How long before beginning to feel better?

Stebi93 · 01-10-2008, 04:18 PM

My doctor recently diagnosed me with pcos and hypothyroidism. My bloodwork was done 10/30/07 and my TSH was 3.9 and then again on 12/20/07 and it had risen to 4.6. Plus, I have almost every single symptom of having an underactive thyroid. Therefore, he put me on Armour medication. He wanted a T4/3 combo and a 'natural' one. This is my 3rd day of taking it. He said it'd probably be about 4 weeks before I'd notice a huge difference in energy, especially.

Am curious as to if that amount of time has been true for you, ladies? The last two days I have been sooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired, almost a debilitating fatigue. I'm trying to stay positive that I'll feel better in about a month, but right now that seems like FOREVER away!

I have gained 25lbs. in the past 5 months and WANT to get those off, but I have ZERO energy with which to even try to workout. My doctor guarantees this will help, as well as an estrogen compound he's putting me on because my estrogen is severely low.

Anyway, would love to hear how long it took before you felt better? Thanks!

Renee3600 · 01-11-2008, 04:27 PM

I was put on Sythroid and started to feel a little better after a week or so. It took about 3 months to get the right dosage for me. The doc was going to leave me at 75mcg when my TSH was 4 something, but I called back 2 weeks later and told her that I still felt tired so she upped it to 100mcg and I have felt pretty good since then. I only lost about 5 lbs or so, but I'm 5'8" and now weigh 138, so even though I would like to loose more I don't necessarily need to.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.
Renee

evilbee · 01-11-2008, 05:02 PM

I remember I started feeling better really fast, like after a few days. Like the PP said, it took a bit for the doctor to find the right dosage for me so don't get discouraged.

Just take it easy, don't push yourself. You'll start feeling better soon. Best of luck!

Stebi93 · 01-13-2008, 08:25 PM

Thanks ladies!

I'm currently on 120mcg of Armour and yesterday I finally felt like the 'fog' lifted. I mean, I wasn't just 'kinda' tired, but it was as if I had ZERO reserves left and was totally wiped for two days! So frustrating! But, yesterday I began to feel more 'normal' and all day today I've had energy and felt great!

One thing I just found out was that I needed to stop taking it at night because it was 'stimulating' me too much to where I wasn't sleeping well. So, now I take a tablet in the morning, before breakfast, and one in the mid-afternoon and the last two nights I've slept great and the days have felt good, so I'm hopeful!!!!

Thanks again for your responses!

elentari · 01-17-2008, 03:13 AM

Well, I am on Synthroid... but I also have the autoimmune for of hypo - Hashimoto's. I don't know if that makes it worse or slower to correct, but it took a good six weeks before I felt normal again.

I went through depression, seriously messed up metabolism, and exhaustion so severe I literally cried - I was so tired it physically hurt!

I now get tested every 3 - 4 months, because since my initial dx, I have had to increase the Synthroid several times and when my thyroid gets out of whack, I feel it for weeks. So I try to avoid that by getting tested frequently.

In August, while we were on vacation, I stupidly missed my pills for a week. Wound up with a thyroid crash - my level was 34!!! I am STILL paying for that. Had to increase my Synthroid and last time it was checked six weeks ago, it was still at 6. So we'll see if it's finally stabilized, just had it tested today.

Anyway... let that be a lesson! Don't forget your thyroid meds for a week!

Hime · 01-20-2008, 05:03 AM

I hope you are feeling better soon! Your doctor should check your blood levels at around every 4 to 6 weeks untill you get to the right dose. Then there is the blood work to check it every so often.

Armour is a t3/t4 combo, so it can make you more awake in the day time if you take it in the morning. You might want to watch any high iron foods or heavy high fiber foods when you take it... my endo says it can bother the meds absorption. Weight gain can be worked on when you have more energy.

I have a combination of synthroid and cytomel and a fantastic endo that work well for me. That being said, just give it time and be kind to yourself.

paula0471 · 01-21-2008, 05:25 AM

I'm on Synthyroid 50mcg.. It took about 4 weeks before I felt any different.

Victoria070505 · 01-25-2008, 02:10 PM

My dad is on Armour and now has to quit taking it because they are recalling it all. You might want to talk to your doctor. I was just DXed with Hashimotos and I just started Synthroid 25mcg 3 days ago. I don't really feel very different except I sleep for longer periods of time at might and it is slowly becoming even longer every night. Before I woke up every 2-3 hours now I go to bed at 10-11 and I don't wake up until 3-4 so that is a vast improvement. I aslo started having dreams and nightmares and I am able to remember them. This could be from the Met as well I started that 3 days ago as well.

mommavia · 01-28-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria070505

I aslo started having dreams and nightmares and I am able to remember them. This could be from the Met as well I started that 3 days ago as well.

This may very well be from being hypo. It is very common for someone who is severely hypo to have very vivid and strange dreams.

mommavia · 01-28-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stebi93

Am curious as to if that amount of time has been true for you, ladies? The last two days I have been sooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired, almost a debilitating fatigue. I'm trying to stay positive that I'll feel better in about a month, but right now that seems like FOREVER away!

About a month is right on...it does seem like forever away but once you feel better all will be right in the world. It may take longer if this dose isn't right for you. Sometimes it can take a few dose adjustments to hit the right number for you.

Good luck,
Cynthia

Victoria070505 · 01-29-2008, 01:09 AM

mommavia Thanks for letting me know that I didn't know that happens. I see you are a Marine wife I am as well. Can I ask where you are stationed?

mommavia · 01-29-2008, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victoria070505

mommavia Thanks for letting me know that I didn't know that happens. I see you are a Marine wife I am as well. Can I ask where you are stationed?

Vidid and strange dreams usually don't happen until you are very hypo (TSH nearing 40 or so I think). It's very common among thyroid cancer Survivors when we have to go off our Synthroid for a few weeks to have a whole body scan. But I had them prior to my thyca dx when I was hypo and my meds weren't on target.

DH is stationed at Miramar (in San Diego). We moved here last summer from Lejeune...we sure are enjoying the weather and having so much to do!

You are on your was to HI? Fun, fun! I have a friend who moved there last fall (her DH is Navy) and they are loving it. They are renting a house in Aiea (is that right?) and can see Pearl Harbor from their home. We are going to see them next month, woo hoo! When are you all headed there?

Can I ask what stuff Tricare has covered for you for infertility?

Oh, I noticed you have Hashi's as well. Did your doctor tell you that it may take a few tries to get your meds right? And with Hashi's it's important to stay on top of getting your levels checked.

Cynthia

donnadonna · 02-14-2008, 07:30 PM

I'm on day 2 of taking it. I feel like a new person to the point that I'm questioning if it's just a placebo effect. Could it really be the meds? I can't remember my specific baseline level, dr. said it was slightly elevated 5.something, perhaps. I'm taking 50mg.

mommavia · 02-17-2008, 08:33 PM

Some of that is probably placebo effect, but don't discount the fact that your body was missing an important hormone and now it's getting closer to the levels it needs to be. Some of the effects will be felt sooner than others, but it takes a good 6 weeks to know if this is the dose that is right for you.

Cynthia