Thyroid cancer symptoms and conditions

I am shocked!! Over the last year I have experienced significant hair loss, mood swings, dizziness, cardiac issues (ended up in an ambulance for a suspected heart attack at age 37) can not go one day without Protonix, if I do I wake up in the middle of the night with horrible reflux and choking sensation. For the last 2 years I have had numerous allergic reactions resulting in shots of steriods and pred-packs..they can not find the cause (mostly when I get hot or flushed and every time I go on vacation). I never thought it could be my BCP. I have taken Yasmin, Yaz and now Ocella for about 2 years. My MD switched me from Yasmin to Yaz....b/c of HA's a year ago, I had a heavy period for 36 days, started back on Yasmin and my MD wanted me to take them continuous to skip my periods b/c of fibroids. My hair started falling out, my skin is dry with dry patches all over my legs and then my hair started falling out..thats when everyone told me I was crazy. I have a cramp in my right side all the time, I suspect from my gallbladder. I am a nurse and really thought of all of the worse things that could cause these symptoms, Thyroid, Cancer, Heart Disease, OCD, Paranoia. I think I will be stopping my Ocella(generic for Yasmin) tonight. I have been on BCP for 13 years straight, I'm scared that my periods will never be normal again? Anyone have any issues once off Yasmin??

I was put on levoxyl at 14 because i had thyroid cancer and had lost 90 percent of my thyroid.
I myself have not had any serious side effects from the medication. When I forget to take it I feel completely empty, slow and my mood is irritable. I strongly suggest those of you who are having these problem to adjust your dosage. I have a fantastic doctor with a lot of experience, and he himself has had thyroid cancer and knows firsthand.
Too much will make you sick and too little will cause weight gain or weight loss, energy loss and etc.; all direct results of thyroid issues, not levoxyl

I have been on Yasmin for 2 years now. It is the only BC I have ever been on and have LOVED it up until about 3 months ago. All of a sudden I started having heart palpitations, sever chest pains, extreme fatigue, very bloated in my stomach, low sex drive, pain and tingling in my arms and legs,dizziness, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, weight gain and major mood swings! I went to the DR and they did an EKG (which was normal) Tested my blood (I now have a thyroid problem that I have never had before) and they did an ultrasound (Dr that I may have a murmur) on my heart and the results came back fine. So the DR prescribed me Synthroid for the thyroid problem and the DR said that should help me gain my energy back, loose some weight and would take care of the heart palpitations. The other symptoms he contributed to Stress (Panic Attacks) I have been on Synthroid for 5 weeks now and I don't feel any better in fact I feel worse!

This morning I seen a commercial for a lawsuit against Yaz or Yasmin. Well since I am non Yasmin I immediately did a search and came across this site. I have literally been sitting here all night reading all the comments from different women and now know what my problem is. My problem is YASMIN! I am not taking this anymore and have an appt with my Dr tomorrow to have them do whatever they need to do to see if I have any blockage or any other damage from using this pill. My chest pains and the tightness in my chest are so severe that it takes my breath away and I am only 24! I am not ready for children and don't want to deal with bad periods like I had before getting on the pill but I can not take this rise. PLEASE if you are on Yasmin please stop taking it immediately and call your doctor Your life could depend on it!! I am hoping like other people who have commented that after a few weeks of being off the pill that I will feel so much better. I hope I am getting off of it in time before I have done any further damage.

I mentioned this a few weeks ago and have found the source of my comments. It is in Peter D'Adamo's book "Eat Right For Your Blood Type". The reason I found this interesting is because my dad had a terrible reaction to Levaquin and was curious about his blood type after reading that AB and B blood types should avoid fluoroquinolones. Dad passed away in March, but ascertained his blood type from mom's, mine, and brother. I am O, brother AB, and mom type A. Dad, therefore had to be B. Food for thought.
Dad had ulnar nerve damage, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, insomnia, pain in calves and shoulders,etc. Succumbed suddenly from rare b-cell lymphoma in lungs, which just appeared out of nowhere while in hospital for Levaquin reaction. Mom unfortunately took Levaquin last month. Then suddenly is now dying from Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Is this all a coincidence? Is this stuff fertilizer for cancer?

I have taken this Levothyroxine ever since I got Thyroid Cancer in 2006. And thank God I am free from cancer now. My main problem now is that, sometime I really don't know what was wrong with me and get confused over my own feeling. I do have cramps, sleep problem, headache, menstruation problem, mood swing, panic attack and always thinking of a negative thing eg like am I going to die. It has been bothering me since than. Please help I just wanna know is this really due to the medication or its really that I am going to die. I am very confused at times when feeling this side effect. =(

I've been on Paxil for almost 9 years. I suppose it's a success for me because it has kept the depression away most of these past years. I'm on the maximum dose - 40 mg a day.

