I recently found out my thyroid is off - hypothyroid.
I just started on Synthroid 25mg - about a week now. But it seems my insomnia is getting worse - only 2-3 hours a night now. Does this mean I should take more or less Synthroid? I'm so confused and tired!
I don't know Synthroid specially (in Finland the most common med is Tyroxin) but I don't suggest you to adjust your medication on your own. Thyroid levels take a while (after starting or adjusting medication) to settle on a certain level. So as far as I know you should have another blood test in a little while - usually a month...three months - to see if the medication is on a right level. If you have broblems too big with the meds contact the doctor, don't do anything by yourself.
Here http://www.synthroid.com/WhatIsSynthroid/SideEffects.aspx (http://www.synthroid.com/WhatIsSynthroid/SideEffects.aspx) is a list of possible side effects from Synthroid. Also sleeplessness is listed.
Hi :)
It took over a year to stabilise my levels when I became hypothyroid. I know that is not what you want to hear but I'm afriad patience is a must. I started off on the 25mcg and am now on 150mcg 4 days a week and 175mcg 3 days a week.
After starting on thyroxine there is no point testing blood for at least 8 weeks. After 8 weeks if you still feel rotten get the levels checked again and see if more synthroid/thyroxine is required. When you do get stabilised I bet you feel better than you have done for a while!
I found it was helpful to take a selenium supplement because seleium helps T4 (Synthroid/thyroxine) to convert to T3 which is what the body needs.
There is a good thyroid forum at About.com. It is worth a look.
Take care - Scottie :)
I am to on Synthroid! I have hypothyroid as well too. I have had insomnia for years. The doctor recently prescribed me Ambien for sleep and it works wonders on me but I know that you can't be on it but a couple of months but I needed something. ha.
I have been on Synthroid since I was 27...I am WAY past that. Hypothyroidism was my first autoimmune disease. I agree with some of what has gone before that it takes a while for the dosage to get stabilized. Your doctor should be bringing you in after 6 weeks or so to test blood levels. I used to be on 125 and now am on 100. You should take the dosage in the morning on an empty stomach and allow at least 30 min before you eat anything. As the day wears on your levels will decline so by nightfall any affect from the meds should be minimal.
I think age and SJS also contribute to insomnia. I had no issues until past menopause and diagnosed with SJS. I tried over the counter for awhile, I would panic that I would be miserable the next day if I lie awake at night. Because I already take enough meds with SJS etc...I decided to try better sleep habits and they have been working.
What has worked for me is:
1.get at least 30 minutes (longer better) of elliptical/walking briskly/biking every day or every day you want to sleep thru the night. also walk the dogs in the am for 30 min.
2. No computer/tv/smartphone screen after 7pm. I dvr shows and watch earlier. the light from the screens can impact your sleep cycle. Occaisionally will watch later...like football or special program but mostly read, or knot, or needlepoint to wind down.
3. to bed every night at the same time and up every morning at the same time even if tired.
4. dark, cool, quiet room. Also try a warm shower a hour of so before bed if you find that relaxes you.
5. limit caffeine two cups coffee in the am is about it...and limit alcohol....ok one glass of wine at or after dinner sometimes.
I have found I can now sleep without medical help. Esp. if I do lots of moving around during the day.
Quote from: Navigator on January 21, 2013, 02:43:45 PM
I have been on Synthroid since I was 27...I am WAY past that. Hypothyroidism was my first autoimmune disease. I agree with some of what has gone before that it takes a while for the dosage to get stabilized. Your doctor should be bringing you in after 6 weeks or so to test blood levels. I used to be on 125 and now am on 100. You should take the dosage in the morning on an empty stomach and allow at least 30 min before you eat anything. As the day wears on your levels will decline so by nightfall any affect from the meds should be minimal.
I think age and SJS also contribute to insomnia. I had no issues until past menopause and diagnosed with SJS. I tried over the counter for awhile, I would panic that I would be miserable the next day if I lie awake at night. Because I already take enough meds with SJS etc...I decided to try better sleep habits and they have been working.
What has worked for me is:
1.get at least 30 minutes (longer better) of elliptical/walking briskly/biking every day or every day you want to sleep thru the night. also walk the dogs in the am for 30 min.
