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Concerta has become a problem

concerta adhd depression anhedonia

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#1 Babakk

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Posted 08 March 2016 - 05:39 PM


I am 56 and was finally diagnosed with ADD four years ago. Prior to that I had had periodical depression as well mood swings since the age 12 and through out the years I was prescribed all sorts of anti-depressant medication as well as ECT and vagus nerve implant, none of which made any substantial difference to my mood disorders . The last medication I tried was Olanzapine which after the first two months or so made things a lot worse and my depression became permanent even after I stopped taking Olanzapine. 
While on Olanzapine (for 5 years) I had a lot of stomach pains and was prescribed morphine which lead to addiction. After I came off Olanzpine, I went on Subutex which really helped my depression.
Concerta changed all that and for the first three and half years I was perfectly fine except the occasional headaches, palpitation and loss of appetite. But after a life time of hell I thought of little of those side effects which was why last year, I felt stable enough to leave UK and settle in a small Island in the Mediterranean where there are no sophisticated specialist medical facilities nearby.
 
However things started to change in the last six months. My palpitation became too frequent and the beta blockers that I took made me even more tired and my hands and feet got really cold. As to my libido, it has completely disappeared and even when I do get an erection, i get premature ejaculation within ten seconds. So, sex is gone as well as taste as had appetite.
 
So I lowered my dose which helped initially but then by six hours after taking the dose I started feeling really sleepy but I couldn't sleep because of racing thoughts. After an hour I started getting headaches (my whole head) which lasted until early evening by which time I was really tired.
 
On someone's recommendation I tried out Memantine which made things even worse after a few days. 
 
So I want to know what it going on? Now I am trying to come off Concerta by reducing the dose but I still get headaches at around the same time but they don't go away until around midnight. Aspirin or paracetamol have little effect and I can't take codeine as they don't have any effect because I am on Subutex.
 
What is going on? Why do I feel sleepy after 4-6 hours when the concentration of Methylephenidate is supposed to be maximum and why these headaches?
 
I think Subutex is keeping the depression at bay but I was trying to come off it and was down to 1mg. But now I am back on 4mg. I am so disappointed and SCARED because I thought I had beaten this thing after a life time of misery and I was feeling fine for over 3 years and I dread the return of anhedonia as I already feel the return of lack of motivation.
 

Edited by Babak Kamali, 08 March 2016 - 05:46 PM.


#2 aconita

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Posted 08 March 2016 - 10:16 PM

more tired and my hands and feet got really cold. As to my libido, it has completely disappeared and even when I do get an erection, i get premature ejaculation within ten seconds. So, sex is gone as well as taste as had appetite.

 

The issue might be complex indeed but these symptoms remind strongly hypothyroidism.

 

Maybe it is not and it is just the drugs you are taking, maybe it is actually hypothyroidism caused by the drugs, maybe it is an underlying condition possibly related to your pathology but till now not so evident...

 

As a first thing to try I may suggest to take your basal temperature, this is your temperature first thing in the morning as you wake up before leaving the bed and moving (just place a thermometer besides your bed in the evening so that you can grab it as soon as you wake up): if basal temperature is below 36,5 hypothyroidism is very likely.

 

Supplementing with SSKI (1 drop in a glass of water once a day or every other day) will do, it would be safer to check first for Hashimoto (blood test). 

 

An hormone test might be a smart idea too (testosterone, etc...)



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#3 Babakk

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Posted 09 March 2016 - 11:12 AM

 

more tired and my hands and feet got really cold. As to my libido, it has completely disappeared and even when I do get an erection, i get premature ejaculation within ten seconds. So, sex is gone as well as taste as had appetite.

 

The issue might be complex indeed but these symptoms remind strongly hypothyroidism.

 

Maybe it is not and it is just the drugs you are taking, maybe it is actually hypothyroidism caused by the drugs, maybe it is an underlying condition possibly related to your pathology but till now not so evident...

