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Posted by Pfinstegg on October 23, 2002, at 20:02:13
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 23, 2002, at 18:01:58
You're so welcome, Chloe. I take the T3-T4 combination myself, and feel it's a valuable addition, but not a major AD by itself.
Since you are discussing all these things with your doctors, what about finding out about your estrogen levels? You are very young to have low ones, but sometimes even women in their thirties do. A good article about this is from the MGH in Boston: "Efficacy of estradiol for the treatment of depressive disorders in perimenopausal women" Soares,CN et al,Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001 Jun;58(6): 529-34
You have made such terrific progress so far; we always look for your posts, and do hope to hear further good news from you- but, even if there are still ups and downs, keep posting anyway!
Pfinstegg
Posted by Ritch on October 23, 2002, at 23:36:49
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 23, 2002, at 18:01:58
Chloe, Pfinstegg is right about the T3 (tri-idothyronine-Cytomel). Make sure you mention that to your doctors. I wonder if thyroid augmentation could replace the Ritalin I am taking and "treat" ADHD symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, concentration, etc., and be an even more effective anticycling agent the Ritalin is for me now.
Posted by Pfinstegg on October 24, 2002, at 0:44:04
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Chloe, posted by Ritch on October 23, 2002, at 23:36:49
It couldn't hurt to try it, Ritch; you might like it better than the Ritalin, or at least you might be able to lower the dose. I think it's helped me feel more alert and energetic, and I believe I have a sense of well-being on it that was lacking before- I haven't had any extra nervousness on the very low doses, and there aren't any highs or crashes.
Pfinstegg
Posted by Chloe on October 24, 2002, at 9:34:04
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Chloe, posted by Ritch on October 23, 2002, at 23:36:49
Thank you Pfinstegg and Mitch. I emailed a letter to my pdoc about T3 Cytomel with T4. She said that she was going to confer with the edoc.
However, I am so tentative about adding something that might make me edgy or agitated. I love the calm feeling I get from ECT. It's like no other feeling I have had from any of the countless meds I have tried. Even the mood stabilizers, like Depakote, neurontin, tegretol, none of them made me feel as well as I do after ECT. I wonder if T3/4 could make me feel up, but not agitated? And how does it decrease cycling??? Does anyone know the mechanism? Oops, got to rush off.
Thanks SO much
Chloe
Posted by Chloe on October 24, 2002, at 9:41:19
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Ritch, posted by Pfinstegg on October 22, 2002, at 23:09:02
> Yes, I agree, too, but you are better off to add both synthroid (T4) and cytomel (T3). This has a better effect on depression than synthroid alone, according to a 1999 article in the New England Journal of Medicine. It's OK to get your TSH level down to about 0.5, although in the long run you will have to pay attention to avoiding osteoporosis. Good dosages to start with are 50 ug. of synthroid and 12.5 ug cytomel.
>
> We're all rooting for you, Chloe.
>
> PfinsteggDear Pfinstegg
My pdoc just email me back and asked for the specific NEJM article as she is not familiar with the T3/4 combo, but would like to try it if it might help me. By any chance do you know the specific journal #?
Thank you-really got to go
Chloe
Posted by Ritch on October 24, 2002, at 11:15:29
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 24, 2002, at 9:34:04
> Thank you Pfinstegg and Mitch. I emailed a letter to my pdoc about T3 Cytomel with T4. She said that she was going to confer with the edoc.
> However, I am so tentative about adding something that might make me edgy or agitated. I love the calm feeling I get from ECT. It's like no other feeling I have had from any of the countless meds I have tried. Even the mood stabilizers, like Depakote, neurontin, tegretol, none of them made me feel as well as I do after ECT. I wonder if T3/4 could make me feel up, but not agitated? And how does it decrease cycling??? Does anyone know the mechanism? Oops, got to rush off.
