I'm a mess, can anyone offer any help?

[KristyJoy]

My problem is that I don't know what symptoms are caused from what disorder. I had a total thyroidectomy 3 years ago. I get internal shakes when I sleep or right before I go to sleep, and they're there when I wake up, this is not all of the time, most of the time I don't have them, but it's like I go through spells of them. I also spot in between menstral cycles. I am not sure if this is from my thyroid, or a neurological disorder that I have. I suffer from what they "think" are seizures, to me they are like electrical shocks in my brain, then I get the fainting feeling, then flush, then shakey. It's very scarey! I've had this for 4 years, ever since I accidently took too much Zoloft to start, 100mg. without having it in  my body. Everyday is a challenge for me, I cry a lot because my life is different because of how horrible I feel. I am almost always lightheaded and having vertigo, I also feel like someone has "hit me in the head" feeling, like off balance, or brain damage, BUT the thing is, I do have a few days each month, usually, that I feel normal again. They recently told me that my vitamin b is low, I hate living like this, and it's not been easy, I have seen every specailist known, and there is no specific answer and I really feel all alone, like I'm the only one that suffers with something like this, and it's just so sad! I am not able to work, due to the seizures and lightheadedness. Life is just really tough, and I would love some feedback or information that anyone may have. Thank you, Kristy

[LittleEd]

A funny thing--MY endo has FORBIDDEN the use of any antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication except for Xanax AS NEEDED. (And she really doesn't like that idea--it having been prescribed by my primary doctor.) She told me there is "no way" a psychiatric problem of any kind can be diagnosed until the thyroid is taken care of. I'm hoping any praying that the RAI or surgery--or cutting the darn thing out myself if I have to!--will "help" me, but I keep reading on here about all the problems that come afteward, as if there's no light at the end of the tunnel. Gosh, folks, I want to be able to live life for the first time--and I'm not getting younger. I piddled away so much of my younger years and now this.

I was on Zoloft years ago when it was brand new, just like Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, etc., on and on. It didn't do a thing for me--and others made me worse. I WILL say that Paxil seemed to mess with me even after being off of it for a while. But, after getting so conscious of every little symptom and side effect from this Graves', I don't know a darn thing any more.  

[Venora Moonwind]

If the klonipin is working then go with it. Its all about your quality of life. I take 3 little pills for life and I have a great quality of life with them. I  fussed at first about taking them but ya know life is better with them than without them So I take my 3 little pills and get on with my life.
Stay in touch.
Vee

[KristyJoy]

If the Zoloft caused my brain zaps, then why, two years later am I still having them? Is that possible? I would think that my body/brain is over the withdrawl. I was kind of thinking that I have a nervous system disorder, just because I feel like I'm so nervous I can't stand myself sometimes. The only medication that I'm on is Synthroid 175 mcg. and Klonopin, for the seizures and anxiety. The Klonopin takes away the pain that I have in my brain and stops the seizures, but I have never taken a whole pill. I started out small, a half a day, now a year later I'm at one and a half a day. They do help, without them I don't think I'd be here today. They calm me enough to make me feel normal again, it stops me from having racing thoughts, and like I said the seizures. Without it I just feel completely out of sorts and not like myself. It is very hard to determine what the thyroid issues are and what the other symptoms are from. It's so confusing, I'm sorry. I will go to the other boards and see if I can relate to them. Thank you all. Kristy

[Venora Moonwind]

Bi polar often goes undiagnosed because the manic feels so good that we dont tell our docs about it,  The depression is the one that gets reported to the doc and that is what gets treated. Unfortunaly reg mds are really free to prescribe the anti depressants when they should be refering to psychiatrist or psychologist. If you are bi polar then treating just the depression will tip you into the manic side. It takes a mood stabilzer and antidepressent  to manage bi polar.
Stay in touch
Vee

[KristyJoy]

I have never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, BUT, have thought that I may have "gotten" it after the whole Zoloft incident. I can no longer take any type of anti-depressant, and I have those seizures, and it feels like my brain is cracking in half. Can someone tell me if there are physical symptoms to bipolar?
Verona, thank you so much, it is so nice to talk with someone that can relate. I should have come here 4 years ago! I will post my thyroid levels, though it is way past my time to have them tested, so yes, I am sure they are wacky. Last time they took me from 200mcg to 175 mcg Synthroid. I feel no different.

[Venora Moonwind]

Cold turkey of zoloft causes many people to get the "brain zaps" as we call them over at the bi polar forum. I will tell you that most docs will tell you that with drawl from anti depressants and mood stabilers will not cause withdrawl symptoms but trust me they do.
The first thing you need to do is get your thryoid levels in check. You didnt mention when you last had labs done and it is so important to stay on top of your levels. Post your labs here and we can help you intepret them.See if getting TSH stable helps your depression.I would give it about a month to see if your throid med evens you out.
I am bi polar and throidless so I take a mood stabilizer and an anti depressant.
When I went hypo for my first RAI I didnt think I was going to make it the depression hit me so hard and I have been through some pretty deep depressions with my bi polar including suicidal thoughts.
Here are some tips to help you level out untill you can get things stable.;
Eat healthy No Caffiene or sugar as these both aggravate depression.
Exercise  at least 30 mins a day even if it is just a brisk walk. This will raise your endorphins and help you feel better.
Regular rest pattern
Meds thryoid and anti depressants,
Therapy.It will give you the tools to recognize what to do when the depression is overcoming you.
REmeber you are not alone.We understand what you are going through,The bi polar board and the depression board are wonderful too with lots of good folks that understand what you are going through,
You can message me any time you want if you want some one to talk to. I promise  to listen.

Love Venora