Posted by Karen44 on November 27, 2006, at 20:19:29
In reply to Re: What Do I Do? Thyroid and Antidepressants and » Phillipa, posted by Racer on November 26, 2006, at 12:51:16
> Jan, you really do sound as though you're, as you put it, "What should I do I'm driving myself ... crazy with the worrying?" The best thing you can do is work on the worry itself, and wait to see what the doctors say about the issues with your thyroid, etc.
>
> The doctor mentioned a weak link to autoimmune hepatitis? That's very, very different from saying that he thinks *you* might have hepatitis.
>
> You're afraid that your medications may have damaged your liver? Autoimmune diseases are just that -- autoimmune. They are not caused by medications you take.
>
> You have no symptoms of hepatitis. I'm sure you've had liver function panels done? Have they come back normal? If so, your liver is functioning well, and that's what matters.
>
> The more you can catch the thoughts involved in the worries, the more you can challenge your own thinking before it leads you to panic, the more you can reduce your own anxiety. That's the good part of CBT type exercises. When you start thinking about this, and you can feel yourself getting worked up, take a deep breath and check the reality of the thoughts. Is it possible that something is horrendously wrong with you? Of course it is -- but is it likely? No, it's not likely. If you stop and think about it, you probably know that, right?
>
> As for the pdoc, how about saying something along the lines of, "Doctor, I'm afraid. I have some thyroid stuff going on, and I'm afraid anything that you prescribe might create problems in working that out. Will you communicate with the doctor who's treating that, so that neither one of you get in the other's way?" Often that works best -- the doctors can worry about things like how Drug A will interact with Drug B and what influence it will have on Test X. That's their job. Your job, as a patient, is to work with the doctors, not to do their jobs for them. And frankly, I think it's very possible to scare yourself into bigger problems through the information you can get online. That's a general statement, not you in particular, but I have to say I think it does apply to you, too. (Sorry, I don't mean that in a mean way -- I do it, too, sometimes. I'm pointing it out in hopes that you'll find the feedback helpful.)
>
> What do I think would help you most? You won't be surprised if I say "psychotherapy," since you know I believe it's very helpful for most everybody, right? ;-) I also think that finding an SSRI to help reduce your anxiety more effectively would be the best thing that pdoc can do for you. I know you say you've tried them all, but I think you can try again and maybe if you worry less about side effects, you can find one that works.
>
> Good luck.
Racer, I couldn't agree with you more re your recommendations. Jan; I don't mean this in a mean way, but why do you so often have a come back for why something will not work or why you can't do that which someone suggests? Racer was right on target re recommendations. You don't have to see a psychiatrist for therapy; you could see a psychologist or a social worker. To work on the now is not a bad idea either (for starters) to help you get a handle on all the physical stuff and anxiety and depression that is right now.Jan, You know I have some of the same issues--lots of physical problems. When one resolves or is being managed, it seems another pops up. I have put on hold dealing with some of the past stuff until I can get a handle on my physical health and can find a medication or maybe ECT after all to help me be less depressed and so I can work on putting to rest some old issues. Please don't be dismissive of what others recommend. Okay?
Karen
(Karen44)
poster:Karen44
thread:707405
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061123/msgs/708033.html