Yay! I have hypothroidism and sleep apnea

[wvjules]

And I'm actually excited about having a diagnosis. I start synthyroid today and get a CPAP maching. I won't know how to handle myself being fully rested. I'm so tired of being tired. I am excited to know what is wrong and be able to fix it. Yay for modern medicine!

 

[cm8]

And I'm actually excited about having a diagnosis. I start synthyroid today and get a CPAP machine. I won't know how to handle myself being fully rested. I'm so tired of being tired. I am excited to know what is wrong and be able to fix it. Yay for modern medicine!

That's it?, Just kidding, they both can cause weight gain, headaches, tiredness, and a whirlwind of emotions

I have to take that 250mcgs and 10mcg cytomel for t-3, it sucks but I make it work!! I was going to switch to Armour and get it compounded, but it was not available in my strength I wish you much success on your dose

 

[MushyMushy]

I know that feeling! I'm glad you'll be able to start treatment soon. You'll feel so much better when you do.

If your doctor hasn't mentioned it, if he puts you on thyroid replacement, make sure you get the name brand instead of generic. Here's a little bit about it: http://thyroid.about.com/od/thyroiddrugstreatments/tp/Thyroid-Hormone-Replacement.htm

Mary Shomon is THE expert on thyroid disease. She's written some awesome books and articles on it.

Feel better soon!

 

[akcire]

A little note about Synthroid...
I have no thyroid, due to cancer and have been talking it for about a year. You will want to take your pill first thing in the morning, with a good amount of water. You do not want to take any other food or drugs for at least an hour and you should wait 4 hours before you take any vitamins.

I got this advise from someone who had struggled with dosing amounts for years and have followed it and have had no issues with my levels.

 

[wvjules]

cm8, maybe that's why I'm so 'moody'. lol

Mushy, thanks for that. I called to make sure I got the brand name. I didn't realize the inconsistency in generics from manufacturer to manufacturer. Better to be safe than sorry and have to pay a wee bit more. (The generic was only $5.60 for 6 weeks.)

akcire, thanks. I'll be sure to take it before I shower in the morning with a full glass of water. I take my vitamins at night so that won't be an issue with timing.

 

[MushyMushy]

I don't know if you'll have the same problem with your pharmacy (I go to Rite Aid), but every single time I get a new paper script, like every 5 refills or so, I have to walk it to the pharmacy counter to specifically ask for the name brand or they will give me the generic every time. I've been on the med since 2001. I think that's just the way they have to do it.

 

[minkydog]

I don't have the thyroid issues, but I have severe sleep apnea. Probably had it for at least 6-7 years before I was diagnosed. My CPAP machine is my best friend. I can't sleep at all without it--I can't breathe! Sure, the headgear takes some getting used to, but once you find your sweet spot it's all good. I don't leave home without it.

 

[pepperw23]

cm8, maybe that's why I'm so 'moody'. lol

Mushy, thanks for that. I called to make sure I got the brand name. I didn't realize the inconsistency in generics from manufacturer to manufacturer. Better to be safe than sorry and have to pay a wee bit more. (The generic was only $5.60 for 6 weeks.)

akcire, thanks. I'll be sure to take it before I shower in the morning with a full glass of water. I take my vitamins at night so that won't be an issue with timing.

That is true about the generic. I was on Levothyroxine (Generic for Synthroid) for a year. I was still not losing weight, still tired..etc...Someone told me to get off of the generic. Since I got Synthroid in April I have lost almost 40 pounds and I have the energy of a teenager again. I would have lost more weight but I took the entire month of August off from my dieting. A year ago I would have gained weight, but I maintained pretty good.

Best advice is, you should start to feel better in a couple of weeks, if you don't then go back and insist they figure out why.

 

[CruisinEars]

I don't have the thyroid issues, but I have severe sleep apnea. Probably had it for at least 6-7 years before I was diagnosed. My CPAP machine is my best friend. I can't sleep at all without it--I can't breathe! Sure, the headgear takes some getting used to, but once you find your sweet spot it's all good. I don't leave home without it.

