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Thyroid symptoms: hypothyroid, Hashimoto's


Karma

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Have you read anything by Datis Kharrazian? Other alt health bloggers seem to hold him in highest regard, "master diagnostician" said Chris Kresser.

 

http://thyroidbook.com/blog

 

Evidently though there is some controversy. It appears he trains practioners at seminars and then they use his protocols which supposedly require large commitments in time and money.

 

I've been reading his book. Lots of interesting stuff, lots of supp recommendations ... too bad I'm in w/d, though I may try gently with them anyway. Also, it's silly to say too bad I'm in w/d b/c if I wasn't all crisscrossed from psych drugs I highly, highly doubt I'd have suddenly developed thyroid problems which are "rare in men", particularly under 35 yrs.

 

Alex

 

Now, many months later, I am less enthusiastic about Kharrazian. I worked for a while with a clinician who did Kharrazian's seminars and I ended up underwhelmed.

"Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast
I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothing but affection for all those who sailed with me.

Everybody's moving, if they ain't already there
Everybody's got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now."

- Zimmerman

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Now, many months later, I am less enthusiastic about Kharrazian. I worked for a while with a clinician who did Kharrazian's seminars and I ended up underwhelmed.

 

My sister-in-law did the program of one of his practitioners and I'm also underwhelmed. Lots of labwork and physical type therapy to retrain the brain. However, i know she's on Effexor and i asked her what this doctor said about how if effects the adrenals/endocrine system and she said it was never mentioned although other drugs were.

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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The practioner I saw had me walk twenty paces doing a motion with my left arm while holding the right one at my side. Then repeat it rotating each arm.

 

Afterwards he said he could tell I'd taken psychiatric medication and that after we fixed my autoimmune problems, we'd then fix psych med damage.

"Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast
I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothing but affection for all those who sailed with me.

Everybody's moving, if they ain't already there
Everybody's got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now."

- Zimmerman

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Afterwards he said he could tell I'd taken psychiatric medication and that after we fixed my autoimmune problems, we'd then fix psych med damage.

 

I'd love to know how. Or even the theory...

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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I dunno.

 

Get my neurotransmitters in balance!

"Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast
I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothing but affection for all those who sailed with me.

Everybody's moving, if they ain't already there
Everybody's got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now."

- Zimmerman

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Of course! Because that approach has worked so well in the past. :o

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have had a ton of hypothyroid symptoms and have had 3 different blood tests done. All were within the normal range. Two of the tests checked the t3 and t4, not just the tsh.

 

Some of the things I've dealt with that made me suspect thyroid:

Cold feet

fatigue

hormonal imbalance and adrenal issues

Very low blood pressure causing near fainting upon standing.

Hair falling out.

terrible periods/heavy and bad pms

dry skin

depressed mood

The list goes on....

I would have bet the farm I had thyroid problems.

 

Now that I'm learning about withdrawal, I see a lot of my symptoms in a different light.

 

I did however, have some fatigue and others stuff start appearing on my second stint of prozac, as it didn't work as well..The med, in general always made me more tired.

Started Fluoxetine Jan. 2010

Tried to go off of it in Sept. 2010

Weaned too fast and was back on it by Nov. 2010

Didn't work as good the second time around.

Started to wean again in Nov. 2011 and was off for good by April? 2012

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I have had a ton of hypothyroid symptoms and have had 3 different blood tests done. All were within the normal range. Two of the tests checked the t3 and t4, not just the tsh.

 

Hi dunnerbug,

 

The normal range is absolutely not meaningful on the thyroid tests. You may have a hypothyroidism that is transient, but those are the classic hypothyroid symptons. If your TSH is >1.5, I'd not rule out thyroid problems. Do you have copies of your labwork?

 

Alex

"Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast
I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothing but affection for all those who sailed with me.

Everybody's moving, if they ain't already there
Everybody's got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now."

