Re: Recovery With T3 Only - Bipolar Diagnosis Scrapped

[Guest guest]

On Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:01:16 -0000, you wrote:

>I am doing SO MUCH BETTER.

Nice to hear success stories, well done on fighting for your health

and winning!

Nick

[Guest guest]

WOW!!! What an wonderful story, so pleased for you and just what I needed to

read today.

Your experience sounds so much like mine - too many years of physical

symptoms/depression/anxiety/exhaustion - Docs not knowing what to do, ended up

being labelled Bipolar to, drugs I took (including Risperdal!!) sent me 'up the

wall' and ended up in hospital last year.

Still recovering from damage of drugs they pumped in me but thankfully found Dr

Peatfield and have been diagnosed Adrenal Exhaustion and Hypothyroid.

Just started to build up my adrenals so they can take the T3. But having

'teething' probs and feeling AWFUL so your story has given me a new hope to

carry on fighting....thankyou.

Did you have an adrenal problem to? If so how long did it take for you to be

strong enough to take the T3???

Ta

Beks

>

> >I am doing SO MUCH BETTER.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Nick - I could not have done it without the help of people like

yourself and Val from the RT3 group though, and of course from Janie Bowthorpe's

Stop the Thyroid Madness book and the STTM website. Still have a little way to

go but can certainly see the light at the end of the tunnel now

Alana

>

> >I am doing SO MUCH BETTER.

>

> Nice to hear success stories, well done on fighting for your health

> and winning!

>

> Nick

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Beks,

I'm glad you got something out of reading my story and think you're very brave

for being so open about your own diagnosis and treatment for mental illness in

the past. I suspect that many people keep their diagnosis of mental illness to

themselves for fear of the stigma that is attached to it - I know I did for a

long time - I didn't even want people to know my real name when I talked about

it in the groups at first. Now, I feel much more open to talking about it and

very passionate about helping make changes in the way 'mental illness' is

diagnosed and treated. There are so many organisations and support groups for

mental illness around (many of whom have websites) where thyroid disorders are

not even mentioned at all! Yet so many people with mental illness also have a

thyroid problem.

Isn't it interesting that stress is often mentioned as a major trigger for

mental illness, such as depression and bipolar, yet the connection has not been

made between the adrenals and the thyroid as a cause.

I think it is TERRIBLE what is happening to people with mental illness because

of the whole thyroid scandal - one of my good friends has ended up on countless

psychotropic medications and has had numerous ECT (electric shock therapy)

treatments, yet, like me, she was diagnosed hypothyroid soon after her diagnosis

with bipolar disorder. She has also had her bipolar diagnosis changed to

schizo-effective disorder and remains to this day on T4 only medication with a

TSH above 4 She has also been diagnosed with ADHD AND Aspergers syndrome

recently (they do not know what the hell they are doing!!) and was on ritalin

for a while there too! Her Dad has also suddenly followed in her footsteps with

a similar diagnosis of mental illness and severity of treatment... he remains

very sick to this day and it's been years now. Of course they all think their

psychiatrist is the god who knows all. I have told my friend about 'Stop the

thyroid madness' yet her Mum won't have a bar of it - I guess she is scared that

if she does not have her husband and daughter under control and do as the

psychiatrist says, they will get unwell again. My Mum was exactly the same. It

just makes me want to puke - I'm sorry, I am so angry about the way mental

illness is dealt with and want it to change.

I'm so happy for you that you have found Dr Peatfield and been properly

diagnosed with hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue. Although it really sucks at

the time, and every set back with the treatment leaves you feeling like you're

never going to get there, you will get there. It can be a bit, 1 step forward, 2

steps back at first but eventually you will get there.

Doesn't it make you feel so much better to know that your problem can be fixed

and that it wasn't your fault? Having this treatment work for me and my mental

illness diagnosis scrapped has given me a tremendous, but healthy, boost in my

confidence in general - I feel worthy again in a way and I feel like a much

stronger person now.

I had a number of set backs with my treatment - first I was but on NDT for 8

weeks but could not raise it above 1.5 grains, thinking I had adrenal fatigue. I

became even MORE hypothyroid in this time and felt dreadful but I hung in there

- the only thing that kept me going was trusting this treatment would eventually

work. It turned out I didn't have adrenal fatigue (I actually have an issue with

high cortisol) but I did have a big issue with reverse T3 so I went to T3 only

treatment which took yet ANOTHER 12 weeks to work (all the while, living apart

from my partner). Then I ran out of T3 and my doctor did not give me a script

straight away so I was without it for 3 days and had to start all over again at

the lowest dose - this set me back another 3 weeks. I found out I had low sodium

which resulted in a rapid pulse whilst raising the T3 so I had to start taking

sea salt. Then I raised the dose of T3 too high and too quickly and experienced

TERRIBLE symptoms of too much T3 and high cortisol. I had to drop it right back

again which removed the uncomfortable symptoms and I raised it slowly back up to

95mcg... I felt like I'd NEVER get better! But things went ok after that, I

experienced my reverse T3 clearance and I suddenly felt much better but even

now, I still have a little way to go and am still unsure of the right amount of

T3 for me. I still have to correct my chronic high cortisol issue too.