> Thanks SO much
> Chloe
Chloe, I don't know how it is supposed to work. I read about it here: http://www.psychguides.com/gl-treatment_of_bp2000.html
Posted by Pfinstegg on October 24, 2002, at 16:54:41
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Pfinstegg, posted by Chloe on October 24, 2002, at 9:41:19
The article is "Effects of Thyroxine plus Triiodothyronine in Patients with Hypothyroidism", Bunevicius,R et al NEJM, Volume 340: 424-429 Feb 11, 1999 number 6. Although this article addresses hypothyroidism, which you don't have, there have been several past posts on psychobabble about people obtaining real relief from depression by getting their TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) to the low end of the normal range. I think the normal range is 0.5-4.0. Taking T3-4 will bring the TSH cdown quickly. The important test to have done during follow-ups is the TSH, rather than the T3 or T4, although those can be done also. I think I found this article on regular google, although it could have been medline. I would copy it for you here if my computer skills were better!
I am unipolar, and don't know whether the T3-4 will be too stimulating for you or not. But it is safe, given in very low doses, and is metabolized quickly by the body, so if for any reason it isn't right for you, you can stop it and the whole episode will pass by quickly. I think this is a very good idea on your doctor's part.
Pfinstegg
Posted by Chloe on October 24, 2002, at 19:17:23
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Chloe, posted by Pfinstegg on October 24, 2002, at 16:54:41
Mitch, Pfinstegg,
Thank you both for the info on T3 and 4. Thanks Mitch for the link. But my pdoc wrote back to me after reading the NEJM article:"The support in the psychiatric literature is for the
use of T3 only to ameliorate rapid cycling, especially in people taking
antidepressants." So she called in T3 to my pharmacy. I will pick it up tomorrow. And she is going to check my TSH in about two weeks. I am just petrified it's going to make me racy and agitated. But I am trying to have an open mind, and hopefully it will help my rapid cycling. I' ll keep you posted. You guys have been great! Thanks so much
Chloe
Posted by Ritch on October 24, 2002, at 22:33:36
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 24, 2002, at 19:17:23
> Mitch, Pfinstegg,
> Thank you both for the info on T3 and 4. Thanks Mitch for the link. But my pdoc wrote back to me after reading the NEJM article:"The support in the psychiatric literature is for the
> use of T3 only to ameliorate rapid cycling, especially in people taking
> antidepressants." So she called in T3 to my pharmacy. I will pick it up tomorrow. And she is going to check my TSH in about two weeks. I am just petrified it's going to make me racy and agitated. But I am trying to have an open mind, and hopefully it will help my rapid cycling. I' ll keep you posted. You guys have been great! Thanks so much
> ChloeJust the T3? I would still try it, Chloe. She probably knows how med sensitive you are and won't give you but a small dose to see how you do. I think with T3 only you will need to take it 3-4x daily. That means it will wash out fast.
Posted by Pfinstegg on October 24, 2002, at 22:39:27
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 24, 2002, at 19:17:23
That's so interesting- just T3 for bipolar according to the psych. literature. You have a great pdoc, reading new articles and e-mailing you back so quickly! I'm looking forward to hearing how it works for you- and GOOD LUCK with it.
Pfinstegg
Posted by Chloe on October 25, 2002, at 18:09:07
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Chloe, posted by Ritch on October 24, 2002, at 22:33:36
> > Mitch, Pfinstegg,
> > Thank you both for the info on T3 and 4. Thanks Mitch for the link. But my pdoc wrote back to me after reading the NEJM article:"The support in the psychiatric literature is for the
> > use of T3 only to ameliorate rapid cycling, especially in people taking
> > antidepressants." So she called in T3 to my pharmacy. I will pick it up tomorrow. And she is going to check my TSH in about two weeks. I am just petrified it's going to make me racy and agitated. But I am trying to have an open mind, and hopefully it will help my rapid cycling. I' ll keep you posted. You guys have been great! Thanks so much
> > Chloe
>
> Just the T3? I would still try it, Chloe. She probably knows how med sensitive you are and won't give you but a small dose to see how you do. I think with T3 only you will need to take it 3-4x daily. That means it will wash out fast.Hi Mitch,
My pdoc called in 5 mcgs of Cytomel. I am to take one per day, perferably on a empty stomach in the morning. As it turns out T3 has a half life of about 2 and a 1/2 half days, so once a day dosing seems adequete. According to the PDR, you are supposed to start out at 5 mcgs, and stay at that for two weeks. Then get a level, and adjust the dose from there...