I've always been an over-achiever, a type A personality, friendly...with the Paxil I am lazy, no longer care about details, VERY friendly.
My home used to be pristine and comfortable....now I rarely put things away, there are stacks of books, magazines, and 'stuff' everywhere. Because of the mess, we haven't had visitors in our home for YEARS! I used to host parties on a regular basis in our home but these days I would die of embarrassment if anyone saw my home!

My memory is shot...I can't remember names, faces, details...seriously, I can watch a movie over and over again because I NEVER remember the ending!

My sleep cycle is shot as well. In years past, I only required about 5 hours of sleep. On Paxil, I don't fall asleep so I take lots of over-the-counter sleep aids to fall asleep and they knock me out...I can't wake up until almost noon!

I MUST take the Paxil at the same time each day otherwise the "zapping" starts. It isn't painful...just very annoying.

On the positive side, I have achieved many great things because I'm no longer apprehensive about public speaking. I've chaired several successful fundraisers for charities. But because the memory loss has become so profound, I'm no longer capable of chairing these types of events.

I've gained weight but it may be due to having thyroid cancer & having the entire gland removed...metabolism is shot.

I've only tried to go off the Paxil once but the depression resurfaced immediately and I cried for days on end...it was frightening! Of course I went back on it.

Speaking of crying, when on Paxil, it's almost impossible to cry! The tears just won't come.

Now for the really scary part...the effect of the Paxil on my depression is not what it used to be....but I'm on the maximum dose! I've tried several other meds but they just don't work as well. So what in the world will happen when it doesn't work for me anymore? That black hole called depression is the last place I want to be.

When I was first put on this we started at the lowest level and worked up from there, after having labs every 6 weeks for the first few months. I did feel better and had a little more energy, but I had to pee all the time and it smelled god awful, went to my GYN she said it came back fine.....then a G/F who had thyroid cancer told me she takes Armour (a natural ,made from pig liver)...OMG what a difference, I can take less meds, it is cheaper and my urine no longer smells.My energy level is back too!! Armour has T3 and T4 and Synthroid does not. I suggest to those not happy with Synthroid to try Armour thyroid, again it takes about 6-8 weeks to notice but what a great change, and better for your kidneys (which is how synthroid is excreted)

Only on it for 1 month so far and already having issues. I apparently have the worst case of endometriosis all my doctors have seen, including a cancer specialist that had to do all my surgeries because of the severity. Granted, I am only 31 years old and have had a full hysterectomy. So, after 3 surgeries I am still having severe abdominal pain and bleeding (don't know where that is coming from since I don't have a uterus anymore) so they said try Lupron and I finally gave in. Now I started getting such severe pain in my lower back that I can't stand for longer than 15 minutes and terrible side aches. I started getting headaches (which I already take pills for for years now),and have gotten the hot flashes as well. What are we to do ladies? I am so sick of complaining to the doctors about pain. You feel as if you are a big cry baby. What are my options here and does this ever stop?

extremely depressed after a week of taking levoxyl. Also face is swollen, eye swollen and red and face and eyes burn. These were the same symptoms after taking synthroid after a week. What's next? I am close to being suicidal after having survived lung cancer, surgery, chemo and radiation. To get another primary cancer and have things slide downhill after such a remarkable recovery, I can do nothing but cry after making the decision to have a cancerous thyroid removed that could have served me for years and years since it was such a slow growing cancer. I should have followed my instincts and just left it alone. Now all I want to do is lie on the couch and cry.

I am a female and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's three years ago (looking at old childhood photos I've probably had this all my life) and have taken Levoxyl and Synthroid in escalating doses over time. Initially 25mcg for about a year and that was the endo plan until bloodwork indicated a need for more. I quit taking it after a year as it seemed I was gaining weight. After a few months went to a different endo and he started the treatment again with 25 (I weighed 160 at the time) and now has worked it to 100mcg (I now weigh 178!!!). I thought that with the higher dose I would have more of a weight loss effect (definitely not weight gain) and thought I'd have more energy, better brain function and happier outlook. I am experiencing the complete opposite. The last time I visited the endo and he looked at my weight gain he just said to "stop it". I work out almost every day for 45 minutes to 2 hours, have a job that at times requires arduous work, I eat a very healthy diet full of fiber, low in fat, low in carbs. I'm always hungry and feel like eating to make up for a lack of energy. I come home from work exhausted. This isn't living. I've had it with the Synthroid and any form of T-4 alone. I'm going to see a natural healthcare professional to try Armour because none of the medical doctors I've seen will prescribe it or synthetic T-3.

