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Advice please

Posted , 4 users are following.

estelle44124
estelle44124

My 78 ear old husband has HypoThyroidism, just been diagnosed with sleep apnoea. Both long standing. Even the latter, as we've suspected that for years. BUT he's incredibly unwell. Lost 1.5 stone in two to three months, to the delight off his respiratory consultant. Now he can't stop sleeping, is 'weak' and stopped. Seems to have he'd 10 years in a month. I am seeing the practice manager at the surgery in the morning. They've not been medicating the HypoThyroidism correctly. Trawling through the diary of last four months I came across mention of PM b one of the doctors. So I've looked it up and it ticks a lot of boxes. He's had occasional drenching night sweats and mild temperatures. Also, feels col a lot - probably that's the thyroid. Now, here's my questions. Can it creep up an the suddenly get full blown? Can the fatigue be all consuming? His age is about right. Problem is that he has a faulty heart valve having had one repaired six years ago, and arthritis in the wrists. He's due an injection for that, this week. Any pointers gratefully accepted, or am I just thrashing around looking for answers?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • artfingers
    artfingers estelle44124

    Posted

    This is a PMR forum - that said I also have Hashimotos (low thyroid) and it is tricky to get the right dosage of medication (I take Synthroid) to get rid of the deep fatigue but not set off other issues.  I see my doctor every 4 to 5 months to make sure my thyroid levels are correct.  It is important to do blood tests to keep a handle on it.  I hope his doctor can check thyroid levels and treat it correctly soon.
  • EileenH
    EileenH estelle44124

    Posted

    Once you have one autoimmune disorder it is more likely you may develop another. The weightloss, sweats, fatigue are all typical symptms of autoimmune problems in general - but hypothyroid is also a differential diagnosis for PMR, so is his thyroid medication absolutely right? Fatigue is all-consuming if you overdo things at all, and it is all too easy to do so. 

    Is the arthritis in his wrists proven? Do you mean osteoarthritis? Wrist symptoms can be part of PMR even though many rheumies/GPs don't know/agree. However - you don't mention stiffness, particularly of the shoulder and/or hip girdles. That is a cardinal symptom of PMR. Yes, it can creep up slowly - or you can go to bed one evening and be unable to get out of bed next morning! Everyone is a bit different in how it affects them. 

    As for age - PMR affects people over the age of 50! But it is much more common amongst older patients.

    • estelle44124
      estelle44124 EileenH

      Posted

      Gosh, my post is full of typos for which I apologise. Stressed myself, & my Nexus tablet doesn't work too well on this site.

      . Update- pain across shoulders and up into back of skull just above ears. Had this now on and off for ages. This morning he fell forward in bathroom, so weak he couldn't get up. In the end called emergency services who came Amazingly quickly. They ran loads of tests but apart from slight irregular heart, got him into bed. Thankfully not hospital. My son and hubby don't think one should try and diagnose via the internet. But reading these forums and being a Sjorgrens Syndrome sufferer I now realise one needs to prod until the docs get things right. Thanks.

    • EileenH
      EileenH estelle44124

      Posted

      Never mind the typos - I knew what you meant wink  It happens a lot with people using tablets or phones - which is why I stick to my mini-computer.

      Has he had scalp pain? Has he complained it hurts to put his head on the pillow for example, or that it is sore to comb his hair (or is he like my husband, hasn't got any!)? If he has they should perhaps think about GCA - it's the oain into the back of his skull I'm thinking of.

      No, diagnosing via the internet is fraut with problems - people ALWAYS get something telling them they are desperately ill and it is terminal when actually it is something very simple. But you saw a clue of PMR and you have come to find out more about it - that's good use of the internet. So you can prod - because you are right, without a gentle kick in the shins a lot of GPs won't get past the fact your husband is 78. Even I was told it was "just your age" at 51!

      However - we are lovely and reliable people who won't take you for a ride. Let us know how you get on with the GPs (or anyone else).

    • estelle44124
      estelle44124 EileenH

      Posted

      had to take hubby to A & E Tuesday early morning. He has endocarditis - very serious infection of heart muscles the doctor should have picked up on much earlier as he's been unwell for months. Thanks for your concern and advice

    • EileenH
      EileenH estelle44124

      Posted

      So is that the answer to his symptoms? I do hope he is OK - do please let us know. 

      I persuaded my joiner in Scotland to go and be more insistent at our (awful) GP practice because he'd had night sweats that meant the bed had to be changed a couple of times a night and they had dismissed it as "flu" for weeks. When he was seen by a specialist he was in bed in the isolation ward with an hour! It turned out to be endocarditis too. He made a full recovery and went back to work.

      All the very best - and look after yourself too xxxxx

    • EileenH
      EileenH estelle44124

      Posted

      Good - much the same as Andy. Do look after yourself too - have you help with the travelling and so on? Having a poorly husband is very hard work! Been there, done that...
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