Even though I did not test as hypothyroid, sometimes I feel like I am. My hair has been falling out for several months. It's extremely thin and dry now. I seem to have other slowed downed symptoms too. Sometimes I am so tired I could just drop. I dragged myself around today. It's only 7 pm, but I feel like I could easily cash in for the night right now. It's either I feel drop dead tired, or I am racing and high as a kite. Finding and staying in the middle is for me right now. I hope this Cytomel helps. I took 5 mcgs this afternoon and don't feel anything so far. At least it didn't make me all sped up like I feared, Phew!
Hope you are doing ok. Did you get off the WB and ritalin yet?
Chloe
>
>
Posted by Chloe on October 25, 2002, at 18:26:03
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Chloe, posted by Pfinstegg on October 24, 2002, at 22:39:27
> That's so interesting- just T3 for bipolar according to the psych. literature. You have a great pdoc, reading new articles and e-mailing you back so quickly! I'm looking forward to hearing how it works for you- and GOOD LUCK with it.
>
> PfinsteggPfinstegg,
Yes, my pdoc is great with e-mail. I think I found a medium that she feels comfortable with. For years I would try to reach her by phone and it could be days or more before she would get back to me. And the conversations tended to be quite stilted and awkward. With the computer, she usually gets back to me within a day, and with alot of detail, support, information, etc. It really is working out very well.Pfinstegg, in an earlier post you said 12.5 ug's of Cytomel is a good place to start. How does a ug compare to a mcg? Or how much is a ug? I know you take t3 and t4, could you tell me again how much you take and how it makes you feel? And do you notice any side effects? Thankfully, I have no side effects so far...The bottle of Cytomel says it has "no known side effects if it's taken correctly." Do you think 5 mcgs is enough to do anything positive for me? If I am making you repeat yourself I am sorry. My memory isn't what it used to be...
Thanks again
Chloe
Posted by Ritch on October 25, 2002, at 20:35:53
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Ritch, posted by Chloe on October 25, 2002, at 18:09:07
> Hi Mitch,
> My pdoc called in 5 mcgs of Cytomel. I am to take one per day, perferably on a empty stomach in the morning. As it turns out T3 has a half life of about 2 and a 1/2 half days, so once a day dosing seems adequete. According to the PDR, you are supposed to start out at 5 mcgs, and stay at that for two weeks. Then get a level, and adjust the dose from there...
> Even though I did not test as hypothyroid, sometimes I feel like I am. My hair has been falling out for several months. It's extremely thin and dry now. I seem to have other slowed downed symptoms too. Sometimes I am so tired I could just drop. I dragged myself around today. It's only 7 pm, but I feel like I could easily cash in for the night right now. It's either I feel drop dead tired, or I am racing and high as a kite. Finding and staying in the middle is for me right now. I hope this Cytomel helps. I took 5 mcgs this afternoon and don't feel anything so far. At least it didn't make me all sped up like I feared, Phew!
> Hope you are doing ok. Did you get off the WB and ritalin yet?
