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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Racer on August 4, 2005, at 16:50:04
Or the LabORatory...
I called Dr CattleProd's office to move up my appointment. For any of you who remember what last year was like for me, you might understand why that would be hard for me, so I resisted. But right now, I'm just not doing well enough to hold out like this until late September.
Right now, though, I'm back to that very negative sort of "I don't want to try any drugs at all, they're all worse than the depression, etc." I could use support, with a little education mixed in, if anyone could offer it.
Here's the thing: I am sick of getting fat, sedated, and constipated on anti-depressants. I want to be able to move, to stay awake, and heaven help me -- I want to be thin again more than I can say. PLEASE do not tell me that I have to compromise my quality of life in order to feel better -- that's one of those things I do to myself already. I can do it better than you can, so please consider it already adequately done, 'K?
So, support in the sense that someone understands how hard it is for me to consider taking anything, because of too many bad experiences. Education because there are two things I'm going to bring up to discuss with him: stimulants and thyroid.
Stims are probably a bad idea, but they're worth talking about. They may also be impossible, since I'm on Wellbutrin XL, so they're probably academic. Thyroid is something he brought up way back in the beginning, because he says that his experience is that adding thyroid hormone in can boost someone into better response to anti-depressants, and that he'll sometimes boost someone into mildly hyperthyroid to get a response.
So, can anyone tell me anything about side effects -- and other effects -- of thyroid supplements? Have they helped you? Have you tried them and not been helped?
And please consider this a good place for me to scream. Loudly. I'm so sick of all this.
Thank you for your attention to this situation. Yours sincerely,...
Posted by SLS on August 4, 2005, at 19:57:17
In reply to Ugh. Back to the mixing board..., posted by Racer on August 4, 2005, at 16:50:04
I don't know if adding a stimulant to Wellbutrin will necessarily improve your condition, but I don't understand why it would be a bad idea.
- Scott
Posted by Racer on August 4, 2005, at 20:37:18
In reply to Re: Ugh. Back to the mixing board..., posted by SLS on August 4, 2005, at 19:57:17
I thought that it was a no-no because it would up the seizure risk? No? That might be a thought, then...
Thanks.
Posted by up'n'down on August 5, 2005, at 4:59:28
In reply to Ugh. Back to the mixing board..., posted by Racer on August 4, 2005, at 16:50:04
> Or the LabORatory...
>
> I called Dr CattleProd's office to move up my appointment. For any of you who remember what last year was like for me, you might understand why that would be hard for me, so I resisted. But right now, I'm just not doing well enough to hold out like this until late September.
>
> Right now, though, I'm back to that very negative sort of "I don't want to try any drugs at all, they're all worse than the depression, etc." I could use support, with a little education mixed in, if anyone could offer it.
>
> Here's the thing: I am sick of getting fat, sedated, and constipated on anti-depressants. I want to be able to move, to stay awake, and heaven help me -- I want to be thin again more than I can say. PLEASE do not tell me that I have to compromise my quality of life in order to feel better -- that's one of those things I do to myself already. I can do it better than you can, so please consider it already adequately done, 'K?
>
> So, support in the sense that someone understands how hard it is for me to consider taking anything, because of too many bad experiences. Education because there are two things I'm going to bring up to discuss with him: stimulants and thyroid.
>
> Stims are probably a bad idea, but they're worth talking about. They may also be impossible, since I'm on Wellbutrin XL, so they're probably academic. Thyroid is something he brought up way back in the beginning, because he says that his experience is that adding thyroid hormone in can boost someone into better response to anti-depressants, and that he'll sometimes boost someone into mildly hyperthyroid to get a response.
>
> So, can anyone tell me anything about side effects -- and other effects -- of thyroid supplements? Have they helped you? Have you tried them and not been helped?
>
> And please consider this a good place for me to scream. Loudly. I'm so sick of all this.
>
> Thank you for your attention to this situation. Yours sincerely,...
Dear Racer;I have always been a firm believer in medications for "our diseases" but lately I have been questioning myself concerning whether we are harming ourselves more than helping. This is a great departure from my usual thoughts, and brought about a lot because of the trouble I read about so many having with their meds.
I am not giving up on meds by any means, but it is troublesome to me that I am having misgivings about something I have been so convinced of before.
So, what has this to do with you? I guess I'm saying that I get discouraged about meds, too, but along with therapy, they seem to be our best help.
I take Levothyroxine 75 micrograms daily with 1/2 tab one day a week. Notice the small dose and the 1/2 tab a day was found to be needed because on one of my routine tests it was a wee bit out of normal range. As far as side effects from it, I can't say that I have noticed any at all. The one thing I would know quite soon is if I stopped taking it. I thought I knew what fatigue was until I experienced hypothyroidism! You just lie in bed and don't even feel like raising your arm to look at your watch.
I don't know how it would be to take thyroid med when you aren't Hypo, but it surely is worth inquiring into.
