My TSH has always been normal. Within the last couple of years that they have been monitored, my T3/T4 levels (related to thyroid function) have subtly been changing.
I was recently (and luckily) tested for TPO Ab. Basically, a test for Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies measures whether or not your body is producing autoantibodies against the thyroid. It is often a predictor of a full-blown autoimmune thyroid disorder (i.e. Grave's disease or Hashimoto's disease), as opposed to variances in T3/T4 levels (causing hypo, or hyperthyroid conditions).
Sure enough...I am producing just such antibodies.
I have very often experienced terrible pain in my thyroid/throat region...and the pain sometimes extends throughout my neck and ears and down into my upper chest/ribs/lungs area. I also suffer from costochondritis...and the pain from that also seems to mimic the deep thyroid pain. Another problem in that region of my body, is that I suffer from vocal cord nodules, vocal cord edema and vocal cord varices.
Sometimes the pain in my throat from these conditions (the thyroid vs. the costochondritis and the vocal cord issues ) feels very much the same. But- I can usually distinguish between these ailments, because my overactive thyroid will also trigger my heart-related symptoms (which are being handled by my cardiologist) whereas my costo and vocal cord issue will obviously not.
Because my T3/T4 levels vary so much, and because it is likely that my TPO Ab also fluctuate, it is believed at this time that I do not suffer from Grave's disease, rather, a more transient condition like thyroiditis. My thyroid will be become inflamed, it will hurt like @#$!, and then the pain will resolve (until the next wave occurs). Hence, the reason that my thyroid symptoms wax and wane.
Does anyone have any suggestions for how to deal with pain in the throat that is caused solely by a case of thyroiditis (i.e. and inflamed thyroid)? I've been using ice to dull the pain, because I am limited in my use of Tylenol, NSAID's, etc. (due to drug reactions, etc.). Any natural therapies that have maybe worked for you or someone that you know? Any that you care to pass along? The pain is excrutiating and unrelenting!
One more thing- does anyone think that it is disease specific? I'm thinking that it might be the Bart that is getting hit.
Thank you in advance for your help!!!
Posts: 315 | From Negative (-) to positive (+) | Registered: Nov 2011
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
For pain relief, you may want to try Ultram (tramadol). It is a prescription med. It is not an NSAID. Ask your doc for some.
It seems to work better than most pain meds for any pain that lyme patients get. This is likely because our pain is generally nerve pain, no matter where it is. Lyme attacks the nerves and in that way causes pain in any organ and any part of the body.
Pain relief is important for a person to be able to heal and to get well.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Hmmm. I've had a lot of pain and weird feelings in the front of my neck, and it can extend into my hears and down into my shoulders...I thought maybe it was from tight muscle in the front of my neck.
I've been a little worried I have a thyroid problem for a while (I had 1 abnormal test, but the one after was normal), so maybe I should get it double-checked?
My previous LLMD treated me for hypothyroid with a clinical diagnosis of the first couple months I saw him, but I was hoping that with treatment the thyroid problem went away. But maybe when my symptoms came back that came pack to?
Anyway, I don't know what to do about pain, but I do know that tension in the muscle that connect your chest (pectorals, collarbone area) up to your neck can cause neck pain. The can push on the trachea (and so I am assuming thyroid) and make it hurt
Massage and heat helps
Posts: 503 | From Alberta, Canada | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
I think mine is from Bart for sure. I get this lump in that area and it is hard to swallow.
More hard to swallow Then pain. Using Cipro and it is hitting it hard.
Bart also makes my GI tract very sluggish. Chest pain numbness tingling in buttocks. Sharp shooting pain in ankle and foot pain.
Posts: 253 | From CA | Registered: Jun 2011
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