- Zimmerman

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Here is an article that gives specific information about why the TSH is not necessarily the best indicator of thyroid function. http://nahypothyroidism.org/how-accurate-is-tsh-testing/

 

Karma

 

The TSH is inversely correlated with pituitary T3 levels but with physiologic stress (1-32), depression (33-38), insulin resistance and diabetes (28,39,116,117), aging (30,40-49), calorie deprivation (dieting)(27, 50-57), inflammation (5-8,22,108,109-111), PMS (58,59), chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia (60,61), obesity (112,113,114) and numerous other conditions (1-32), increasing pituitary T3 levels are often associated with diminished cellular and tissue T3 levels and increased reverse T3 levels in the rest of the body (1-62) (see pituitary diagram).

This is so confusing to me...[EDIT] because what the hell kind of sentence is this?

"Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast
I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothing but affection for all those who sailed with me.

Everybody's moving, if they ain't already there
Everybody's got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now."

- Zimmerman

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I have had a ton of hypothyroid symptoms and have had 3 different blood tests done. All were within the normal range. Two of the tests checked the t3 and t4, not just the tsh.

 

Hi dunnerbug,

 

The normal range is absolutely not meaningful on the thyroid tests. You may have a hypothyroidism that is transient, but those are the classic hypothyroid symptons. If your TSH is >1.5, I'd not rule out thyroid problems. Do you have copies of your labwork?

 

Alex

 

I do have copies.

The interesting thing is when I had a hair mineral test done it showed me to be hypothyroid.

My naturopathic doc said she didn't want to give me thyroid meds because it would make my anxiety worse. She also believed that because my numbers were considered normal that we could treat it naturally. My first test was in normal range, just on the higher side of normal. My latest test showed some improvement.

I will dig up my results.

Started Fluoxetine Jan. 2010

Tried to go off of it in Sept. 2010

Weaned too fast and was back on it by Nov. 2010

Didn't work as good the second time around.

Started to wean again in Nov. 2011 and was off for good by April? 2012

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I've heard thyroid test are really flawed, especially if only testing tsh.

 

I've also heard that people with a lower t3 generally have more anxiety. Mine was on the low side of normal.

 

I really find it strange that the common denominator of my symptoms is prozac.

 

This one little pill threw my body into chaos, tipped my chemistry off it's axis and turned my life upside down.

Started Fluoxetine Jan. 2010

Tried to go off of it in Sept. 2010

Weaned too fast and was back on it by Nov. 2010

Didn't work as good the second time around.

Started to wean again in Nov. 2011 and was off for good by April? 2012

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Here is my first test done in sept.

 

TSH 3.130 Normal range is 0.450-4.500

T4 1.04 Normal range is 0.82-1.77

T3 2.2 Normal range is 2.0-4.4

 

Lasted test was Dec.

 

TSH 2.55

T4 1.10

T3 2.8

Started Fluoxetine Jan. 2010

Tried to go off of it in Sept. 2010

Weaned too fast and was back on it by Nov. 2010

Didn't work as good the second time around.

Started to wean again in Nov. 2011 and was off for good by April? 2012

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Share on other sites

I do have copies.

The interesting thing is when I had a hair mineral test done it showed me to be hypothyroid.

My naturopathic doc said she didn't want to give me thyroid meds because it would make my anxiety worse. She also believed that because my numbers were considered normal that we could treat it naturally. My first test was in normal range, just on the higher side of normal. My latest test showed some improvement.

I will dig up my results.

....

TSH 3.130 Normal range is 0.450-4.500

T4 1.04 Normal range is 0.82-1.77

T3 2.2 Normal range is 2.0-4.4

 

Lasted test was Dec.

 

TSH 2.55

T4 1.10

T3 2.8

 

Those look like Free T3 and Free T4, yes? FT3, TSH appear suboptimal to me especially if you are having symptoms. Though improving.

 

How did your ND determine hypothyroid from a hair mineral test? I suspect it'd be from low iodine, but the solution is a little tricky, IMO. Adding supplemental iodine can cause problems if done too rapidly or if co-factors -- especially selenium, copper, zinc, iron -- are out of whack.

 

Furthermore, hair tests are not universally hailed for their reliability but IMO whatever data you have is better than no data.

 

I am no expert on hypothyroidism. I find it complicated generally especially since it seems multi-factorial to me. I'm not taking thyroid hormone (yet) and there's good reason to think T3 could aggraviate anxiety. How did your ND want to treat it naturally?

"Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast
I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothing but affection for all those who sailed with me.

Everybody's moving, if they ain't already there
Everybody's got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now."

- Zimmerman

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Alex,

I can't even follow that sentence above let alone make sense of it. TSH is a moving target and, as you know, influenced by many fluctuating variables.

 

B

Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc).

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Hi Dunerbug,

 

What I've observed in the thyroid patient advocate site that I frequent is that people with a FT3 at the lower end of the range tend to be hypothyroid and to experience hypothyroid symptoms. When these patients manage to get treatment from their doctors their symptoms go away.

 

Getting treatment usually involves investigating other things like serum iron, B12 levels, vitamin D3 levels and the sodium and potassium electrolytes. These components need to be balanced in order for the body to use the available thyroid hormone whether it is what is naturally available in the body or what is supplemented.

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor


I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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I do have copies.

The interesting thing is when I had a hair mineral test done it showed me to be hypothyroid.

My naturopathic doc said she didn't want to give me thyroid meds because it would make my anxiety worse. She also believed that because my numbers were considered normal that we could treat it naturally. My first test was in normal range, just on the higher side of normal. My latest test showed some improvement.

I will dig up my results.

....

TSH 3.130 Normal range is 0.450-4.500

T4 1.04 Normal range is 0.82-1.77

T3 2.2 Normal range is 2.0-4.4

 

Lasted test was Dec.

 

TSH 2.55

T4 1.10

T3 2.8

 

Those look like Free T3 and Free T4, yes? FT3, TSH appear suboptimal to me especially if you are having symptoms. Though improving.

 

How did your ND determine hypothyroid from a hair mineral test? I suspect it'd be from low iodine, but the solution is a little tricky, IMO. Adding supplemental iodine can cause problems if done too rapidly or if co-factors -- especially selenium, copper, zinc, iron -- are out of whack.

 

Furthermore, hair tests are not universally hailed for their reliability but IMO whatever data you have is better than no data.

 

I am no expert on hypothyroidism. I find it complicated generally especially since it seems multi-factorial to me. I'm not taking thyroid hormone (yet) and there's good reason to think T3 could aggraviate anxiety. How did your ND want to treat it naturally?

 

It was some kind of ratio like sodium to potassium or something along those lines. After she sent the hair to be tested, I got a whole book on the results. It was pretty detailed.

 

I thought about finding an endocrinologist, but I'm hesitant because so many of my symptoms seem related to the time frame of the prozac. I know that I could develop thyroid problems at anytime but I'm just not sure how far to take anyhting right now. Maybe I'm gun shy because a lot of the things I thought were going to help might have actually hurt.

Started Fluoxetine Jan. 2010

Tried to go off of it in Sept. 2010

Weaned too fast and was back on it by Nov. 2010

Didn't work as good the second time around.

Started to wean again in Nov. 2011 and was off for good by April? 2012

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Yes, that was ft3 and ft4

Started Fluoxetine Jan. 2010

Tried to go off of it in Sept. 2010

Weaned too fast and was back on it by Nov. 2010

Didn't work as good the second time around.

Started to wean again in Nov. 2011 and was off for good by April? 2012

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  • Administrator

Hi Dunerbug

 

Endocrinologists are not necessarily any better than any other kind of doctor. A good DO, holistic family practitioner or internal medicine doctor could probably do as much for you.

 

Here is a link to a list of "good" thyroid doctors, http://thyroid.about.com/cs/doctors/a/topdocs.htm, perhaps you can find someone from this list to work with.

 

One thing we've found on this site is that if you are experiencing withdrawals you need to be your own advocate. If supplements are recommended, use single ingredient supplements and start with a low dose to see how you react. Don't let an uninformed doctor push you to accelerate adoption of a supplement or medication. You need to go slowly and monitor your body's reaction.

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor


I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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Hi Dunerbug

 

Endocrinologists are not necessarily any better than any other kind of doctor. A good DO, holistic family practitioner or internal medicine doctor could probably do as much for you. Here is a link to a list of "good" thyroid doctors, http://thyroid.about.com/cs/doctors/a/topdocs.htm, perhaps you can find someone from this list to work with.

