What is wrong with me? Please help

[firedude]

Yes I got Paxil from the mental health doc. I don't think that the problem is psychological though but its rather hormone related.

I was told four year's ago i was suffering from PTSD due to the line of work i'm in. while checking on the meds the psych doc gave me i learned that PTSD, deppresion and low test levels have close to the same s/s. I didn't mean any offence by it i was just trying to make sure you tried everything and it seem's you have. I was given welbutrin and counciling and it helped with the PTSD and depression. it "fixed" my mind but not my body. That's when i asked about trt. If i had learned about trt year's before i think that would have helped me deal with stress better. it seem's to me like your getting close to the underlying problem. It may help to write down all of your questions you want to ask your doc so you don't forget anything. I know i would leave my doc's office and remember a question i wanted to ask. But because of listening to the answers of questions i had already asked and having a hard time focusing already i found it easyer to write them down. Don't give up i know it can be frustrating at times when someone doesn't beleave you on how YOU feel because of numbers on some paper and their preconceived notion you should feel "normal". again no offence intended i was just trying to help you find your answers quickly and get on the road to a healthy life. good luck. i think you will get there soon.

 

[Caspian]

again no offence intended i was just trying to help you find your answers quickly and get on the road to a healthy life. good luck. i think you will get there soon.

No problem! And thanks!

 

[Caspian]

Prior to taking HC, I had taken other cortisol supplements. Yes, I felt better immediately. I don't take thyroid meds.

You have multiple hormone problems. They all complement each other. After taking DHEA (if you need it), and Testosterone and thyroid, you will feel much much better than with only HC.

Cortisol supplements? Do you mean those glandular products? Were they helpful at all? I've considered trying them too.

 

[Naturdoc]

Your DHEA is already elevated. You do not need more. You mentioned hemoglobin has been low. What were the numbers. Low hemoglobin or iron leve,s can explain some of your symptoms.

 

[Caspian]

Your DHEA is already elevated. You do not need more. You mentioned hemoglobin has been low. What were the numbers. Low hemoglobin or iron leve,s can explain some of your symptoms.

My hemoglobin was 127 (134-167) a couple of months ago but then I started to take iron 100 mg a day and now I tested it again and it was 137. My ferritin was 35 (30-400) a couple of months ago.

 

[1cc]

Cortisol supplements? Do you mean those glandular products? Were they helpful at all? I've considered trying them too.

Yes. They were helpful. But HC is best and much cheaper and you know how much cortisol you are getting, whereas with the glandulars you don't.

 

[drkinsey]

Hello

I am new here. I was directed here from the stopthethyroidmadness forum. Im pretty desperate to find solutions and answers for my miserable condition and I would be very grateful if someone could help or have an idea what to do next. My problem is very likely hormonal because all my other blood tests are fine. Im 31-year old. So here we go:

Serum Testosterone 13 (10-33)
SHBG 35 (15-48) "sex hormone binding globuline"

Testo/SHBG*1000 (free androgen index)
below the range 371 (410-1400)
(=biologically active testosterone?)

FSH 3.2 (1.5-12.4)
LH 5.7 (1.7-8.6)

[
Thanks a lot for your comments!!

Several of your test results point to a diagnosis of hypogonadism -- low Total T (371), low free T, and a high SHBG (35). Given your low Total T, your SHBG needs to be very low in order to increase the bioavailable T. Several have commented that you need to first get treated for "depression." But my personal experience over the last twelve months tells me that getting "treated for depression" is not in your best interest.. Last December, I completely lost the ability to fall asleep. After going 72 hours without sleep, I consulted with a psychiatrist, who insisted that my insomnia was due to "low serotonin." I was told I had no choice but to take Zoloft. I complied, but over the next three months I endured pure hell as I tried to cope with some of the most toxic and dangerous side effects known to medicine. (depersonalization, derealization, "robotic" emotions, apathy, paranonia, memory loss, etc.). I finally drew a line in the sand and decided to consult with an anti-aging doctor. He prescribed natural hormones, vitamins, and minerals, and he helped get me off Zoloft and sleeping pills. Within three weeks, my mood reached optimal levels and I begin to sleep normally. Over time, my sex drive was restored to normal levels and my concentration, reasoning, and logic reached new peaks.

