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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by gardenergirl on December 6, 2006, at 9:12:57
In reply to Re: Cytomel » yesac, posted by tensor on December 6, 2006, at 6:50:46
The reason I asked for Cytomel was to augment the antidepressants I was taking then. It's true, I do have mild hyperthyroidism, but that was managed just fine with the Synthroid. I was hoping Cytomel would have a positive effect on depression.
gg
Posted by yesac on December 6, 2006, at 11:33:09
In reply to Re: Cytomel » yesac, posted by tensor on December 6, 2006, at 6:50:46
> Is there actually none on this board that uses or have used Cytomel/T3 as an augmentor to antidepressants?
> From what I have read it's a common practice, and in studies shown to be equally or more effective than lithium in this aspect.
Well I don't know, but I'm wondering about it's use even alone-- as in, NOT augmenting an antidepressant. The reason for this is that I have yet to find a single "antidepressant" that has worked for me, and I've tried most of them.Right now I take lithium, which seems to help a tiny bit by itself (i.e. not as an AD augmentor) and Seroquel. I've also been on Abilify for a couple weeks-- trying to see if I could switch it for Seroquel-- but I think I'm probably going to end up going off it. It doesn't seem to be helping and I have some annoying side effects.
I don't understand why Cytomel couldn't be helpful just by itself.
Maybe someone who takes it will come forward and help us :)
Posted by exquilter on December 7, 2006, at 0:51:29
In reply to Re: Cytomel » tensor, posted by yesac on December 6, 2006, at 11:33:09
I have taken Cytomel for nearly 2 decades as an augmentor to all classes of ADs. It is apparently a crucial part of my cocktail because reduction in dosage always worsens my depression. It was the key to making ADs work at all for me. I have never had the luxury of trying it as monotherapy. Many Pdocs are not really aware of it's potential use for depression, you may need to do some research so you can educate yours.
Exquilter
Posted by tensor on December 7, 2006, at 4:47:44
In reply to Re: Cytomel, posted by exquilter on December 7, 2006, at 0:51:29
Thanks for replying exquilter,
>you may need to do some research so you can educate yours.
that's exactly what I'm doing. Tell me, do you take it continuously or in intervals, like on two months, off two monts and so on?
Thanks,
Mattias
Posted by yesac on December 7, 2006, at 11:11:31
In reply to Re: Cytomel, posted by exquilter on December 7, 2006, at 0:51:29
> I have taken Cytomel for nearly 2 decades as an augmentor to all classes of ADs. It is apparently a crucial part of my cocktail because reduction in dosage always worsens my depression. It was the key to making ADs work at all for me. I have never had the luxury of trying it as monotherapy.
So you're saying that without the Cytomel, antidepressants didn't work at all for you? But with it, they do work? That's very interesting and inspiring to me, because like I said, not a single antidepressant has done anything positive for me. And I've tried almost all of them, except tricyclics-- well, I tried desipramine briefly but my body couldn't handle it.
> Many Pdocs are not really aware of it's potential use for depression, you may need to do some research so you can educate yours.
Luckily my psychiatrist knows about it... he was the one who suggested it. But I'm not taking any antidepressant now, so I feel like I need to get on one before adding an augmentor.... unless it could augment other classes of drugs, like antipsychotics, which often have antidepressant properties.
Posted by exquilter on December 7, 2006, at 13:49:28
In reply to Re: Cytomel » exquilter, posted by tensor on December 7, 2006, at 4:47:44
I have been taking it continuously because I crash when we try to reduce the dosage, usually because Cytomel causes thyroid lab results to be strange which worries docs who are not familiar with its use. I don't care about the labs so I have been declining thyroid testing. I don't know how it works but it seems to be essential to my brain function. It doesn't do enough to use it for monotherapy, and doesn't seem to work equally well with all meds. I first took it to augment trimiprimine (Surmontil) and got several years relief with that combo.
Exquilter
Posted by exquilter on December 7, 2006, at 14:05:33
In reply to Re: Cytomel » exquilter, posted by yesac on December 7, 2006, at 11:11:31
Before I added Cytomel I would respond to the tricyclics and MAOIs for weeks or a few months. Adding it to Surmontil gave me several years of relief. Back then the other classes of meds had not yet come on the market. It seems to be relatively free of side effects for me, and is probably helping suppress growth in a thyroid nodule I've developed, so I keep taking it for several reasons. If I were you I would revisit the tricyclic class. Not all of them have the same side effect profile, and they work well with the Cytomel. Desiprimine didn't work for me at all. Just my experience...
Exquilter
Posted by yesac on December 7, 2006, at 14:21:40
In reply to Re: Cytomel » yesac, posted by exquilter on December 7, 2006, at 14:05:33
> Before I added Cytomel I would respond to the tricyclics and MAOIs for weeks or a few months. Adding it to Surmontil gave me several years of relief. Back then the other classes of meds had not yet come on the market. It seems to be relatively free of side effects for me, and is probably helping suppress growth in a thyroid nodule I've developed, so I keep taking it for several reasons. If I were you I would revisit the tricyclic class. Not all of them have the same side effect profile, and they work well with the Cytomel. Desiprimine didn't work for me at all.