 

As a first thing to try I may suggest to take your basal temperature, this is your temperature first thing in the morning as you wake up before leaving the bed and moving (just place a thermometer besides your bed in the evening so that you can grab it as soon as you wake up): if basal temperature is below 36,5 hypothyroidism is very likely.

 

Supplementing with SSKI (1 drop in a glass of water once a day or every other day) will do, it would be safer to check first for Hashimoto (blood test). 

 

An hormone test might be a smart idea too (testosterone, etc...)

 

Thank you very much for your comments.

When I read your comments, i.e. about seven hours after taking my Concerta this morning at around 5:00 O'clock, I had been resting for a while because again I was feeling sleepy (headache just about to start). So I took my temperature and it was already below 36.5 (36.1). I washed the dishes and I took it again and now I am 36.5.

I will measure it again tomorrow morning first thing.

I am pretty sure something is going on with my hormones but where I live there are no specialist doctors and I have to ask for specific tests.

So, if you let me know what tests other than Hypothyroidism (is it the same as Hashimoto?) and testosterone I should ask for I would be most grateful. 



#4 Babakk

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Posted 10 March 2016 - 06:30 AM

 

more tired and my hands and feet got really cold. As to my libido, it has completely disappeared and even when I do get an erection, i get premature ejaculation within ten seconds. So, sex is gone as well as taste as had appetite.

 

The issue might be complex indeed but these symptoms remind strongly hypothyroidism.

 

Maybe it is not and it is just the drugs you are taking, maybe it is actually hypothyroidism caused by the drugs, maybe it is an underlying condition possibly related to your pathology but till now not so evident...

 

As a first thing to try I may suggest to take your basal temperature, this is your temperature first thing in the morning as you wake up before leaving the bed and moving (just place a thermometer besides your bed in the evening so that you can grab it as soon as you wake up): if basal temperature is below 36,5 hypothyroidism is very likely.

 

Supplementing with SSKI (1 drop in a glass of water once a day or every other day) will do, it would be safer to check first for Hashimoto (blood test). 

 

An hormone test might be a smart idea too (testosterone, etc...)

Thanks again,

My basal temperature this morning was 35.4.

However, while I was in UK and before I was prescribed Concerta, I had insisted that I could be suffering from Hypothyroidism but according to NHS my tests always returned normal. Although I have heard that the diagnosis of Hypothyroidism is not that simple as while the tests for T3 and T4 might turn normal they could still not be binding properly.

Is there any other test that I can ask for to make it more clear?

Although my temperature is 35.4 but I have high blood pressure and my heart beat is always above 80pbs.

I have now reduced my Concerta to 9mg (halving the 18gm vertically) and although my headaches is slightly less but I still get tired around I noon. In fact as soon as I have a pause in activity and my concentration is also a lot less, e.g. I can't read properly again.

I found your comments really thoughtful and I would welcome more.

Also with regards to SSKI, I have heard that it could in itself cause problems. Could you advise as to where I can get hold of some?

Looking forward to your input.



#5 aconita

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Posted 10 March 2016 - 06:40 AM

Of course it is not normal to have a temperature of 36.1, even more so during the day.

 

Hashimoto is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the thyroid, in this case supplementing iodine (SSKI) is not recommended because it stimulates the thyroid leading to an even stronger autoimmune response, that's why it is better to check first for Hashimoto before starting supplementing iodine (just to make sure).

 

Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto are not the same thing but since Hashimoto attacks the thyroid it leads to hypothyroidism, Hashimoto might be the cause for hypothyroidism but in most hypothyroidism cases there is no Hashimoto involved whatsoever.

 

There are specific tests for hypothyroidism but are not necessarily precise or conclusive, the best test is the iodine concentration in urine following a iodine load but I seriously doubt you'll be able to get that done, as far as I know there are only a couple of labs in the US performing that kind of test.

 

Since you may well suffer a thyroid condition that will not show in traditional blood test the smart choice is to be pragmatic and observe symptoms, basal temperature is a very strong indicator and probably more accurate than blood tests in most cases.