My experience led me to view "depression" through an entirely new lens or filter -- a view that is different from today's paradigm. I believe that depression is almost always a "secondary" rather than a primary illness. In my case, my insomnia was secondary to hormonal, vitamin, and mineral defiencies, which in turn led to a severely depressed state. After all, a state of severe sleep deprivation can lead to a whole host of health problems -- both "physical" and "mental" (although in principle I am opposed to making a distinction between "mind" and "body").

I strongly recommend that you consult with an anti-aging doctor before you start putting anti-depressants into your system. Incidentally, several research papers have been written that suggest that anti-depressants LOWER free testosterone, possibly because A-Ds interfere with the liver's P450 isoenzyme system.

Good luck, and keep us posted. We want you to enjoy life again!

 

[Caspian]

Thanks for your thoughs drkinsey. Yes, I'm pretty sure that taking Paxil isn't helping much in my situation. I have even tried to get rid of it twice but I couldnt because my body is so used to it now... got pretty bad withdrawal effects when tried to taper off! Besides, my biggest problem really isn't depression but overwhelming fatigue and inability to handle stress.

Which natural hormones, vitamins and minerals you were prescribed? I'm taking a lot of vitamins and minerals too.

 

[Caspian]

Btw, is it usual in severe AF (like mine probably is according to the questionnaire and saliva test) that HC doesnt seem to work all the time? For example, yesterday I was feeling quite ok, had some energy and wasnt shaky. I took 5+5+5mg of HC. But today I feel like I was hit by a train, very fatigued and shaky too (took 7,5 mg in the morning + 5 mg in the noon). Iwonder if I'm taking enough? I'm also taking vit C and B5 and some others too.

 

[1cc]

Btw, is it usual in severe AF (like mine probably is according to the questionnaire and saliva test) that HC doesnt seem to work all the time? For example, yesterday I was feeling quite ok, had some energy and wasnt shaky. I took 5+5+5mg of HC. But today I feel like I was hit by a train, very fatigued and shaky too (took 7,5 mg in the morning + 5 mg in the noon). Iwonder if I'm taking enough? I'm also taking vit C and B5 and some others too.

B5 stimulates your adrenals to produce cortisol and so does vitamin C. This may put too much pressure on your adrenals and is not necessary if you are taking HC, which is meant to give your adrenals a break. Try just the HC for a few days. You also require thyroid treatment which could be causing your fatigue.

 

[Naturdoc]

A ferritin of 35 mg/dl is equivical. I like to see it above 50. Iron bis-glycinate is the safest form to take.

 

[drkinsey]

Thanks for your thoughs drkinsey. Yes, I'm pretty sure that taking Paxil isn't helping much in my situation. I have even tried to get rid of it twice but I couldnt because my body is so used to it now... got pretty bad withdrawal effects when tried to taper off! Besides, my biggest problem really isn't depression but overwhelming fatigue and inability to handle stress.

Which natural hormones, vitamins and minerals you were prescribed? I'm taking a lot of vitamins and minerals too.

I was prescribed the following:

2000 units Vitamin D (concentrated liquid) daily (at bedtime):
1000 mg Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia) daily (at bedtime):
liquid multivitamin/mineral every morning
B6 and B12 injections (0.5 cc) every 10 days
3000 mg Vitamin C (fizz)
100 mg Testosterone Cypionate per week
100 mg Deca Durabolin per week
500 units hcg 3 times per week
0.5 mg Arimidex every other day

By the way, you can work with a good anti-aging doctor to get off the Paxil. Paxil is the most potent (and hence the most toxic) A-D, one that is known to cause major withdrawl symptoms. But staying on Paxil is not the answer, since the side effects are often just as bad as the withdrawl symptoms.