My mother and I have both been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and we both take levothyroxine. We both experience extreme pain and she has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia but I experience the pain body also. Another thing. I have been losing my hair. No reason, it's falling out from the root and I have some serious thinning. Memory...what memory. I can't remember anything. Has anyone received advise from a MD? Thanks

I have been trying to self diagnose myself for months now and Mirena was the last think I thought of!! I can't believe how bad my life has gotten since I had Mirena inserted 10/07.

I had surgery 08/07 relating to thyroid cancer and thought that my side effects were a result of the surgery, but I have not improved and it's been 10 months. I had my thyroid medicine increased and no improvement in my fatigue. I was evaluated for sleep apnea and got a CPAP machine and no improvement in my energy level. I've gained about 30 pounds and haven't had my period since the Mirena was put in. My depression is getting progressively worse. I've been feeling like I'm at the end of my rope and I FINALLY googled Mirena and found this website. I pray to God that this is the answer to my prayers!

I spoke with my boss today and asked her for her opinion if she could remember how I was before the Mirena and now. She said that she had noticed a considerable difference in my sales, attitude and attention to detail. I can't tell you how many times I've been late for work because I couldn't get out of bed in the morning. She said that I come in with a glazed look on my face every day and she can tell that my fatigue is getting worse. (I dozed off last week during a teleconference and she was NOT happy with me.)

The funny thing is that when I called my gyno's office today and asked to make an appointment to have my IUD removed and that I thought I was having problems with it, the receptionist immediately asked if it was the Mirena. I tried to ask her if I was the only calling with problems and felt like she was dancing around the subject when I kept questioning her and then she referred me to a nurse. The nurse didn't want to make the appointment, but for once I was persistent and told her I wanted it out or else!

I had a copper IUD for 6 years and don't remember ever having any of these issues. I'm switching back to that!

I hope that my life gets back to normal! My appointment isn't until 7/9/08 so I'm kind of excited (wish I had the energy to be more excited) to see if this is the answer to my problems.

Hello To All,

I too am on this med, I have been on it for 1 year as of July 2008-

35 pounds, brain fog, headaches, eye sight for reading, chest pain and fluttering heart beat. My doctor who is my friend has told me that he will up my dose... "Dear God" any more and I will go nuts. Does anyone know of any study done in a medical journal that theu could forward to me so I can show my doctor.

Please email me at ****** I would be so very thankful.

Thanks to all and be healthy.

I was put on Toprol XL 6.5 yrs ago. My heart rate had soared to 130+ and b.p. was elevated. So my family doctor put me on Toprol XL 100 mgs. From day one I felt exhausted. He told me that would soon clear up and not to worry, we needed to be more concerned with my heart rate and b.p. I listened and was a good patient. After a year of total exhaustion and having to quit my job I asked to be taken off Toprol. He said it was the only medication that would control my heart rate and b.p. together. He agreed to reduce it to 75 mgs. After a few months I went back and said it was still too much! My b.p. was better as was my heart rate so he lowered it to 50 mgs. Things got a little better at least I could get out of bed by 10:00! Fed up I lowered it to 25 mgs. and tracked my b.p. Finally I told my doctor and he said as long as my b.p.was better 25 mgs.was ok. By this time though I was having other symptoms, body aches, joint pain, mind fog. He attributed it to arthritis and put me on Vioxx. 2 pills later I stopped due to chest pains. The symptoms I had experienced over the past 2 yrs continued so I sought a new physician. Once again he said Toprol XL was the only medication I could take for tachycardia and high b.p. My b.p. was again elevated so my meds were increased to 50 mgs. he wanted to go 100mgs., I said NO!
In 2004 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, the pain had become so bad now it was debilitating. I had all the full blown symptoms of Fibro, extreme exhaustion, body aches, joint pain, mind fog, depression etc etc. So I sought treatment for Fibromyalgia for 3 yrs. Not so successfully I might add.
I should note that I had none of these symptoms before Toprol XL.