 

Iodine stimulates the thyroid, actually the thyroid really needs iodine to function correctly, iodine is not very common and in some areas or in some diets is very scarce.

 

There is one big issue with the thyroid: it attracts all halogens but needs only iodine, once it is saturated with an halogen others can not be absorbed anymore.

 

Halogens are a group in the periodic table consisting of five chemically related elements: fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At).

 

The concern is about bromine, in nature very scarce and unlikely to come in contact with us in relevant amounts is nowadays added to flour and most plastics, just to name a few, the typical smell inside a new car is the bromine added to the plastic interiors.

 

Bromine gets absorbed by the thyroid and doesn't allow for the already little iodine around to get in, this is a disaster and nowadays probably the most common cause for hypothyroidism (there is nothing wrong with the thyroid itself but it is loaded of bromine instead of iodine therefore is not able to perform its duty: hormones production).

 

Once Hashimoto is ruled out supplementing with iodine (SSKI) will slowly but steadily kick out all the bromine and everything starts working fine as it should, if taking SSKI leads to immediate discomfort (most likely nausea) it is a clear sign of bromine intoxication, I can take 10 drops of SSKI at once without any reaction but I know some heavily intoxicated people can't stand a quarter of a drop.

 

Proceeding slowly and progressively the symptoms will disappear but in some case it may take up to one year to restore thyroid functions properly.

 

Since hormones are all connected one of them out of balance will effect all the others too, if thyroid hormones are screwed all other hormones will be effected, all hormones not working properly is not a desirable condition, leading to a lot of unpleasant outcomes, including chronic depression.

 

Don't take me wrong, I am not diagnosing your condition, just pointing out that it COULD be better to not underweight those hypothyroidism symptoms you are experiencing.

 

Avoiding flour might be smart, on top of bromine is loaded with gluten too and gluten can play nasty on some individuals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   



#6 aconita

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Posted 10 March 2016 - 07:05 AM

I was writing the previous post while you posted yours. :)

 

OK, 35.4 is horrible, of course, but it doesn't come as a surprise.

 

I think you'll find my post already answer your concern about hypothyroidism tests...

 

SSKI is potassium iodide in water solution, simply buy some pharma or food grade potassium iodide (you should be able to find it on eBay quite easily) and prepare your own adding 14g potassium iodide to 10g of water, use a dropper to dose (I suggest one drop in a glass of water a day, if a bad reaction is experienced dilute SSKI 50:50 with water in order to half the amount, if that is still too much dilute further, maybe if only a very weak solution is tolerate take it twice a day).

 

Be aware that it looks like water but it stains quite badly, especially white plastics or fabrics.

 

Prepare relatively small amount at once since it tends to oxides (it turns a bit yellow), keep the potassium iodide in a tight closed container in a dry environment.

 

I am not aware of any issue with SSKI (but occasional staining :) ) if used as it should.

 

This is a nice friendly reading about it and its uses:

 

http://www.olaloa.co...odide-sski.html

 

For more about thyroid and iodine I recommend Dott. Brownstein (US based), his books and videos (some available on youtube) are very interesting indeed.

 

https://www.drbrownstein.com/



#7 Babakk

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Posted 11 March 2016 - 02:17 PM

I was writing the previous post while you posted yours. :)

 

OK, 35.4 is horrible, of course, but it doesn't come as a surprise.

 

I think you'll find my post already answer your concern about hypothyroidism tests...

 

SSKI is potassium iodide in water solution, simply buy some pharma or food grade potassium iodide (you should be able to find it on eBay quite easily) and prepare your own adding 14g potassium iodide to 10g of water, use a dropper to dose (I suggest one drop in a glass of water a day, if a bad reaction is experienced dilute SSKI 50:50 with water in order to half the amount, if that is still too much dilute further, maybe if only a very weak solution is tolerate take it twice a day).