> ChloeChloe, that is interesting (once a day)? Oh well, so much for how memory serves me. My Mom is clinically hypothyroid. She has had two thyroid surgeries-I've had one-both of us have only half a thyroid now. I knew that my Mom's last thyroid tumor was cancerous and I *thought* she told me that it was all removed the last time. But, I told her I can't understand how she can get by without thyroid hormone replacement with NO thyroid. So, I told her that I think they just removed a tumor the first surgery, and then the 2nd surgery they took 1/2 the thyroid. She can't remember for sure! Anyhow, she always complains about being cold all the time, being constipated, her skin is dry, thin, and flaky. I have told her several times over the last year: HELLO, get your TSH checked and take supplements! She never gets around to it. She will take some Dilantin if she feels any kind of feeling that she used to experience before she had her seizures at night, but she won't go get her thyroid hormones checked. You see, when she had her last surgery and her TSH was too high, they put her on T4, but the dose was way too high, and she did get nervous on it and didn't like it so she just quit it. The endo she was seeing wasn't very flexible to say the least.
Oh, I've been off the WB for about three days now. Feel LOTS better. The Ritalin works OK, I sleep fine now, and the anxiety level is MUCH lower. The only possibility of replacing the Ritalin would be with nortrip., or replacing low-dose Effexor AND Ritalin with an MAOI.--Mitch
Posted by Pfinstegg on October 25, 2002, at 21:52:01
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Pfinstegg, posted by Chloe on October 25, 2002, at 18:26:03
ugs and mcgs are the same! I was trying to approximate a u with a long tail, which stands for "micro"! I am different from you in that I am really hypothyroid- just a little. I used to take 100mcg. of synthroid and it brought the TSH down to the range of 0.80. Because I had been struggling with depression for such a long time, and because I had seen hints on Psychobabble that T3 might help,I did a medline search and found that article I cited- at my request, my doc switched me to 50 mcg synthroid and 12.5 mcg cytomel. This keeps the TSH in the same range as it was before. I feel so much better now, but have made other changes as well (tianeptine), so I can't say for sure what role adding the T3 played. Since everyone needs both forms, and there is evidence that some people have difficulty converting T4 to T3, I plan to keep on with it indefinitely. For me, there are no side effects with a TSH in the 0.8 range, but lots of pluses-more energy, moister skin, easier weight control
For you, not being hypothyroid to begin with, and having to be concerned about getting too "up", it sounds very smart and safe to start with 5 mcg. It's really a low dose, and you may have to go a little higher to see if it helps to put a floor under the lows. Having developed this great e-mail feed-back system with your pdoc, you can let her know quickly if you've got any concerns and not have to wait and wonder until some future appointment. I think that was very smart of you to figure out a way that she could communicate quickly and comfortably!
Keep letting us know how things go.
Pfinstegg
Posted by fendel on October 25, 2002, at 22:13:57
In reply to Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 22, 2002, at 21:27:46
Hi, I've mostly been lurking, but thought I would share my T3 experience, for what it's worth.
Background: I have unipolar atypical depression, although I've occasionally wondered if I might be BPII. I'm hypothyroid and I've been on Synthroid (or its clones) for a few years now, along with 400mg/day of Wellbutrin SR.
Last year I was gradually sinking into a mild depression. Ran across the NEJM article and some info at the About.com thyroid site, and asked my GP for Cytomel. (Also ran it past my pdoc, who felt it was an excellent idea.) We added 25 mcg/day, split into two doses, to my existing 150mcg Levoxyl. I felt great... until the palpitations set in. We reduced the Levoxyl to 125mcg. No palpitations now, although my pulse is a little sped up.
At this dosage, my TSH is almost undetectable, but free T3 and T4 are within the normal range. My GP says this is fine if I'm feeling good.
I cut down to 12.5mcg for a week because of minor hyperthyroid symptoms (mainly, feeling too hot most of the time). Sure enough, within a day I felt fatigued again. Within a week the depression was looming again. Bumped it back up to 25mcg and felt better again.
On the 25mcg dose, I feel fairly energetic and cheerful. I do notice a little excess energy (found myself fidgeting today at work) but otherwise I feel great. This stuff makes a huge difference for me. I am amazed that this tiny bit of thyroid hormone twice a day was enough to turn things around so dramatically.
