Thyroid Medication Challenges

So I’ve been instructed to take my thyroid med levothyroxine first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Then 30 minutes later I’m to take the rest of my morning meds, which includes the Gabapentin for anxiety, and meloxicam for arthritis. The reason you do this is the levo doesn’t absorb very well, so you want to take it alone. I didn’t realize this, apparently forgot my original dosing instruction two decades ago. I was taking all my morning meds at once. That was not correct.

 I’ve been following this new dosing schedule for 2 1/2 months, as we’ve adjusted my levo from a high of 137 mcg/day to where I am now, 112 mcg. We’ve had to keep lowering the dosage because of breakthrough anxiety I’ve been experiencing, which has been crippling. I looked it up and if you are taking too much levothyroxine you can have anxiety and nervousness.

I’m trying to remember correctly, but I don’t think my anxiety was as bad when I was taking my levothyroxine with the rest of my morning meds, all at once, not separating it out. So now I’m at a crossroads, wondering if I should go against my new dosing instruction and go back to taking all my morning meds at once, to get some relief from anxiety. I don’t think I’m going to go against doctors instructions, but dammit, I’m sick of the anxiety!

Mom and Michael are cutting discussion about my anxiety off, they’ve had enough of my fretting and worrying and fear. Therapist Matt is suggesting I call the 988 Lifeline Ohio number for support…what the hell? I’m not going to do that. He also suggested journaling when I’m having bad anxiety, and I’ve been doing that. It’s been helpful. 

Today is my third day at the lower 112 mcg levo dose and I’m not feeling particularly anxious. I’m not feeling particularly joyful either, which is concerning to me. Maybe I will end up back where we started, at the 100 mcg levo dose. That was where I was before Dr. Levy did the blood draw in December and got a 3.4 TSH result. 

Oh who knows, I will just keep trudging along, probably dealing with the anxiety myself. I know myself, I’m committed to being compliant with doctors orders, and will probably follow the new dosing schedule for another week before contacting my endocrinologist for relief. 

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Ok so I started feeling jittery and nervous after brunch, despite taking my noon dose of Gabapentin, and I said to myself to hell with this, I’m just going to take a walk. I felt better afterwards, so maybe what I need to do is get moving when the anxiety starts to grip me. 

I think it’s up to me to use tools in addition to the Gabapentin and levo reductions to manage my anxiety. Walking, deep breathing, journaling comes to mind. Water exercise, etcetera. I’m doing my best to follow these avenues, and seeing some benefit. I also like talking to mom about my anxiety but she can no longer handle it. I’m sad about that but I’ll try and move forward.

That’s it for now. I’ll check back in with updates. Graves disease I wish I didn’t have you.