Do keep carrying on and fighting for your health - despite the fact all of those

around you who don't see immediate improvements start doubting the treatment,

despite any set backs that come your way. You will get there... the treatment

does work. I can barely remember what it was like to have half of the symptoms I

had then, now. 4 months ago - I could not even imagine feeling as I do now.

So no, unfortunately I can't help you with the adrenal problem as I did not have

low cortisol - I was lucky enough to go on T3 straight away. However, this just

means it might take you a little longer to get better, but you will get there

eventually and when you do, be sure to share your story too!

Alana

> >

> > >I am doing SO MUCH BETTER.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there Alana,

Sorry it's taken me a bit to acknowledge your fab message but I've had a real

bad week - eek!! (

Thank you SO much for your encouragement to keep going and sort this 'physical'

issue out - once and for all! Support from people who have had the same

experience is INVALUABLE.

Yes, like you I too am so angry - although I'm trying to turn my anger into

positive recovery energy - not easy, hey!! ;o)

So sorry to hear about your poor friend and her father to, similar stories all

over the place. I have a friend who also has CFS and has been in bad physical

shape for a long time; who had a breakdown last year, then was (too!!) quickly

diagnosed BIPOLAR, put on meds and she's never been the same since. Is she

really 'mentally' ill or has she other physical issues like us???? HHHhhhmmm!!!

Why, oh, why are they doing this to us!!!???

My anger at the 'medical establishment' & stigma to any 'emotional/mental'

symptoms reached a higher pitch this week when I thought I'd try reflexology (as

suggested by my Doc), to help support my body and help me get on T3 quicker. I

told her my diagnosis (obviously didn't mention anything about the previous

'mental' diagnosis!!!), and symptoms and explained that the depression I have

had in the past and current terrible anxiety was linked to my thyroid/adrenal

probs and my Doc says will go when I am on right meds. She then did my feet,

confirmed I had terrible probs with adrenal, thyroid etc and THEN suggested I go

to an EFT therapist to help my 'emotional' problems!!! Rrrrrahhh!!

Stupidly, being vulnerable still on this subject, I listened to her, went home

and did research to find a 'therapist' to help me!!!

'STOP!!! Hey, girl you've tried it all before; CBT, NLP, relaxation techniques,

counselling etc etc and hmmmm, surprisingly and wierdly nothing helped your

symptoms. Of course not - your probs are PHYSICAL and your symptoms will go

when you physically get well!!' And hmmmm, I've been 'physically' wrecked since

having my feet 'done' - would this really happen if my probs were mental???!!!

LIGHTBULB MOMENT!!! That's the most empowered I've felt about myself in a long

time. Hoorah!! We're getting somewhere!!! Yay!! :oD

Anyways, enough of the rant! But you'll know where I'm coming from. Back to

the pleasant healing thoughts. He, he! ;o)

Please, anyone else reading this do not think I 'protest too much', if you have

had any experiences like mine and Alana you will know exactly where I'm coming

from. And hey, let us know YOUR story (especially anyone who has got rid of the

'mental' symptoms!!), so others too can have the courage to fight this illness

and get the help they need.

Alana, I am SO pleased for you, especially that you can now be back with your

partner. Wow, that's amazing progress and gives me hope for my future (I'd

thought I could never be able to cope with a friendship again let alone a

relationship again - you don't know how much that means to me). And what a

relief for you! Keep well and strong, and spread the word so others never have

to suffer like us and our friends.

Thanks again for your story - it has inspired me and given me courage to carry

on.

Hugs.

Beki x

> Do keep carrying on and fighting for your health - despite the fact all of

those around you who don't see immediate improvements start doubting the

treatment, despite any set backs that come your way. You will get there... the

treatment does work. I can barely remember what it was like to have half of the

symptoms I had then, now. 4 months ago - I could not even imagine feeling as I

do now.

>

> Alana

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there Alana, just wanted to say how much your posts re bipolar etc have

encouraged me. It's so uplifting to hear of someone who's been through the

battles and is coming out the other end.

I've never been diagnosed with bipolar but have had SEVERE depression since I

was 18 (31 now) and had a period in hospital for 6 months because of a breakdown

when I was 21 (worst months of my life, unsurprisingly).

