Posted by Ritch on April 14, 2003, at 10:40:48
In reply to Mitch and others, I really need some advice..., posted by nmk on April 13, 2003, at 19:08:27
> Mitch and all other babblers, I'm sorry to bother you again with some questions but I really need your help and appreciate the support you have offered in the past.
>
> Here is my situation. One year ago, I was diagnosed with PPD. Since I had experienced PPD with my twins 7 years ago, I was put on 50 mg of zoloft after delivery of my third. The PPD came with severe this time around and increasing the zoloft to 150mg did nothing. I then tried Effexor (did nothing but make me dizzy and anxoius) and Lexapro (worked ok but nausea was too intense, even combined with a prescription anti-nausea drug).
>
> Had my thryroid tested 3 months after the PPD diagnosis and it came back low so I was put on .025mg synthroid. Felt a little better after a week but still couldn't kick the depression/anxiety/agitation.
>
> Then Strattera came out. I was put on 18 mg and my life changed completely....for three weeks. Then all hell broke loose and the anxiety/depression returned.
>
> Two months ago, my doc said that if the AD's were not going to work, he was going to try Trileptal. He started me at 600 mg x2 per day but the nausea and dizziness were too much for me to take. Here is my current combo: 300 mg Trileptal x2 per day, 50 mg zoloft, 18 mg of Strattera and at night 25 mg of seroquel and 15 mg of remeron.
>
> One other thing....when he started me on the trileptal, he also switched my thryoid med to .025 cytomel because he stated that cytomel was a more effective for the depression. Well, the cytomel sent my anxiety through the roof within days and I went off. The strange thing is, that when I went of the thyroid meds 3 weeks ago, I felt wonderful and therefore, attributed this last year of med hell to the thyroid meds. Well, the depression and anxiety returned a few days ago so I don't know what is going on. I feel over-medicated, frustrated, and wonder if I need to be on the Trileptal at all (or any meds for that matter). I continue to ask my pdoc for a diagnosis but he seems to feel that it is more important to "treat the symptoms". I have never had a classic manic episode in my life, but since the PPD started, I go from depression, to anxiety/agitation, to feeling "normal" for a few weeks.
>
> I apologize for the lengthy post but I wanted to give you the complete history so I know what to ask for/discuss with my doctor this Friday. I did set up an appt. with an endo to have a full thyroid profile completed since my pdoc has not been monitoring my levels. I know that many times with PPD, the thyroid problems eventually correct on their own.
>
> I am hoping you can offer me any insight, advice, support that you can. Thanks for your help.!
>
> Nicole
I would pursue the thyroid situation until it has been completely unraveled and thoroughly investigated. Getting an endocrinologist is vital here. It does sound like bipolar mood cycling, BUT until you get all of the possible neuro-endocrine issues addressed or eliminated, you are not going to be able to tell for sure. It would be a hassle to take too many or the wrong meds due to an undiagnosed general medical condition.
poster:Ritch
thread:219080
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030411/msgs/219207.html