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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ss83 on June 25, 2006, at 13:48:25
I have been diagnosed with agitated depression after my daughter was born 20 months ago. I have been on lexapro, effexor, and currently paxil. None of them have made any changes, just side effects. My last resort is prozac. I'm afraid to try another medicine, in fear that it will also have no change. My doctor has done a routine blood test too check my thyroid, and said the results came back OK. The problem is that EVERY woman on my mothers side of the family has a thyroid problem, from my late grandmother, to my cousins. My aunt and sister, and a few cousins ended up having to see a specialist to be diagnost, and my aunt and two cousins had to have immediate surgery once the problem was found. Their doctors also said that their bloodwork came back fine, which is why they went to the specialist. I'm worried I may also have this problem, but since my doctor did one blood test, she will not send me to a specialist. I have all the symptoms of the hypothyroidism, but my doctor still tries treating me as only agitated depression. Can you suggest what I can do, for either the agitated depression, or the thyroid problem? I'm at a loss, since my doctor seems to be convinced after one test that I am fine.
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2006, at 16:27:42
In reply to agitated depression and/or hypothyroidism, posted by ss83 on June 25, 2006, at 13:48:25
I'd see an endocronologist and let him evaluate you.Love Phillipa
Posted by snapper on June 25, 2006, at 17:49:50
In reply to Re: agitated depression and/or hypothyroidism » ss83, posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2006, at 16:27:42
I could be off here but if you have "agitated depression" , it might be wise to ask your doc. to rx a low dose of a mood stabilizer in conjunction with a low dose of an AD . In my opinion and many others here I am sure, ssri's alone might exacerbate the agitated state. If you don't get what you need from your current dr. Do not hesitate to see a pdoc. One blood test for thyroid problems is also not always all inclusive .
Glood Luck
Snapper
Posted by holymama on June 25, 2006, at 19:20:36
In reply to Re: agitated depression and/or hypothyroidism, posted by snapper on June 25, 2006, at 17:49:50
I'm sorry for what you're going through -- I've had quite a few agitated depressions, and they are no fun at all.
I also have a hypothyroid (it also runs in my family), which WAS detected during one of my pregnancies, but it was very slight. I started seeing an endochronologist when I continued to have mood problems and I was glad I did. What I learned from the endochronologist is that a regular pcp doctor is only trained to look at your thyroid levels in a general sense -- he or she is looking to be sure they are in a range that is 'normal'. My endochronologist said that if she is treating someone for depression, she looks to be sure that person's levels are in a much narrower range within that 'normal' range. So although my pcp saw that my thyroid levels were in the 'normal' range, the endochronologist saw that they were in the normal range, but outside of the narrower range she wanted to see them in to treat my depression. Does that make sense? She did end up changing my thyroid medication a little bit. It would be possible for you to have levels in the normal range, but outside of the narrower range that a specialist would be looking for. I think it would be worth it to see an endochronologist.
Posted by TrishP on June 28, 2006, at 6:58:10
In reply to Re: agitated depression and/or hypothyroidism, posted by holymama on June 25, 2006, at 19:20:36
I've also been diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the past 4 months. I have had a terrible time getting stabilized on my Synthroid. On a slightly higher dose of Synthroid I feel good physically (no swelling and tiredness), but I also feel more agitated and manic. So I lowered my Synthroid dose and I feel depressed. Frustrating. Also - my PMS has been much worse now that I have a thyroid problem.
I am searching for the right comobo of ADs to help with the mood - the Synthroid alone doesn't cure my mood problems.
Posted by Phillipa on June 28, 2006, at 19:44:28
In reply to Re: agitated depression and/or hypothyroidism, posted by TrishP on June 28, 2006, at 6:58:10
Trish I wonder if there is a corolation of peri-menopause and thyroids failing. As that's when mine did too. Love Phillipa
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