If I'm diagnosed with bipolar, what medication will I be prescribed. I am taking NDT for hypothyroidism.

[cc120]

Worried about lithium's effect on thyroid, are there any other options?

[Clutter]

CC, Unless your symptoms are severe you may not need medication. The medications usually prescribed are listed in the link below. I think all of them can affect uptake of thyroid replacement hormone so thyroid bloods will need to be regularly monitored. Lithium requires monthly blood testing to check levels aren't toxic and regular liver function tests. I was on Lithium for 4/5 years (long before I had Hashi's) and did well on it. I don't recall any side effects but it was a very long time ago. I didn't have any hair loss which another hypothyroid member was warned would happen. Another member yellow carded Quietapine after an adverse event and said it may be contraindicated with thyroxine.

rethink.org/diagnosis-treat...

[cc120 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you very much Clutter.

[cc120]

Thank you Londinium, the vit route is very appealing but also very expensive, but worth knowing about.

[cc120]

Hi Londinium, I do believe it's worth paying for health, but when you're struggling financially already, it's near impossible and only leads to more stress.

Thank you very much for the low dose Lithium Orotate tip.

Certainly to improve thyroid health and de-junk liver is worthwhile also.

[PR4NOW]

cc120, I would be very careful with what shrinks might do with the best of intentions. To be fair there are some that say the medications saved their lives but there are many others who would tell you a different story. Do your research. There is very little, if any, real science in psychiatry. PR

kellybroganmd.com/article/s...

madinamerica.com/

[cc120 in reply to PR4NOW]

Thank you PR4NOW for making a very valid point and for the informative links.

[Jas79]

I am bipolar and refused lithium many years ago. I have been stable for 4 years on Epilim Chrono (sodium valproate) 1.5 g per night. I have not had serious site effects except a little weight gain. You may also be given and antipsychotic such as quetiapine or olanzapine which will stop you over thinking and feeling anxious and also help you sleep. My advice when taking medication would be to eat a very healthy diet as these medications can cause weight gain as they make you more hungry.

I refused lithium as it can cause greater weight gain and more sedation but I know many people that are fine on it and swear by it. My doctor said that Epilim is more suitable for males than females. It is a drug made for epilepsy but is commonly used in treatment of Bi-polar disorder.

[cc120 in reply to Jas79]

Hi Jas79, thank you for such a helpful and informative response. Side-effects are off-putting. I found a comparison of side-effects of lithium vs epilim chrono: treato.com/Epilim+Chrono,Li... .

[tbird43]

And now for a completely different view of mental health issues....I am a children's social worker and have been for over 20 years. My belief for a long time is that the majority of mental health problems are due to childhood trauma and, if the trauma is seriously addressed, the mental (and frequently physical) issues significantly subside. That view has now (finally!) been researched and is being addressed under 'trauma informed therapy'. I am not suggesting this is for you or that you try it, but just for everyone's information. My belief (and how I structure my practice) is that everything we experience in our brain is Totally connected to our physical health and visa versa, which then dictates our behaviours. Thus, we can't just treat the surface symptoms (ie, addiction, violence, depression, fatigue, brain fog) and have long term success. The underlying issues (abuse, hypothyroidism, etc) have to be found and addressed (and then managed going forward) if we want real relief.

[cc120 in reply to tbird43]

Hi tbird43, I completely agree with you that mental health issues (unless from a physical source) mostly come down to experiences of childhood, particularly the formative years. I have discovered that many of my anxieties, fears stem back to particular occurrences, which I had found so difficult to face for many years had blocked out to some degree. If only we could all be able to afford psychoanalysts to help us with this unveiling in a safe place of understanding.

[tbird43 in reply to cc120]

We now need to view the behaviours as 'coping skills' that helped you survive the ordeals. They are what keep you alive. Our brain only allows us to deal with what we have the capacity for at any certain time, so your 'blocking it out' was a way of keeping you safe until you were ready to deal with it. Sometimes that point comes when our old 'coping skills' are no longer serving their purpose successfully and are negatively impacting our lives or getting us is trouble as adults.

[cc120 in reply to tbird43]

Yes, behave in a way to make/keep you 'safe'!