 

Be aware that it looks like water but it stains quite badly, especially white plastics or fabrics.

 

Prepare relatively small amount at once since it tends to oxides (it turns a bit yellow), keep the potassium iodide in a tight closed container in a dry environment.

 

I am not aware of any issue with SSKI (but occasional staining :) ) if used as it should.

 

This is a nice friendly reading about it and its uses:

 

http://www.olaloa.co...odide-sski.html

 

For more about thyroid and iodine I recommend Dott. Brownstein (US based), his books and videos (some available on youtube) are very interesting indeed.

 

https://www.drbrownstein.com/

 

This is very odd because I am sure I responded to your post earlier this morning but I don't seem to be able to find it now.

 

So, please forgive me if this is a repeat but I really value your input because I am really debilitated by my condition and no one seems to believe how bad I am suffering. I feel really isolated.

 

Yesterday I did an iodine spot test: The patch all but disappeared within four hours and nothing was remotely visible within 6-7 hours. This gives credence to iodine deficiency.

 

I measured my temperature this morning at it was still 35.4. After I took my 9mg Concerta it rose to 36.5. The problem is that I can't tolerate Concerta anymore because even at this low dose, I feel really tired and sleepy with pain in my back and right hand side by noon but I can not go to sleep because my brain races on which then develops into a headache. The other odd thing I get is I feel itchy around this time as well. But I have to soldier on until the evening when the concerta has worn off and by then I am simply too shattered, irritable and and stressed to go to sleep. Finally I take small dose of Clonidine and Valium to get me to sleep. But all my ADHD symptoms are also back now: my memory and concentration are just uselessand I have no motivation. I can't even read which was my only mental respite.

 

I had some blood samples taken last night and I asked for all three tests: THS, anti-bodies and total free T4 as well as testosterone and other usuals. The results won't be ready until next week and there is no guarantee that they will do all of them because despite my insistence the doctor didn't make a list. The problem I had with the NHS in UK was that they would only check for free T4 and T3 and only if they were abnormal then they would do more extensive tests which meant it always came back normal. On top of that it seems that just about all medications specially dopaminergics as well as NSAID pain killers, anti-acid and most probably Subutex (since methadone and heroin both do) can interfere with thyroid hormones. So, to be honest I don't have much confidence in a correct diagnosis because In the past, I have had all sorts of abnormalities from my blood tests such as high cholesterol, low testosterone, Vitamin D deficiency and massive increases in liver enzymes which was attributed to fatty liver syndrome (I don't drink alcohol). So I fear that it will probably come back with normal Thyroid function but one of the above again. But could they be just the secondary consequences of my thyroid malfunction?

 

I have ordered 100g of Lab grade Potassium  iodine which should arrive next week but why if I am suffering from Hoshimoto disease? Would the additional iodine still help at least temporarily so that I feel well enough to travel to get to a proper clinic and check in for proper diagnostics?

 

At the moment, I have four fairly viable hours a day when I can do anything. The rest of the time I am incapable of leaving the house. 

 



#8 aconita

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Posted 11 March 2016 - 11:16 PM

If you have Hashimoto SSKI supplementation is not recommended but first you have to check if you do have Hashimoto, that is very simply done with a blood test.

 

Diagnosis is usually made by detecting elevated levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) in the serum, but seronegative (without circulating autoantibodies) thyroiditis is also possible.[12]

Given the relatively non-specific symptoms of initial hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is often misdiagnosed as depression, cyclothymia, PMS, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and, less frequently, as erectile dysfunction or an anxiety disorder.

 

 

https://en.wikipedia...o's_thyroiditis

 

 

Hypothyroidism, caused by Hashimoto or not, may be misdiagnosed as ADHD.

 

http://www.healthcen...1/thyroid-adhd/

 

Anyway it seems there is strong evidence for a connection between ADHD and hypothyroidism, search "hypothyroidism adhd" and see how many results.

