Depression (major depression)

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• November 22, 2011 2:11 a.m.

  I can't stop reading these posts, my eyes tearing up every time. I feel so sad for everyone going through this... It feels so good to have others relate to me though. I feel like a sissy lala all the time because I'm always aching and lazy feeling, I feel like my bf hates me sometimes. I'm hoping to get answers AND fast. I'm calling the DR tomorrow to set up an apt. for blood tests. Thank you everyone for your stories and advice. And depth of feelings. It's helped me realize SO much. Thank you again :)

  - Audria

• November 22, 2011 1:53 a.m.

  FIXING A TYPO!! ***. Plus I have a 5 month old baby girl, I love her to death and just want to be a happier person like I used to be. I want to be the best Mom for her and I feel like my depression from this thyroid/graves' problem is preventing me from being that person.**

  - Audria again

• November 22, 2011 1:47 a.m.

  I've read all the comments and I literally feel like a weight has been lifted. I feel lighter, and that's not necessarily good (since I'm sooo thin as it is at the moment). I haven't been diagnosed with a thyroid disease but after researching and then finding these comments I'm positive. I've been in tears reading all the things written, it makes me so sad. I've felt like shit about myself for so long, feeling like I'm driving the ones closest to my furthest away. I push and push people away. I'm miserable and moody. I can't eat in the morning or midday but come night I eat like a horse. I can't gain a pound for the life of me, I eat fatty foods, drink 2 ensure drinks that are meant to help gain or maintain a healthy weight. There is so much more I could write right now but I've got to try to get to sleep, which is rare. I usually wake up at least once if not more every hour throughout the night. I'm left feeling exhausted and mopy the next day. It's not easy feeling this way all the time, just sore and sick. Plus I have a 5 month old baby girl, I love her to death and just want to be a happier person like I used to be. I want to be the best Mom for her and I feel like my depression from this what I think is a thyroid/graves' problem. (also had graves symptoms, eye irritation, etc.) Well I'll check back to this site sometime soon, I hope to connect with you here on this site. I already feel connected from your stories, your feelings that are identical to mine. I have hope :)

  - Audria

• September 15, 2011 9:51 p.m.

  I don't understand everyone waiting so long for treatment. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and my GP immediately sent me for ultrasound then off to take the radioactive pill to 'kill' my roid. What was so hard about that?

  - Lola

• September 6, 2011 1:09 p.m.

  To All: I am not a doctor or naturopath, but I have struggled with hypothyroidism (and a huge portion of symptoms expressed by others here) for the last 30 years. I would just like to encourage folks who are also struggling with thyroid issues to find a doctor (if you don't already have one) who is open to prescribing Armour Thyroid medication. As Denise wrote below, because it is a more "natural" medication, it can often balance your thyroid more thoroughly than synthetic meds (like Sythroid, Levothyroxine,etc.). It's worth a try and it may make a huge difference in your overall well-being. Good luck and good health to all! Melanie

  - Melanie

• August 7, 2011 8:30 p.m.

  dear debbie: i'm not a professional, but i would go to c an endocronaligist (sp.?) she/he can ck. your thyroid more thoroughly, they can do a TSH 3 & 4 test with antibodies, this will give u a more accurate reading, could be your suffering from hypothyroidism ?? (my opinion), sometimes the levels come back & r border-line & drs. just decide that you don't need the thyroid med., if you do get put on thyroid meds. & want something natural try Armour Thyroid, works on tsh 3 & 4, where the other synthetic hormones only work on one hormone & not both, i would also go 2 your family dr. & c if there may b another reason that your hair is falling out-have him/her do some blood work, i hope this helped, good luck & write back to let us know how your doing

  - denise

• August 4, 2011 2:03 p.m.

  I am 51 years old. Had a complete hysterectomy at 26. Took premarin for 20 years. Was concerned about affects and quit taking it about 8 years ago. Have been taking lexapro for that long. Did a siliva test and was told I am estrogen dominant. Dr had put me on Estridial. Gained 25 pounds. I quit taking after realizing that the estridial caused the gain. Now, my hair is falling out like crazy, can't go to sleep or stay asleep. Dr tells me my blood work is within normal range. TSH is .85. What do I do?

