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Re: Update from my appointment (long) » Spriggy

Posted by Minnie-Haha on April 13, 2005, at 19:37:24

In reply to Update from my appointment: I am so confused, posted by Spriggy on April 13, 2005, at 16:33:46

> We drove 40 minutes to have the endo look at me and say, " I really don't see anything wrong with your test results. Your TSH is normal, your thyroid feels just fine. The growth is just a swollen lymph gland."
> He was nice but obviously doesn't think there is any issue. He is running some more blood test to check my white/red count, liver enzymes, calcium and such but he said he felt this was likely more a reaction to stress and anxiety than anything...

Mercy! Did he say which endocrine disorders could cause the symptoms you're having and what evidence there is to rule them out? (It doesn't sound like he did.) You can always ask your doctor for a referral and a second opinion.


> It is ridiculous to want something wrong physically, but I guess I just thought that would explain things more thoroughly...
> It's just frustrating frankly. I would rather have any diagnosis than bipolar (because of it's role in my family history)...

It's not ridiculous to want an explanation besides a psych disorder. Many of us have been there. Some doctors are thorough and some ARE too quick to chalk things up to anxiety and/or depression. That's why you have to push. There is a strong link between mood and the endocrine system.

That said, sometimes you're problem is solely or primarily a psych disorder and that's not the end of the world. I DON'T MEAN TO MAKE LIGHT OF IT, but everything is relative. I don't like my BP2 diagnosis, but I can think of things that would be even worse (for me anyway).

So do you push on for a medical reason? Could you try a trial of bipolar treatment? Is there another option? I know you've been on Lamictal (briefly yes?), but have you been on any of the usual mood stabilizers like Depakote, Lithium, or Trileptal? You might try starting out for a couple weeks on one of these, and then add an antidepressant.

Take heart! So many care about you. Talk with others here, your husband, your PCP, and your pdoc. Come up with a plan (which you may have to tweak as you go along -- or have a Plan A, Plan B, etc) and hang in there. No matter which treatment you try, hope for the best (that you'll be "cured" in a matter of days), but prepare for the worst (that it may take weeks to know if it's working or not, and move on to Plan B). Think of what you've toughed it through already. You can do this.


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poster:Minnie-Haha thread:483825
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050413/msgs/483873.html