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Rank: Member
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DCNGA wrote:But how? Everyone keeps telling me it is not a script and my insurance won't pay for anything that is not 'script. Is it a script?
My prescription insurance is pretty pathetic. I end up paying most of med costs if I get a 30 day supply, however I can get a 90 supply for $87.50 of non-specialty pharmacy meds. Armour thyroid is dirt cheap with a script. I think it was less than my $10 co-pay($6 or so) when I last had an Rx filled for 30 pills. Natur-throid is similarly inexpensive and some prefer it(same origin/strength different fillers etc. ).
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DCNGA wrote:But how? Everyone keeps telling me it is not a script and my insurance won't pay for anything that is not 'script. Is it a script?
My prescription insurance is pretty pathetic. I end up paying most of med costs if I get a 30 day supply, however I can get a 90 supply for $87.50 of non-specialty pharmacy meds. Armour Thyroid is a Rx you can have filled at any drugstore, or do a mail order if your insurer provides it.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Crikey, leg cramps and muscle ache is *common* for hyperthyroidism: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/symptomsproblems/a/pain.htmHow is it your docs are in denial about this so-called "side effect" - which, in reality has a direct relation to hyperthyroidism? It sounds like you're between the rock and hard place: muscle cramping vs depression. I hope you can find a med to bring things into balance. ================================ DCNGA wrote:
As easy as the question of "How do you feel?" sounds, it's not easy to answer. When I am hyperthyroid I have HORRIBLE muscle cramping in my legs and feet. Two docs said that's not a side-effect but the ONLY time it happens is if I'm hyperthyroid. When I'm hypo, I don't feel bad really just more cold natured than normal. Depression seems to creep in when I'm hypo too. Had a lot of extra, added stress for the last month so that mixes in with how I'm feeling too.
I may look into the Armour but have no idea how much that will cost me and it won't be covered by insurance. Having to penny pinch these days, so any treatments not paid by health insurance are sort of out of my capabilities for now. Sigh.
I appreciate all of the responses. Thank you, all!
I Bug U
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Rank: Advanced Member
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DC, does your company offer Flex? I save tax $ with it.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 8/11/2008
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Location: Washington DC area
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"Yes, I see a Johns Hopkins grad for my endocrinologist and a Harvard grad for my PCP. I've asked both why this keeps happening and neither has an explanation. They both basically shrug their shoulders."
First off, if they haven't done so, you should have your pituitary function checked. A pituitary tumor (benign) can wreak havoc with thyroid function.
I've been on Synthroid, Levoxyl, Armour and Natur-Throid. Have had the best results with the latter two, which (yes) require a scrip but are dirt cheap. I think I pay $8 a month for my Natur-Throid and I have crappy insurance.
Also -- those measurements for "normal" are pretty subjective. It comes down to how you feel, really. My thyroid function tests within the normal range but it clearly isn't doing the job for me.
Finally, you've indicated you don't want to spend any more money on this situation, but I can recommend a great doctor in the DC area who took me seriously for the first time in 10 YEARS and helped me find a solution.
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Hi, DC...so sorry you're struggling with this. I've been in the same cycle of trying to regulate and balance everything including thyroid, and I'm pretty sure my adrenals are a huge problem, plus I have autoimmune anti-thyroid antibodies. UGH. It's really frustrating. Stress crashes the adrenals. I'm about to take a 24 hr. cortisol test to see where I am. Also, I took an iodine test from Dr. Jorge Flechas in North Carolina (about $110 and worth it) and I was really low, so I'm supplementing iodine now with Iodoral. Your thyroid needs iodine to function. I can't remember whether you said you were allergic to iodine. Also make sure your Vit. D and iron levels are optimum. Please read this excellent website called Stop The Thyroid Madness...it'll give you some great info and insight into why you're going hyper then hypo, why the meds aren't working, etc. It'll help you be your own advocate when you're dealing with the docs..and you'll know what labs to request. "Yes, I see a Johns Hopkins grad for my endocrinologist and a Harvard grad for my PCP. I've asked both why this keeps happening and neither has an explanation. They both basically shrug their shoulders." This just burns my butt. Honestly. LAZY ASS F*CKERS. If I can look something up, do some research and come up with an answer, why can't THEY?!! Unacceptable. Unfortunately 99% of doctors don't know jack about biochemistry and wellness and don't deserve a damn medical license. Sad but true. Endos are by far the WORST DOCS EVER. Good luck and keep us posted about the situation! Don't stop looking for answers, sweetie...and don't give up. Here's the link: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/things-we-have-learned/
Pay no attention to Caesar. Caesar doesn’t have the slightest idea what’s really going on. Kurt Vonnegut
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Thanks, Shaz. I actually know of that website. I need to plow through it again, it's been a while.
Yes, I'm allergic to iodine. Plus, my thyroid gland is gone (irradiated in the late 80s), so I supplement. It is frustrating. I love my PCP, she's a good doctor but has been pretty much useless on this. I felt my endo was competent but have never been a fan of her personality.
If stress can cause all of this, no freaking wonder I can't get balanced! It may be a hopeless cause until my stress is alleviated--anyone have a spare million dollas'?
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Oh, poor nuked thyroid!! I'll bet you're having some adrenal issues...if it's whack, then it causes a cascade effect where everything else is whack. It may be one reason they thyroid med isn't getting into the cells to work properly. Hey, I know a lot of docs mean well, but med school doesn't teach them basics anymore and it's a shame. Just do a refresher course on STTM to see if anything 'hits' you symptom wise and try to go from there. I'm going to have to rehab my adrenals in the next year to two years...it's an uphill battle. And yes, stress, from what I've seen just with myself, causes SO much illness and body dysfunction. And so hard to avoid stress nowdays. Hang in there! I know just how frustrated you feel...having been there myself, and still trying to figure it all out. Hugs...Shaz
Pay no attention to Caesar. Caesar doesn’t have the slightest idea what’s really going on. Kurt Vonnegut
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I am sorry you are dealing with thyroid issues. I also have the same issues you are discribing and I have no thyroid gland. Mine was removed 7 years ago because of cancer.
My advise is don't keep changing brands, that is what messes everything up. Stick to one brand name and no generic. I was on levoxyle for many years and I was at a steady level. One year my hair started falling and I searched the internet and got the site that they are mentioning above. So tried Armor thyroid and it was the worst time of my life. I was dead tired all the time and after getting off of those I could never get my levels corrected. Now I am on Levoxyle and some other T3 pill since my body is no longer converting T4 to T3 correctly after taking Armor.
Good luck
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