So,I have been on Lexapro for about 6 months.At first it made me very tired all day,and when I tried to do any activity or even excercise I would get this weakness and shakiness in my baody,mostly my hands.
It did help to alleviate depression when I worked up to 10 miligrams,but I was unable to excercise as frequently or with the intensity I used to due to just physically not being able to a point.Insomnia or was also a side effect.But for about a month or so things werent too bad,I was thinking of upping my dosage because I was able to focus and get things done,study a little and so on.I wasnt big,but it was very noticeable for me.But that changed slowly.
recently I started to get insomnia worse,and also My energy levels were extremely low.Small things would exhaust me,I could'nt think,I needed allot of rest after a very little activity and the insomnia was much worse,a terrible combination.
I went to get my thyroid tested,and my T3 was below normal and Free T4 was 50% of normal(normal is 0.82 upward)
TSH was normal.
Diagnosis-Hypothyroid.
Now,since that test I felt worse,like a zombie,my memory is terrible,can't deal with anything.I believe I have low cortisol too,by my symptoms.
I believe I have had adrenal issues for years,how long I dont know.But for the last few years I probably had Higg cortisol,but now its low cortisol.And I have to think my whole situation was exacerbated by this SSRI.Let me explain my theory.
I had an issue with adrenals before,after I exercised I wouldn't be able to sleep,especially good cardio.
I believe the anti-depressants imipramine has stopped its effectiveness,then I switched to this ssri which only hid the problem for a while and set me up for a bigger crash.
My problems are not only depression,anxiety etc,but also now thyroid and adrenal.
Here is my reasoning,if you want sources I can look again,but the studies are there.
SSRIS stimulate the immune system for most people(in ways not fully understood yet),but in some people it overstimulated the immune system and causes autoimmune symptoms.Case in point,I recently found out I have Tinea versicolor,never had it before
Its a symptom of immune problems.
Also,I got sick 3 times in 6 months on this ssri.I only get sick 1-2 times a year
SSRIS supposedly correct HPA axis problems.I'm not sure why this hasn't happened for me.Instead it seems it may have stimulated it when it was weak.
SSRIS can lower thyroid function.In my case yes,it seems to have done so.I tried to take Thyroid gladular for a few days and felt nothing or worse depending on the dosage.
The adrenals need to be fixed before the thyroid can be helped.Trying to help the Thyroid with gladulars can make you worse by stressing the Adrenals further.
Now I'm in a pickle,once again.
My symptoms are constant insomnia,barely any energy to do anything.Can't sleep even when tired.My appetite has decreased,sex drive is gone,food is digested very very slowly if at all.
If I slow/stop down the meds depression etc comes back with a vengence.But I can slowly restore HPA-Axis functioning.
I was thinking of adrenal cortex or even pregnelonone short term but those things are just band aids that cause a loop that lowers my bodies ability to produce these hormones,I think.
This is not good,performance at work is pathetic.
Trazodone for sleep doesnt work as well anymore,in fact all supps are not that great for sleep.
My only option right now is to reduce dosage of ssri to 7.5mg and take it easy for abit until I have a backup plan.I dont know what to do.I know getting a cortisol test is tops,but its expensive and I need to be off ssris for the test to be accurate.
My ideas are to go back to trying natural stuff,which largely doesnt work.
Things I havent tried are ST.John wort(sun is not good for eyes or skin on this),tho I dont think its powerful enough for me.It might help in combination with tryptophan and 5htp,but its not going to help as muc
I take fish oil
wheatgrass
zinc mag b6
avoid goitrogens
Stabilium(Garum)
b5
kelp
trazodone
Anyone got any advice?Psychiatrists will tell me there's nothing wrong,the doc will tell me go on thyroid meds.I can't trust their judgement at all.A bunch of pill pushers they are.