 

Free T4 and T3 test is the standard procedure and shamelessly misses most thyroid issues: almost worthless.

 

I suspect you are taking such a cocktail of drugs that things are really messy, probably to get off all the drugs at least for a while is not going to worsen things, actually it may lead to an improvement.

 

Since either the drugs' cocktail you are on is the cause of your hypothyroidism symptoms or you do suffer hypothyroidism in the first place, in which case the drugs you are on are not what you need and are not going to help, I suggest:

- get off all the drugs, it can't get much worse than it is now anyway

- repeat basal temperature test once drugs free (leave a few days at least in order to clear all the drugs from your system)

- if basal temperature keeps low test for Hashimoto

- if Hashimoto test is positive we know what is the issue and we'll be able to think about the best strategy to deal with it

- if Hashimoto test is negative you just suffer hypothyroidism and SSki supplementation could be all you need

 

One step at a time we'll sort this mess out, don't worry.

 

I understand your frustration but don't feel isolated, you are not.:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



#9 Babakk

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Posted 12 March 2016 - 04:04 PM

If you have Hashimoto SSKI supplementation is not recommended but first you have to check if you do have Hashimoto, that is very simply done with a blood test.

 

Diagnosis is usually made by detecting elevated levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) in the serum, but seronegative (without circulating autoantibodies) thyroiditis is also possible.[12]

Given the relatively non-specific symptoms of initial hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is often misdiagnosed as depression, cyclothymia, PMS, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and, less frequently, as erectile dysfunction or an anxiety disorder.

 

 

https://en.wikipedia...o's_thyroiditis

 

 

Hypothyroidism, caused by Hashimoto or not, may be misdiagnosed as ADHD.

 

http://www.healthcen...1/thyroid-adhd/

 

Anyway it seems there is strong evidence for a connection between ADHD and hypothyroidism, search "hypothyroidism adhd" and see how many results.

 

Free T4 and T3 test is the standard procedure and shamelessly misses most thyroid issues: almost worthless.

 

I suspect you are taking such a cocktail of drugs that things are really messy, probably to get off all the drugs at least for a while is not going to worsen things, actually it may lead to an improvement.

 

Since either the drugs' cocktail you are on is the cause of your hypothyroidism symptoms or you do suffer hypothyroidism in the first place, in which case the drugs you are on are not what you need and are not going to help, I suggest:

- get off all the drugs, it can't get much worse than it is now anyway

- repeat basal temperature test once drugs free (leave a few days at least in order to clear all the drugs from your system)

- if basal temperature keeps low test for Hashimoto

- if Hashimoto test is positive we know what is the issue and we'll be able to think about the best strategy to deal with it

- if Hashimoto test is negative you just suffer hypothyroidism and SSki supplementation could be all you need

 

One step at a time we'll sort this mess out, don't worry.

 

I understand your frustration but don't feel isolated, you are not. :)

Thank you again for your input.

 

But it is all starting to make sense now. Because a long time ago I went to a dietician whose recommended diet, from what I have read recently on the web seemed very much like one for Hoshimoto, although it was recommended to help my liver. I cut out salt, dairy products, gluten, vinegar, alcohol, sugar and caffeine. Within a week my weight started to drop very quickly which was attributed to the drastic reduction of salt and I started to sleep much better and I felt a whole lot better. But it was so difficult that I couldn't keep it up for more than two months. At the time I was on Effexor as well.

While waiting for SSKI to arrive and in some desperation I have been applying a fair bit of iodine tincture to my skin which gets absorbed amazingly quickly. Whether it is because of reduction in my concerta or extra iodine absorption or both, I actually feel slightly (only slighly) better but at the same time I have noticed that I am having difficulty swallowing as well.

I hope I am wrong but it does seems that I might have been suffering from Hoshimoto's disease all along specially that autoimmune disorders does run in my family.

