YES YES YES YES YES!!!
I CANNOT AGREE ENOUGH WITH THIS......
Endo's SUCK (for the most part)----My last endo wanted to take a "wait and see approach" to what's wrong with me...I said "F" that...I've suffered too long....I found another one---he's run more tests on me than I can count...
Bone Density
Blood (4-different tests)
Heart Echo
Thyroid Scan
If you go to an Endo---and AT THE VERY LEAST---they don't do a blood test on you...BY ALL MEANS...GET A NEW ONE!!!!!!
DO NOT WASTE 7+ years of your life like I did----being "patient"---
It's your HEALTH---YOU DESERVE TO WAKE UP FEELING GOOD
YOU DESERVE to feel "NORMAL" like other people.....
By all means....DO NOT mess around with a Doctor that's not willing to "Dig" for information to see what's wrong with you!!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
Original Post by mokochaka:
Dear Prettyd33,
I don't know if I can help you.... but, I too am on Synthroid and Cytomel. I take them together in the AM. I have a disease called HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS/HYPOTHYROIDISM. I have a GOITER, and struggling with weight as well. I have been on the meds for years. I have been on the Cytomel for years as well. I had requested it for my fatigue (a symptom of HASHIMOTO'S). I don't know what your DR. told you about the meds, but I do know this. It's not a drug you can "fool around" with. You can NEVER EVER take any kind of diet aid/drug/suppliment with Cytomel. The effects can be VERY BAD!!! This sucks because I'm temped daily to go and take some Slimfast or Hoodia... I'd love to drop my weight ASAP... but, I am realistic. I love who I am. I am happy with what I look like.
I think you should talk to your DR. about the Cytomel. And if your DR. isn't answering your questions... GET A NEW ONE!!! I switched DR.s 3X before I finally found one who would listen as well as talk. You have a disease, you're being treated medically. You deserve to know absolutely everything about what you have and what you are putting into your body. It takes time. Sooner or later it'll kick in and you'll feel better.
lisa from Long Island
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Great Advice on how to find an Endo---that prescribes Cytomel!!!!
If you are looking for Cytomel -this is a good way to find out which Doctor's might prescirbe it (I did this to find my new Endo).
The problem is that Cytomel does not have as "Sales Force" that sell the drugs (like Anti-Depressants or Lipitor, etc.).
Cytomel is made by "King Pharmaceuticals"--I was looking for a new Endo--and called them to see who the sales rep was in the area for where I live--my intent was going to be ask the Sales person who prescribes Cytomel---however since King does not have a Sales Force (they only "wholesale" the drug---found this information with my conversation with King).
It BLOWS ME AWAY some Endo's don't even know Cytomel exists....
Funny, I thought I was going to go in and give a "Lesson" to my Endo---but he knew more than I did....
Anyway, I "found him"...by calling a local pharmacy (or you might want to ask the one you go to now)---
But, I simply asked them if they can look in the computer and tell me what Endo prescribes Cytomel.---told them I was looking for a new Endo----and that King Pharmaceuticals suggested I ask them.....
I found THE BESt DOCTOR in the ENTIRE WORLD----I've never had so many tests done to me in MY LIFe..and I know he's gonna figure out what is wrong with me...*GRIN* |
Good question. I never get hungry (and don't eat that much), but still over weight. I've been told, and belive this, that us humans are biologically wired to "graze" (like cows do), so we "should eat", little small meals every 2-3 hours.
I can literally forget to eat if I'm really busy....... |
Yes, Yes, and YES. If you are treatment resistant, exhibit Hypothyroid like symptoms, have a Psychiatrist try you on Cytomel.
I have suffered from Treatment Resistant Depression for over 7-years.
The last 7-years have been MISERABLE.
I've been on 24+ Anti-Depressant medications (none worked).
Most recently, I was taking 3 different anti-depressants a day--Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Lamictal--nothing worked. In addition, I was taking 60mg of Adderall for the Chronic Fatigue and "brain fog". Plus, I took 10-mg Ambien for sleep.
I had all the signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism that were masked as Depression
--Chronic Fatigue
--Never getting "restful" sleep
--Unexplained weight gain. (My caloric in take and burn were in line, however weight ballooned).
