Posted by Jim R on December 13, 2000, at 2:41:39
Hello, all. I have the whole gamut of irregular neurotransmitter symptoms and have for years, mostly at a sub-clinical level and all suggesting a mild bipolar condition of some kind: racing thoughts, occasional stuporous depression, sleep irregularities, anxiety, panic, dislike of bright lights, high creativity, etc. I don't really cycle, per se, but have very unstable moods, like a boat with no keel bobbing up and down through the day. The descriptions of ultra-rapid cycling seem to be the ones that fit me best. I have gotten so tired of all this that I am now trying to get some treatment.
I am now taking gabapentin/neurontin (900mg/d), which seems to have brought the racing thoughts under control, but there is still very little over all stability and depression, anxiety, panic, etc. are all still present. Have been going through trials of celexa and serzone but had too many side effects with each.
I want to investigate thyroid possibilities. I have read that hypOthyrodism is often connected with rapid cycling; but I seem clearly to have some symptoms of hypERthyrodism: including tremor, high startle response, somewhat bulging eyes, and perpetually inflamed eyelids (this is very distinctive; they are highly vascularized and red; have been for years). Once I had my thyroid checked in another context and some assistant said it was "normal" but I don't put much stock in that.
I have read the many associations between hypOthyroid and the mood instability I seem to display. Can anyone tell me if hypERthyroidism can produce similar rapid cycling mood symptoms? (I'm not an M.D., but I am a biologist so will be glad to hear technical answers and references, as well as more general ones.)
Many thanks.
Jim R
poster:Jim R
thread:50469
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50469.html