 

 

 



#10 aconita

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Posted 12 March 2016 - 08:29 PM

You might be right and it makes sense, if you do have Hashimoto supplementing iodine (and iodine can be effectively supplemented transdermally too) would make things probably better and worse at the same time.

 

Better because it stimulates the thyroid which is under constant attack by your immune system (you feel slightly better) but worse because in presence of a better working thyroid the autoimmune disease (Hashimoto) goes crazy on it (swelling it and causing difficult swallowing?).

 

Hashimoto is better tackled by "unconventional" medicine like diet adjustments, gluten is definitely a no no as in all autoimmune diseases.

 

Please, have anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) tested (blood test) in order to confirm or run out the possibility of Hashimoto and in the meantime leave alone iodine or SSKI, both internally or applied topically.

 

At this point we really need to be sure about Hashimoto, we do need a test!

 

It seems you are very close to solve all this issue once for all and finally able to get rid of all those drugs that obviously are not what you need. 


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#11 Babakk

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Posted 13 March 2016 - 08:12 AM

You might be right and it makes sense, if you do have Hashimoto supplementing iodine (and iodine can be effectively supplemented transdermally too) would make things probably better and worse at the same time.

 

Better because it stimulates the thyroid which is under constant attack by your immune system (you feel slightly better) but worse because in presence of a better working thyroid the autoimmune disease (Hashimoto) goes crazy on it (swelling it and causing difficult swallowing?).

 

Hashimoto is better tackled by "unconventional" medicine like diet adjustments, gluten is definitely a no no as in all autoimmune diseases.

 

Please, have anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) tested (blood test) in order to confirm or run out the possibility of Hashimoto and in the meantime leave alone iodine or SSKI, both internally or applied topically.

 

At this point we really need to be sure about Hashimoto, we do need a test!

 

It seems you are very close to solve all this issue once for all and finally able to get rid of all those drugs that obviously are not what you need. 

Thanks again for your informative input.

 

I have been reading on all these diets about Hoshimoto and it seems there is little that one can eat (e.g. all wheat, oat and corn are prohibited). It seems that soya is even worse than milk which again would make sense since recently and because of certain circumstances I have been having a lot of muesli with soya milk (as cow's milk gives me headache and confusion) rather than just adding it to my one single cup of coffee a day.

 

While a diet centred treatment is clearly ideal, because of my condition, over the years I have ended up living alone and on a small budget. Furthermore I don't live in cosmopolitan part of the world any more and there are no specialist shops with gluten free alternatives available. So to be honest diet centred treatment is not going to be realistically practical and repeated forced failures in such an endeavour would probably psychologically at least, compound the problem. While I will try to avoid a short list of worst foods (if I can find one), I think a correct thyroid replacement/supplement is going to have to be my main weapon against this thing.

 

This is why I wanted to ask about the best available thyroid replacement/supplement on the market. I hate buying medication online but is there anywhere reliable where I can get hold of the stuff and at least try them?



#12 aconita

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Posted 13 March 2016 - 02:19 PM

Before thinking about how to fix Hashimoto you need to do a test in order to see if it is positive, if you don't even know for sure it doesn't make any sense to start worrying about it or even worst to start a therapy.

 

One step at a time or you'll go nowhere.

 

That said, avoiding gluten is not difficult or expensive and there are plenty of delicious foods to enjoy without any gluten whatsoever.

 

Since most of the immune system is located in the intestine nutrition plays a major role in all pathologies involving the immune response, if you are happy as you are keep ignoring this fact.

 

There is no drug substitute for an healthy immune system, period.

 

There are no excuses, you don't need to spend more money, specialized gluten free shops or cosmopolitan environments, it is only up to your will.

 

Hashimoto treatment consist in surgical or radiation removal of thyroid gland and thyroid hormone replacement for life, an healthier diet seems a smarter choice to me.

 

Again, all this makes no sense at all until you'll get the results for the Hashimoto test. 

