Start on Alesse tomorrow....

Marit · 08-19-2004, 08:08 PM

Stupid testosteron levels are higher than ever.
I've been on Diane-35 a few times before but had problems, so am trying Alesse.
NO, do NOT bother responding if you have had horrible experiences with it, because I don't need to know that right now.
Marit

hopeless · 08-20-2004, 07:57 PM

I switched to Alesse a few months ago. I like it a lot better than my old pills (Demulen). My periods are lighter, shorter and less painful. It also helped with my moods. My depression didn't completely go away with just the change in BCPs, but it definetly helped.

Marit · 08-20-2004, 11:12 PM

Hi! That's great news that it has helped, I hope it does the same for me...and thank you so much for that link, it was really insightful...
Do you mind if I ask what the last couple of meds you mentioned are? I'm on met, prozac (only 10mg right now, I'm in the process of switching from Paxil) and Alesse...
Marit :o)

hopeless · 08-21-2004, 04:15 AM

I think that link is SO important. And it's great to show to your doctor, since it's actually from a recognized organization.

Ok...let's see:

spironolactone - actually for high blood pressure, but also used off label to lower testosterone, definetly not to be used if you are TTC

cytomel - synthetic T3 (the active thyroid hormone), this is actually the med that helped the most with my depression

biotin - a B vitamin that my doctor told me to take, I also previously used zinc citrate, and fish oil concentrate for EFAs

Marit · 08-21-2004, 04:57 PM

Thank you! I have never actually tried a thyroid med for depression, but I know it can help.
That article actually made me think...it talks about adrenal testing and the such, which has never been mentioned to me. I have no cycts on my ovaries, so perhaps my adrenal glands are a bit 'off'. Then that totally scared me, because my cousin died of an extremely rare from of adrenal cancer 3 years ago...and she just thought she was going through early menopause. Now I am very worried, but that's alright, because it's going to make darn sure I get those tests.
Marit the paranoid

hopeless · 08-21-2004, 06:00 PM

I didn't have a lot of the tests mentioned in that article either. I was surprised at how little my endocrinologist did. (which is why I no longer see her)

I wasn't given any thyroid meds until I started seeing a doctor that did Vega testing. I had suspected for years that my thyroid was an issue, but none of my other doctors would try the T3.

I hope the Alesse works out for you. I know it can be worrisome to try a med that other people have had problems with. My biggest problem with Alesse was that I was so hesitant to try it because of some of the stories I've heard! You just have to remember that everyone responds differently....

Marit · 08-21-2004, 06:11 PM

hi!
Yes, the problem with me is that there is ONE endocrinologist in this city (of 250,000), so I've seen my GP (she's good), and the gynecologist. TO be honest, my psychiatrist is the best. She's the one encouraging me to get whatever I need to resolve my 'physical' issues.
Sigh
What is Vega by the way?
Marit

hopeless · 08-21-2004, 09:13 PM

I live in Vancouver, so there are more endo.s, but 2 different doctors I went to used this same one! I also went to one of *THE* hair doctors, and he was a total idiot.

anyways, this website should explain Vega testing:

http://www.hamblys.net/therapies/vega/

The doctor I go to for the Vega testing is also an MD. So he can prescibe regular meds as well as homeopathic remedies.

Marit · 08-21-2004, 10:52 PM

The one thing I was wondering was the levonorgesterel in Alesse...I just read a paper that said to stay away from 'adrogenic progesterone' and listed it as an example....thoughts? I thought it would be weird to be put on it if that was a problem...
Thanks for the info on Vega

hopeless · 08-22-2004, 12:45 AM

I'd heard about Alesse being more androgenic as well. (though I don't remember the source....) I was worried about that. I'd heard of people having increased hair loss on Alesse, which was what I was most worried about. However, I put my faith into my doctor and changed over anyways. I'm glad I did. I guess you won't know until you try it. Oh, and my hair has started to grow back a bit....so I guess the Alesse wasn't so bad for that! (for me anyways...)

fitness_chick · 08-27-2004, 10:01 AM

For me, Alesse was more androgenic, but everyone reacts differently. Just wondering why Alesse was selected?

Hopeless- I was interested in what you said because I am starting Cytomel on Monday for a low T3 value. Did you have any side-effects intially and how long did it take until you felt better with it? For years I had problems with depression, weight, etc., and they kept giving me anti-depressants and I'd have 'unexpected' reactions to them to say the least, I think it's because they were treating the wrong thing.

thanks,
Amie

hopeless · 08-27-2004, 03:04 PM

fitness_chick - I started feeling better almost immediately. I've tried various anti-depressants over the last few years and nothing has produced results like this. Also, my hair has started to grow back...which I'm pretty sure has something to do with the cytomel.

I haven't had any side-effects with it, either. My doctor told me to take them in the morning, since taking them in the evening can affect your sleep.

fitness_chick · 08-27-2004, 03:18 PM

That's really awesome! I start very low dosage on monday and titrate up the dosage until we can find what works. I start 2.5 mcg 2x a day, for 1 week, then go to 5mcg 2x a day for the next week, and if needed we move it up from there. I want to start sooner, but have started supplementing Pregnenolone and they want me on that at least four days before I start the Cytomel.

I didn't know if it took a while or what. I'm mainly tired of being 'tired' all the time, more like exhausted, the joint/muscle pains, etc etc I'm sure you can relate. I'm not currently depressed but have felt like I am headed that way if my energy does not increase soon.

thanks!
Amie

hopeless · 08-27-2004, 03:32 PM

Pregnenolone? What's this? I've never heard of it before?

In '98 I was sleeping most of the day. I started getting depressed. A couple years later my hair was falling out, and getting more noticable, and the depression started getting much worse. I'd had my TSH tested, but it was normal. I asked for a T3, but they won't do it. I was convinced it was my thyroid, but no one would prescribe anything based on symptoms, and not numbers. So, when I finally found this doctor and he gave me cytomel I was so thankful. It was the only med that I added or changed at the time, so I know it's the cytomel that made the difference.

I think you'll definetly notice a difference in energy levels. I stopped feeling like I was dragging myself through the mud all the time!

fitness_chick · 08-27-2004, 03:39 PM

Wow! Your story sounds so much like mine. My TSH was normal too and it was like heck trying to find a doctor who would look at the numbers and the symptoms, although my free T3 is low. Reverse T3 is high, too. Did you start out with your current dosage or work up to it until you felt better?

Pregnenolone is a precursor to many hormones in the body, and for me I'm extremely low. So, it's been added into the plan. It available without a prescription, but I don't know if I would recommend a person taking it unless you test low for it in the first place.

=Amie