Hello Ladies -

How long can it take to get hormones balanced out? I just started taking a new natural hormone cream and Armour Thyroid. Seems on top of these two things I have high Stress/Anxiety from caring for my 88 year old father.

Sometimes I feel like I can't go on anymore - how long can this take til I had least feel like I'm not dying all the time? I know that fear is a big factor because I have never felt bad in my life except for a few bouts of the stomach flu when I was young but that would leave after a day or two.

Now the bad feelings are constant..... Especially with the Armour - my doctor started me on 30mmg but the first one I took almost sent me to ER. My heart raced so bad for an hour and I was dizzy. SO now I have dropped it down to 1/4 a tablet.

This forum has really helped me tremendously in knowing that it's not just me - that lots of you guys are going thru the same thing. But I am SO ready to get thru this - sometimes it is hard to go on.

You woman let believe in God - I would appreciate your prayers.

Thanks,
Jan

Hi Jan,
I am hypothyroid too but I take synthroid. When were you diagnosed? Part of this could be that your thyroid levels are normal yet. I am not familiar with Armour thyroid but perhaps you need more bloodwork to see if you are gettng enough. Also if Armour is derived from natural sources it could be that your dose is not consistent. Getting the right dose may take a few tries.

As far as the anxiety goes, I am all over that too. Mine was so bad that I got paralyzed by it and got into that vicious circle of anxiety-panic-anxiety-panic. I was lucky and had a wonder doctor (GP my GYN was useless) who would get on the phone with me two nights a week for 20 minutes and talk me off my perch. Some nights he was reassuring, other nights he'd call and be funny. But it worked. He also had me try some meds. I tried Lexapro but it wasn't for me. After 10 days I weaned. I am now on a combo of Yasmin birth control pills, vitamins (b complex for nerves), and a good ole Xanax for those days I spin out of control. I am also on a beta blocker for an arythmia which has a side effect similar to an anti anxiety med. I also find that exercising helps alot.

So here's the thing. Get you thyroid levels done again. Consider a synthetic thyroxin so you have measured doses. Talk to you doctor about medical relief of your anxiety and don't get upset if you don't find what works the first time. You are fine , you will be fine! This is something you can control and handle, and it will not get the best of you. Please don't despair, there are so many women on this board who have and are going through the exact same thing, anxiety can be beaten. And please, please don't beat yourself up over feeling this way. I did but I am not a weak hot house flower. This is a hormone chemical issue not a character flaw and don't have a moments guilt about fixing it!

I'll say a good long prayer for you today!

Tracy

Thanks Tracy for your prayers. I have had hypothyroidism for a good 15 years and have taken a natural product called Thyroid 130 by Atrium. It helped until I started going thru perimenopause. Armour is a natural thryoid medicine which is a prescription. I do not want to take any synthetic medications. I am more of a natural nut - the body was not made to be compatible with chemicals and can be damaging. In 25 years there have been no complains or any side effects from Armour.

SInce I have just started taking it - it will take some time to find the right dose. Yes I did have a blood test and my thyroid is WAY out of wack. Just takes time to get it back.

Jan

Jan,
I don't think there's anything nutty about sticking with natural relief. I am hoping to switch to bio-identicals when my kids are all in school. Right now I need to know that I can be there for them the way they need me and I have found my magic cocktail! You just sounded really upset and I wanted to help. I think in the long run you've made a smart choice. Good luck and feel better!
Tracy

Mpolarb...does that mean warppin yourself over the heard with a "natural bristled" brush count?!

Hey DaMomma, synthetic bristles for whacking, natural bristles for brushing. Didn't you get the memo?
Tracy

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, ummmmmmm, NO! Will take note now! Thanks...

Jan,

Wanted to say that getting hormones leveled out can take a while. When I was first diagnosed, a lot of people said "Oh, you'll just take a pill and be fine." Nine months after that - and lots of trial and error - I am still trying to improve my situation... A lot of symptoms have improved, but still trying to "tweak" the system to feel better.

Was lucky that early on a nurse did say to me, "Thyroid can be tricky. Try to be patient because it can take a while." Just knowing that much meant I could be patient, 'coz you really don't have much of a choice.

As with all health issues, I support what works best for each person. I have found best results so far with Levoxyl, but also want to look into natural replacements...

Wish you relief soon. It's no picnic.

new to game

jsully- Forgive my brain fog!! Just saw where you've been dealing w/ hypo for 15 years - me in my 1st year trying to offer advice! Please know I am very sympathetic to your situation still...

new

Hey I get those brain fogs too - I was using a natural thyroid medicine for years and it seemed to do the trick until I started into perimenopause and found I needed something different and stronger.

Yesterday I had the BEST day I have had in 2 months - no headaches, no dizziness, no aches, no pains, no racing heart, no palpatations, etc. just the tinnitus thing at nite. Gave me a taste of what normal is

I just wanted to say that Cod Liver Oil, had helped a great deal with my brain fog. I've found that it helps better than other brands I've used... Also, organic coconut oil helps to improve thyroid problems....