Side Effects of AS or Thyroid Issues?

CaptainMac · Snowy Owl Joined: Mar 10, 2008 Posts: 166

I've been experiencing symptoms of possible thyroid problems for a while now and am going to get a physical done next month. In the mean time, I'd like to know if any of these symptoms are associated with AS just to see if there's a link. (Note: not all are thyroid symptoms).

Exhaustion: It doesn't matter how long I sleep, I'm always tired. I have to take a nap almost every day and can't even sit through a class or a church service anymore. I occasionally will zone out at work. I can still sit through baseball games without a problem but perhaps that's because of the excitement? I can also swim for two hours--but only after a good rest. However, when I come home I'm usually pretty dead. In particular I feel like there's no power going to me anywhere, especially my upper legs, when I'm in bed. Therefore, I feel as if I cannot move. My energy levels have been on the decline for 11 years but have fallen off considerably in the past two years.

Intolerance of Cold: I drove for 15 minutes in a car with no A/C, no windows down, an outside temperature of 85 degrees, and was comfortable wearing a thick wool sweater. I freeze almost anywhere I go even if I'm wearing a sweater. At home I usually have a down comforter over most of my body. I run my space heater in all four seasons and turn on a second space heater in the winter. Humidity phases me a little bit but not hot temperatures--I'm not comfortable unless my surroundings are at least 80 degrees. Is this a big concern, aside from the fact I can't even go out to eat much anymore due to this? I've always been a bit intolerant of cold temperatures but have gotten worse in the last eight months or so. (BTW: My teeth do not have this problem--they have actually become less sensitive over the years).

Intolerance of Greasy Foods: Any time I eat something greasy, heavily fried, etc. I get all the symptoms of stomach flu. I almost had to be taken to the ER after eating bacon last month. I cannot eat bacon, pizza, etc. anymore. This just started early this year.

Odd Skin Problem: It looks dry as a bone but is oily.

Gas: I've had more gas pains and problems than usual, although less since I cut out all fatty foods from my diet. There's been more constipation than ever in my life over the past year though. On a related note I've also been having some urine dribble problems for the past eight years.

Ankle Pain: I think something happened to my ligaments because of badly fitting shoes. It's been chronic in my right ankle (and to a lesser extent in my left) for nine years. My previous doctor said not to do anything about it.

Arthritic Thumb: Is it common to get arthritis in a joint in your 20s? I now type with nine fingers as a result.