 

One thing we've found on this site is that if you are experiencing withdrawals you need to be your own advocate. If supplements are recommended, use single ingredient supplements and start with a low dose to see how you react. Don't let an uninformed doctor push you to accelerate adoption of a supplement or medication. You need to go slowly and monitor your body's reaction.

 

Karma

 

Thank you for the resource!

Started Fluoxetine Jan. 2010

Tried to go off of it in Sept. 2010

Weaned too fast and was back on it by Nov. 2010

Didn't work as good the second time around.

Started to wean again in Nov. 2011 and was off for good by April? 2012

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Share on other sites

 

I do have copies.

The interesting thing is when I had a hair mineral test done it showed me to be hypothyroid.

My naturopathic doc said she didn't want to give me thyroid meds because it would make my anxiety worse. She also believed that because my numbers were considered normal that we could treat it naturally. My first test was in normal range, just on the higher side of normal. My latest test showed some improvement.

I will dig up my results.

....

TSH 3.130 Normal range is 0.450-4.500

T4 1.04 Normal range is 0.82-1.77

T3 2.2 Normal range is 2.0-4.4

 

Lasted test was Dec.

 

TSH 2.55

T4 1.10

T3 2.8

 

Those look like Free T3 and Free T4, yes? FT3, TSH appear suboptimal to me especially if you are having symptoms. Though improving.

 

How did your ND determine hypothyroid from a hair mineral test? I suspect it'd be from low iodine, but the solution is a little tricky, IMO. Adding supplemental iodine can cause problems if done too rapidly or if co-factors -- especially selenium, copper, zinc, iron -- are out of whack.

 

Furthermore, hair tests are not universally hailed for their reliability but IMO whatever data you have is better than no data.

 

I am no expert on hypothyroidism. I find it complicated generally especially since it seems multi-factorial to me. I'm not taking thyroid hormone (yet) and there's good reason to think T3 could aggraviate anxiety. How did your ND want to treat it naturally?

 

She gave me a c-complex which had something in there supposed to aid thyroid funtion.

I took a thyroid herbal complex and a desacated thyroid type complex without the thyroxine. I couldn't take that as it made my anxiety worse. She gave a multi whole food vit that had things in it to help with hormones. She also had me eating a bunch of brazil nuts. There are probably others that I'm forgetting to mention.

I'm not taking any of those now.

 

I mentioned in my introduction thread that I've spent close to $2000 dollars with this Ndoc and have not improved enough to justify the cost anymore. I will continue to get basic supps from her though, like a multi, d3, iron, etc.

Started Fluoxetine Jan. 2010

Tried to go off of it in Sept. 2010

Weaned too fast and was back on it by Nov. 2010

Didn't work as good the second time around.

Started to wean again in Nov. 2011 and was off for good by April? 2012

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  • 4 months later...

So the last week or so I've been reacting to my Synthroid med. It amps me up like I'm on caffeine. At this point it's not a bad feeling, but I know that in time the reaction will become one of extreme panic instead of a jolt of energy. I'm going to start tapering off of it today. However, I'm concerned about leaving my body without a functioning thyroid. If I don't have that on board I can't heal properly (yet I know if I keep ingesting synthetic substances....I won't heal that way either). Are there natural ways to treat hypothyroidism (that are proven to be successful)?

1993: Diagnosed with "Depression" & "GAD, given Prozac
1994: Diagnosis changed to Bipolar II, Lithium added
1994-1997: Tried Wellbutrin and Zoloft
1997: Prescribed Effexor XR & Depakote ER
2012: Stopped Depakote, decreased dose of Effexor over the course of 2 or 3 months, used Prozac to help
2012: Stopped Prozac, began noticing disturbing symptoms after a few weeks of being antidepressant free.
late 2012: Prescribed Cymbalta
2013: Felt disconnected, disoriented, not "real".... Dr. recommended increasing the dose from 30mg to 60mg. Increased dosage was too much for my body/brain to handle....I had a very nasty reaction.

2014: Tried to go off Cymbalta. It did not work. I now take 15 beads.