 

 

 

 



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#13 Babakk

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Posted 17 March 2016 - 07:01 AM

Before thinking about how to fix Hashimoto you need to do a test in order to see if it is positive, if you don't even know for sure it doesn't make any sense to start worrying about it or even worst to start a therapy.

 

One step at a time or you'll go nowhere.

 

That said, avoiding gluten is not difficult or expensive and there are plenty of delicious foods to enjoy without any gluten whatsoever.

 

Since most of the immune system is located in the intestine nutrition plays a major role in all pathologies involving the immune response, if you are happy as you are keep ignoring this fact.

 

There is no drug substitute for an healthy immune system, period.

 

There are no excuses, you don't need to spend more money, specialized gluten free shops or cosmopolitan environments, it is only up to your will.

 

Hashimoto treatment consist in surgical or radiation removal of thyroid gland and thyroid hormone replacement for life, an healthier diet seems a smarter choice to me.

 

Again, all this makes no sense at all until you'll get the results for the Hashimoto test. 

Off course I was not going to do anything until I get my test result. I am just trying to anticipate the conversation that I am going to have with the doctor.

 

Anyway, as usual my free T4 and THS levels were found to be normal and there were none of the previous problems I mentioned here before.

However, this time I have way too much Potassium 5.88 [3.5-5.10 mmol/L]  and slightly lowered Chloride 97.6 and Glucose 3.69 [3.90-9.00]. If I hadn't stopped Concerta, I think I could well have been facing organ failure by now.

 

I have been referred to hospital for further tests now, although I think since I stopped my Concerta my Potassium level must have come down because the relevant symptoms are less (palpitation, sever muscle weakness, pain in my kidneys and gallbladder, etc.] but my basal temperature is still around 35.5 and I feel tired and unable to concentrate. I am also having back pain as well as pain at the back of my head, acid stomach and lots of dreams/nightmares. I still have kidney and gallbladder pains but not consistently or severe.  

 

I might be wrong but I don't think using SSKI is a good idea right now because again there doesn't seem to be any indication as to what the hell is really going on.

 

I think all this started with a spell of cold I got about six months ago which was the 1st time for a long long time, probably because while living in UK I used to get flu vaccination every year since 2010(when I had a heart surgery). This cold lasted a long long time and reluctantly I accepted an anti biotic prescription. I hate taking antibiotics because they cause me really bad depressions (even while on Subutex). Besides this time it didn't really work and I kept having cold symptoms for over two months.
 

My current theory is that this virus or the antibiotic must have damaged my stomach lining (Leaky Guts) all the muesli and soya milk I had while ill has lead to exacerbating some sort of autoimmune response. But what virus and which autoimmune response. 

 

I am trying to cut out gluten but it is not easy and besides there is no consensus on this stuff and it is not just gluten. It is sugar, salt, caffeine, all grains as well as starchy vegetables, tap water,... i.e. everything in my fridge including tomatoes. I mean I am supposed to only east grass fed chicken, lamb or beef. How am I going to find out if a particular piece of chicken or lamb belonged to the animal who was only given grass to eat and how am I supposed to hunt for all this stuff specially when I can hardly concentrate enough to read. On top of that ever since I have stopped Concerta my cravings are back. I try to just drink water (bottled) but I keep catching myself like a zombie

eating bits and pieces out of the fridge, usually a piece of cheese or gluten free biscuit (which must contain starch anyway) . I am already putting on weight again which had haunted me for years until I started on Concerta. 

 

I have started taking L-glutamine and pro biotic supplements which ironically have made my stomach acid worse but they recommend avoiding anti-acids. How long is it going to take for this stuff to make a difference; at least bringing up my basal temperature?

 

So, basically I am back in square one and even worse because I can't go back to taking Concerta and still I don't know what is wrong. Why Concerta should have caused increased levels of potassium. There are case of hyperkalemia reaction to Concerta but at the beginning and only in young males of 10-19 years old.

 

The only silver lining is that while I obviously feel depressed the Depression is not back.







Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: concerta, adhd, depression, anhedonia

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