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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by corrye on September 23, 2004, at 11:31:34
I suffer from sever depression and have tried many meds that don't work. I am currently taking 300 mg wellbutrin a.m. and 150 additional in the p.m. This is not working well either. My doc is suggesting we add Cytomel. My TSH has been tested - results 2.34. I am also being treated for an enlarged thyroid (probably surgery to remove the nodules). Has anyone tried Wellbutrin and Cymotel together. Thanks
Posted by Jota on September 23, 2004, at 20:50:37
In reply to AD's and Cytomel, posted by corrye on September 23, 2004, at 11:31:34
After consulting with a top researcher at National Institute of Mental Health, I added cytomel to my regimen, which does include wellbutrin. But my understanding is that the cytomel helps to prevent poop out.
Posted by corrye on September 24, 2004, at 8:56:44
In reply to Re: AD's and Cytomel, posted by Jota on September 23, 2004, at 20:50:37
> Does this help with the depression? Is the Wellbutrin more effective and what do you mean by poop out? I'm trying to decide what might work with the Wellbutrin - don't want to have added weight gain though so I have already excluded adding Lithium. Any one have any success stories.
Posted by Daky on September 25, 2004, at 9:47:01
In reply to AD's and Cytomel, posted by corrye on September 23, 2004, at 11:31:34
> I suffer from sever depression and have tried many meds that don't work. I am currently taking 300 mg wellbutrin a.m. and 150 additional in the p.m. This is not working well either. My doc is suggesting we add Cytomel. My TSH has been tested - results 2.34. I am also being treated for an enlarged thyroid (probably surgery to remove the nodules). Has anyone tried Wellbutrin and Cymotel together. Thanks
Just a suggestion re: a TSH of 2.34. You may want to try increasing your thyroid meds to lower your TSH to around 1. Many people have symptoms with a TSH of 2.3 and that may be part of your problem. I'm hypothyroid and feel best w/ a TSH below 1.
Posted by Pfinstegg on September 25, 2004, at 11:11:47
In reply to Re: AD's and Cytomel, posted by Daky on September 25, 2004, at 9:47:01
I have taken Wellbutrin and Cytomel (Synthroid as well) for several years. I haven't had any difficulty with combining the two. My TSH, which was about 3, is now 0.5. The depression is MUCH better! I also had lumps on my thyroid gland, but these have disappeared entirely with the combination of Cytomel and Synthroid. Unless your doctor is concerned about a thyroid malignancy, you could hold off on the surgery to see if the lumps disappear with just the thyroid supplements. One caution: you are more likely to develop osteoporosis with the thyroid supplementation, so it's good to get a baseline bone scan, and also make sure you take plenty of Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D. (this is more likely to happen if you are female).
Posted by corrye on September 25, 2004, at 17:48:57
In reply to Re: AD's and Cytomel, posted by Pfinstegg on September 25, 2004, at 11:11:47
>Thanks for the info.; I appreciate the feedback. Will be getting biopsy results Mon. for the thyroid nodules and will go on from there.
Posted by gardenergirl on September 25, 2004, at 19:19:30
In reply to Re: AD's and Cytomel, posted by corrye on September 25, 2004, at 17:48:57
I'm no longer on Wellbutrin, and I didn't take it with Cytomel. I have been taking Synthroid and Nardil (an MAOI) for about a year. My TSH on Synthroid has been very similar to yours. I asked my doc. to add Cytomel to help with depression and he agreed, although he started me at 25 mcg in addition to the 50mcg of Synthroid. This was way too high a starting dose for me, and resulted in me being hyperthyroid! So he dropped the Cytomel altogether. I would have preferred if he would have halved the Syntrhoid and lowered the Cytomel. I get another lab test in another week or so, and then I will talk to him again about Cytomel. I'd really like to keep my TSH at 1 or .5.
So just a caution, Cytomel is good, but start low and go slow. You shouldn't have to worry about weight gain. In fact, you would be more likely to lose weight or at least maintain where you are, because weight gain is a symptom of Hypothyroid (low thyroid).
Good luck and let us know how you do!
gg
Posted by Pfinstegg on September 26, 2004, at 14:21:19
In reply to Re: AD's and Cytomel, posted by corrye on September 25, 2004, at 17:48:57
I hope everything goes well with the biopsy news, and that low-dose Synthroid/Cytomel will help you. Let us know!
This may not be an issue for you, but, during the seven years that I was taking various combinations of anti-psychotics and SSRI's, I gained 50 pounds, and developed near-diabetes and very high cholesterol. During the three years since stopping those, I've gradually lost all of the weight, without really trying too much, and my lab tests are OK again. I take just the regular release Wellbutrin, 37.5 mg. in the morning. It's a very low dose, but seems to be enough (I've gradually lowered it from 300 mg. SR over the past three years). I mention this, because I think diabetes, especially, is an underreported serious side effect of the antipsychotics- Zyprexa, mostly, but all of them to some extent, and, as everyone knows, the antipsychotics and SSRI's often cause a lot of weight gain, which can make one's blood cholesterol and triglycerides dangerously high. I was always considered extremely healthy, by physical exam and lab resullts- it was a shock to me and my internist to realize how rapidly that changed for the worse.
Posted by corrye on September 27, 2004, at 12:34:05
In reply to Re: AD's and Cytomel » corrye, posted by Pfinstegg on September 26, 2004, at 14:21:19
I know what you mean about weight gain - 30 lbs for me. It's a really unfortunate side effect of the anti-depressants and anti-psychotics (I also take 50 mg Seroquel at night). I'd really like to be off this stuff but am not well enough yet - hopefully Cytomel will work.
Good news - biopsy results = benign nodule but have decided to have it removed as it is difficult to swallow etc.
Posted by Pfinstegg on September 27, 2004, at 14:24:38
In reply to Re: AD's and Cytomel, posted by corrye on September 27, 2004, at 12:34:05
Very good news! I do hope the Cytomel helps- what little there is in the medical literature about using it for depression is very positive.
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