Comments on: Thyroid

By: Ren

Ren — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:05:23 +0000

I would also like to note, that many times you can go to a compound pharmacy, and they can do this for you as well.

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:04:48 +0000

Generally 20 mg pills have a “score” down the center. If you apply pressure to
each side like you are going to break it in half, it will do just that. Another
option is to have your pharmacist cut your pills, or simply buy a pill cutter at
your pharmacy. I have a bit of advice for all medications along these lines as
well. This idea was not my own, my doctor started doing it for me. When you
get a prescription from your doctor, have him prescribe pills that are double
the dosage so long as they are scored down the center. When you pay for the
prescription you only have to pay for a one month supply right? So you cut the
pills in half and double your supply!!! You have to have a good relationship
with your doctor I am sure to do this, but it’s not rocket science. He can even
write the prescription to say take 1/2 a pill daily. Happy Pill Popping!!!

By: ladyanne

ladyanne — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:03:53 +0000

When you take a medication that is in capsule form, the breaking routine doesn’t
work. I’m weaning myself off Effexor 75mg. and here is how I am doing it. At
first it sounds very tedious, but it works. Capsules can be opened if you grasp
each end and GENTLY twist and pull. Once you have it open, make sure you are
holding it vertical as, otherwise, all the little ‘beads’ will fall everywhere.
Make sure you have some time of dish or bowl available and, for the first time,
empty all the beads into it. Here’s the tedious part. You have to count each
bead. Effexor 75mg. has approximately 200 beads in each capsule. I say
approximately, because I did count 5 different ones and they were all within 5
beads of 200. At this point, it’s relatively easy to reduce. I open each capsule
and remove however many I need to depending on the level of reduction. For
example, the first week I remeoved 20 beads, which left 180. You can then easily
close the casule again. NEVER cut back more than 10% per
week. I have been doing this for 4 weeks and am now taking 75%, or 150 beads,
of a 75mg capsule. I did experience withdrawal symptoms during week 2, which is
why I cut back on my reduction somewhat. For a Prozac capsule, it would be the
same process. Just count how many beads are in one, and then you will always
know how many to remove.
Hope this helps.
ladyanne

By: Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:02:38 +0000

I guess I am scaring myself. I decided to finish my
prescription of the 20 mgs( I have a month’s supply left) and then get a
prescriptions
for 10 milligrams. I don’t know how else to cut them without just skipping
every other day. What do you think about this or should I put the 20 milligram
capsule in 8 ounces of oj and drink 4 ounces each day.

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:01:59 +0000

These drugs can be toxic and lethal, they are to be taken quite seriously.
SSRI’s are now currently illegal for anyone under 18 in England and the lawsuits
are piling up here as well. Just because a medicine is prescription does not
mean it is safe. It takes years of a drug being on the market to be put to the
real test. Right now the SSRI’s are making the drug companies tons of money to
fund for other drugs that are not making money. It is also assisting in their
lawsuits. As an example, back in the 60’s the birth control pills contained
very high doses of estrogen and have only recently (past 15 years) reduced to
make them safer. It takes people like us to bring it to the attention of the
FDA for things to eventually change. My mother had a stroke from the old pills
when she was 35 years old and lost her vision. I have first hand experience of
seeing what prescriptions can do to the body.
To confirm your thoughts, you are definitely experiencing the withdrawal of the
meds. Be patient, get tons of rest and drink lots of water. Give yourself 2-3
months to withdraw, and honor yourself, stop scaring yourself.

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:01:16 +0000

Thanks Sally for the information. Maybe it is the prozac withdrawal that is
causing the symptoms. That’s amazing that a prescription drug can cause all
these withdrawal smptoms. It’s horrible. Well thanks again, Patricia

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:00:41 +0000

I don’t think 2.54 is horribly high. The symptoms you mention could be from
other issues. The muscle twitching could be from the Prozac, there are so many
causes of your symptoms. You really need to dig and search. Put the symptoms
into search engines and go through the list, this is my strongest
recommendation. It could very well be you are having these symptoms for the
Prozac. The crying is normal for withdrawal. Just make sure when you cut back
on the meds, you do it in very small doses. Make sure you stabilize yourself
everytime you drop the dosage. I will try and save your email and see what I
can come up with.

By: Jhone

Jhone — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:59:34 +0000

Hi Renee, Can you tell me if my thyroid is ok. The number the doctor gave me
is 2.54. I have a lot of problems like weakness in my legs, weight gain,
fatigue and muscle twitching. I’ve been on prozac for almost 4 years and I’m
having a horrible time trying to withdrawl. Everytime I cut the prozac, I get
real
emotional, crying, etc. Well anyway, I was thinking maybe my thyroid isn’t
working right. Can you give me your thoughts on this. I’d appreciate it.
Patricia

By: Polly

Polly — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:58:50 +0000

Very good!!!
This is a low reading. Thyroid is not an issue, I'm glad you had the test.

By: Barb

Barb — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:58:27 +0000

Hi Renee - I asked the doctor today - my TSH was l.6 which is good right !!!!!
Well thats not my problem then.
Barb