Posted by wearybuthopeful on April 1, 2005, at 17:07:12
Hi everyone,
I trust the collective wisdom here and need help. Try to be short - it's hard!
1. Chronic insomnia for years - PD attributed to my treatment refractory unipolar depression.
2. Tried a LOT of meds and combos; after 10 years saw a new psychiatrist (unpleasant, but creative person) who decided I was a soft bipolar (bipolar depression) and pub me on 600 mg. lithium.
Meanwhile continued on 1 mg. clonaz. for sleep - have beenon for many years, but doc wants me off.
3. Went hypothyroid after just 2-3 months and then went on .25 Synthroid. Okay for about 18-20 months.
4. Lithium caused severe cognitive probs. & even some amnesia, polyuria (10-15X/night); not really sure that it helped me with the depression as some work issues improved, e.g. got some! (still inadequate income thouogh)concurrently which helped mood somewhat. Have had many other stressors over this last approx. 20 months.
5. Since late fall feeling physically horrible, fatigue, etc. I'm deep into perimenopause too, so multiple issues here. Finally went to GP and I am SEVERELY hypothyroid (many bad symptoms) - possibly Hashimoto's. Seeing endo next week after two month wait. Meantime, now on .75 Synthroid.
Hard to separate out symptoms, but I'm now off the lithium entirely (main difference I notice is brain fog slightly lessened - even with thyroid issues - and back to massive nailbiting which had stopped for this period.
6. PD wanted me to stay at say 225 mg. lithium but I don't want any more interference with thyroid function. He also wants me to try lamictal which I'm considering - only after this thyroid crisis gets resolved and probably with a different doc.
7. Now - the CLONAZ. He wants me to taper off in one month. In v-mail dispassionately recites all the unpleasant symptoms I'm likely to experience
- I'm already very very stressed out for variety of reasons. He rejected (I'd written a pleasant letter as he works part-time and won't schedule short phone calls or take insurance) suggestion that I combine with valium - for short time - read this approach on what I thought was a reputable site.
8. I'm worried about this fast taper. He suggests using Benadryl (25mg.), though a.m. sedation. I already know that as I've tried it and Tylenol pm (not together!) a couple of times.
Help! Any ideas (besides exercise which I can only do a little of at this time due to the huge fatigue from thyroid issues).
In the past, "natural" approaches like Gaba, hops, warm milk, and more have not helped me. I also have a lot of anxiety coexistent with the depression. Depression is not disabling as it has been, but still quite present.
I am now seeing a naturopath and licensed acupuncturist for all these issues.
Is this an overly rapid clonaz. taper?
I'm all ears for any ideas. Thanks so much, in advance, and sorry for length. Oh - one last thing. Resumed smoking a few months ago - want to get off for many reasons, but will be experiencing withdrawal from that as well.
WBH
poster:wearybuthopeful
thread:478673
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050330/msgs/478673.html