I should add that before I began the Cytomel, my TSH was well within the normal range (1.7, if I recall). I didn't let that stop me. :)
best wishes,
fendel
Posted by ST on October 27, 2002, at 22:12:39
In reply to Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 22, 2002, at 21:27:46
Chloe,
My doctor thought perhaps my thyroid was slow and then my labs came back normal. He considered a thyroid med as well, though, to help with depression. However Synthroid can make your thyroid act sluggish because the med is doing the thyroid's work. After awhile (if you are on a moderate to high dose of Synthroid), I have been warned that your thyroid may just totally poop out and get super slow. The best advice I got was to take a thyroid med that actually stimulates your own thyroid. I can't remember the name my doc was recommending but it's natural thyroid tissue, not a replacement for your thyroid.
I don't know if this helps....
(My doc ended up not going with any thyroid function enhancer because I'm manic-depressive)
Sarah
Posted by Chloe on October 28, 2002, at 10:38:25
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by ST on October 27, 2002, at 22:12:39
> Chloe,
> My doctor thought perhaps my thyroid was slow and then my labs came back normal. He considered a thyroid med as well, though, to help with depression. However Synthroid can make your thyroid act sluggish because the med is doing the thyroid's work. After awhile (if you are on a moderate to high dose of Synthroid), I have been warned that your thyroid may just totally poop out and get super slow. The best advice I got was to take a thyroid med that actually stimulates your own thyroid. I can't remember the name my doc was recommending but it's natural thyroid tissue, not a replacement for your thyroid.
> I don't know if this helps....
> (My doc ended up not going with any thyroid function enhancer because I'm manic-depressive)
> SarahHi Sarah,
I was SO scared and so tentative about taking a thyroid hormone. Thyroid is the main regulator of our basal metabolic rate. I am BP (2) as well...so I am a bit afraid of getting really irritable or hypomanic. But so far, 3 days, I have developed a wonderful sense of well being and lightness. This is unusual for me to last more than a few hours. I have a terrible time with rapid cycling. And I have for years refused treatments that might help my disorder for fear of getting worse or messing up my body. So I gave in and decided to try T3 since both my pdoc and edoc think it might be very helpful.Also, I am not taking Synthroid, T4. I am taking Cytomel, T3. And I am taking the teeniest dose possible, 5 mcgs (or ugs! thanks Pfinstegg). Yikes, I would be devistated if taking a synthetic thyroid hormone destroyed my natural thyroid. But if synthetic hormone gets my mood stabilized, I would be content to take Cytomel for the rest of my life. Life without it has been pretty rough...
Thanks for you imput, and if you remember the name of the natural thyroid hormone or the med that stimulates the thyroid, I would be most interested.
Take care
Chloe
Posted by Chloe on October 28, 2002, at 10:52:51
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Chloe, posted by Ritch on October 25, 2002, at 20:35:53
>> Chloe, that is interesting (once a day)? Oh well, so much for how memory serves me. My Mom is clinically hypothyroid. She has had two thyroid surgeries-I've had one-both of us have only half a thyroid now. I knew that my Mom's last thyroid tumor was cancerous and I *thought* she told me that it was all removed the last time. But, I told her I can't understand how she can get by without thyroid hormone replacement with NO thyroid. So, I told her that I think they just removed a tumor the first surgery, and then the 2nd surgery they took 1/2 the thyroid. She can't remember for sure! Anyhow, she always complains about being cold all the time, being constipated, her skin is dry, thin, and flaky. I have told her several times over the last year: HELLO, get your TSH checked and take supplements! She never gets around to it. She will take some Dilantin if she feels any kind of feeling that she used to experience before she had her seizures at night, but she won't go get her thyroid hormones checked. You see, when she had her last surgery and her TSH was too high, they put her on T4, but the dose was way too high, and she did get nervous on it and didn't like it so she just quit it. The endo she was seeing wasn't very flexible to say the least.