2016: I take 3 beads daily...can't get off this crap. Obvious brain damage...most days I feel defeated and hopeless.

 

 

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  • Administrator

Thyroid medication dosage needs to be adjusted from time to time. Please see your doctor about this.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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there are natural forms of thyroid...a lot of people have issues with Synthroid...not just those of us in withdrawal...you need to find a doctor who treats with natural forms...various alternative type MDs and naturopaths etc...will know about that...

 

thyroid is tricky...it's good to find someone who specializes with thyroid issues. 

Everything Matters: Beyond Meds 

https://beyondmeds.com/

withdrawn from a cocktail of 6 psychiatric drugs that included every class of psych drug.
 

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Yah it's weird.....I was always told that Synthroid was perfectly safe and "natural" and that there were no known side effects. I suppose side effects and reactions are two different things, though. About 2 weeks ago I had some blood work done and one of the things they checked was my thyroid. The levels came back in the low range of normal. I'll look into a more natural approach to this....

1993: Diagnosed with "Depression" & "GAD, given Prozac
1994: Diagnosis changed to Bipolar II, Lithium added
1994-1997: Tried Wellbutrin and Zoloft
1997: Prescribed Effexor XR & Depakote ER
2012: Stopped Depakote, decreased dose of Effexor over the course of 2 or 3 months, used Prozac to help
2012: Stopped Prozac, began noticing disturbing symptoms after a few weeks of being antidepressant free.
late 2012: Prescribed Cymbalta
2013: Felt disconnected, disoriented, not "real".... Dr. recommended increasing the dose from 30mg to 60mg. Increased dosage was too much for my body/brain to handle....I had a very nasty reaction.

2014: Tried to go off Cymbalta. It did not work. I now take 15 beads.

2016: I take 3 beads daily...can't get off this crap. Obvious brain damage...most days I feel defeated and hopeless.

 

 

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hi mate christiana has this condition and uses 60mg armour thyroid, is that a natural treatment?
 
maybe you could speak to her?

damaged by citalopram - severe suffering for 3 years now...no improvement

 

akathsiia, pgad, dp/dr, terror, and so SO many more daily

 

severly disabled and lost everything

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Armour is natural desiccated thyroid ... it is desiccate pig thyroid ... and it has 4 forms of thyroid in it, T1, T2, T3 and T4 as well as calcitonin.  It gives the patient everything a functioning thyroid would supply, but in a slightly different ratio.  Other desiccated products include NatureThroid and ERFA out of Canada.

 

It is possible that your symptoms are due to other inbalances in your system.  If your iron, D3 or B12 is low it can cause symptoms when thyroid treatment is present.  If your electrolytes are not balanced you can experience symtpoms when thyroid treatment is present.  And, I agree with Alto you do have to adjust your thyroid treatment from time to time.

 

In my case, my adrenals were struggling and I could not get optimized on my thyroid treatment ... I took Armour at the time. 

 

Here is a thread I started about thyroid symptoms that has some other links to patient advocate sites who specialize in natural thyroid and a few other things: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1593-thyroid-symptoms/?hl=hashimoto%26%2339%3Bs

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor


I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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My iron levels were found to be low here recently, so yes, I'm sure that's one of the issues complicating matters. I will look into the armour thyroid as an option....and of course continue to check my thyroid levels.

1993: Diagnosed with "Depression" & "GAD, given Prozac
1994: Diagnosis changed to Bipolar II, Lithium added
1994-1997: Tried Wellbutrin and Zoloft
1997: Prescribed Effexor XR & Depakote ER
2012: Stopped Depakote, decreased dose of Effexor over the course of 2 or 3 months, used Prozac to help
2012: Stopped Prozac, began noticing disturbing symptoms after a few weeks of being antidepressant free.
late 2012: Prescribed Cymbalta
2013: Felt disconnected, disoriented, not "real".... Dr. recommended increasing the dose from 30mg to 60mg. Increased dosage was too much for my body/brain to handle....I had a very nasty reaction.

2014: Tried to go off Cymbalta. It did not work. I now take 15 beads.

2016: I take 3 beads daily...can't get off this crap. Obvious brain damage...most days I feel defeated and hopeless.

