Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi,
I was just diagnosed on the 23rd december after being admitted to hospital with a bpm of over 160. I have been prescribed beta blockers and carbimazole and I have just got my appointment through to see the Endocrinologist at the begininng of Feb. I am really struggling with tiredness at work and yawn every other minute. Can anyone offer any advice on how long the drugs usually work and I can start to get a good nights sleep again?
Many Thanks x
0 likes, 13 replies
linda187 lu-anna
Posted
lu-anna linda187
Posted
linda187 lu-anna
Posted
lu-anna linda187
Posted
Ok, I appreciate you need more details so sorry I have not been so forewith but this but it is all really alien to me and I am just coming to terms with it as I was admitted to a&e (ER) the doctor didn't give me all the stats apart from telling me I was really over and up the scale, it was all a shock and I was more worried about spending Christmas in hospital than finding out the whys and the wherefore's to my diagnosis.. hopefully I will find out at my first appointment at hospital with the endocrinologist.
grayesthistle lu-anna
Posted
Hi, I can't tell you how long the drugs take to work but I'm going through the same thing since the beginning of December. At first I started on 10mg propranolol and 10mg methimazole. Within one week I went to the ER 2 times because of breathlessness and chest tightness. They couldn't figure out what was wrong the first time. Second trip to the ER I was told to stop Propranolol and the symptoms went away. Now I'm on 20mg methimazole and 2.5mg bisoprolol. The bisoprolol makes me *extremely tired*. I also have joint pain and overall malaise. Beta blockers are awful and serious drugs. I'm too scared to take the higher dose of bisoprolol because of the side effects and unfortunately the 2.5mg is hardly doing anything for me. My endocrinologist brushed off my cardio symptoms and told me to wait for the thyroid drugs to kick in. Well, guess what it's been almost 4 weeks and I feel no improvement. I was diagnosed with Graves disease in 2011. It has always stayed subclinical. Last July I had my first baby and here I am. My levels are way off and I'm taking drugs for the first time...I'm hoping for remission but I'm all too aware of how autoimmune diseases are. I've had psoriasis for 22 years. Theyou are fickle.
lu-anna grayesthistle
Posted
Billiegolden lu-anna
Posted
Hi, Just looking for some general advice with regards to hyperthyroidism/ medication.
I'm 22 and 2 months ago I was sent for a blood test as for the past 3 years at least I have suffered from almost constant headaches, sweats, joint pain and other symptoms. Came back as hyperthyroidism, something I had never heaven heard of before, which explains a lot of the symptoms I was/am having.
My Dr urgently referred me to see a specialist but I am still waiting to receive a letter with an appointment. I was put straight on carbizamole 20mg and given propranolol which I was told to take when I felt necessary. I have difficulty swallowing tablets from a young age and have tried everything just can't do it so it was quite daunting for me.
I have been taking the carbimazole now for about two months and have felt terrible I can not stay awake and feeling nauseous and also finding it hard to concerntrate.
I have recently been told I need to start taking the propranalol once a day. I work as a legal secretary and am quite worried about all the possible side effects such as dizziness and tiredness and just generally not feeling like myself.
Anyone been taking the same medication and are able to let me know their experiences I would be grateful.
Thank you
linda187 Billiegolden
Posted
I would call the specialist's office. Sometimes bookings like this get lost in the shuffle and if you constantly call, they get to know you. Secondly, you need to know the cause of your hyperthyroidism. Is it an autoimmune disease like Gravfes's or Hashimoto's thyroiditis? It could also be caused by a virus or by thyroid nodules. Mine was caused by Graves Disease. No matter the cause, the effects are often alike such as brain fog, anxiety, eye irritation or bulging, excess sleepiness or difficulty sleeping. When you are hyperthyroid for any reason, you will be losing important vitamins, minerals and amino acids from your muscles. The medical profession does not address this in their treatment of this disease. I came across a research study that showed hyperthyroid patients do better if they take 3,000 to 4,000 mg of Regular L-Carnitine per day, that thyroid storms are not as severe and muscle pains improve. So I took supplements along with my prescribed medication. I did get tested for my carnitine levels (I had to pay for this test) and I was deficient in them. I was also deficient in vitamin D and Magnesium so I added those to my treatment. For myself, I took Propranolol before having my diagnosis confirmed but I took it as needed and my Endo told me afterwards she didn't mean for me to take it p.r.n. or as needed. However, I did not feel I needed the Propranolol once I started on the antithyroid med of Methimazole. Occasionally I still had to use it for palpitations but really very rarely since treatment. So I think in your case, your anxiety will lessen if you have more information about your diagnosis as well as finding out what vitamins, minerals and amino acids you are deficient in and adding those back in. When you see a specialist and get tested, always ask for and keep a copy of your lab reports and learn what those results mean and what results you are aiming for to normalize your disease. Also, when seeking advice on this Board, you can post your lab test results and we can better help you.
