[bizi]

Well my pdoc ordered more lab work, a complete thyroid panel. those results will be (hopefully) faxed to my GP whom I see on Monday for a pap/wellness exam. I was having elevated serum calcium levels from calcium supplements and high doses of magnesium oxide I was taking for constipation. Now I take sennicot 25mg....it is a laxative. and that seems to be working well.
my kidney function test are ok....my total cholesterol is high because my hdl is high. my ratio is fine.
bizi
I don't know how I feel. I don't like the idea of killing my thyroid.

but taking sythroid sounds like an easy fjix. I really don't have any side effects from taking the lithium and I seem to be more stable on it.
I think my pdoc wants me to keep taking the lithium and take the synthroid.
side.
I see my gp on monday.
bizi

I agree that it is your choice regarding the thyroid. I will say that going off Lithium doesn't always fix the thyroid. I've been off Lithium for maybe 4 or 5 years now and must still take the large dose of 150 mcg Synthroid. I don't see that ever changing, in my case. Like others wrote, I don't see that as a big deal. I have zero side effects from Synthroid and it's a rather small pill.

I went off of Lithium because of kidney damage. That is a very big deal. If I stayed on Lithium and my kidney damage worsened, obviously there wouldn't be any small pill to easily address that.

I don't mean to scare you about kidney damage. Of course not everyone gets that from Lithium.

[bizi]

I saw my GP today. liked her.
She wants to retest the TSH in a couple of weeks. I am hoping that I can quit drinking by then to see if that is what affected my thyroid.
I really don't want to be taking the thyroxine...one hour before eating or drinking....that would not be easy on me.
I am looking into tegretol, that is what she suggested the lamictal stopped working and that is why we switched to lithium in the first place.
I have not been happy on the lithium....don't want to constantly worry about my kidneys. I had stopped all of the calcium supplements and now magnesium ones too. due to elevated blood calcium. which is now normal. my vitamin d is low 37, for some reason she wants me to double it and take 10,000 units a day. for 2 months then go back to 5,000/day.

wonder why my d is low. I usually run 50-60??????
She is not happy with my total cholesterol 280 but that is because my hdl is 115. my ldl was higher too so she wants to recheck that is 6 months.
She did the kind of pap where you only have to have it done every 5 years so that is good. It hurts when she did it. ouch!
later this evening I sent a message via the on line portal Thanking her for our visit and her answering my concerns. and then I asked if she would prescribe klonipin .5mg because I was having a hard time sleeping.
will see what she has to say.
bizi

[~Christina]

It’s good she is wanting second round of blood tests. I once had blood work done 3 times in one week and each time there was a noticeable difference.

I’m on high dose Vitamin D also but I still run low. I am not a vampire ! I do go out in the sun. lol

I’m glad you had a good appt I’m sure she appreciated hearing positive feedback

[bizi]

Got a call about my labs from my pdoc office. my tsh was 5 and the t3 t4 were both normal. so no changes and retest in 6 weeks. This is good news.
Will wait and see if I hear from my gp?
bizi

[bizi]

This is what I wrote to my pdoc:

Dr. Orazio,

After much thought, I decided that I don't want to wait until my thyroid is done for or for my kidneys to have damage either.
As you mentioned during our last visit., I would like to try tegretol as my mood stabilizer and discontinue the lithium.
If after giving the tegretol a fair shake and it doesn't work out then we can always go back to the lithium as a last resort.

Thank you for your consideration,

[~Christina]

I think you took all info available and made a informed decision that your comfortable with

Good job !

[bizi]

heard from dr. orazio today.

She did not want to switch just yet.... and I did/do.
Hubby is in agreement.

So we are going to switch meds.
bizi

[Sunflower123]

I hope the switch goes smoothly for you.

[~Christina]

Proactive is good

[Misterpain]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Proactive is good

My mother's motto "always be proactive instead of Reactive" ,good luck on the transition .

[bizi]

discontinue lithium, start tegretol 200mg twice a day. lab draw in 10 days see her again in 4 weeks.
I am happy to be getting off lithium..I am hoping that the tegretol dose does not need to be changed after the lab draw.

I looked on good rx and the new med is expensive compared to lithiums $4.
I will have to go to walmart to get the cheaper amount. It is $30 more expensive at my pharmacy. $75. ouch!
I hate going to walmart.
bizi

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by bizi

discontinue lithium, start tegretol 200mg twice a day. lab draw in 10 days see her again in 4 weeks.
I am happy to be getting off lithium..I am hoping that the tegretol dose does not need to be changed after the lab draw.

I looked on good rx and the new med is expensive compared to lithiums $4.
I will have to go to walmart to get the cheaper amount. It is $30 more expensive at my pharmacy. $75. ouch!
I hate going to walmart.
bizi

I hope the dose is just right for you

I hate Hellmart !!! But my meds are much cheaper there. Sucks.

