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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sophia04 on April 5, 2008, at 14:00:21
I have been taking Parnate for 1 year now. Initially it was exceedingly difficult to get acclimated to, however after a few months and adjusting to find the right dose, it has been the best fit for me (I have tried many of the more conventional treatments!).
Here's the scoop: lately I've been feeling the way I felt in my early Parnate days - insomnia, fatigue - especially in the afternoon/early evening, and just feeling like I'm fundamentally poisoned. I've also been having night sweats and feeling very nauseated during the night. I do have some other potential health issues - I recently had an adrenal test that came back abnormal - but these symptoms seem all too familiar.
So... I've been wondering if I need reconsider Parnate as treatment option, or perhaps I need a higher dose? I take 30mg - all in the morning - which has help w/ the insomnia. Has any one else had this experience???
Posted by bleauberry on April 5, 2008, at 15:54:57
In reply to Parnate - 1 year -Strange Experience., posted by sophia04 on April 5, 2008, at 14:00:21
The adrenal thing is a huge factor. Your symptoms fit exactly. It won't matter how much or many psych drugs you take, those adrenals control the entire works. There is a growing body of evidence hinting that many psych drugs might underly the induction or worsening of weak adrenal function. Thyroid is closely tied with adrenals also. "Normal" thyroid numbers are not indicative of normal thyroid function. One can see how much of each thyroid hormone is in the blood, but there is no indication of how they are, or are not, working at the cellular level. It is not uncommon for someone with "normal" lab values to be hypothyroid and respond well to T3. You should get tested for freeT4 and freeT3. Subtract the difference and you see reverseT3, which is basically the brakes. T3 is the throttle, reverse T3 is the brakes, T4 is the building block for both. When adrenal function is weak, thyroid function can also purposely become weak in an effort to slow things down for the weak adrenals that can't keep up. Then you feel miserable with symptoms exactly as you described.
You might want to seriously find a doctor who is familiar with things like adrenal cortex extract, armour thyroid, low replacement doses of oral cortef or hydrocortisone, and T3. I have no way of knowing, just going on your description of things, but I would say future progress lies in one or more of those things and not in psychiatry. Once those things are optimal (versus normal or weak), then the potential of psych med improvement is enhanced by multitudes.
My personal strong suggestion is to not downplay the adrenal thing, don't take it lightly, and don't put it on a back shelf. It should, in my opinion, be priority number one with a sense of seriousness and haste. Allowing weak adrenals to continue results in a multitude of illnesses you don't need on top of what you already are dealing with. Things like body temperature dysregulation, malabsorption of nutrients, immune system malfunction (chemical and food reactions), aches and pains, weight problems (too thin or too heavy and unable to change it), psychiatric problems, chronic fatigue (worst in the afternoon), sleep difficulties, and the rapid onset of illnesses categorized as premature aging.
I'm very happy Parnate has worked for you. With a solid biomechanical base underneath it, it can probably work miracles again. I say don't spend time or effort working on things we have no clue of, when in the face of it you have documented lab results right in front of you showing something we do have more than a clue of, something that happens to be a major control center of the entire body and mind.
Posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2008, at 17:00:06
In reply to Re: Parnate - 1 year -Strange Experience., posted by bleauberry on April 5, 2008, at 15:54:57
I agree with blueberry if adrenals not right can lead to a host of other problems. I myself have an abnormal thyroid now since surgery went from l.05 normal to l5. I did try T3 once to agument it but for me it was like caffeine and reved me and primary problem anxiety. Best of luck to you. And Blueberry is very knowledgeable about this stuff. Phillipa
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