Thanks for your thoughts. I'll ask my psychiatrist about trying other tricyclics. Right now I'm sort of on this Abilify trial, which isn't going too well, but I try to just stick with one thing at a time.Can I ask what else you are taking now along with the Cytomel?
Posted by tensor on December 7, 2006, at 15:22:01
In reply to Re: Cytomel » tensor, posted by exquilter on December 7, 2006, at 13:49:28
Thanks for your reply, I hope I can try it in a near future.
/Mattias
Posted by exquilter on December 7, 2006, at 22:09:46
In reply to Re: Cytomel » exquilter, posted by yesac on December 7, 2006, at 14:21:40
I'm currently taking:
Abilify 5mg
Celexa 40mg
Concerta 54mg
Cytomel 50mcg
Depakote 500mg
Neurontin 1800mgalong with other meds for physical ailments. I feel like a walking pharmacy.
Exquilter
Posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:00:49
In reply to Re: Cytomel » gardenergirl, posted by Phillipa on December 5, 2006, at 23:00:38
> Well since my hasimotos is hyper now and trying to adjust and anxiety bad I guess this wouldn't be a good idea. But you know ll years ago the pdoc I had said he would have used cytomel instead of synthroid which I'm now on too. Love Phillipa do we not have a thyroid expert?
No Hasimotos is HYPO, but you can swing either way. It's means you have antibodies that kill off your thyroid causing it to be underactive. But yes, it can make you HYPER but it's usually HYPO.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:06:34
In reply to Re: Cytomel » yesac, posted by tensor on December 6, 2006, at 6:50:46
> Is there actually none on this board that uses or have used Cytomel/T3 as an augmentor to antidepressants?
> From what I have read it's a common practice, and in studies shown to be equally or more effective than lithium in this aspect.
>
> /MattiasIn 2003 http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031010/msgs/268077.html
I want to try Cytomel, but my endocrinologist won't let me ... big poop! Apparently it's not in vogue right now (in was in the late 90s). I really want to try it. I have Hasimotos and I take 175 mcg of Synthroid.
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on December 8, 2006, at 23:51:15
In reply to Re: Cytomel -OT » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:00:49
Maxie welcome back. Yeah after ll years and 9 stable I finally am seeing an endo. I had to show the GP that my T4 was slightly high and requested a panel which showed the hyper. My neice is my expert on the home front as she's been seeing an endo for a lot of years. I always knew it was hypo but never knew it could swing both ways. Am on two doses as they don't make a pill the size the endo wants it. 88mcg two days and l00mcg the other five days. My old pdoc used cytomel in the 90's to boost the thyroid and help depression. I hope yours is better. Love Phillipa
Posted by tensor on December 9, 2006, at 7:11:33
In reply to Re: Cytomel » tensor, posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:06:34
Hi Maxime,
>I want to try Cytomel, but my endocrinologist won't let me
Did he give an explanation why he wouldn't let you? Is it because he thinks it's unsafe?
/Mattias
Posted by Maxime on December 9, 2006, at 11:22:00
In reply to Re: Cytomel -OT » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on December 8, 2006, at 23:51:15
If your T4 is high you are HYPO. You are taking synthroid which is a synthetic version of T4 which is used for hypothyroidism. You are on high doses of Synthroid too, so you are not HYPER (unless your T4 is low and your doctor would lower your dose).
Maxime
> Maxie welcome back. Yeah after ll years and 9 stable I finally am seeing an endo. I had to show the GP that my T4 was slightly high and requested a panel which showed the hyper. My neice is my expert on the home front as she's been seeing an endo for a lot of years. I always knew it was hypo but never knew it could swing both ways. Am on two doses as they don't make a pill the size the endo wants it. 88mcg two days and l00mcg the other five days. My old pdoc used cytomel in the 90's to boost the thyroid and help depression. I hope yours is better. Love Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on December 9, 2006, at 11:28:50
In reply to Re: Cytomel » Maxime, posted by tensor on December 9, 2006, at 7:11:33
> Hi Maxime,
>
> >I want to try Cytomel, but my endocrinologist won't let me
>
> Did he give an explanation why he wouldn't let you? Is it because he thinks it's unsafe?
>
> /MattiasHi Mattias:
Cytomel is a steroid, so it's not considered safe by many endos. HOWEVER, I know of many people who have hypothyroidism and they receive both Synthroid and Cytomel and it controls their hypothyroidism better.
I just saw a new endo and I will see her again in January. I hope she will let me try the Cytomel given my history of depression.
The thyroid produces T4 (which Synthroid is a synthetic version of) and the body converts it to T3 and the body's organ use it. SOME people have a conversion problem (their body can't convert the T4 to T3) and so they are given T3 (Cytomel). Sounds awful but I wish I had a conversion problem just so I could try Cytomel. It seems wrong to not allow someone to try something that has proven to help people with depression.
