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Post by alivenkicking on Aug 31, 2011 12:48:33 GMT -5
what an awful experience with gabapentin, karen! i had my thyroid tested multiple times years ago when depression was bad, but i was told it was fine. that was before i'd been on meds for years though, so it could have changed. i haven't had adrenals checked out, and wouldn't know where to start - go straight to an endocrinologist? i am recently most horrified at learning that the benzodiazapine i've been on for years comes with it's own set of awful awful consequences. there's a lengthy well-documented wikipedia article on "long-term use of benzodiazapines" that details what havoc it wreaks on brain function in general, memory, menstrual cycle, creativity, and that simply being on it for an extended period of time can cause increased anxiety, social phobia, panic attacks -- the same conditions it's prescribed to treat! if anyone is taking any benzos -- xanax, ativan, klonipin, valium, etc -- i strongly encourage you to do some research and then assess if it's still in your best interest! i am itching to taper off, but it must be done s-l-o-w-l-y to avoid the most intense and long-lasting side effects. turns out if i were to start tapering along with the wellbutrin, as i had planned to do, it would dramatically decrease my seizure threshold, so one thing at a time. glad you find it helpful, too, keri --- i agree, i'm so glad i have all you ladies to bounce things off of and for your encouragement! ~hugs~ OH and the bonus withdrawal symptom of wellbutrin - FLATULENCE!! thank goodness my bf and i are totally comfortable with all bodily functions around each other!
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Post by Karen on Aug 31, 2011 19:17:04 GMT -5
Hahaha, I'm laughing about the gas! Who knew? As for the thyroid, well, I've had it tested for 10+ years and was always told it was fine. Problem was, docs were just testing TSH, which is what your pituitary gland secretes to stimulate thyroid function. The assumption is that if your TSH level is just fine and dandy, your thyroid must be getting the right message to work properly. There's a lot of controversy over what's considered a normal TSH level, too, so there's some interpretation there. Problem is, TSH doesn't actually measure what your thyroid is actually doing... In my case, turns out that feedback system between the pituitary and thyroid is off, so even though my TSH is just perfect, my actual thyroid hormones (free T3 and free T4) are borderline low and low... Guess what I'm saying is to make sure a doc tests at LEAST TSH, free T3 and free T4 so you get more of the full picture. I think anyone on this board could stand to get a complete thyroid screen! As for adrenal function, well, that's another hurdle... Most endocrinologists will go by a blood test, which measure your cortisol levels at 8 a.m. Some may order a 24 hour urine sample. Both only give an overview - either a snapshot of your cortisol levels first thing in the morning (and if it's normal then, which is when it's supposed to be highest, it's assumed to be normal the rest of the day) or an average of cortisol levels. There are saliva tests you can order from home or through an open-minded doc that test cortisol levels 4 times throughout the day - 8 am, noon, mid afternoon, and late evening. Tests run about $100 and give you a better idea of overall function. So, yeah, you could try an endocrinologist, but unless your levels are REALLY low, they'll likely brush you off (at least in my experience). I'm sorry you're learning about the side effects of your meds so late in the game, but I wish you success in weaning off them and feeling better as a result!
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