Anti-depressants and thyroid

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Anti-depressants and thyroid
13
Tue, 08-03-2004 - 12:57pm
Hi Everyone,

I was looking for articles about gaining weight while taking anit-depressants and I

came across a pretty interesting web-site. Its called prozactruth.com, I don't normally

put alot of faith in everything I read on the web, but I thought this might be worth checking out.

My dr put me on Lexapro, because apparently there is nothing wrong with me, other than

she belives I am depressed. Anyway, on this website, there was a page where people had posted their experiences with Lexapro. By the time I was finished reading it, I was in tears....it was all the things that I have been feeling and experiencing.

I just thought that I would share, incase there is anyone out there that is currently

taking an anti-depressant along with your thryoid treatment. If you aren't feeling as

well as you think you should, maybe its not just because of your thyroid.

Cathy, I know that you are way more experienced than I am, so maybe you could do some

research and let us know what you find out.

Take Care!

Shelly

PS - I am still going to visit the endo on 8/30 as planned.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-14-2003
Thu, 08-05-2004 - 2:31pm
I don't think it's the same thing at all. But I'm sure someone else will know. Sorry.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-16-2004 - 7:58pm
Shelly, you should make sure your endo tests your anityhroid antibodies. if they are high it is hashimoto's- hypo caused by an autoimmune disease. i believe this is what has been wrong with me for over 10 yrs, but it is now finally manifesting in my TSH levels.

also, i have read that taking antidepressants can worsen your symptoms. it is interesting, cuz i have recently switched from paxil to lexapro (for unrelated reasons to thryoid; sexual side effects.) i started on 10mg of lexapro but was having major anxiety while making the switch so dr. put me on 20. then i saw endo and found out that i have hashi. today i decided to break my 20 lexapor in half, because i have been wondering also, if this is what is keeping me from feeling any better. i have geon from 1 mcg of synthroif to 175 mcg and it has been 2 wks. i still feel like crap. wondering if i just need more synthroid for thyrooid or if the antidepressant is making it worse. i need the AD for anxiety disorder... but i also need the synthroid for thyroid. it is so hard to know what is what right now.

i will let you know how going from 20-10 of lexapro goes. but you have a very valid concern.

are you feeling any better?

Erika

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 8:32am
Erika,

Thanks, I will make sure to tell the endo about the thyroid anti-body test.

I have been completely off of the Lexapro for 3 weeks now and I do feel much better.

The best way to describe it is that I feel like a fog has been lifted. I can't say that since I've been off, that any of my symptoms have completely gone away, but they aren't

as bad as before. The biggest improvement is the mental clarity and the stiffness that

I was having in my hands.

Also, I have started taking omega 3 supplements, so that may have something to do with it.

Check out the website www.prozactruth.com, there's lots of info there on anti-depressants

and how to safely wean yourself off of them.

Keep me posted on how you're doing!

Shelly

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