the intense nausea and my 'brain fog' we call it here, has really gotten to me and my imbalance has worsened, and I've been so 'down about it all and went in to see if something else just might be going on too'! So low and behold my doctor's office just this week ordered a thyroid test. Yes, I'd had one a few years ago--and have kids who have hypothyroidism. But--was told all the time, I did not! Now I was just diagnosed with it and am just on my first dose of medication to treat it. The symptoms for this condition, and especially for those of us over 60, are---brain fog (mental stress), making it hard to concentrate, fatigue, nausea, etc. On and on it goes. I feel like a door has been opened to help me now to deal with at least some of the awful symptoms that have begun to worsen with me. Also, anxiety and depression are main symptoms of this condition especially in older people. And it all began with a blood test! Maybe I'm hoping for too much, but I'll take anything that sounds like it can help as an answer to prayer! I'll let you guys know if this really helps with the symptoms I've mentioned. Could be some of us have other things going on and we attribute them all to Meniere's when it's not just that--and that is certainly enough--but other things may be overlooked! We have to keep 'pushing' to get answers when nothing is helping!
yanksgirl, I couldn't be happier for you that you may have found an answer for feeling so poorly all the time. I always felt so badly for you when reading your posts about what you've been going through for so long. I'm hoping right along with you that this may be your answer. Good for you for pursuing some kind of relief. I agree that sometimes we blame all our issues on MM and forget, especially as we grow older, that we could be having other health issues. This past spring I was going through a real rough patch. I didn't have any energy, was dizzy and nauseated all the time and felt spaced out most of the time. I was having heart palpitations, which I attributed to anxiety from all the other stuff I was feeling. I just thought it was because I'm bilateral with a VNS in one ear and a damaged vestibular system in the other and that my MM had progressed to the point that what I was feeling was my new normal. Routine lab tests revealed a very low magnesium level. I've been taking a magnesium supplement and while my level still isn't up where it should be, it has come up some and I feel much better. Please keep us posted. I hope and pray your new meds will lead to a new you.
I have read many of your posts over the years. I am so hoping for you that this is the answer you need to enjoy your life free of symptoms. This is a great reminder to everyone to keep moving forward in ones quest for a better quality of life. Best of luck to you.
Thanks so much to all of you for your encouragement to me---not just now but for these past few years! I realize we all walk a different pat with this MM thing but also a similar one. The well wishes, prayers, encouragement and the education we all get here is really a quality of life altering thing--knowing folks care and will encourage and sometimes 'enlighten' us to something 'new' that they might try. I'll let you know how much my new health issue being addressed improves how I'm feeling. Today I have some nausea going on--but I assume it's probably due to my starting a new medication (that's how I am) and of course, just discontinued another one--so it's still in my system. Thank you for your continued encouragement. I'll keep you updated as I address this newest health issue.
Going through the same thing with my Thyroid I just wish it didnt take a month for Medication to kick in and the process of increasing Is gradual. After you retest your thyroid Keep checking every month because Sometimes it still requires adjustments After 6. Or 8 weeks so far my thyroid levels Are still being adjusted after 8 months but my Symptoms get better each time. Good luck To you , I'm so happy to read this keeps Me hopeful it's like a confirmation for me Keep us posted good luck ))
Thanks Lisa, and good luck to you too. Will keep you posted. Wondering--did you have any significant side effects when you started on the meds? I took my second dose today and by noon I began having a bad headache and my head felt like it weighed a ton. I had to go lay down. Feeling a bit nauseated right now. Hoping after a few days this passes. Also, just stopped the Cipro for another condition, so it may still be in my system. Always something.
Yanksgirl I had 3/4 of my thyroid removed When I was 11 I remember I was on Thyroidoxin and was shaky and ha headaches It was a pure thyroid hormone then I was on Synthroid ever since no side effects. Never had a problem until feb when I was suddenly Taking too much and now not enough But no problems with synthroid . There are several Different meds for thyroid I believe Synthroid is the most popular
I take synthroid and are extremely medication sensitive..so far no ill affects and been on it over 10 years.
