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Posted 10/9/2009 10:24 AM (GMT 0)

 I have been newly diagnosed (10 days ago) and am so glad I found this website!  I have had autoimmune problems since 1988 (age 16) and am wondering if anyone else has Hashimoto's Thyroiditis as well as  MS.  All of my thyroid levels are normal with the med regiment Im on but still have EXTREME fatigue.  I know that this is also from the MS and am wondering if anyone else with the same problems has info on how to cope. 

I am as active as I can be! about a year ago I quit my desk job of 20 years (because of the fatigue, can't do 50-60 hours a week anymore!) in order to take a job waitressing thinking that being more active would help.  It has helped my health in other areas, but the fatigue is definitely continuing to worsen.  I have not started meds for my MS and am looking for some insight.

Once again, I am so thankful for this site!  Strength in numbers!  Bless you all!

Posted 10/9/2009 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Keds,

Welcome welcome!!!  I am glad you have found us.  I am sorry you are dealing with a new diagnosis.  I am a little confused (MS brain).  You have both Hashimoto's and MS?  You are currently treating the thyroid issue but havn't yet started meds for MS?  Let me know if I have that right.

I don't have any experience with thyroid problems.  You may want to post here on the thyroid board.  I do know that many people do have extreme fatigue issues with MS.  There are meds that can help with that.  Provigil is on that some have success with.  You may want to ask your doctor. 

Do you exercise?  I know it can be so hard to muster the energy for that when you are experiencing fatigue but it can really help!

Again, Welcome to HW.  Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.

Posted 10/9/2009 8:07 PM (GMT 0)

 You got it right!  I am currently only being treated for my thyroid.  Have been taking meds for it for 15 years (Hashi's is an autoimmune disorder) I've been waiting for an appointment with a MS specialist in St. Louis to get 2nd opinion and find out what type I have.  My neuro did not want to start any meds yet for MS(do have lesions on my brain) until we know exactly what we are looking at.   He did allow me to start taking Neurontin for my tics, twitches and muscle spasticity.  Its is helping those symptoms.

Yes I do exercise!  That is one of the biggest reasons I got out of a desk chair and became a waitress.  I wore a padometer at work a couple of times and well went over the 10,000 steps per day goal!  It does get my heart rate up!  I do not lift weights since my muscles fatigue so quickly. 

Thanks for the info on Provigil.  I will definitely talk to my doc about this.  Being double whammied with both diseases sure does make a body tired!!

Posted 10/11/2009 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
keds,

Welcome to our very exclusive club!  Just so you know, I have MS and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as well as a couple of other fun auto-immune relations.  Auto-immune diseases are related in a way, so there are quite a few people who have more than one diagnosis to deal with.

It's great that you can exercise, I still can't do more than a few minutes at a time, so you are ahead of the game on that.  As for the fatigue, Gretchen had great advice.  I have been on Provigil since my diagnosis in February and I don't know how I survived without it before.  Also keep in mind that you may need to continue to adjust your schedule.  MS is a lot more serious than thyroiditis, and does require some lifestyle changes.

If you are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS your doctor will probably want to start you on therapy to slow the progression of the disease.  The ones I can remember are Copaxone, Avonex, and Rebif.  You can find out a lot on those by googling them.  I think these treatments are only for relapsing-remitting, so if you have a different type you will have to look at other options.

Posted 10/11/2009 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, welcome keds. I just wanted to let you know, I have serious fatigue also and take Provigil. just an fyi I don't know what kind of insurance you have but I'm on medicaid and they did not cover Provigil cause they said it's for narcolepsy and not MS. So if you have problems try the Provigil Assistance Program, you'll probably have to google it. I lost the number but they worked there magic and got it approved through my insurance. which was really nice cause that stuff is expensive.. Good luck.
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