I hope you get to try it.
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2006, at 18:41:29
In reply to Re: Cytomel -OT » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on December 9, 2006, at 11:22:00
He lowered my dose from .125mcg to the new .088 and .l00. Tsh is 0.06. Considered hyper. Love Phillipa ps hasimotos swings both ways. He's changed the dose twice so far the hospital ER docs picked up on it first then I showed the GP and got the endo consult.
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2006, at 18:44:12
In reply to Re: Cytomel -OT » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on December 9, 2006, at 11:22:00
Maxime free T4 is according the lab report in my hand l.8 and normal is .9 to l.7. Love Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on December 9, 2006, at 21:33:24
In reply to Re: Cytomel -OT » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2006, at 18:44:12
> Maxime free T4 is according the lab report in my hand l.8 and normal is .9 to l.7. Love Phillipa
So you are just borderline hyperthyroid now. My endo at leasts let me stay borderline hyper because of my depresssion. I take 175 mcg of Synthroid.
Take care.
Maxime
Posted by MidnightBlue on December 9, 2006, at 21:57:58
In reply to Re: Cytomel -OT » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:00:49
MAXIME!
You are back! Sigh of relief..........
MB
Posted by liliths on December 11, 2006, at 13:08:32
In reply to Re: Cytomel, posted by exquilter on December 7, 2006, at 22:09:46
do you think the Cytomel affects the amount of Concerta you need? did you ever try a higher dose of concerta without the cytomel? I guess I'm wondering how it might interact with ADD meds.
thanks
namaste,
lilith> I'm currently taking:
>
> Abilify 5mg
> Celexa 40mg
> Concerta 54mg
> Cytomel 50mcg
> Depakote 500mg
> Neurontin 1800mg
>
> along with other meds for physical ailments. I feel like a walking pharmacy.
>
> Exquilter
Posted by Maxime on December 11, 2006, at 15:27:39
In reply to Re: Cytomel -OT » Maxime, posted by MidnightBlue on December 9, 2006, at 21:57:58
> MAXIME!
>
> You are back! Sigh of relief..........
>
> MBI'm sort of back. :)
Posted by exquilter on December 11, 2006, at 20:15:28
In reply to Re: Cytomel » exquilter, posted by liliths on December 11, 2006, at 13:08:32
> do you think the Cytomel affects the amount of Concerta you need? did you ever try a higher dose of concerta without the cytomel? I guess I'm wondering how it might interact with ADD meds.
>
> thanks
>
> namaste,
> lilith
>
>
>
> > I'm currently taking:
> >
> > Abilify 5mg
> > Celexa 40mg
> > Concerta 54mg
> > Cytomel 50mcg
> > Depakote 500mg
> > Neurontin 1800mg
> >
> > along with other meds for physical ailments. I feel like a walking pharmacy.
> >
> > Exquilter
>
>I'm not sure how they interact. I have been taking the Cytomel far longer than the Concerta, which was prescribed for daytime sleepiness caused by my other meds. I have some slight tachycardia and problems with tremor but these may result from the other meds as well. Sorry I don't know more, that's the problem with taking this many meds. Nobody really knows what drug is doing what. I suspect I would have trouble sleeping but I find that Celexa, Depakote and Abilify are all quite sedating for me.
Exquilter
Posted by liliths on December 12, 2006, at 5:23:12
In reply to Re: Cytomel » liliths, posted by exquilter on December 11, 2006, at 20:15:28
thank you for replying. I now how frustrating it can be being on multiple meds. Might be a good idea to discuss checking some of them out with your pdoc... you may not need all of them
just my 2¢ :)
good luck!
namaste,
lilith> > do you think the Cytomel affects the amount of Concerta you need? did you ever try a higher dose of concerta without the cytomel? I guess I'm wondering how it might interact with ADD meds.
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > namaste,
> > lilith
> >
> >
> >
> > > I'm currently taking:
> > >
> > > Abilify 5mg
> > > Celexa 40mg
> > > Concerta 54mg
> > > Cytomel 50mcg
> > > Depakote 500mg
> > > Neurontin 1800mg
> > >
> > > along with other meds for physical ailments. I feel like a walking pharmacy.
> > >
> > > Exquilter
> >
> >
>
> I'm not sure how they interact. I have been taking the Cytomel far longer than the Concerta, which was prescribed for daytime sleepiness caused by my other meds. I have some slight tachycardia and problems with tremor but these may result from the other meds as well. Sorry I don't know more, that's the problem with taking this many meds. Nobody really knows what drug is doing what. I suspect I would have trouble sleeping but I find that Celexa, Depakote and Abilify are all quite sedating for me.
>
> Exquilter
Posted by exquilter on December 12, 2006, at 21:22:34
In reply to Re: Cytomel » exquilter, posted by liliths on December 12, 2006, at 5:23:12
Thanks for your concern, liliths, but these are all prescribed by my pdoc. Recent attempts to reduce Abilify have resulted in a recurrance of my depression. I may have better luck later in the Spring, winter is always harder for me.
Exquilter
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