[bizi]

The east coast is so expensive!
I just booked a flight to rhode Island for my nephews graduation in May.
3 nights at a fairfield inn next to the airport and airfare totals :$1,356. OUCH!
and that is just for me. I will be traveling by myself.
and staying at the same hotel as my family.
So that is good. I guess I need to get him a graduation gift,
money I presume. How much is the going rate??
bizi

[bizi]

I saved $220 by switching hotels at the air port so that is good. still very expensive trip for 3 days.
we are going to new port I guess on that saturday Jill is driving. I want to get some good sea food!!!!!
bizi
so far no side effects from the tegretol.
keeping fingers crossed.

[bizi]

So far no side effects from the tegretol so that is good. Am only taking 200mg twice a day. Don't even know if that is the therapeutic dose or not.

I have not done my paper work, billing nor charting in over a month.
sigh
I need a good kick in the pants!

help!
bizi

[giddykitty]

You can do it!

Glad no side effects. How's the thyroid stuff? I have hypothyroidism myself. Oh, but you probably know that now from my latest thread. So I was trying to offer advice the other day but maybe I didn't have all the facts?

[bizi]

the latest tsh was 5 and the t3 t4 were normal. so that was good. we are just watching. have another blood test in a week to check my tegretol level...will have the thyroid checked again then though different doctor.
thanks for asking!!!
I am sorry giddy if I did not respond to your reply....trying to catch up It is hard when there are so many threads.
have a good day.
bizi

[~Christina]

Yikes ! Expensive

I’m glad you going to graduation and seeing family

I have no idea what cash amount is given now.

I’m glad your not having any side effects

[bizi]

potential trigger:
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
My pdoc kept the dose at the regular kind and said that it was ok and that I did not need the xr of tegretol, and it was more expensive. So I am glad for that!
I am taking the amino acid NAC for my excoriation disorder an OCD that I have had most of my life....
, terrible skin picking of my cuticles. It seemed to be working then it seemed to stop working. I am back to picking and biting them till there are sores that bleed. sigh
...sorry if this triggers anyone I should put a trigger warning I guess.
I have 2 band aids on my right hand 2nd and 3rd fingers
sigh
I was doing so well. It is really discouraging to have this relapse.
bizi

[bizi]

I ended up sending 40 bills out last night so will get paid soon.

Made a nice deposit, we would not have bounced a check

if I had made the deposit sooner. sigh
My avoidance of paper work....charting filing, new charts etc.

I also have been getting home later and later each night because I am spending so much time with my clients.

It is like I am dragging out the visit.
I talk alot and can't really talk and trim at the same time....

so I stop and then look directly at them. They talk too.
Most of my clients are hard of hearing so I speak loudly to them in general to all of them. So the one this morning tells me to quit shouting at her.
(I have been seeing her for years and she has never said that to me before)
I was shocked I did not realize that I was speaking that loudly to Mary.
I accidentally forgot my check she called and said she found it on the floor.
(I don't think that I dropped it, she did)

So I told her that I would stop by around 6 which would have given me plenty of time to see my 2:30pm couple, hubby and wife.

I was still there at 6pm that is 3 1/2 hours for 2 people. I apologized for talking so much.
I went back to Mary's at 6;30 to pick up the check said I was sorry to be late.....she said I was shouting again at her.
sigh
I think I might be running a bit hypo(and have been for some time).

I told Jeff tonight....he doesn't see it.
But I know my body best.
anyway, wanted to check in here....
I was on the computer too much before the mood stabilizer change to tegretol.

I am pretty sure she will raise the dose after I have a blood draw on the 30th.

I will also have my thyroid rechecked tsh t3,t4.
I am to see her in a couple of weeks.
heavy sigh
bizi

[~Christina]

If your extra chatty it could be some Hypo , im sure Jeff will let you know if he sees anything ..

I think as your adjusting to new Med it might be a bit bumpy

So glad you got so much paperwork done

[bizi]

I know I am not doing well when I keep having to say "I am sorry" ...and

am LATE FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!like now said I would go to bed early but here I am on line at almost 1130 and I have not gotten ready for bed yet.
Have not been following my routine of self care. skipping brushing my teeth cause it takes 2 minutes and I am rushing things.....
sigh
I am not well
bizi

[*Beth*]

Hi Bizi, I just want to let you know that you're not alone here with regard to picking and tearing your cuticles. I do the same. I do everything I know of to stop; the only success I've had is with artificial nails (because they're too long & thick to tear at my cuticles). A temporary solution, but at least my skin has a chance to heal.

[bizi]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Hi Bizi, I just want to let you know that you're not alone here with regard to picking and tearing your cuticles. I do the same. I do everything I know of to stop; the only success I've had is with artificial nails (because they're too long & thick to tear at my cuticles). A temporary solution, but at least my skin has a chance to heal.

HI Beth,
Thank you for sharing.
My pdoc told me of NAC amino acids supplement to take 1200mg twice a day. so I have been taking it for a month.
I felt like it was really great at first. now not so great.
I have gel nails and like them clear.

I use my teeth too......
I have 4 fingers in varying degrees of healing.....I try to keep bandaides on them but the fingernail polish that I use to remove polish on my clients takes off the band aide.
sigh
thanks for sharing again.
I am less paranoid today so that is good!
bizi