Hey everyone!
I just needed to vent some and I think my hubby is getting tired of hearing it...lol. I was misdiagnosed in March 2008 as having hypothyroidism. My TSH at the time was 3.94. Normal ranges are 0.3 to 5.5 with optimal being a TSH of 1 (tsh= thyroid stimulating hormone). The doctor I went to at the time told me that the range has been decreased to 0.3 to 3.0 being normal. He started me on a medication called levoxyl which is a thyroid hormone. Alot of you know that a side effect of the drug is hair loss and thyroid conditions also cause hair loss. When started on this drug, I had absolutely no symptoms of thyroid trouble. Two to three months into taking the drug I noticed I was aching alot...mostly in my arms and legs....little did I know it was a MAJOR sign of trouble ahead. During this time I had become very active and had lost 30 lbs in a 3 month period by walking and some running 10 miles a day. So as you could imagine...I thought the aching I was experiencing was due to the exercise. I will never forget the day of December 26, 2008. I woke up this day in severe pain...aching all over...what I thought might have been the flu...boy was I wrong! I got into the shower and was in shock at the site of clumps of hair all over me. I called the doctor...went in to have some labs done and of course my TSH came back normal. After numerous visits to many different doctors...i was finally told...I should have NEVER been started on thyroid hormone. The doc also said that he believed that starting me on something I didnt need truly made my thyroid sluggish and my body was exhibiting severe signs of thyroid deficiency. After battling this horrific aching, lack of energy, depression and hair loss for 9 months and getting no where with traditional medication...I turned to alternative medicine. I started acupuncture 5 weeks ago. To my amazement, I was off thyroid medication after 4 treatments and feeling human again, the hair loss slowing WAY down, even noticed some new hair growth on my eyebrows, head and legs. Today is day 19 off of thyroid medication. Last night I started noticing the aching again. This morning I got in the shower and had a repeat of that horrific day in december...hair everywhere! WHAT the HECK????? My hubby told me tonight that was color looks horrible....I am sooooo tired of this! I am ready to shave my head and say to h*** with this mess. I am so sick of the ups and downs! I would seriously rather someone put a bullet in my head than go back on thyroid medication! I felt like a zombie on it! Sorry guys I do not mean to be venting this bad! I am just flat out ANGRY with that doctor that started me on something I DIDNT NEED! I truly believe that is what has messed me up so badly! I know everyone here is going through this...and I truly appreciate each and every one of you! You guys have been the support that I lack at home! My husband...just thinks hair is just hair. He has male pattern baldness....really doesnt effect him in the least. He usually shaves his head....says it is cooler that way. He is hot natured so it works for him. Thanks again everyone!!!!!!!!!