  - Debbie

• July 26, 2011 11:57 p.m.

  dear joe b: best thing to do is to get your thyroid cked. to know for sure, have doctor do a TSH 3 & 4 test with antibodies, do some research on what the levels should be @, so when the results of the blood test come back your dr. can't just say "oh your results r in the normal range", my dr. said i was borderline, so i did some convincing that i wanted to try thyroid med. & he put me on Armour Thyroid-a natural med.-that needs a pres. written, a lot of the symptoms that u describe could be thyroid related, but i would go to my reg. family dr. & get some other blood tests done, it could be something else, not 2 worry you, just tell your dr. all the symptoms that u've told us, good luck to you, i hope this helped & write back to us to let us know how you are??

  - denise

• July 22, 2011 6:42 p.m.

  Can Hypothyroidism cause increased memory loss? and or memory retention in people over 60? I found out the dose was too high and now have to go down 50 ml.

  - Mary Ellen

• July 20, 2011 11:04 a.m.

  i have major depression and anxiety, some noticed that my outter 1/3 eyebrows are thin to almost missing, then i stareted taking my temp. in the mornings my temp is around 96.4-96.8, all day it doesn't get above 97.7, also my ears just keep ringing. i feel tired all the time. my shoulders and hips just ache. my cousin told me that im getting these bulges under my eyes, i'm starting to worrie. i have no appitite in the morning or mid day, when evening comes i eat like a horse. my sex drive has disappeared, it has gotten really bad here in the last few months. could this be my thyroid.

  - joe b

• July 19, 2011 2:11 p.m.

  To Pat with the TSH of 68.24: You PCP in an incompetent jerk. He deserves to be sued for malpractice.

  - Robert

• June 25, 2011 10:13 a.m.

  my doc finally prescribed me "Armour Thyroid" for my under-active thyroid gland, i'm actually borderline, so i'm surprised he pres. it 4 me, 2 day is only the 1st day & already i feel more energy, called the pharmacist & he said that it does work this fast & levels should ret. to normal in a few days!! yeah-energy again!!

  - denise

• May 23, 2011 11:09 p.m.

  dear brian: i was just doing some research on-line & found out alot about thyroid meds., testing, & how most of the thyroid meds. that r pres. don't work, i'm not a professional, but i found out on-line that the best thing to treat an underactive thyroid is 2 have your dr. prescribe Armour Thyroid, ck. this out on-line, i called the pharmacist about this & she told me it works right away & i also read that many times mental illness is mis-diagnosed, when there is a problem with your thyroid, i couldn't believe it all these yrs. & i could have been helped by this Armour Thyroid med., i'm asking my dr. to pres. it 4 me when i c him next wk., i'm sorry 2 go on & on like this, i know u didn't ask a question, but i just felt i should share this info. w. you, i'm anxious 2 start taking this med., of course my ins. doesn't cover 4 it, but the good news is that it's only $12- for a one-months supply!! good luck 2 u, don't give up hope & write back if it helps u

  - denise

• May 2, 2011 12:12 p.m.

  Diagnosed with Hashimoto's at 30, after missing work for 9 months due to depression and acute anxiety. Had no clue until I finally sought out mental help. P-Doc had full blood work and bingo. Mom and an Aunt were diagnosed at 50 and 40. Thanks genetics. Was on levothroid, wellbutrin, and clonazepam and became by old self in a couple of weeks. Dropped all the weight, 35lbs., of extra weight I had put on and finally got back into being a social creature. Now at 35 and recently married, my symptoms and blood levels have returned. Feeling like I did before diagnosis. Hoping that a med change will bring me back to "normal" again. It is so frustrating to not know what is mental (depression / anxiety) and what is just my thyroid. Good luck to all. I hope you feel better.

  - Brian

• March 15, 2011 5:45 p.m.

  I have just been told I have an underactive thyroid gland. My TSH was 5.130 and have been put on 25 mg of levothyroxine medication but I am afraid to take the medicine since so many medicines have side affects. I feel really, really tired and depressed. Has any one else taken levothyroxine and what was the effect of it?