ITA! I have had my cpap for about 2 years and can't sleep without it. I am a jaw clencher so I use a mask that just goes over my nose and is made of light weight foam with a silicone cover. Very small and light weight and I hardly notice it anymore. Also, check out cpap.com for accessories to make it more comfortable. I switched to a 10 foot hose and use a hose cover and it makes it so much easier to move and sleep. Glad you have a diagnosis and now have solutions to your health issues.

 

[crzy4my2]

cm8, maybe that's why I'm so 'moody'. lol

Mushy, thanks for that. I called to make sure I got the brand name. I didn't realize the inconsistency in generics from manufacturer to manufacturer. Better to be safe than sorry and have to pay a wee bit more. (The generic was only $5.60 for 6 weeks.)

akcire, thanks. I'll be sure to take it before I shower in the morning with a full glass of water. I take my vitamins at night so that won't be an issue with timing.

AND make sure you get what you are supposed to get. I do go to a specialist. After I had DD he had changed my prescription and dosage. 2 weeks later I called him back saying that I think I needed a new dosage because I felt worse. I was so physically tired I couldn't function, and I knew it wasn't because of the kids. He had me come back in with my meds..When he looked at the meds I could tell he was panicked. He told me that he had NO IDEA what CVS gave me. That it was NOT what I was supposed to be taking and he didn't even know if it was thyroid meds. The bottle said the name I was supposed to have but inside was not. Found out that CVS gave me that generic of a completely different med (not prescribed to me) AND the wrong dose. So he gave me one that didn't have a generic and told me what it should look like...He gave me Levoxel..not sure if there is a generic for that now but there wasn't when I started taking it

 

[cm8]

AND make sure you get what you are supposed to get. I do go to a specialist. After I had DD he had changed my prescription and dosage. 2 weeks later I called him back saying that I think I needed a new dosage because I felt worse. I was so physically tired I couldn't function, and I knew it wasn't because of the kids. He had me come back in with my meds..When he looked at the meds I could tell he was panicked. He told me that he had NO IDEA what CVS gave me. That it was NOT what I was supposed to be taking and he didn't even know if it was thyroid meds. The bottle said the name I was supposed to have but inside was not. Found out that CVS gave me that generic of a completely different med (not prescribed to me) AND the wrong does. So he gave me one that didn't have a generic and told me what it should look like...He gave me Levoxel..not sure if there is a generic for that now but there wasn't when I started taking it

, OMG, I hope you kept the pills!!!! That is NOT cool. I would have taken some pictures of the bottle, script, and pills inside as well as had my doctor make a detailed note stating that he saw the pills and even noticed it was not what he prescribed. I am glad to see that you hopefully do not have any ill effect of what ever was given to you

 

[cheerful chickadee]

well Congratulations!? lol I totally "get" that you're just happy for a diagnosis.

I was actually born with hypothyroidism and have been on meds for it since I was 2 weeks old! Most of my life I have used the generic levothyroxine and do great with it, I'm currently on 150mcg daily. I have tried the brand name Synthroid a few times (when insurance would cover it) but never noticed a difference. I do know that some people may have different side effects and question the true thyroid hormone levels when using generic vs. brand name but I guess I've just been lucky!

 

[arminnie]

I don't have the thyroid issues, but I have severe sleep apnea. Probably had it for at least 6-7 years before I was diagnosed. My CPAP machine is my best friend. I can't sleep at all without it--I can't breathe! Sure, the headgear takes some getting used to, but once you find your sweet spot it's all good. I don't leave home without it.

CPAP is great for those that it works for - but it does NOT work for everyone. I used it religiously for over a year with absolutely no help.

I was at Stanford which is the gold standard for sleep apnea issues. I had some pretty major surgery (moved my tongue forward). But it was SO worth it. That was almost 20 years ago so I think they do this now with radiofrequencies instead of surgery.

I even had an article about me in the Stanford Medical Journal and was on TV several times.

 

[barkley]

getting a cpap pillow made a world of difference for dh as far as sleeping comfortably with the mask on. before he got it he would roll over in his sleep and push the mask askew. it travels with us along with the machine.