Posted by Chloe on October 9, 2002, at 7:45:25
In reply to Re: CHLOE-Thyroid... » Chloe, posted by Ritch on October 5, 2002, at 21:40:48
> Chloe, Tell her you just need a TSH and free T4 blood check. Maybe they should just send you home with a "port" implanted for the blood tests-(just kidding) :)Mitch,
Boy do I ever wish I could have a "heplock" so I wouldn't need so many sticks. But fortunately at my pdoc appointment, she ordered the TSH to be done as the IV is being started at ECT this week. That is a relief. But she didn't want to rush into started another drug, like T3...She thinks I have enough going with ECT, lithium, doxepin and a few drops of Celexa. But she will at least check it, which is good.> Oh yeah, the "all at once" versus divided dose thing. I started off with an "all at once" dosing of lithium of 900mg midday. That changed later to 600mg at bedtime and then 300mg midday. When I went to higher doses it was 900mg lithobid twice daily. Evidently, some pdocs think the all at once dosing (if it doesn't exceed 600-900mg every day)is easier on your kidneys for the long haul. Others think the enhanced stability of blood levels with multiple dosing superior. Ha!, see my memory is no better than yours.
Thanks for the info. I am taking Eskilith CR (450mgs) all at bedtime. I think it's too much for my gut...But pdoc thinks it's best too take the 450 at once. So I hope over time I will get used to it. My stools are a little looser, but not bad. I think lithobid is a bit more palitable, but it only comes in 300 mgs...and I need a little more, but 600 mgs is too much...
> For real though-lithium *will* depress thyroid function to some degree, and depressed thryoid function *does* tend to aggravate rapid-cycling. You *really* might be able to knock out two birds with one stone---lithium to get your thoughts organized without an AP, and a little thyroxine to flatten out your cycling. Of course, everything looks better on paper... But, there are lots of reasons to be optimistic. Take care..Mitch
Thanks for your help...and optimism! I will be curious about the results. However, my values do tend to *always* be in the normal range. Hope you are doing ok :)
Chloe
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poster:Chloe
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