So Racer, take courage, and know that we care about what you are feeling. You are so good to talk to anyone who has questions, and you always have a good answer. I hope my ramble may be of some benefit to you. up 'n' down
Posted by MidnightBlue on August 5, 2005, at 13:19:12
In reply to Ugh. Back to the mixing board..., posted by Racer on August 4, 2005, at 16:50:04
Racer,
I know what you mean. I probably need to make that apointment with a pdoc. But I don't think I can face the demand to go on all these drugs that will make me fatter, make me feel more stupid, and cause more hot flashes than a menopausal woman already has to put up with! I've really struggled to lose 35 lb put on by psych drugs and depression. I need to lose much more, and the thought of having to take meds that will make that even harder or impossible just about puts me over the edge!
I just had a ton of blood work done and guess what? I'm totally normal except for slightly high cholestoral. So there is NO REASON for my extreme fatigue and apathy except for depression. I'm thinking of upping my fish oil. I'm really toying with the idea of trying Cymbalta (my internist had even suggested it), but I want to start VERY low and go very slow like Barbaracat is doing. I'm not sure he will buy that.
Just know you are NOT alone. There are others out there who feel just like you do.
Hugs,
MidnightBlue
Posted by Ilene on August 5, 2005, at 14:25:59
In reply to Thyroid med, posted by up'n'down on August 5, 2005, at 4:59:28
I take 25 mcg of Cytomel (liothyronine) and I can't say it's done anything for me. I've been wanting to get off it, but maybe I'm not taking a high enough dose for it to be efffective. AFAIK my thyroid function is in the normal range. Maybe I need to be slightly hyperthyroid for it to be effective (?) Anyone else have experience with Cytomel?
Posted by gardenergirl on August 5, 2005, at 19:21:58
In reply to Cytomel, posted by Ilene on August 5, 2005, at 14:25:59
Hi Ilene,
Cytomel at 25 mcg (mg?) made me very very hyper. My T3 went through the roof, which also drove my TSH up. I definately had symptoms of being hyper including insomnia and a frontal headache. I was taking it with synthroid. I tried switching to Armour Thyroid to try to get a better balance, but that kept me high and out of whack, too. I am giving up on augmenting any T3, because it doesn't seem like my body needs it. Time for me to just focus on T4, like I did in the beginning. That seemed to work best.I think I stopped Cytomel abruptly, but I was not on it as long as you have been.
gg
Posted by 4WD on August 5, 2005, at 21:50:45
In reply to Ugh. Back to the mixing board..., posted by Racer on August 4, 2005, at 16:50:04
Racer,
I don't know if anxiety is a big problem for you but if it is, adding a thyroid med might not be a great idea. I was given supplements containing thyroid extract and my anxiety shot up immediately.
I agree with you so much about just not wanting to be on any drugs at all. I keep reducing my dosages on my own because I hate taking them. And I, too, recoil at the idea of taking a med that is going to make me fat, sedated, insomniac or sexually neuter.
Just know that we try to understand. It doesn't usually help me that much to know that other people are also suffering (i.e. - we've all gone through it and we have empathy). But I do sympathize and wish I could fix it for you.
Marsha
Posted by Racer on August 6, 2005, at 12:36:48
In reply to Re: Ugh. Back to the mixing board..., posted by 4WD on August 5, 2005, at 21:50:45
OK, so I decided what I wanted to try, after conferring with GardenerGirl about it. She pointed out that I keep trying to diagnose and treat myself, BEFORE talking to the doctor. So, I decided to try to let the doctor guide me.
(First I had an appointment with my GP, Dr ReallyHandsomeSoftSpokenIndianFellowWhoWentToOxford, for some physical stuff. I told him where the pain was, what it was like -- and tried to let him do his part. I did fail in that I mentioned that it was in the same area where I'd broken a rib in the past, but I did pretty well otherwise. Good practice. Next time I'll be better at it.)
Anyway, when I told Dr CattleProd what was going on, his first response was that he didn't know what to do. He was pretty much at a loss.
You can imagine my gut reaction to that, I'm sure.
I asked about Prozac, he wasn't enthusiastic, but was willing to try it, but was pessimistic and throwing up roadblocks, etc. So, I asked him what he thought, and he said he didn't know.
Honestly? I didn't really believe him when he said that.
Bottom line is that he {ahme} would have suggested Lamictal, but he knew that I wouldn't take it, yaddida, yaddida. I told him what had happened before, that I knew he didn't think that was related to the Lamictal (although I'm pretty sure it was, that's another story), that I knew if something similar happened again I could stop taking it, and that I trusted him enough to try it if he thought it was likely to help. He did.
So, now I'm taking Lamictal as well as Wellbutrin XL, Cymbalta, and Provigil. Cross your fingers for me.
And thanks for all the support.
