Posted by Tom G on April 1, 2004, at 12:02:34
In reply to Re: Masturbation and Depression, posted by snapper on March 31, 2004, at 21:27:52
Thanks for all of your responses.
Yes, I have a long history of alchoholism and suicide (5 or 6 suicides) on my dad's side of the family. Although I don't think anybody has ever had their problems resolved or given an answer to what is wrong, so I don't know if one can assume there is BP in my family. There is definately a problem though.
More on the thyroid. In 1970, my Dad felt a swollen area on his throat while shaving. Tumors were discovered on his thyroid and medicine was given, that didn't work, to shrink the tumors. He started having psychotic episodes on a monthly cycle during this time possibly caused by the medicine. After the right side of his thyroid was removed with the tumors the psychosis continued. I don't think doctors ever really connected the thyroid problem with his psychotic episodes because he was given a host of all different kinds of AP's, antidepressants, lithium, etc. etc. for 5 years. Nothing worked. He tried to commit suicide twice (shotgun, overdose) and failed. Finally at the Menninger Psychiatric Hospital in Topeka Kansas they found abnormalities in his potassium and calcium in his para thyroid. Blood tests on the thyroid were apparently extremely rare back then and had to be sent to California for results. After removal of some of his parathyroid and starting the right medications he was OK and quit drinking . Then in 1997 I revealed to my parents about my drug addiction. The cycle started all over with him having a psychotic episode. I don't know if him breaking down was a reaction to the stress of my news or just by chance. He was stabilized in less time this go around with only 750mg of Depakote. No problems to this day. He takes Synthroid and Depakote. But I'm still suspicious of what his problem is because I didn't think a abnormality with the para thyroid could be controlled with Depakote. I think doctors really don't know for sure what was wrong. He still has benign tumors on his remaining thyroid but his mood is completely normal whereas my mood has been abnormal I feel since junior high and no psychosis. So I guess I need to see a good endocrinologist.:) I did get a tight feeling in my throat when I went up to 600mgs Neurontin. Its not a sore throat, but its like the feeling you get when you're about to cry, but I'm not about to cry. It's worse when I take a multi vitamin and no the vitamin isn't stuck in my throat. I've tried Depakote at 1000mg for only about 3 and half weeks. It did nothing. The rest of the people back through my family that have either committed suicde or had some illness have just exhibited strange behavior (disappearing for no reason then reappearing), depressive symptoms, and again alchoholism but never any diagnosis given.
Whoa I'm rambling
poster:Tom G
thread:331059
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040329/msgs/331302.html