Posted by florence on May 9, 2004, at 20:46:38
In reply to Thyroid hormone vs. ADs, posted by Ilene on May 4, 2004, at 22:06:02
> Dear Ilene, I have unipolar depression and chronic fatigue induced by Lupron shots I took for menstrual migraines. I am convinced that the Lupron (which acts on the pituitary,altered my HPA axis. I have been ruled out for CFIDS according to the guidelines, but the fatigue I suffer is right on the nose as that described by CFIDS patients. I have been bedridden with fatigue everyday since January of this year.I have been in bed with my laptop searching for help. I have done extensive research on thyroid. I too, found info that Cytomel has been used for "decades" to augment antidepressants.(Dr. James Schaller M.D.) Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's book Screaming to be Heard: Hormone Connections Women Suspect and Drs Ignore, states that high levels of T3, Cytomel can cause heart attacks. Dr. Russell Joffe (Thyroid Hormones Levels and Recurrence of Major Depression) believes T3 (cytomel) levels are related to depression but not to T4 (Synthroid) levels. Dr. Phelps has seen folks feel better in terms of energy as their TSH level comes down from 3-4 to 1-2. Dr Alan Cohen (neurologist and psychiatrist says most patients with fatigue, anergia, and depression need TSH levels in the lower zone <1.0Dr. Peter Whybrow UCLA- uses T4 only as a mood stabilizer. His research involves bipolars disorder. I would be very CAREFUL about stopping other meds because the Cytomel is short-acting and can increase heart rate. I am NOT SURE but it may worsen anxiety. PLEASE BE CAREFUL!. I am not entirely familiar with all your other meds. I am debating whether to ask for Klonopin to help with the chronic fatigue: just read an article on Immune Support by a dr (name?) who uses Klonopin as one of his first line treatments for Chronic Fatigue. I now take Provigil (a non-amphetamine stimulant which isn't working very well AND I have to take Xanax to offset the restless, crying, that I experience when it begins to wind down. I hope you post again- I can really relate! I have read some people have their anxiety reduced when their thyroid is functioning properly. I have started Armour thyroid (T3 and T4) but so far I have not noticed many improvements. I am PRAYING that I will notice SOMETHING when I get on an optimum dose. Sending you some cyber hugs becuz I really know how you feel... I have tried SO many ADs that did next to nothing.......................My psychiatric diagnoses are depression (probably unipolar) and GAD. I've been treatment resistant for 8 or 9 years. The only 2 ADs that did anything for me were desipramine and prozac, and they both pooped out.
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> I've been taking a thyroid hormone (Cytomel, or T3) to augment my current drug mix for about ten days, and I'm feeling significantly, but not totally, better. This is the *only* med that has made a difference in years. My other meds are Marplan, Risperdal, Neurontin (at night), Klonopin (as needed), and Florinef (for low blood pressure).
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> Since all of these drugs have side effects, would it make sense to stop the Marplan, Risperdal, and Neurontin and take only the Cytomel, or does the Cytomel need another drug for AD effects?
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> Thank you.
poster:florence
thread:343425
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040505/msgs/345222.html