Posted by gardenergirl on August 6, 2005, at 15:47:18
In reply to Trying something new..., posted by Racer on August 6, 2005, at 12:36:48
> OK, so I decided what I wanted to try, after conferring with GardenerGirl about it. She pointed out that I keep trying to diagnose and treat myself, BEFORE talking to the doctor. So, I decided to try to let the doctor guide me.
Don't forget I do this too! And good job on holding your cards close. :)
>Good luck with the Lamictal.
gg
Posted by 4WD on August 6, 2005, at 22:09:17
In reply to Trying something new..., posted by Racer on August 6, 2005, at 12:36:48
It kind of freaks you out when your doctor doesn't know what to do with you, doesn't it? I hope the Lamictal is helpful. My experience with it was fairly benign, stopped it because of headaches.
Good luck.
Marsha (with fingers crossed).
Posted by ClearSkies on August 7, 2005, at 10:13:29
In reply to Trying something new..., posted by Racer on August 6, 2005, at 12:36:48
Good luck! I was wondering how your apppointments went last week. I see my p-doc tomorrow and will talk to her about my anxieties and irrational behaviours in grocery stores. It would make a good short story; maybe I will work on it and post something finally on the Writing board.
hugs,
ClearSkies, formerly PartlyCloudy
Posted by Racer on August 7, 2005, at 16:41:29
In reply to Re: Trying something new... » Racer, posted by ClearSkies on August 7, 2005, at 10:13:29
> I see my p-doc tomorrow and will talk to her about my anxieties and irrational behaviours in grocery stores.
>
> hugs,
> ClearSkies, formerly PartlyCloudyHoney, please define what constitutes "irrational behavior in grocery stores." As far as I'm concerned, if you don't trip little old ladies and kick their canes out of the way, well, you're doing fine!
Thanks, my friend.
Posted by ClearSkies on August 8, 2005, at 16:50:07
In reply to Problem with definitions... » ClearSkies, posted by Racer on August 7, 2005, at 16:41:29
Even though you're (gulp!) blocked, let me define my difficulties in grocery stores:
if there is an employee stocking the shelves, I will turn around rather than ask them to get out of my way. Even if they are not standing in front of something I want, they *might* be, and that makes me very upset, to the point of crying if I think of opening my mouth to ask them to move.
if there are more than 2 carts ahead of me in the aisle, I will turn around as I don't like playing bumper carts and find most other shopper oblivious to my existence. See above as to asking others to get out of my way.
at some point, someone will ask me where something is. I don't like this as it just reinforces for me how illogical the grocery stores are laid out, and I think the store clerks should be Looking for people to help, instead of lining up the last 2 cans of diced tomatoes in a perfect line, so that when you want to buy 4 of them, you are out of luck.
Can you tell I can go on and on? If I could economically buy my groceries online, I would. It would save me at least one .5 mg xanax tablet a week. What a savings!!
p.s. Post p-doc appointment: I have been underdosing the Topamax by half!!!! Watch out for me next week in the local supermarket!.
hugs,
ClearSkies
Posted by MidnightBlue on August 8, 2005, at 21:08:53
In reply to Re: Problem with definitions... » Racer, posted by ClearSkies on August 8, 2005, at 16:50:07
ClearSkies,
I just had to add this. When I go to the big megamarts (you can guess which one) I ride one of their shopping scooter/carts because it is hard for me to walk very far. This last weekend I was trying to pick out silk flowers for an arrangement. It is NOT easly to reach what you want sitting down, and the only ones I wanted were on one side of a major aisle. I was almost run over THREE times in 10 minutes by stockers pulling huge restocking flats! I got so mad one time I said very loud "Why don't you just run over me next time. It's not like I'm trying to shop or anything." Well, less than 5 min. later they were trying to run me down again. Each time I had to move out of their way. Each time I got MADDER! I accidentally rammed one of their displays turning it askew. Serves them right! Not one person treated me as if I even existed.> Even though you're (gulp!) blocked, let me define my difficulties in grocery stores:
>
> if there is an employee stocking the shelves, I will turn around rather than ask them to get out of my way. Even if they are not standing in front of something I want, they *might* be, and that makes me very upset, to the point of crying if I think of opening my mouth to ask them to move.
>
> if there are more than 2 carts ahead of me in the aisle, I will turn around as I don't like playing bumper carts and find most other shopper oblivious to my existence. See above as to asking others to get out of my way.
>
> at some point, someone will ask me where something is. I don't like this as it just reinforces for me how illogical the grocery stores are laid out, and I think the store clerks should be Looking for people to help, instead of lining up the last 2 cans of diced tomatoes in a perfect line, so that when you want to buy 4 of them, you are out of luck.
>
> Can you tell I can go on and on? If I could economically buy my groceries online, I would. It would save me at least one .5 mg xanax tablet a week. What a savings!!
>
> p.s. Post p-doc appointment: I have been underdosing the Topamax by half!!!! Watch out for me next week in the local supermarket!.
>
> hugs,
> ClearSkies
This is the end of the thread.
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