Billiegolden linda187
Posted
Thank you very much for your response. Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I have had an appointment to see endo next month. The blood test I had in November showed My T3 level was 19.7 (was told this should be between 4.1 to 6.8) TSH was 0.01 (was told this should be between 0.27 and 4.20) T4 was 40.4 (was told should be between 11 and 25) are these particularly high (t3 and t4) or particularly low (TSH)? I have had another blood test today and should have the results early next week.
linda187 Billiegolden
Posted
Low TSH means HYPERactive and High TSH means HYPOactive (I know it sounds like it doesn't make any sense).
For T3 and T4 it is just the opposite - high values (above top of range) mean HYPERactive and low values (below the range for low) means HYPO active.
All your present values indicate hyperthyroidism. If you are waiting to see the specialist and are not on meds, you can take some natural supplements like Bugleweed, Melissa and Motherwort until you see your doc. (I believe there is a company who combines all three in one capsule). You can also take Regular L-Carnitine 3,000 to 4,000 mg. and vitamin D is very important also. It helps.
Karmaway lu-anna
Posted
Hi Lu-Anna, I too was freaked out when diagnosed I never even knew what a thyroid was!! I'm 18 mths down the line now and getting better! I think it's really important you address your diet too! Pale mostly vegetable based has helped me sooo much!
kev87793 lu-anna
Posted
Hey there, I'll cut straight to the point in giving you some light at the end of the tunnel.
In May 2015 I started feeling really ill, especially when I exercised in any way. I would feel dizzy and sick and started losing weight rapidly. I was a healthy 33 year old guy, no medical issues.
I felt this way for the next 4 months and lost 3 stone in weight (42lbs). On numeorus occassions I would nearly pass out and felt short of breath. As for sleep, I had heart palpatations whenever I lay down and struggled to get to sleep, then when it came to getting up, it was a real struggle. I also noticed I started getting really puffy eyes in the mornings and they wouldn't go until mid morning, if at all.
Eventually I ended up in A&E after I had some sort of episode at home one night, sweating, shivering and feeling weak. I started to think I had diabetes.
I was diagnosed with Graves disease, or hyperthyroidism. An over active thyroid. I was immediately put on 40mg per day of carbimozol and 40mg of propanolol. I didn't notice an immediate change but within a few days I noticed the propanolol was relaxing me and slowing my heart rate (this med is also used for people with anxiety, of which I didn't have). The carbimozol worked over time but nothing that I really noticed other than one major thing..weight gain. Taking the 40mg a day actually pushed me to under active, slowing my metabolism right down and this caused me to feel even worse, I bloated up to nealry 2 stone heavier in no time and felt like I could sleep forever.
Over time I had numeorus blood tests and appointments with an endo and my carbimozol was reduced to 20mg per day and then 10mg and then 5mg, then 5mg three times a week. I was also taken off the propanolol around June 2016. It was only when I was reduced to 5mg three times a week that I actually noticed within myself a difference, I felt healthier again and much better than I had. Overall throughout my treatment I felt tired, lethargic, out of breath bloated and weak.
I had a call in December 2016 from my endo after my last blood tests telling me I needed to stop the carbimozol as my bloods were normal. I'm now what I would consider to be back to normal, I feel lively again, clearer headed, sleeping great and back exercising without feeling awful. 50% of people diagnosed with graves actually clear it after a course of meds but stick with the meds, do not self medicate and think you can skip a tablet here and there, it'll only give false blood tests and prolong the issue.
Good luck, hope it works out.
Samy3 kev87793
Posted
Hi kev I was in a same boat like u diagnosed with graves disease last year in may took carbimazole for 5 weeks then my endo stopped it in July saying my blood results are in normal range since then I'm not on any medication but pain in my neck is not going away and my eyes are getting really blurrier just wanted to ask are u still taking carbimazole ?thanks .....Samy
Join this discussion or start a new one?
New discussion Reply