Daylight Savings Time | Arthritis Information

Reni and all...

I would like to tell you my story about sore feet and hypothyroidism.   About five or six years ago, I started wearing flat shoes all the time as compared to 2" heels at work.  I believe I stressed my feet and they started hurting like the plantar fascias (sp).

I have visited a hypothyroidism board and many of them had the same problem and one lady told me to take selenium....try it she said for one month.  It is only about .00 a bottle and won't hurt you and something that a lot of people take anyway as a supplement.

So I did.   And I couldn't believe that in about three or four weeks my feet quit hurting.   The thyroid gland is responsible for healing cells when they are hurt.  If your thyroid gland is a out of wack and you are taking Synthyroid, the selenium helps it to convert the thyroid hormone.  The thyroid and adrenal glands work together. 

I am wondering if this was the beginning of my PMR.  I was to the doctor last week, and I had started to take less prednisone to see what would happen.  I went down 2.5 every week and I am at 7.5, and was supposed to be at 12.5 according to her instructions.

She then told me to do as she prescribed.  So guess I had better, because when I go lower, maybe I will run into trouble. She was a bit surprised that I was doing well on 7.5.  I am on Methotrexate now for two months now too.   She put me on Methotrexate because I think she thought too that my feet were the initial onset of PMR and I didn't want to be on prednisone too long because I do already have glaucoma.

Just thought I would tell you my story about my feet so that if anyone does have an underlying unknown thyroid problem and it not be acting in full capacity, maybe the selenium will help.  I still take it and I wonder if it helped delay the full onslaught of PMR, by fixing up cells when they needed to be fixed.  Finally though the PMR just overtook it. 

I urge anyone with sore feet to try it, because our feet probably receive the most stress each day.  You can ask your doctor about selenium and he will probably tell you it will be fine, but will not make any statements about it helping your feet.

A very dear friend of mine had cancer and after her operation, selenium was on her list of prescribed medicines to take, because it helps the healing process.  It is not a prescribed medicine, you buy it at the drug store.

Mary

I can't understand why the doctor would want you to take more prednisone than was required to keep you comfortable.  Most doctors say take the lowest amount you can find relief at, as long as you know not to decrease by more than 3 mg. per month, or by 1 mg. at the lower doses.

Interesting about the selenium.  I wonder if it would help PMR without sore feet?  Thanks for sharing that information.

I hurt with PMR, before the prednisone, but I don't think as badly as some on this board.  I don't know...maybe my taking selenium helped.   To me it doesn't seem far fetched because of how it helped my feet.  I continue to take it.

If your feet hurt in the morning when you get up or hurt after not being on your feet for awhile, and especially since you said you stressed your feet, please do try the selenium for at least a month.  It just might help them.  There are many on the About.com thyroid board that were helped just as I was.

Mary

Hi Rose

I am sorry you are having such a hellish time and the night blindness sounds terrifying

  I am so sorrry to hear about your troubles! This entire disease process makes me feel like I live in the "Twilight Zone". There are so many awful and strange symptoms that you simply would not expect. I can only echo Gmama when she asks if you can see an eye doctor now, while you are still in the Caymen Islands. It would be to your benefit in case something can be found out relating to your visual problems before there is a chance for them to get any worse. Also, I would look for another rheumatologist. How has he decided that this is not PMR? Is your sed rate low? I believe that I would rather start on the cortisone once again rather than risk any further difficulties. ...Especially if your sed rate is up. I don't know about reflexologists and acupuncturists except what I have heard. I have heard that they may treat your problems temporarily, but it is simply a short term benefit rather than a lasting effect. First hand though, I really can't say. I wish you well and hope that you are able to get to a doctor before you head home. My prayers are with you. Susan M.