Re: Psychological Aspects of Hypo

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/5/2004 2:36:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,

krisalba@... writes:

> I went without it the last two weeks,

> but can feel the rage/depression/unable to cope feelings building

> up. I finally took one of them yesterday because I don't like that

> person.

>

> Anyway, would you wait til you reached a particular dose range to

> quit the Prozac?

>

This is just my opinion...but yes, I think I would wait awhile. Prozac does

increase serotonin in the brain...but your lack of serotonin was probably

because of your lack of T3 (which is necessary for serotonin). So I think I

would

take Armour for a few months before reducing the dosage.

You're not on a high dosage of Prozac, but do keep in mind that Prozac has

flouride in it. That inhibits the thyroid hormone...so you actually may have

better benefits from your Armour once you're off of the Prozac.

But with your symptoms, I would just try to get adjusted on the Armour for

now...and worry about the Prozac later.

Anyone else have an opinion?

Cindi

[Guest guest]

> So if someone is on Prozac, do you recommend staying ob it til

Armour builds up? I am currently on 1 grain Armour that I started 1

month ago after 1 month on Synthroid.(due for labs this week).

> I plan to increase whatever DR says.

Hi camping bees. I've got two comments for you to consider. First,

yes, I would stay on the Prozac if it was me. You are not anywhere

near an optimal dose of Armour for the T3 to make a great difference

in your mood needs.

And second, I am concerned when you state that you plan on

increasing " whenever DR says " !! MAJOR OOPS!! Docs are NOT informed

about when to increase. In fact, being on one grain for a month is

already TOO long. Your hypo may be returning on such a low dose.

It's time to increase.

And also remember that YOU are YOUR OWN best advocate. Working with

a doctor is a partnership. He/She is NOT the only expert here. YOU

are the expert, as well, as to what you need. If you leave it all up

to the doc, you will not get to where you need to be, dear one.

Additionally, as you do work with that doc, I am hoping for you that

you have a doc who will listen to SYMPTOMS far ahead of LABS. If

this is a doc who is lab-obsessed, you will not be allowed to be on

enough Armour to fully help you get off that Prozac!! When folks

find their optimal dose of Armour, the TSH is far below the range,

and that does NOT mean you are taking too much, as ignorant docs

will insist, nor does it mean you are hyper or at risk of losing

bone mass. NOT.

I'm really sorry to read about your brother. It must feel awful, and

especially this time of year. You hang in there with that Prozac,

and you work towards gradually finding that optimal dose of Armour,

which may end up being close to 3 grains, if not higher. Then you

might be able to wean yourself off the Prozac since your free T3

will be helping you. And....you can always use optimal doses of St.

s Wort when needed.

Janie )

[Guest guest]

>BTW, should I go up 1/4 or 1/2 grain??

If your situation was mine, I'd see no problem going up 1/2 grain.

It's when you get up over 2 grains or so that it's wise to go up

slower, if necessary. Janie