I think mine is the generic of Synthroid. Supposed to be just cheaper but not different. Am I wrong? If so and I keep feeling so lightheaded, etc. (even more), I'll ask about being on the Brand name. Will give this some time first. Thanks again.
my endocrinologist wants me to only take the brand new synthroid and same with crestor, only brand name, which is fine by me, even though it costs me more, since I don't have much faith in many generics anymore
Also light headedness is a big symptom Of hypothyroid , I feel this way as well To the point I feel like I'm going to pass Out, and the brain fog is a big One too, all day long I keep forgetting What i was going to say and do lol but that Will go away when the medicine kicks In
this is interesting, my body temp at tiems is below 97.8 especially when I am sick it goes to 97.1 or .2 http://www.drwhitaker.com/simple-thyroid-testing-you-can-do-at-home/ Simple Thyroid Testing You Can Do at Home Last week, we discussed how hypothyroidism can contribute to weight gain. And now I’d like to tell about thyroid testing to determine if you have low thyroid function. The gold standard for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is the thyrotropin test, highly sensitive thyroid testing that measures blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This pituitary hormone acts like an on/off switch, regulating the production and secretion of thyroid hormones. When thyroid function is low, levels of TSH are abnormally high. Ask your doctor for this thyroid function test if you are experiencing the symptoms of low thyroid we went over last week. Thyroid Testing at Home Blood tests for thyroid aren’t the only way to determine if you have hypothyroidism. You can test your thyroid function yourself by measuring your basal body temperature. Just leave a regular thermometer within easy reach before you go to bed and, if it’s the old mercury type, shake it down below 96 degrees. Immediately upon awakening in the morning—before you’ve moved at all—place the thermometer in your armpit and leave it there for 10 minutes. Do this for four consecutive days, recording the temperature each day. (For menstruating women, this thyroid testing is only accurate during the first four days of their menstrual cycles.) Normal temperature is 97.8 to 98.2 degrees F. If your average temperature is lower than 97.8 degrees, you could have an underactive thyroid and would likely benefit from thyroid supplements.
here's another one but says it must be a glass with mercury thermometer not a digital What you’ll need to check your thyroid at home: A good basal body thermometer (not a regular digital one) or an old-fashioned glass thermometer with mercury. These two types of thermometers are calibrated differently and can report slightly different temperatures. The test was developed with a glass thermometer and is therefore the preferred tool for accuracy, but I choose not to keep one in the house. Instead, I use a high-quality digital thermometer that is very sensitive, and I compare my results with overall symptoms. (See thyroid function quiz below) 1. Place thermometer by your bed before you go to sleep. You’ll need to be able to reach it without getting out of bed or exerting much energy. If you’re using a glass thermometer, shake it thoroughly to reset it. The mercury will need to fall beneath 95F. 2. Over a period of three days, take your temperature immediately after waking up. It should be done around the same time each day before getting out of bed. To do this, place your thermometer under your armpit for 10 minutes while you lie down and rest your eyes without moving around a lot. If you’re using a digital thermometer, press the button at the end of 10 minutes to check your temperature. 3. Write down your temperature, the time, and date on a piece of paper. 4. Repeat this process for 3 consecutive days total. Special note for menstruating women; Your temperature naturally fluctuates through out your cycle. In order to get accurate reading for this assessment, start taking your temperature the day after you start your period. What should I be looking for? According to many experts, “A healthy resting temperature ranges between 97.8 to 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit or 36.6 to 36.8 degrees Celsius.” (source) In other words, “If your temperature is consistently lower than the range indicated above for at least three days, this may be an indication of [possible] hypothyroidism. Conversely, temperatures consistently higher than this may indicate hyperthyroidism but can also suggest a possible infection.” (source) On the other hand, some doctors consider any temperature below 98 degrees to be suggestive of possible hypothyroidism. (source) Remember, this test is considered to be helpful in identifying possible thyroid dysfunction, but it should not be used as a sole piece of diagnostic criteria.
Funny, I'm awaiting the results on my blood woke specifically for this. Good timing to post the results the of the blood work. I wouldn't use a home test. This is too important.
as the article says "Remember, this test is considered to be helpful in identifying possible thyroid dysfunction, but it should not be used as a sole piece of diagnostic criteria." its a tip off if your temperature is low, then follow up with bloodwork "
My temperature has been low for a couple of years now. Last full physical and blood test though said my thyroid/hormones are "normal".