Hi Mitch,
I have only been on Cytomel for three days, but so far, I really feel an improvement. I think I am going to be able to make it to my next maintanence ECT without a major suicidal crash. AND with your history and with only half a thyroid, I would imagine some form of T3 or T4 might really smooth things out for you. (WOW, and even more so for your poor mom. How can she survive the winters with her body turned down so low???) It may be too early for me to be reporting. But I have felt "up" but not manic for at least 24 hours. And I was able to sleep through the night. Yipee!
Your guinea pig,
Chloe
Posted by Ritch on October 28, 2002, at 13:45:48
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Ritch, posted by Chloe on October 28, 2002, at 10:52:51
> Hi Mitch,
> I have only been on Cytomel for three days, but so far, I really feel an improvement. I think I am going to be able to make it to my next maintanence ECT without a major suicidal crash. AND with your history and with only half a thyroid, I would imagine some form of T3 or T4 might really smooth things out for you. (WOW, and even more so for your poor mom. How can she survive the winters with her body turned down so low???) It may be too early for me to be reporting. But I have felt "up" but not manic for at least 24 hours. And I was able to sleep through the night. Yipee!
> Your guinea pig,
> Chloe
>
Chloe, I almost wish they would have removed my entire thyroid when I was in surgery. That way I would HAVE to take supplementation, and we could just adjust it to where I felt right (maybe a TSH between .5 to 1.0). It seems that the Ritalin I am taking is having an anticycling effect like Adderall did (but with no nervousness). Another weird thing-I find that if I take a small dose of Ritalin just a couple of hours before bedtime I sleep more soundly! I think it is doing something akin to what thyroid hormone would do. Keep us posted on your Cytomel experiment....
Posted by ST on October 28, 2002, at 18:14:09
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » ST, posted by Chloe on October 28, 2002, at 10:38:25
Chloe,
Sounds hopeful! And that amount seems to be just enough to even out your mood and probably not enough to harm your thyroid function.
Yes, I am also a BP (2). How manic have you been in the past? My doc was afraid if he put me on a thyroid med for my moods that I may become manic. However, I'm a BP with mostly depressive tendencies and have technically only had one severe hypo-manic period. (I've been slightly hypo manic before, but I'm mostly depressed)
What are the other meds you are on?
Good luck!
Sarah
Posted by Pfinstegg on October 28, 2002, at 21:02:12
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » ST, posted by Chloe on October 28, 2002, at 10:38:25
Chloe- what wonderful news! I'm so glad the Cytomel helped. I found just the same thing that you did, although I had to take a bit more.
Taking a low dose of Cytomel will not stop your thyroid from producing hormones- it will just make it produce a little less TSH, which will be your marker as to how your thyroid is doing.
Armour produces a combined T3-4 medication which is made from beef cattle. That may be the one you are thinking of; however some people are wary of it because of the very, very remote possibility of mad cow disease; also, I don't think you can titrate exactly how much T3-4 you are getting with the Armour preparation. It sounds like you've got just the right medication, which can always be adjusted a bit as you find out how you react to it. When you think of all the complex ADs we have all taken, doesn't Cytomel seem incredibly straightforward and easy? Something that really helps and doesn't come with horrible side effects!Pfinstegg
Posted by Chloe on October 29, 2002, at 9:01:05
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by ST on October 28, 2002, at 18:14:09
Sarah and Pfenstegg,
I am finding Cytomel makes me feel terrific. I have a great sense of well being and I laugh and feel SO good. But last night I found that I felt very hot. I was at my chorus practice and I was sweating and overheating. I also didn't sleep terribly soundly last night. My heart was pounding a bit.