 

 

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Hi Spidey,

 

I agree with Karma.

 

Iggy is correct.  I take armour thyroid and do better with it than any of the other thyroid meds.

 

Maybe if you broke your pill into little pieces and took one here and there throughout the day, you'd feel better? That's what I did, when I was having a really hard time taking mine, since I started withdrawal, and no reason was found as to why it could have been giving me problems.

 

I do think you should rule out anything that could be causing you any problems with taking it though.

 

Here's a link to a great book I've read and still have that really taught me a lot about thyroid related stuff...

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Well-Hypothyroidism-Revised-Edition/dp/0060740957/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372899115&sr=8-1&keywords=mary+shomon+what+your+doctor

 

I hope I've helped you some and you get it figured out, so you start feeling better soon! (hugs)

Jun-Jul '09 (approx 7 wks) - 5mg/day Lexapro (drug rep samples) given by family dr for long, unended, very stressful divorce

 

Each dose taken makes sicker, think it's just body adjusting, have no clue it's severe adverse reaction at time

 

Aug '09 - pharmacy gets dr rx for, insurance won't pay, I can't afford, dr changes to Celexa, decline to take, cold turkey, necessary blessing in disguise, in hindsight at least

 

Gradually feel some better over 1-2 wks, 3rd wk horrific withdrawal symptoms start & build, see doctor & start researching internet about what's happening, figure it out, 60-70+ severe, frightening, & debilitating symptoms emerge, realize nothing can do to feel better easily or quickly, feel like & think I'm dying, reach point where doctor gets home healthcare & have to call friend to stay with & take care of, friend abandons about 1 yr & lose home healthcare

 

1st yr symptoms extremely severe, 2nd yr just somewhat better, now into 3rd yr symptoms don't seem much better, still causing horrible suffering, wax & wane in severity, sometimes almost as severe as when started, practically homebound, mostly bedbound, very hard completing simple tasks, symptoms definitely much worse 7-10 days/mo around menstrual cycle

 

Have lost vehicle & home, plus loved cat & dog had for long time, was homeless several months last winter, lived out of car, living in undesirable gov't subsidized housing now causing many troubles, have no medical & very little rx insurance, disability check & food stamps aren't enough to provide basic needs, lack any reliable personal support anymore, very isolated & all alone, have many pressing stressful things must be done, can barely or unable to complete without help don't have, even ones to help situation some, don't even have finances to get urgent necessary needed help required to help situation & self, social services is frequently visiting now, fear being polydrugged, losing everything, put into nursing home, hope & pray someone will help to keep from happening, don't know what else to do, still way to sick to return to work & college, believe I will recover, in the meantime tho have no answers except to plead for help, hope & pray someone, anyone, who truly cares does soon

 

In 32nd mo now still very bad SSRI protracted withdrawal, have only seen few signs of healing since 2nd yr passed, somehow manage to keep fighting, afraid time is running out for best tho & situation only going to get worse trying to survive on own if don't get help from someone

 

This pretty much summarizes what 49 little round white pills (if I recall correctly) have done to my life & future for now, my before & after life are drastically opposite now, both my situation & self, if only I'd known their potential, a little bit too late now tho huh?.?.?...hindsight really is 20/20 isn't it?.?.?...

 

I pray God blesses and helps each and every one of us, here and elsewhere, going through this nightmare. Amen, amen, amen.

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So the last week or so I've been reacting to my Synthroid med. It amps me up like I'm on caffeine. At this point it's not a bad feeling, but I know that in time the reaction will become one of extreme panic instead of a jolt of energy. I'm going to start tapering off of it today. However, I'm concerned about leaving my body without a functioning thyroid. If I don't have that on board I can't heal properly (yet I know if I keep ingesting synthetic substances....I won't heal that way either). Are there natural ways to treat hypothyroidism (that are proven to be successful)?

I take a thyroid rx that I believe is natural.  It has T3 and T4 and it's compounded.  It's made by the same pharmacy that makes bio-identical hormones.  I'll have to ask them when I pick it up if it's considered non-synthetic.  I don't have any negative reactions such as feeling like I'm on caffeine.  I don't like taking anything synthetic, either.  I'll have to get the run down and post, here.