Have been on and off all manner of drugs over the years and am still

disappointingly on low doses of 4 psychiatric drugs.

My Mum always kept pushing over the years for me to have my thyroid checked and

TSH always came back as normal - no surprise there!

It's only in the last 6 months that I've seen Dr P, been diagnosed with adrenal

fatigue and hypo and started treatment. Like you I was on NDT for about 8 weeks

but soon got T4 toxicity and have now begun on T3 only. So far I've been on it

about 3 weeks and up to a dose of 36mcg. Initially felt better but now feel like

death warmed up.

So, the fact that it took you 3 months or so to really feel benefit has

bolstered me to continue on a path that is v hard and doesn't seem to have much

hope, when each day feels like a year!

I love that your diagnosis has been scrapped and I can't wait for that day

myself too.

Thank you for taking the time to post your success.

All the best

Hannah

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

Just letting you know that I have had a bit of a set back with my treatment

since switching to a new brand of T3 (I was on Tertroxin and doing very well on

that in Australia but went downhill since switching to Liothyronin by Nycomed

here in Denmark - it seems to be weaker - I am not to keen on ordering from

overseas at this point but am going to be trying Thybon from Germany soon - my

doctor is prescribing it for me) so I have been unable to write up my story as

promised - it is hard for me to do when well for some reason, let alone when not

feeling so good!

I am ok though - just a bit hypothyroid temporarily - and confident things will

improve again once I find a doctor who will run some tests so I can work out

what I need to do to do to sort this out. When I am feeling better I will write

and send you my story. Just didn't want you to think I ignored the request.

Happy new year! Thank you so much for all that you do for the thyroid patients

of the world.

Alana

> >

> > Hello Alana

> >

> > I am collecting thyroid stories, so please send to me at

> > sheila[@]tpauk[.]com (leave out brackets please.

> >

> > Luv - Sheila

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry to hear about

your change to declining health since you changed your brand of T3. Have you

considered increasing your dose by half a tablet to see if that helps? Don't

worry yourself about writing your story Alana, wait until you are fit and able

to do so. This project is ongoing.

Luv - Sheila

Just letting you know that I have had a bit of a set back with my treatment

since switching to a new brand of T3 (I was on Tertroxin and doing very well on

that in Australia but went downhill since switching to Liothyronin by Nycomed

here in Denmark - it seems to be weaker - I am not to keen on ordering from

overseas at this point but am going to be trying Thybon from Germany soon - my

doctor is prescribing it for me) so I have been unable to write up my story as

promised - it is hard for me to do when well for some reason, let alone when

not feeling so good!

I am ok though - just a bit hypothyroid temporarily - and confident things will

improve again once I find a doctor who will run some tests so I can work out

what I need to do to do to sort this out. When I am feeling better I will write

and send you my story. Just didn't want you to think I ignored the request.

Happy new year! Thank you so much for all that you do for the thyroid patients

of the world.

Alana

,_._,___

[Guest guest]

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MANY THANKS. LUV - SHEILA

_______________________________________

Thanks Sheila, believe me - writing my story and sharing it with others

something I really want to to in order to help others with mental illness such

as bipolar - but yeah, just need to wait until I am well and ready!

I was really bad symptoms wise at first - I rose from 70mcg slowly to 110mcg but

that seemed to be too much for me then dropped it back and stabalised some what

(but still quite hypo) at 95mcg.

I have recently tried increasing the T3 to 100mcg but seem to be having trouble

increasing it high enough to get rid of the symptoms - a lot of bad symptoms are

returning, symptoms I have not experienced for quite some time now (ie aching

feet and legs, join pain, dry skin, small amount of hair loss, puffy feet and

ankles, desperate need to sit down and afternoon fatigue).

Adrenal stress is suspected at this stage. I am taking salt, vit c, b vitamins

and 2 isocort pellets in the morning but it doesn't seem to be enough (or there

is something else causing a problem).

I am in the process of finding a doctor who will run a free T3 test for me so I

can see if my free T3 level is low or if it is high and pooling and I'll go from

there. I think it's low though.

My holistic doctor (who does not seem to want to run any tests and has started

doubting that my symptoms are caused by the switch of brand when I know that

they are) does not seem to be willing to order any tests apart from the saliva

test for adrenals (which I will order if my free T3 shows to be pooling - my

temps are stable though - just a little low) which is a bit of a worry.

I am confident this set back will be sorted out and soon though - one way or

another!

Alana

>

> Sorry to hear about your change to declining health since you changed your

> brand of T3. Have you considered increasing your dose by half a tablet to

> see if that helps? Don't worry yourself about writing your story Alana, wait

> until you are fit and able to do so. This project is ongoing.

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>