2. No computer/tv/smartphone screen after 7pm. I dvr shows and watch earlier. the light from the screens can impact your sleep cycle. Occaisionally will watch later...like football or special program but mostly read, or knot, or needlepoint to wind down.
3. to bed every night at the same time and up every morning at the same time even if tired.
4. dark, cool, quiet room. Also try a warm shower a hour of so before bed if you find that relaxes you.
5. limit caffeine two cups coffee in the am is about it...and limit alcohol....ok one glass of wine at or after dinner sometimes.
I have found I can now sleep without medical help. Esp. if I do lots of moving around during the day.
I wish all of this would work for me...lol. I have tried all of these. I have to have prescription drugs to help me sleep. On Ambien right now. :)
Hey all,
Thanks everyone for your kind replies!
I have tried Ambien, Trazadone - they work for a while then don't. The only Rx that worked long-term was Klonopin, a benzo, which had too many bad side effects. I also have tried several herbal remedies - used to work now they don't. I also tried sleep restriction - only in bed for sleep, strict bedtime and wakeup times, etc. That just wore me out as I was only sleeping for 4 hours a night. Once I got out of bed, it was assured I was NOT going to sleep again. Now I just rest, read, meditate and try not to freak out too much about not sleeping. Naps the next day help a lot, if I can get the time.
Since I started the Synthroid, I've actually had 2 nights that I fell back asleep!!! That hasn't happened in weeks, months. So maybe just maybe this is starting to work? I also need to switch from taking the meds at night to the morning as I did not know that sleeplessness was a side effect - Ack! I will try that and see what happens.
I'm also going to see a new doc - naturopathic. She hopefully will help me balance the hormones/HRT I'm on - I felt so hot last night. Like a hot flash. My heart pounding, then of course I'm up to pee. Sigh.....
My rheumie also started me on doxycycline - yet another med I have to take. I'm wondering if that is also contributing. Isn't SjS so fun?
MIndy, I have to ask if your doc has tried antidepressnts to help you sleep?? This is much safer for people than using ambien. There is a lot of research going on right now on Ambien and they are finding that it is a much more dangerous drug than first thought.
It stays in the blood stream much longer than they thought and there are a lot of car accidents that they are now attributing to ambien.
The antidepressant drugs at low dosages can be given to improve sleep with much less side effects. They use 25 mgm of Zoloft and probably some of the newer drugs are used also. I am so surprised that people have been taking so much ambien. I would take 5 mgm and by the 4th morning I was so drugged that I took no more of that med. It scared me to death. I would hope that anyone taking that med would check with their doc.
I also have to add that when Ambien first came out is was advised that no one take the drug for more than 30 days. Can't imagine how things get so far from the advised dosing schedule. Guess I just fell off the turnip truck. Irish-
Quote from: irish on January 22, 2013, 10:51:38 PM
MIndy, I have to ask if your doc has tried antidepressnts to help you sleep?? This is much safer for people than using ambien. There is a lot of research going on right now on Ambien and they are finding that it is a much more dangerous drug than first thought.
It stays in the blood stream much longer than they thought and there are a lot of car accidents that they are now attributing to ambien.
The antidepressant drugs at low dosages can be given to improve sleep with much less side effects. They use 25 mgm of Zoloft and probably some of the newer drugs are used also. I am so surprised that people have been taking so much ambien. I would take 5 mgm and by the 4th morning I was so drugged that I took no more of that med. It scared me to death. I would hope that anyone taking that med would check with their doc.
I also have to add that when Ambien first came out is was advised that no one take the drug for more than 30 days. Can't imagine how things get so far from the advised dosing schedule. Guess I just fell off the turnip truck. Irish-
No she has not. Oh gosh did not know this! Thanks for the info! The Ambien really helps with my sleep and I feel fine during the day. I have taken this before and it helps me and when I wake up the next morning I feel like I have gotten sleep and I am not groggy or anything. Oh I know it. Well I trust my doc so I will see how it goes I guess. LOL no you didn't fall off the turnip truck ha. I have the one bottle I am taking of Ambien then I have 2 more refills. I try not to take it every night if I don't need it.