Getting Unstuck

1999 – Zoloft for about a year. Stopped cold turkey.

2003 – Lexapro for about 5 years. Tapered off slowly for about 3 months, then stopped.

2008 – Prozac for about 4 years. Tapered off slowly for about a year and stopped completely December 2012.

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My iron levels were found to be low here recently, so yes, I'm sure that's one of the issues complicating matters. I will look into the armour thyroid as an option....and of course continue to check my thyroid levels.

My iron levels were low, too, which puzzled me.  I'm not having periods anymore so I can't figure out how my iron could be low.  A few years back, same thing happened.  Not to blame everything on ADs, but I have to wonder if the digestive issues I was experiencing were caused by the ADs, therefore, absorption problems.  It's just odd.  I did feel a little better taking the iron supplement. 

Getting Unstuck

1999 – Zoloft for about a year. Stopped cold turkey.

2003 – Lexapro for about 5 years. Tapered off slowly for about 3 months, then stopped.

2008 – Prozac for about 4 years. Tapered off slowly for about a year and stopped completely December 2012.

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Hi GU,

 

It sounds like what you're taking isn't synthetic, but it never hurts to ask, to be for sure.

 

Withdrawal is known to cause digestive problems, so it wouldn't surprise me a bit, if your low iron levels, came about because of it.

 

I know we can't blame everything on withdrawal though, but it sure can affect some of us negatively in many ways. 

Jun-Jul '09 (approx 7 wks) - 5mg/day Lexapro (drug rep samples) given by family dr for long, unended, very stressful divorce

 

Each dose taken makes sicker, think it's just body adjusting, have no clue it's severe adverse reaction at time

 

Aug '09 - pharmacy gets dr rx for, insurance won't pay, I can't afford, dr changes to Celexa, decline to take, cold turkey, necessary blessing in disguise, in hindsight at least

 

Gradually feel some better over 1-2 wks, 3rd wk horrific withdrawal symptoms start & build, see doctor & start researching internet about what's happening, figure it out, 60-70+ severe, frightening, & debilitating symptoms emerge, realize nothing can do to feel better easily or quickly, feel like & think I'm dying, reach point where doctor gets home healthcare & have to call friend to stay with & take care of, friend abandons about 1 yr & lose home healthcare

 

1st yr symptoms extremely severe, 2nd yr just somewhat better, now into 3rd yr symptoms don't seem much better, still causing horrible suffering, wax & wane in severity, sometimes almost as severe as when started, practically homebound, mostly bedbound, very hard completing simple tasks, symptoms definitely much worse 7-10 days/mo around menstrual cycle

 

Have lost vehicle & home, plus loved cat & dog had for long time, was homeless several months last winter, lived out of car, living in undesirable gov't subsidized housing now causing many troubles, have no medical & very little rx insurance, disability check & food stamps aren't enough to provide basic needs, lack any reliable personal support anymore, very isolated & all alone, have many pressing stressful things must be done, can barely or unable to complete without help don't have, even ones to help situation some, don't even have finances to get urgent necessary needed help required to help situation & self, social services is frequently visiting now, fear being polydrugged, losing everything, put into nursing home, hope & pray someone will help to keep from happening, don't know what else to do, still way to sick to return to work & college, believe I will recover, in the meantime tho have no answers except to plead for help, hope & pray someone, anyone, who truly cares does soon

 

In 32nd mo now still very bad SSRI protracted withdrawal, have only seen few signs of healing since 2nd yr passed, somehow manage to keep fighting, afraid time is running out for best tho & situation only going to get worse trying to survive on own if don't get help from someone

 

This pretty much summarizes what 49 little round white pills (if I recall correctly) have done to my life & future for now, my before & after life are drastically opposite now, both my situation & self, if only I'd known their potential, a little bit too late now tho huh?.?.?...hindsight really is 20/20 isn't it?.?.?...

 

I pray God blesses and helps each and every one of us, here and elsewhere, going through this nightmare. Amen, amen, amen.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Just wondered if anyone on this forum has found that they have a thyroid problem, i.e. Hashimoto's Hypothyroid condition,  or is there anyone who had it and once they got off their SSRI, it cleared up?

