Posted by Troubled1 on February 11, 2005, at 1:27:48
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I strongly recommend seeing an Endocrinologist if anything is abnormal re lab results. Most good doctors will refer you w/o you having to ask. There is a reason that Endos exist. They have far more knowledge in that area than GPs. They also deal with all disorders of the endocrine system, not just thyroid. Adrenal insufficiency is another disorder that I stumbled upon while researching pituitary disorders. It has similar symptoms including fatigue, depression, etc. and can be brought on simply by stress. I plan on requesting that my Endo do a full blood panel for other disorders/hormones as well as my regular hypo tests. I've read that some suffering from chronic fatigue symptoms have had success with treatment not only with T3 but also treatment for adrenal exhaustion, and supplementation of any other hormones that may be deficient (progesterone was a common one for women) even prior to menopause. Sometimes you just have to push for what you need at the risk of ticking off your doctor. Any time I have felt ill enough to go to my GP in the past, I have been right. As discussed, I knew there was something wrong and sure enough tests showed hypothyroidism. Years later, I began having severe nausea and vertigo. After complaining several times to GP who acted as though I was a hypochondriac, he referred me to a medical centre who specialized in problems of the inner ear. Sure enough, after being hooked up to electrodes, having water pumped into my ears, being placed into weird positions, etc., my tests came back with a definite difference in the way the right side of my brain and the left were responding. They hypothesized that I likely had a prior ear infection that was untreated and, therefore, caused the damage. Anyway, the bottom line is that it is your life. You are the one suffering, not your GP. After this recent experience, this Social Worker really doesn't give a you know what if my doctors like me as long as they continue to run the tests I need. I'm sure if they had to live in our shoes for even a day, they'd run every bloody test known to modern man on themselves. So, go ahead and push guys and gals. Sometimes you just have to take back control of your lives to get results. We Social Workers are trained to empower our clients. As a result, it's extremely frustrating to have a GP who just wants you to shut up and let him/her make all the decisions re your life/health for you. Do your own research and don't be afraid to discuss it with your GP (tactfully, of course; egos are fragile). Good luck.
Karen
poster:Troubled1
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050207/msgs/456154.html