  - gail

• March 8, 2011 3:21 p.m.

  After read'n all these posts I realize I'm not alone in how I feel... I was diagnosed w/Grave's right after my 30th b'day. My Dad is the youngest of 10 kids (5 boys, 5 girls) him an 3 of his sisters also have over active thyroids not sure if any of them are Graves also..? just asked my Dad yesterday, he said he didn't remember being told he has graves. He's been on the exact same dose of Levithryoxin for 40 yrs. Not so for me, the longest I've gone on the same dose is 9 months an that was 100mg now I'm on 112's... I feel like I'm actually going crazy, insane, stark rave'n mad. I'm so tired of my meds change'n an frustrated that the Dr's tell me there's nuth'n they can do to keep me level... My mood swings are horrible, I don't like myself any more, I too "was" very smart had a great job an loved life. I no longer really care an just wish things would end already how can I keep going on feel'n this freak'n miserable an when the Dr's say there's nuth'n more they can do it's just not encouraging... tired of blood tests an feel'n this way, just finally glad to kno I'm not the only one who feel's this way

  - Shelley

• February 11, 2011 6:00 a.m.

  I was diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder several years ago. I have been suicidal on a number of occasions but have always found help, I was brought up that suicide is WRONG, thank God for good parents. I have gone through several different anti-depressants. Some didn't work at all, some did and stopped for what ever reason. I currently take 3 different anti-depressants and anxiety meds. About 10 months ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My Dr. referred me to an endo who ran his own tests and confirmed the hypothyroidism as well as hypogonadism(don't produce enough testosterone). He started me on what I felt was a pretty aggressive fregimine of meds for both issues. So... now I take 3 antidepressant, 2 anxiety meds, 1 med for my thyroid and HRT(hormone replacement therapy). I HAVE NOT FELT THIS GOOD IN MANY MANY YEARS. Every once in awhile I toy with the idea that I can make it without all these meds but my wife BLESS her heart, knocks me in the head and brings me back to reality. The hard cold reality is... I NEED THESE DRUGS!!!!! I can now function in society, I can focus at work, I can LAUGH AND LOVE AGAIN!!!!! YES, there is hope, YES, you can get better.....but you have to work at it. My Dr. gave me a coin after I finally found my way. It says "NOSCE TE IPSUM.......It's Latin for.....KNOW THY SELF. You have to know the real YOU to know if you are recovering.

  - Chris

• February 3, 2011 9:40 p.m.

  Thank you all for your stories. I'm a very bright guy, but I (along with 3 different psychs) have ignored the possbility that my untreated hypothyroidism is contributing to my 2 year downward spiral that has cost me everything. I've been willing to try every psych med recommended to me but it never occured to me to follow up with my PCP to have my thryroid checked or to get a new prescription in about 5 years. My script ran out one month and I just never did anything about it. I was diagnosed hypo at age 15 and took Sythroid or Levoxyl for about 17 years before inexplicably stopping. What a dumbass! At least this has given me some glimmer of hope for the future. I'm getting my blood drawn tomorrow! Thanks!

  - Brian

• January 26, 2011 7:55 a.m.

  Dear Peggy, I'm 59 years old and have only started wearing a sweater occasionally in winter months in the last 5 years. I have hated hot, humid weather all my life! I have had only half of my thyroid gland since the age of 17 and have taken Synthroid for 25 years. Have had approx. 7 incidences of depression siince teen years. Taking anti-depressants for 13 years with no relief.

  - Barb

• January 26, 2011 5:57 a.m.

