[Stepping Out]

Hi Ladies,

I haven't been sharing a whole lot here for awhile. I've been going through a difficult time emotionally. My sleep schedule is totally messed up (think night shift..but I don't work outside of my home ). I go from feeling 'so so' to just 'dead inside' to wanting to just give up. I probably should at least be on some sort of anti-depressant. I've already been on Wellbutrin (didn't do much) and Lexapro (worked for anxiety..made depression worse), and I'm not sure what I need. I'm already on a bunch of pills for thyroid, bp, and pain management. Unfortunately, we live in an area which is seriously under-served for psychiatric purposes. Counselors are few and far between. I've already been to a few of those who are here, and I'm not sure I'd go back. I'm dependent on my DH to get anywhere, because I'm physically unable (paralyzed right foot) to drive. I might be able to find help in Jacksonville, but that's at least 35-45 minutes away, and it would have to work around my husband's schedule. Even my prayers feel like they're just 'hitting the ceiling' . Sorry for venting..and thanks for being there!

[Leenie]

Oh Joanne darling, don't appoligize

Is there any way you could take a bus or ask a friend to take you to see a doc about new meds? I understand you depend on your DH and it is rough but yeah... its time for you to do something. Your such a wonderful, caring person and you have so much to offer. Can you call your doctor and discuss your situation on the phone?

Hugs and kisses to you sweet lady.... we're here for you.

Leenie

[cathyxxx]

Hey Joanne,

I hope you know that I care dearly for you! I am so sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time!!!!

I don't know if you and I have talked about this before but you said you are on thyroid meds? Your problem may simply be that you are not taking enough thyroid meds and/or that you are not taking a T4 AND T3 product.

can you tell me what you are taking? and is your doctor dosing your thyroid meds based on your bloodwork? TSH? the reason I ask, is bec a lot of people are finding that if their doc treats their thyroid based simply on their bloodwork, and if they are being treated with a synthetic thyroid med that contains only T4, that they still deal with depression, anxiety, etc. For the mental symptoms of a thyroid problem it is most important to get the direct T3 from natural thyroid meds, like Armour Thyroid and Naturethroid, or even to add Cytomel (T3 product) to your synthetic thyroid med.

There is specific thyroid blood work that can be done to check your Free T3 levels and see if they are lower than they should be, but most docs are not doing that bloodwork unless specifically requested to do so by the patient.

You might want to check out the info on the connection between thyroid and mental health at:

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com...mental-health/

Of course, let me know if I can help with any of the info there, or if there is anything I can do.

hug & prayers,
Cathy

[Stepping Out]

Thank you! I need to make an appointment w/my primary doctor in a couple of weeks. My thyroid needs to be rechecked & my other meds adjusted. I think I'm going to ask him about trying the Armour vs. levothyroxine (Synthroid). I'm also going to ask about an anti-depressant. I'm feeling a lot better today. We got a chance to see our son..he's doing well , and church yesterday was wonderful . Of course, being part of such a wonderful group of ladies helps too!

[cathyxxx]

Hey Joanne,
I'm so glad that you are feeling better today!

and I'm so very glad that you got to see your son I can only imagine how glad you must have been to see him

so glad that church was good too. ours was too, along with sunday school and then I also catch Joel Osteen on Sundays which is always a huge encouragement to me.

A word of caution about your doctor appointment, a lot of docs are against Armour Thyroid bec they have been totally misinformed. If he freaks at the mention of the stuff, then you can ask that he add Cytomel (which is T3) to your Synthroid.

If you can get him to run the Free T3 and Free T4 thyroid tests, you'll probably find that your Free T3 levels are low in the range or below the range since most people need those Free T3 levels to be in the upper 1/3 of the range before they feel better mentally. If he tells you that your TSH looks fine you can still ask him to do as you request and run the Free T3 and Free T4 tests. They are more accurate and give a better picture of what is actually going on (if you have a doc that doses according to your blood work).

hugs,
Cathy

[Leenie]

Joanne, I'm so glad your spirits are better today please let us know how you do at the doc's. Glad you got to visit with DS.

Hugs and Kisses !!