[PR4NOW in reply to tbird43]

tbird43, it was good to read your post and learn about 'trauma informed therapy'. Dr. Derry observed that children that had suffered abuse, a great terror or fright, or bullying can also work, quite often had altered biochemistry, and thyroid hormone resistance was not uncommon. It is good to know that this is now being recognized. Carolyn Myss is another aspect. PR

[cc120 in reply to PR4NOW]

I suffered abuse, a great terror or fright, or bullying. Where should I go/ask for this therapy?

[PR4NOW in reply to cc120]

cc120, I got a notification on your post. I have no idea where you find qualified therapists, we need to get tbird43's input on that matter. I will pose a question to her. PR

[tbird43 in reply to PR4NOW]

It is now know that trauma in children significantly impacts brain development. This starts from the day the child is born. So, even if there are no memories of early trauma, we are are still hugely affected by what goes on around us. If possible, get info from your parents or siblings about what life was like in your home when you were young. The behaviours of young people and children affected by trauma is now being diagnosed as complex post traumatic stress disorder.

[PR4NOW in reply to tbird43]

tbird43, can you give cc120 any ideas on where she might find a qualified therapist in 'trauma informed therapy' who might understand the thyroid side also? PR

[cc120 in reply to PR4NOW]

That would be brilliant. x

[tbird43 in reply to PR4NOW]

Unfortunetly I'm not able to. I,m an agency SW and have only worked for the local authorities, so I'm never in touch with the regular therapists in the area. You will need to call those in your area individually and ask them if they work with those type of theories, including attachment. What you don't want is a counselor who works from a medical model.

As far as a therapist knowing about thyroid issues, they do not have any medical background, so, unless they have worked with some with those issues in the past, you will have to educate them in your first appointment. Any that it's worth their salt will be willing to listen and understand the impact your physical health will have on progressing with therapy...a holistic view. Good luck!

[cc120 in reply to tbird43]

Thank you tbird43, who do I call, and is there a fee for the treatment?

[Joyia]

I totally agree with tbird regarding the effects of trauma. Fred Von Stieff wrote Brain in Balance, a cutting edge book on neuroscience, well worth a read. We have 8 neurotransmitters in our brains, depending on different influences including hereditary genetics, these transmitters often become unbalanced for one reason and another, this man's work is to bring the brain back into balance with resultant good health. He explains addictions to substances can be a form of self-medication in trying to balance the neurotransmitter that is unbalanced, the same principle being applied to mental health. It really is riveting science and gives insight and fresh understanding to many issues. The reason why so many suffer childhood abuse is that their parents have imbalanced brains, again for one reason or another and so dysfunctions continue. Fred Von Stieff is a man well advanced in his understandings and treatments.

[cc120 in reply to Joyia]

Interesting Joyia.

[cc120]

If you know you have displayed bi polar symptoms before hypothyroid symptoms, as I did, is a clue that I was bi polar which affected adrenals which in turn affected thyroid? Now on optimum NDT and awaiting to see if this deals with all symptoms or whether I will need to look into bi polar diagnosis as well.

[cc120]

Have you asked her to ask her GP about what you suspect?

[Kellogs]

Please consider carefully before you think about accepting any diagnosis as it is only someones opinion, I was so say diagnosed with bypola and I think a personality behaviour problem . I was actually suffering with Graves' disease and once I researched all the information I possibly could and self medicated with the appropriate vitamins and minerals and then with the help of Dr Peatfield which i couldn't afford but robbed Peter to pay Paul in order to do so iam dealing with my health issues and mental health was not the cause of my illness it could well have been had I listened to there advice and carried on with the horrendous treatment and medication they wanted me to take. It has taken me along time to get where I am now but please don't just take there word for it ,do all your homework. I liked PR4now comment. Take care best wishes.

[cc120 in reply to Kellogs]

Hi Kellogs, couldn't reply previously as new posts weren't showing on this thread, but after I pointed out to 'help/support', now appearing.

I suspect cushing's disease, I wonder if I can have both bipolar and cushings?

[humanbean]

bacp.co.uk/seeking_therapis...

I don't know anything about bi-polar, so I don't know if the link above is an appropriate one. But it might be a good place to start looking, if you think counselling and/or psychotherapy is appropriate to you.

[cc120 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you for the link humanbean.