  I've been a athliete most of my life, I ate well. exercised religiously, Im about to the point of suisidr. Today I saw my phycitist. Originally for bi-polar/that has been for the most part dismissed. About 5 6 year ago I had a misscarriage, My potassium level was so low I almost died.Since then I/ve count...24 maybe/ They diagnosed me with Addissions last stages. I'm on disability it's took months to even see an endrocronologist. my primarty care put me on predisone when I got down to 85 pounds. Iwent pyscotic in 4 days Trashed my apartment, my husband freaked out long story short I lost 25 years of my artwork, poerty' writing, my master's thesis and exept for our wedding rings, my dog who keep me alive this far and kookko bear mypig/bear stuffed animal everything else is gone. I was homeless for 8 months. I have an allergic reaction to most drugs prior to this but now non of the thyriod drugs are working and causing life threatening reactions, my hair is falling out, I have insomnia but all I want to do is sleep. I don't eat much and Ived gaing 45 p0unds in 6 months, I'm so tirted i Don't even care aout my spelling I currently out of my usual vitamin supply which does help! what do I do If I canT tolerate the medications. My doctor today asked me what I was going to do. i used to be happy, productive intellegent now nothing... he warned me i was looking at fatality. not the first time ive heard this, I can FEEL it, any one have any thing please.

  - heather

• January 17, 2011 8:09 p.m.

  I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 5 months ago, I'm 19 and my aunt noticed a lump on my neck. I'd been away from home for 5 months beforehand and had gained a lot of weight. I went the doctors and she noticed straight away that what i had on my neck was a goiter, I had my bloods checked and she prescribed me levothyroxine straight away i am only on 50mg at the moment but definitely feel i need my dosage highered. My aunt and nan has and had hypothyroidism and my cousin has hyperthyroidism, but apparantly it is not heriditary. I've been really upset reading all these comments but it's helped me so much, i'm normally a nice person but i change into someone horrible so quickly and never seem to know why, i always say i'll try harder to not get so angry and its so hard because i never can. I've been with my boyfriend for 4 years and I'm so worried after we argue that he's going to want to end it, because i'll just flip at him for no reason and will treat him horribly. It sounds like some of you have days like that and it scares me to think i'll always be like this. I always feel like there's nothing actually wrong with me, that i'm just lazy and crazy, I've had to stay off school a lot of days as i've been too tired to leave the house and this makes me sound even lazier. I think i've actually had this for a couple of years now as my anger, my tiredness and my weightgain have changed throughout my teens and I've actually noticed a lump on my neck on pictures from 3 years ago.

  - Lauren

• November 14, 2010 10:48 a.m.

  Please if anyone is having a problem not being able to have to much heat. Please let me no. My family don't seem to understand that to much heat makes me sick with his thyrod problem..

  - Peggy

• November 6, 2010 3:47 p.m.

  If you are having SYMPTOMS of thyroid disease but test within "normal" limits, FIND a endocronologist. My primary care physician kept offering anti-depressants despite my symptoms and when I FINALLY saw a specialist, my TSH level was 68.24 (and NO that is NOT a typo!). This endo doc would have treated me on bloodwork taken 3 years ago (but ignored by my primary care physician). "Old school" thinking is that anything 5.5 and below is normal, but when symptoms are present and TSH is above 3.0, an endocronologist with begin treatment. Even though I repeatedly saw my primary doctor with complaints, he dismissed me by LITERALLY telling me to stop worrying about the (unexplained) weight gain and handed me a prescription for Lexipro. He (reluctantly) offered to do bloodwork, but I got up, handed his prescription for Lexipro right back to him and walked out. Faxed my 3 years history of bloodwork to a local endo doc who got me right in. That's when I learned my current TSH score was 68.24 It's going to take months to get me back where I need to be, but at least there is the serenity of knowing, I am FINALLY on the right path.

  - Pat

• October 4, 2010 11:48 a.m.

  Helen what did India dr give you for your thyroid problem or how can contact him.B

  - Gerty

• September 20, 2010 10:23 a.m.

  Don't give up on your quest to find answer to thyroid problems. I spent over 10 years having blood work and rolling back and forth with weight gains and losses of 60 lbs.- blood test came back "NORMAL" Blood level thyroid testing DO NOT tell the whole problem. It wasn't until a routine hearing test that a Dr. felt "something" in my throat. Sonagram, biopsy, ,surgery, radiation followed to remove massive cancer that had grown back into neck. Now, three years post and dealing with anxiety/depression for which I will plough through to find best medication out there....DO NOT GIVE UP ON FINDING THE RIGHT DOCTOR....Ask friends...they'll be your best connections to your answers!

  - Suzanne