Sarah, I mostly have depressive tendencies too. Though I often find myself very irritable and frustrated. I get such a short fuse I can hardly cope with life's little everyday events. Then I can cycle and get so "high" and chatty and have really bad impulse control. That is hypomania, but it's always followed by a horrible crash into distorted thinking and suicidal depression. It's really scary and dangerous. Because when I fall from a such a high, I am so impulsive, sad, crazy and angry. I take:
1.5 mgs Celexa
60 mgs Doxepin
10 mgs Diazapam
450 mgs Lithium
5 mcgs Cytomel.However, I am thinking of stopping the Celexa. I think I might have too much AD on board now that I am taking Cytomel. What do you think Pfenstegg? The over heated feeling and the heart palps feel like too much SSRI. I am only taking a few drops any way. I SO do not want to stop the Cytomel. It really makes me feel so good, *almost* hypomanic but without the lack of impulse control. I feel talkative, and I may talk alot, but I can stop it! It's not that pressured feeling where I can't stop or I make bad decision I regret later. So far, I have really enjoyed talking and feeling up. And I am thrilled I have not crashed. These types of good moods typically never last. But I have felt well and energized for 3 days now. I feel so lucky! I really don't want to stop the Cytomel. I should email my pdoc about this...But I am thinking I am not hypomanic, I am actually kinda *normal*. I do think I can probably dump some of my AD's.
Yes, thyroid definitely beats any AD I have ever taken. I just hope it doesn't wind me up too much. Do you think I will get more revved as time goes on? Or might I settle down? I also have to watch that I don't loose anymore weight. It is melting off me. And I don't really have any extra to loose. So a big lunch for me today...
Thanks for writing
Chloe :)
Posted by Pfinstegg on October 29, 2002, at 9:41:39
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 29, 2002, at 9:01:05
Chloe- not being bipolar myself, I don't know enough about your medications to comment on that aspect, although lots of other people here do know a huge amount about it and can probably give helpful suggestions. As to the Cytomel, I think your TSH is going to tell you whether the amount you are taking is right for you.(if it goes below 0.5, that would be too low) But you do have to think about clinical effects, too: weight loss and a racing pulse are two signs of possibly having too much of either TSH, T4 or T3 in your system. I would hate to see you discontinue the Cytomel because it seems to be helping with the "crashes", but it might be that 2.5 mcg. would be enough for you
I know that you still have struggles and challenges, but it's just wonderful how much better you sound compared to a few months ago!
Pfinstegg
Posted by Ritch on October 29, 2002, at 9:47:35
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 29, 2002, at 9:01:05
>.....last night I found that I felt very hot. I was at my chorus practice and I was sweating and overheating. I also didn't sleep terribly soundly last night. My heart was pounding a bit....
Chloe, hope you don't mind me resonding to that one. Feeling flushed and hot are mild hyperthyroid symptoms. However, SSRI's cause it too. Interestingly, Celexa and Effexor were the two that I noticed the most flushing on. Celexa I noticed the most sweating. Is it ocurring primarily about 2-6 hrs post-dosing? My underarms would just drip like crazy in a 72 degree office, and coworkers feel the heat coming off of me. I found that it was also worse right after a meal. Maybe you could ask your pdoc if you could try your pinch of Celexa every other day for awhile. When I was on Celexa a few months ago that's how I took it.----Mitch
Posted by Chloe on October 29, 2002, at 17:31:42
In reply to Re: Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal??? » Chloe, posted by Ritch on October 29, 2002, at 9:47:35
I didn't take any Celexa today and I feel much *less* revved up and HOT. I probably should have asked the pdoc first...But I do have ECT tomorrow, so I thought it would be OK to drop it out of the line up. If I crashed, at least I would have something to get me back on track.
I sure wouldn't mind dropping the Celexa out for good. It's a real pain to take one and a half CC's per day. I think it's under 20 drops. But clearly it has some impact, because I am not sweating much today at all. Interesting Mitch that you sweat the most on Celexa. I found it to be one of the better one's for me, prozac and zololt being the worst. But Celexa+Cytomel seems to really stoke my furnace.
Thanks so much for writing, Mitch and Pfenstegg, etc. Trying new meds can be so scary. But I must say, Cytomel really has been helpful. This is the first week between treatments without a psychotic type crash. Yipee! Maybe I can start spacing treatments out more and more...
Yours,
Chloe :)
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