 

[drkinsey]

Thanks for your thoughs drkinsey. Yes, I'm pretty sure that taking Paxil isn't helping much in my situation. I have even tried to get rid of it twice but I couldnt because my body is so used to it now... got pretty bad withdrawal effects when tried to taper off! Besides, my biggest problem really isn't depression but overwhelming fatigue and inability to handle stress.

Which natural hormones, vitamins and minerals you were prescribed? I'm taking a lot of vitamins and minerals too.

I was prescribed the following:

2000 units Vitamin D (concentrated liquid) daily (at bedtime):
1000 mg Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia) daily (at bedtime):
liquid multivitamin/mineral every morning
B6 and B12 injections (0.5 cc) every 10 days
3000 mg Vitamin C (fizz)
100 mg Testosterone Cypionate per week
100 mg Deca Durabolin per week
500 units hcg 3 times per week
0.5 mg Arimidex every other day

By the way, you can work with a good anti-aging doctor to get off the Paxil. Paxil is the most potent (and hence the most toxic) A-D, one that is known to cause major withdrawl symptoms. But staying on Paxil is not the answer, since the side effects are often just as bad as the withdrawl symptoms.

 

[Caspian]

Hi

I've been taking HC 20 mg a day (5+5+5+5) for the AF and the only symptom that it seems to help with is the shakiness. It mostly eliminates the shaking for 2-3 hours after I have to take another dose. But it doesn't help much with the fatigue, exhaustion etc. Could this mean that the fatigue is more thyroid-related (I'm not on Armour yet, my labs: free t4 12.2 (12-22), tsh 2.8). Thanks.

 

[MacDonnell]

I'm very sorry to hear about your health problems. I think you've gotten some REALLY great advice from these guys. I would also STRONGLY advise that you try to find a good TRT/anti-aging doc to help you through this. A very good friend of mine suffered with panic/anxiety for years. He was put on Paxil, which helped; however he later found that he had probably had diabetes for years and was never actually diagnosed! They started treating his diabetes, weaned him off the Paxil, and today he's a new man! I guess the point I'm trying to reemphasize is that your anxiety/depression, as others have said, may be entirely related to your hormone problems. Paxil is VERY difficult indeed to get off, BUT you can do it - It just needs to be done VERY gradually over a long period of time. Hang in there - I have every confidence that you will get this stuff under control - It's just going to take a little time. BTW, the HC you're taking could also be causing your nervousness/feelings of panic. That stuff is notorious for that! (Just something to think about)

 

[1cc]

Hi

I've been taking HC 20 mg a day (5+5+5+5) for the AF and the only symptom that it seems to help with is the shakiness. It mostly eliminates the shaking for 2-3 hours after I have to take another dose. But it doesn't help much with the fatigue, exhaustion etc. Could this mean that the fatigue is more thyroid-related (I'm not on Armour yet, my labs: free t4 12.2 (12-22), tsh 2.8). Thanks.

You have multiple hormonal problems. Taking just HC is not going to cure everything. Thyroid needs to be addressed.

Re-read this post.
https://thinksteroids.com/community/posts/500874

 

[Caspian]

I'm very sorry to hear about your health problems. I think you've gotten some REALLY great advice from these guys. I would also STRONGLY advise that you try to find a good TRT/anti-aging doc to help you through this. A very good friend of mine suffered with panic/anxiety for years. He was put on Paxil, which helped; however he later found that he had probably had diabetes for years and was never actually diagnosed! They started treating his diabetes, weaned him off the Paxil, and today he's a new man! I guess the point I'm trying to reemphasize is that your anxiety/depression, as others have said, may be entirely related to your hormone problems. Paxil is VERY difficult indeed to get off, BUT you can do it - It just needs to be done VERY gradually over a long period of time. Hang in there - I have every confidence that you will get this stuff under control - It's just going to take a little time. BTW, the HC you're taking could also be causing your nervousness/feelings of panic. That stuff is notorious for that! (Just something to think about)

Thanks for the encouragement! Yes, I'm pretty sure that the problem is hormone related, everything points to that direction. Could be blood sugar problems also.

I don't like taking HC either but the fact is that my AF is probably so bad that I might not get better without it.