Anti depressants

[siannie]

Just come out of the Drs .

Gone backwards in the last few months health wise abs admitted to him i knew i was getting depressed with the whole illness thing , Hasimotos, CFS and pain etc .

He’s suggested an antidepressant which at this stage I’ve declined. I was on them 20 years following my first marriage issues and consequent divorce . I don’t particularly want to go back down that route again .

I’m going back later this morning for blood tests , but b12 and all iron levels as my ferritin was flagged up , however, all other tests were ‘normal.

I completely forgot to ask for a print out 😱

Basically - people’s views on taking anti depressants ?

He’s suggested Duloextibe ?

[Naomi8]

In 2011 I became depressed & anxious & this experience lasted 2 years.I did not want to take antidepressants.After much online research I self medicated with SAMe,bought online.I stayed on the lowest dose for a year & then relocated within the UK & my GP helped me obtain T3 from the endo.The depression & anxiety had lifted with SAMe before I began T3.I had 2 very good years on T3(especially mood & energy)First as a combo with thyroxine,then T3 on its own.

Then in 2016 I crashed overnight into depression with extreme anxiety for the second time.SAMe didn't help this time.I couldn't face another 2 years of my experience of depression with extreme anxiety.A living hell.After talking to my niece,who has a very similar history of anxiety & depression,I asked my doctor for a low dose of Sertraline.After an unpleasant 3 weeks of nausea & feeling tired & sleepy,I started to feel really well,mentally.For the first time since a toddler(I am 68)I was virtually anxiety free.My niece has gone from 50mcgs to 100mcgs & intends to stay on that dose long-term.I took 50mcgs alternating with 25mcgs for a year,then slowly reduced to 25mcgs daily.I intend to reduce to zero in a few months.

If I crash again,I will take Sertraline again.I am now using adaptogens & herbs alongside my NDT & all the supplements recommended on here.

5HTP makes my anxiety worse.Serotonin is not the neurotransmitter I need boosting.Diagnosed with Hashis 1997.16 years on thyroxine.

[shaws]

You have to get both Free T4 and Free Tested. If either are low in range we can have unpleasant symptoms. T4 is an inactive hormone and has to convert to T3. T3 is the only hormone which is required in our millions of T3 receptor cells.

restartmed.com/t3-thyroid-h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/t...

[Angel_of_the_North]

You are more likley to be undermedicated for hypo than depressed, but anti-depressants are worth more funding to the GP practice and mean that they can ignore all your physical symptoms in the future. There is little evidence that ADs work as advertised and I'd avoid them. Low B12 and iron (and low T3) can cause symptoms like "depression". Common side effects:

Abdominal pain; abnormal dreams; anorexia; anxiety; constipation; decreased appetite; diarrhoea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; dyspepsia; fatigue; flatulence; headache; hot flush; insomnia; nausea; nervousness; palpitation; paraesthesia; pruritus; sexual dysfunction; sweating; tremor; visual disturbances; vomiting; weakness; weight changes

and you'd still be hypo!

[siannie in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I actually told him that I had gone from using French T3 25mgs to German 20mgs and felt things started to change then . Maybe coincidence -don’t know howeve, I admitted to him on a couple of occasions I had taken an extra 1/2 tablet 10mgs abd felt soooo much better !!!

He advised NOT to do that .

I have been in touch with my specialist requesting an appointment ASAP .

Atleast he’s checking B12 but then references in GP practice always different but I will have the info for the specialist .

[Hidden]

Have you thought about talking therapies ? My GP practice encourage this and I was able to self refer through the NHS well-being service. I’ve just completed 8 sessions of CBT with a counsellor and it was very helpful. I’ve also now been given access to a online self help course Silver Cloud through my counsellor and I’ll have access to that for a year. It’s worth asking your GP about Counselling if like me you do not want medication

[siannie in reply to Hidden]

Thank you .

I actually work in a private physiotherapy clinic and we have various counsellors there So I think I will have a word with one of them abd see if that helps 😃