Just wondering how SSRI's could possibly be linked to causing this autoimmune illness..Thank you!

 

Have been on .125Klonopin for 17 years....was tapered off rapidly (3 weeks)from a 6 week updose of 1.50 K....went back on .125 K and tapered off there in 3 weeks - September 7 2010...horrible w/d sx. Have been suffering ever since, although do get windows.
Was put on 20 mg Prozac back in 1993 also...no issues ever with the prozac. Was told last summer to get off the Prozac by a psychiatrist who thought that my benzo w/d was really due to the Prozac i.e., jitteriness, shaking, nervous, anxiety and depression. He wanted me off in 3 months. I started decreasing 1 mg per months - am now down to 9 mg Prozac....feel like I have been tapering incorrectly.

 

Introductory Post:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2439-sally3-i-am-new-here/page-1

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Hi

 

I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis ... I am not completely off my SSRI and don't know that I would attempt to come off of my thyroid treatment to test whether I was well after I finished coming off of my SSRI treatment. 

 

Hashitmoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hashimotos-disease/DS00567.  That means that your body is attacking your thyroid gland for some reason.  In my case this was closely related to the fact that I have Celiac Disease, which is also an autoimmune disease.  When I went on a completely gluten free diet my thyroid antibiodies fell, but can still be measured.  What I've learned is that his means I am no longer suffering an attack, but there is evidence that I have experienced an attack.

 

In my case the treatment was to use sufficient thyroid replacement to suppress my TSH, thus my thyroid was no longer able to swing from hypo to hyper because it basically produces very little thyroid hormone, if any.  Here is another link https://eaware.org/thyroid-gland/#hashimotos.

 

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor


I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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I have Hashimoto's too, i am not sure but i think i was diagnosed with it before I started taking ADs...

switching ADs always affected my thyroid medication dose and now after i stopped ADs then reinstated at a much lower dose, i take a lower dose of my thyroid medication too...

have been on various antidepressants (many SSRIs, SNRI, MAOIs) for chronic fatigue syndrome for more than 17 years, was on zoloft 100mg for the last 2-3 years, tapered over 2.5 months, ending october 24 2012.
reinstating AD:
march 28: started on 25mg co-sertraline, took it for 2 days
april 1: 12.5mg ONLY FOR ONE DAY- STOPPED taking meds
april 9: started on 2.5mg co-sertraline
april 17: increased to 5 mg

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Thank you both for your responses....and thank you Karma for the link - very informative....I am tapering my Prozac and have been for two years...am holding right now at 3.52 mg...I was just diagnosed with Hypothyroidism...and haven't started any treatment yet.  My symptoms are very bad and I don't know if it's the thyroid issues or the Prozac w/d or still sx from a Klonopin c/t 3 years ago....suffering horribly.

Sally3

Have been on .125Klonopin for 17 years....was tapered off rapidly (3 weeks)from a 6 week updose of 1.50 K....went back on .125 K and tapered off there in 3 weeks - September 7 2010...horrible w/d sx. Have been suffering ever since, although do get windows.
Was put on 20 mg Prozac back in 1993 also...no issues ever with the prozac. Was told last summer to get off the Prozac by a psychiatrist who thought that my benzo w/d was really due to the Prozac i.e., jitteriness, shaking, nervous, anxiety and depression. He wanted me off in 3 months. I started decreasing 1 mg per months - am now down to 9 mg Prozac....feel like I have been tapering incorrectly.

 

Introductory Post:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2439-sally3-i-am-new-here/page-1

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I don't know about Hashimoto's in particular and I will say one must always be very careful with thyroid and be sure to get appropriate care...I am by no means an expert on thyroid conditions. 

 

that said, I do know that a lot of thyroid problems do clear up as people get off meds and recover. My thyroid has gone wonky a couple of times but then gotten better on it's own during this journey...right now it's just fine...

 

I think it's always worth re-evaluating all our health needs as we continue to improve during and after withdrawal. 

Everything Matters: Beyond Meds 

https://beyondmeds.com/

withdrawn from a cocktail of 6 psychiatric drugs that included every class of psych drug.
 

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