Painfull swollen glands in my neck... Benzo w/d?

[[Ca...]]

When I put my chin to chest, it hurts. Last time I had this was a month ago. Gland in middle neck was sore for about a week with no cold. Thought I was getting sick...then no. It's been sore again for 4 days & no virus. Anyone experience this as a w/d symptom? Candy

[[On...]]

Are you sure its a gland, like a lymph node(s) or is your thyroid? Do you have any difficulty in swallowing sensation, like something isn't quite swallowed down yet?

[[Fl...]]

I had swollen glands in my neck when I was sick during wd, and although it was caused by the cold/flu I had the wd definitely exacerbated it. When it was at its worst it felt like I was swallowing shards of glass. Nasty stuff.

[[Ca...]]

It could be my thyroid. Didn't even think of it. When I was in tolerance had MANY test & thyroid was 1.  Can thyroid probs crop up from w/d?  Tnx onthemend

[[Ca...]]

Thnx 4 responding floridaguy. 

[[Al...]]

In withdrawal and my glands are swolen as well, Not so much sore but swollen. I find if I put a heated up bean bag type pad under my chin it helps. 

[[Ca...]]

Thanks all tied up!

[[On...]]

It could be my thyroid. Didn't even think of it. When I was in tolerance had MANY test & thyroid was 1.  Can thyroid probs crop up from w/d?  Tnx onthemend

Candy,

It's very possible to have a thryroid problem during withdrawals due to either primary or secondary HYPOthyroidism(too little thyroxine) or even HYPERthyroidism(too much thyroxine) possibly caused by pituitary output or lack of the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(TSH).

 

I became extremely hypothyroid years ago and head swelling of the thyroid. It wasn't noticeable to the eye, nor could the doctor feel that it was swollen, but when I bent over forward to pick something up, it would make me gag. I also had the constant feeling like I had something that had not been swallowed, kind of like when you have spoonful of peanut butter and have trouble getting it down. It's a horrible feeling and presents it's own anxiety issues too, but fortunately supplemental dessicated thyroid hormone has cleared up that issue for me.

 

The swelling of the thryroid  is usually noticed just by swallowing, you'll feel it right around where the "Adams Apple" would be, or probably in your case just above the shallow part of the front neck or throat area. Actually, I don't even have an Adams Apple and I'm a guy!

 

If it turns out to be thyroid related, in all likelihood, this issue would disappear within time, similar to gestational hypothyroidism or hyperthryroidism.

[[Ca...]]

Thanks on the mend. VERY useful info. Good to know... I'll go to the doc if this doesn't go away soon. I have certainly gained enuf wt to warrant a thyroid investigation.  Candy

[[fi...]]

Candy,

 

If you do get a Thyroid test done, I would ask not only for a TSH test, but also a T3 and T4 test.  I am on Levoxyl, by the way, for hypothyroidism (not caused by benzo w/d).

 

Sincerely,

 

fg

[[al...]]

When I put my chin to chest, it hurts. Last time I had this was a month ago. Gland in middle neck was sore for about a week with no cold. Thought I was getting sick...then no. It's been sore again for 4 days & no virus. Anyone experience this as a w/d symptom? Candy

 

hi candy

remember this poison causes problems with endo system er aston manual

my thyroid went hyper but it was because of an infection

tsh test and ultrasound will confirm

also with tight neck muscles i'm sure effect frontof neck as well

good luck

[[Ca...]]

Thanks fishingguy & Alan99.  Does the Thyroid hurt when acting up? Candy

[[On...]]

Thanks fishingguy & Alan99.  Does the Thyroid hurt when acting up? Candy

 

Candy,

 

Yes, your thyroid can hurt during a thyroiditis conditions. It took the liberty of skimming through some of your past posts and your symptoms above all the other symptoms that are shared with benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, give the impression that you may have a "low thyroid" which is hypothyroidism. Obviously I'm again taking liberty here with a semi-educated guess here.

 

A good thorough thyroid panel blood test will tell you a lot here. You may have to insist with your doctor to have as "fishingguy" suggested; "a TSH test, but also a T3 and T4 test." Many doctors only rely on a single point test such as TSH only. You need to get all these done to fairly evaluate your thyroid function as well as pituitary (master gland) function. A TSH reading of 1-3 is considered normal, this has been more recently changed from the old standard of 1-5. Most people feel their best at about "1" on the TSH scale.

 

It's possible that you may need to have some thyroid supplement, if even only temporarily to get you through this, if this indeed it is your thyroid that is adding to the problems. Future blood tests can verify any need for continued supplementation, as your endocrine system may start working in harmony again in post withdrawal.

 

If you do need thyroid supplements, might I recommend that you ask to be put on natural dessicated thyroid such as a brand called "Armour"(Not the meat company) by Forest Pharmaceuticals http://www.armourthyroid.com/ and Acella Pharamaceuticals. It can be far superior to the synthetic hormone, (Synthroid, Levothyroxine, etc.) since it's much closer to a humans thyroid hormone. Armour contains the natural balance of 85% T4 and 15% T3. The synthetics don't have any T3 at all, just 100% T4 and you're body is expected to convert it.

 

I spent two years feeling horrible still while on synthetic thyroxine(T4) and switched to Armour and within 6 mos. I was feeling human again. Keep in mind I was extremely hypothyroid(over 100 TSH).

 

Candy, I know this is a ton of info and you may not even need it but feel free to PM me or re-post.

 

 

[[Ca...]]

Thanks for doing all that onthemend!  I'm definitely going to have this checked.  :smitten:Candy

[[fi...]]

Candy,

 

My thyroid never hurt, but I had only mild hypothyroidsm (7.1 TSH).  By the way, do you know if you will be going to an endo or a GP?  Most endocrinologists will not put you on anything unless your TSH is under 10.0.  Some people think that getting their thyroid tested by a GP is better, since they don't merely look at lab work (as many endos do) but take into consideration how you feel, etc.

 

By the way, I have tried Synthroid, Levoxyl and Armour Thyroid.  The dye in Sythroid bothered me, but I did well (and am still taking) Levoxyl.  These are synthetic hormones. 

 

I also tried Armour Thyroid, a natural hormone, but I didn't feel any better.  Since it comes from the thyroid of pigs, the dosage can vary from batch to batch.  That is one reason many allopathic doctors prefer synthetic hormones, since they are more consistent in their potency.

 

I also asked a doctor (an endocrinologist) which thyroid med was closer to that of the human thyroid, and he said the synthetic ones were (not the ones derived from natural sources such a pigs), which surprised me.

 

That being said, some people do find that Armour Thyroid, Westthroid or Naturethroid works better for them than the synthetics, while others find that the synthetics work better for them.  It may be a trial and error situation with you (like it was with me).

 

I do know that Armour Thyroid was hard to obtain for a while (due to a formulation change, which caused the FDA to get involved).  However, it may be available now.

 

At any rate, I just wanted to give you as much information as possible so that you (and your doctor) can make the best, educated decision.

 

Wishing you well ...

 

fg