During a recent Gynecology visit my b.p. was extremely high. I told her my story about Toprol. She said point blank, They are NOT listening to you. I think all the side effects you have been having are due to the Toprol XL.She sent me to a Cardiologist. God bless her!!
After many tests he immediately took me off Toprol. He put me on another medication instead. I am having withdrawal side effects from Toprol, shakiness, shortness of breath, heart rate acceleration and mind fogginess. But, anything is better than another day on Toprol. He told me what I was experiencing was normal withdrawing from Toprol. He also assured me there were many other alternatives to Toprol and if the new medication doesn't work there are other options.
I think Toprol XL is the next drug that should be banned!! I pray everyday my life will return to what it was before Toprol XL and that I will not have any lasting side effects from this horrible drug.

I have been having a lot of trouble with rapid heart beat. I was taking 112mcg. which my endocrinologist increased to 125 because of my blood results, and then the heart problems kicked in. Since then I have tried all sorts of dosages, even going off it for a couple of days (which did calm my heart down considerably). I'm working with 75 mcg now, but after 7 days of that, my heart start pounding away again. I had thyroid cancer so I have to take some kind of hormone replacement, but this is a challenge. I am wondering if Armour might work better.

I've been taking levoxyl for 8 months doe to thyroid cancer.From the beginning I've had insomnia,chest tightness, no menstration for 4 months, now I am having arthritic pain in my joints and it affects my hands, I've been to the dr. he dosen't seem concerned about it I'de like to know what I can do to help all this if the dr. can't.

I am 26, and I had my thyroid removed in November 2003 as a result of having thyroid cancer. I have been on Levoxyl ever since. The first few months, I had trouble sleeping and even taking a 5 minute nap during the day would cause me to be unable to sleep at night. In November 2004 (after a year of adjusting my dosage), they said my thyroid levels were at goal. At the time, I was feeling pretty good (sleeping well, feeling healthy and energetic). But the past month or so, I have been extremely tired and quite moody/depressed. I cry a lot - many times for no reason at all. I had my thyroid levels checked a couple weeks ago, and they said htey at at the goal level. I was talking with a family friend today who is a nurse and told her that I have been extremely tired and fatigue easily. She said that she thinks that the thyroid medications do have side effects that we are not always aware are really from that. Let me know if you have found any solutions to the moody/depressed feelings and emotions and the extreme tiredness. Please email me at ****** if you have any solutions! Thanks!

17 year old female. I was diagnosed w/ thyroid cancer when I was 8 and had my entire thyroid and several tumors removed a month after the diagnosis. I've been on Levoxyl for about 7 years. I often experience chest pain, nausea, abdominal pain, and depression. I want to take myself off the medication, because I recently went 3 weeks w/o taking it and the depression went away. Only problem is when I stop taking the medication for more then a month I start to feel really sick, paranoid, and I'm unable to concentrate. I've asked my mom if we could look into an alternative medication, but she believes my doctors when they say that my depression, chest pain, nausea, and abdominal pain are not at all related to my taking Levoxyl.

Just this week I had 2 injections of Thyrogen before a body scan uptake. The only side effect I endured was nausea. It's been a long week.

Good Health To You,

Crystal
11-12-04

Not sure if this is side effect. Had Thyroid Cancer, Had radiation. became hypoparathroid. Taking large doses of calcium 7200 mg. daily. Taking 200 mcq Synthroid daily. Still hypocalcemic, just increased calcium to 9000 mg. daily. Having heart palpatations so severely, my head feels full. It lasts approximately 1 minute with each episode, skin is really dry, even peeling, leg and feet cramping, finger, hand and arms have episodes of tingling, and hair texture has changed.Doctor has tried to regulate calcium and synthroid for almost 2 years now. Is this normal??

PLease be careful. I have been on a suppression therapy dose of synthroid for over 8 yrs. I had thyroid cancer and my endocrinologist said I needed to keep my tsh between .3-5.6. For the last yr I have been feeling awful. My heart rate was arnd 145, I had shortness of breath, muscle aches, hair falling out, could barely eat but I gained about 30 lbs because I was swelling up from edima. I had almost every symptom of being hyperthyroid. My endo said I ran on high test!! I thought I was going crazy. I was on 2mcgs of synthroid. My tsh level became .009 and then became non-exsistent(.oooo) I now have dialated cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure.
So if you are not on the correct dose you can have very serious side effects. Make sure your levels are checked on a regular basis. If you are not feeling right make sure someone , like a dr listens to you and hears your symptoms. I had repeated ly told my dr how I was feeling and he said I needed to be suppressed. to prevent cancer returning, well after almost dying from heart failure how suppressed should someone be????? Now My entire live is suppressed....