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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bissie66 on July 13, 2001, at 11:32:46
i just got back from my primary care physician and he prescribed cytomel in addition to my levoxyl. i have been feeling fatigued, brain-fogged, and depressed, with severe mood swings, for months upon months, and i've switched SSRIs several times, thinking it was my depression. (at the moment i'm taking zoloft 100mg and neurontin 1800mg.) my PCP also increased my levoxyl several months ago in an effort to bring my TSH below 1. i didn't feel any better. finally i decided to go back to see him and i was prepared to ask for a referral to an endo, thinking he wouldn't "hear" me about my possible need for T3. well, bless his heart, he brought it up before i did.
noa, don't you take cytomel in addition to levoxyl or synthroid? didn't you say that's when your recovery from depression really began? i'm excited but am trying not to be TOO hopeful. also, what do you think of Armour?
Posted by Noa on July 13, 2001, at 14:49:58
In reply to to noa and other thyroid folks, posted by bissie66 on July 13, 2001, at 11:32:46
I do take both cytomel and synthroid. The cytomel was added a long while before my thyroid recovery, BUT: the dose was increased and the endo told me to split the dose in two. Also, my synthroid was increased at that time until my TSH was below 1.
I do believe the T3 was essential for me, though. It is just that the target for my TSH had been incorrect until consulting with the endo. Your doctor's approach seems similar to my endo's.
Don't get discouraged. Hopefully, the combination of the increased levoxyl and the addition of the cytomel (are you splitting the dose?) will work. If not, some people (I've read online) feel better just by changing to a different brand of medication (it seems it often doesn't matter which brand, but different people seem to respond differently to different ones). Some swear by the natural one--Armour. Wait to see how this works, but know it is not your last option if it doesn't.
The brain fog is horrible, I know. I had been describing to my therapist feeling like my head was stuffed with cotton. Then I read the term "brain fog" and it was such a relief to hear that I wasn't imagining it! Thinking was hard. Simple decisions were overwhelming. I'd look at my desk and absolutely have no idea how to deal with any of the work. I found myself one morning unable to figure out how to put my skirt on because the decision (that I would normally make instantly, automatically) about whether to put the skirt on over my head or step into it threw me into a panic--I just could not see how to solve the problem!
When I was hypothyroid, everything was incredibly hard. I felt tired and weak all the time. I'd have to rest between every bit of exertion. Opening a simple door felt like a feat of strength. I'd leave work, walk to my car, and then have to sit and rest before driving home. Then, when I got home, I'd have to sit and rest before getting out of the car.
I cried all the time. My feet hurt all the time. My ankles were swollen. Other joints and limbs ached.
I really hope this new approach helps you. Keep us posted.
Posted by bissie66 on July 13, 2001, at 15:38:09
In reply to Re: to noa and other thyroid folks, posted by Noa on July 13, 2001, at 14:49:58
noa, you describe brain fog so well. before i knew what it was, i used to wonder what on earth was wrong with me. i used to say that i had a "thinking problem" b.c. it was really difficult to think. and that is happening again, which is one of the reasons i felt like i needed some tweaking of my thyroid meds. and yes, the fatigue that you describe is horrible. i sometimes rest my head on my desk at work i'm so drained, and i too CANNOT manage my workload, either at home or work. and i cry all the time too. i can't tell you how difficult it is sometimes taking care of my children.
thank you so much for your support! i will let you know how it goes.
one question: how do you split the dose? one in the a.m. and one in the p.m.? does it matter which you take when? thanks! bissie
> I do take both cytomel and synthroid. The cytomel was added a long while before my thyroid recovery, BUT: the dose was increased and the endo told me to split the dose in two. Also, my synthroid was increased at that time until my TSH was below 1.
>
> I do believe the T3 was essential for me, though. It is just that the target for my TSH had been incorrect until consulting with the endo. Your doctor's approach seems similar to my endo's.
>
> Don't get discouraged. Hopefully, the combination of the increased levoxyl and the addition of the cytomel (are you splitting the dose?) will work. If not, some people (I've read online) feel better just by changing to a different brand of medication (it seems it often doesn't matter which brand, but different people seem to respond differently to different ones). Some swear by the natural one--Armour. Wait to see how this works, but know it is not your last option if it doesn't.
>
> The brain fog is horrible, I know. I had been describing to my therapist feeling like my head was stuffed with cotton. Then I read the term "brain fog" and it was such a relief to hear that I wasn't imagining it! Thinking was hard. Simple decisions were overwhelming. I'd look at my desk and absolutely have no idea how to deal with any of the work. I found myself one morning unable to figure out how to put my skirt on because the decision (that I would normally make instantly, automatically) about whether to put the skirt on over my head or step into it threw me into a panic--I just could not see how to solve the problem!
>
> When I was hypothyroid, everything was incredibly hard. I felt tired and weak all the time. I'd have to rest between every bit of exertion. Opening a simple door felt like a feat of strength. I'd leave work, walk to my car, and then have to sit and rest before driving home. Then, when I got home, I'd have to sit and rest before getting out of the car.
>
> I cried all the time. My feet hurt all the time. My ankles were swollen. Other joints and limbs ached.
>
> I really hope this new approach helps you. Keep us posted.
Posted by Pattisun on July 14, 2001, at 0:21:14
In reply to Re: to noa and other thyroid folks » Noa, posted by bissie66 on July 13, 2001, at 15:38:09
I've been trying to get Armour or at least Cytomel since Jan. '00. Been to lots and lots of doctors. I ask for Armour and they look at my blood tests (NOT listen to my symtoms) and say "I'm fine" . I live in San Diego, have been tempted to drive over to Tijuana to buy a bottle of it! GEEZ, I've got bottles of pain pills (VIcodin and such) and can't get a bottle of natural thyroid supplement. Is that brain washed doctors or what!!
Got any ideas to get a doc to listen? Thanks,
Pattisun
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