--Apathy
--Elevated blood cholesterol level
--Muscle and joint aches
--Drowsiness
--Appetite loss
--Unusual/Severe Afternoon Fatigue.(Hypothyroidism flag).
--"Exercise Intolerance" (For over a year, I tried working out 6-days a week. Lost 60lbs, but it was Hell. Exercisiing NEVER made me feel "refreshed" or "rejuvenated".I alway needed a nap/rest after exercise.
I ultimately hit the wall and investigated ECT Treatment.
It was the ECT Dr. that suggested that I try Cytomel (v.s. ECT).
It has ABSOLUTELY changed my LIFE!
I've been on Cytomel since November 9th, 2007.
I started at 10 mcg dose.
We just raised it to 25mcg on November 29th.
Quite literally every single symptom I previously experienced is GONE.
I'm off all Anti-Depressant meds, except for Tofranil-75mg.
--Zero Depression
--I feel 100% rested when waking up.
--I now work out 3-hours day, and lift double the amount of weight I use to work out with.
--When I leave the Gym I feel 100% refreshed and rejuvenated I have zero desire/need for a nap.
--Drowsiness is gone.
--My appetite is still low, however it's always been that way my entire life.
--Muscle/Joint aches gone. NOTE: Go to a PSYCHIATRIST to treat you with Cytomel if you are seeking treatment for DEPRESSION. DO NOT go to an Endocrinologist. Most Endo's are very Against Cytomel. For 7-years Dr's missed the mark. I'm finally well. I want you to feel the same. You DO NEED to monitor your blood levels closely, to keep your T-levels in line (TSH, freeT3, free T4). If you are taking Cytomel for depression, your TSH should lower, your T4 should lower, and your T3's will read high. The crime in all this is that my TSH Levels have always been on the High End of the range, but no Dr. caught it. I even demanded of my Primary Care Dr. that I "must have" a Thyroid condition due to the excessive amount of weight gain. He said I simply needed to work out more.
Before, because of the Depression, I use to wonder what I'm here for.
Now, I'm still not sure...*grin*, but if I can save the life of MISERY for one other individual, I'll feel the last 7-years meant something. |
I love to read posts like this. I have wasted 7-years of my life before I went onto Cytomel. I've been on it for 45-days and it is WORLD's Pluto-Mercury differences in how good I feel. Please, if your Endo is not giving you Cytomel, (and your symptoms are not improving), FIND A NEW DR. that will try Cytomel. It is UNACCEPTABLE to think you have to feel Fatigued, Depressed, Apathetic all the time, simply because a Dr. fails to prescribe the meds that you need!! Please keep trying!!! Original Post by pupsweet:
I have fatigue, weight gain, fuzzy brain, dry skin and depression. I have been taking a natural compound of T3/t4 for 2 years now with NO EFFECT. Two weeks ago, new doc put me on T3 from compound pharmacy, in Sustained Release form. (Cytomel is instant release) He started me week one at 25mcg and then went up to 50mcg. Oh my gosh! I noticed IMMEDIATE improvement ... I felt like a human being again. Fatigue is GONE. No heart palps or wired feeling (I am very prone to that with certain other meds). I am on a medically supervied 1000 calorie diet on which I was previously losing 1 pound a week; I have now lost 2.5 pounds per week since the Cytomel. My depression has lifted and I am now singing around the house and cleaning my house (any household chores were impossible for me to face for the last 4 years.) I did a workout video for the first time in 5 years this morning. I'm sleeping like a baby. I LOVE my new doctor. I'm only sad someone else didn't think of this protocol sooner. Lots of wasted time. |
What dosage level were you taking? Most likely you were taking too small a dose. If you tried and never went above 10mcg, then you quit too soon. Unfortunately most Endo's are to conservative with Cytomel treatment, which might be your case. Personally, I feel if Endo's fail to prescribe Cytomel, or the high enough dose, they should be held liable for Malpractice. It is such worlds of difference on how you feel better when you get your dosages right. Cytomel is fast acting (literally some people feel the results within minutes of taking the medication). It also has a very short half life (about 48 hours). So you have to be very diligent about taking it and the time you take it, etc. (else you'll go through waves as the medicince burns out of your system at inconsistent times). |
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