Painful hands symptoms and conditions

Boy, this could take a while. Have been on generic Levoxyl for more than 7 yrs(can't say exactly how long since I stay "fuzzy headed" all the time). Anyway, about a yr ago I became so depressed I went off all my meds -- I'm a diabetic on insulin and also have high blood pressure. I felt good!To try and make this story a little shorter, I went on a diet and lost 70 lbs -- went from 310 down to 240. Then I went back on meds. In less than a yr, have regained all the weight I lost. Also, my legs swell and ache so badly it makes walking painful. Hands, wrists and knees throb constantly. Intermittent headaches so bad I have to wear sunglasses just to tolerate indoor lighting. Hair loss is so severe I'm considering a wig. Skin is dry and itchy and lotions help not at all. Any work I have to do I must accomplish before noon because by early afternoon the fatigue is debilitating. I'm currently on 300mcg of Levothyroxine (up from 250mcg 2 months ago) and doctor wants to increase dosage even more. Had no idea there were other people suffering the same problems until I stumbled upon this site. I take the medication as prescribed (with perhaps less than the recommended full glass of water) but plenty of coffee. Discovered on another site that the coffee may be inhibiting the drug's absorption. I feel so helpless/hopeless. Am considering going back off the Levothyroxine but am seriously worried about high T3/T4 levels. Thanks for listening; guess I just needed to vent.

Was on Prednisone 2 years ago for respiratory problems 30mg. Gained 25 pounds, fat face, felt tired, etc.

However 2 years later, after weaning off Prednisone my muscles ache, joints are most always stiff, esp. hands plus my feet feel numb and my short term memory has not returned to normal----does any one else out there have similar problems. What can be done?

I wish I could turn back time and Not get that damn kenalog shot. Since August 2006 I have gone through dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, blood sugar imbalance, pitts in some areas the shots were given, 10 pound weight loss in one week, flushed skin, anxiety especially throughout the night when sleeping, poison feeling, hot and painful hands and cold feet, terrible taste in mouth. I have seen numerous doctors in one month. I have been in the hospital twice. I was told to see a therapist since my tests showed negative.
Finally, I found a wonderful doctor who performs muscle tests (shows what vitamin your deficient in and fixes the problem with supplements) She has improved my condition greatly. I believe I would be living handicapped without her or maybe would not even be living the way my body started to shut down. I could not work and dropped out of nursing school (I had a scholarship). I will pass her number on if anyone is interested Dr.******