Aa
Help!
I am a 22 year old female. (I'm short stature- 5 ft and about 120 lbs). I have a problem that has been going on for years. My symptoms include: extreme brain fog and fatigue, difficulty expressing words, overactive bladder (some days I could last 4 hours at a time and others I can't even last 10 minutes...I don't even drink as much water as I should but I go quite a lot), zero sex drive (I don't think I ever had one so I don't even know what it's like to have one...I'm very interested in guys but I don't ever get that sexual desire, and severe stomach cramps (not as much as in the past...I think it's because I haven't been eating as much breads/carbs).
I have been on antidepressants since I was about 14 for OCD, anxiety, and mild depression. I started on Paxil on and off for a little while, and then I was put on Zoloft around the age of 18. I was on Zoloft for about two years or so. Then I tried Lexapro for a year. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid at age 18 and have been taking Levothyroxine (50mg) since. I have always been on the generic until just this week I wanted to try the brand name to see if that made a difference at all. My levels are normal but I don't feel normal.
I decided to go off of antidepressants all together in July 2011. It has been almost 7 months and I still feel major brain fog and fatigue, constantly having to go to the bathroom, and zero sex drive...Although I think it has increased until I started Prozac last week (I only took it for 3 days and just switched to Bupropion XL 150 mg (generic Wellbutrin). I decided to try something again because I was told my symptoms could be because of depression...but I'm depressed because of my symptoms! I didn't feel any less tired, etc. while on the antidepressants in the past...Since Prozac causes sexual side effects, I didn't want to be on it.
I have been to the endocrinologist, gastro, psychologist, urologist, cardiologist, etc...I am going to see a food allergist in 2 weeks. I thought maybe it could be a gluten intolerance...but I was tested for Celiacs last yr and it was negative...I was even tested for Lyme and that was negative as well.
I have been on antidepressants since I was about 14 for OCD, anxiety, and mild depression. I started on Paxil on and off for a little while, and then I was put on Zoloft around the age of 18. I was on Zoloft for about two years or so. Then I tried Lexapro for a year. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid at age 18 and have been taking Levothyroxine (50mg) since. I have always been on the generic until just this week I wanted to try the brand name to see if that made a difference at all. My levels are normal but I don't feel normal.
I decided to go off of antidepressants all together in July 2011. It has been almost 7 months and I still feel major brain fog and fatigue, constantly having to go to the bathroom, and zero sex drive...Although I think it has increased until I started Prozac last week (I only took it for 3 days and just switched to Bupropion XL 150 mg (generic Wellbutrin). I decided to try something again because I was told my symptoms could be because of depression...but I'm depressed because of my symptoms! I didn't feel any less tired, etc. while on the antidepressants in the past...Since Prozac causes sexual side effects, I didn't want to be on it.
I have been to the endocrinologist, gastro, psychologist, urologist, cardiologist, etc...I am going to see a food allergist in 2 weeks. I thought maybe it could be a gluten intolerance...but I was tested for Celiacs last yr and it was negative...I was even tested for Lyme and that was negative as well.
Agree with you, IC can certainly be indicative of all of her symptoms, but she has not been diagnosed with it, and certainly sounds like overactive bladder or IC. She has not said anything about pain, but some ICers don't have as much as others, you know the story. Maybe she just has a low sex drive, it happens. Could be a hormonal issue, but she has certainly seen every expert out there. What do you think, maybe an MRI or CAT or brain scan, if she already hasn't, and probably has. Gluten intolerance may or may not show up on tests, sometimes you just have to do an elimination diet. As a fellow ICer, we (hub and I, he has severe IC) started a gluten free diet 2 months ago, as a test. WOW, he lost 30 pounds (needed to!) and his IC symptoms are much improved, except when he cheats behind my back and goes into a flare. So he must be intolerant to a degree. Hmmmm.
BRAINFOG...IC pain I feel like induces this sometimes...and depression ....know you are not alone...
Hi! Sorry to hear about your troubles. I am no Doctor. First off, some medications or over medicating can cause brain fog. So can depression itself.
Have you had your Vitamin D levels tested? I was once depressed and was on anti depressants for a few years. Turns out I was diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency. Started taking Vitamin D and 2 days later I felt like my old self again. With Doctors assistance, I slowly went of the anti depressant.
Also, just throwing this out there, depression and trauma can manifest itself into all sorts of physical and sexual ailments. Is there any chance that you have suffered serious trauma in your life? PTSD can be caused by: car accidents, other traumatic accidents, death of a loved one or pet, medical operations, traumatic injury, sexual abuse, divorce (which some people compare to a death in the family), actions or threats made which could or do cause bodily harm.
A Urologist should be seen for the bladder issues. It could be Interstitial Cystitis, which is something that I have.
Just thoughts that I am throwing out there . . . . .
Have you had your Vitamin D levels tested? I was once depressed and was on anti depressants for a few years. Turns out I was diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency. Started taking Vitamin D and 2 days later I felt like my old self again. With Doctors assistance, I slowly went of the anti depressant.
Also, just throwing this out there, depression and trauma can manifest itself into all sorts of physical and sexual ailments. Is there any chance that you have suffered serious trauma in your life? PTSD can be caused by: car accidents, other traumatic accidents, death of a loved one or pet, medical operations, traumatic injury, sexual abuse, divorce (which some people compare to a death in the family), actions or threats made which could or do cause bodily harm.
A Urologist should be seen for the bladder issues. It could be Interstitial Cystitis, which is something that I have.
Just thoughts that I am throwing out there . . . . .
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi there!
Well, without a clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include side effect of anti-depressant medications, hormonal/ endocrine imbalances, micronutrient deficiencies etc. Though allergies/ autoimmune conditions could present similarly, it doesn’t typically sound like the situation here and sounds more like hormonal/ endocrine issues. I would suggest a detailed evaluation by an internist initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or specialist care may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.
Take care!
Well, without a clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include side effect of anti-depressant medications, hormonal/ endocrine imbalances, micronutrient deficiencies etc. Though allergies/ autoimmune conditions could present similarly, it doesn’t typically sound like the situation here and sounds more like hormonal/ endocrine issues. I would suggest a detailed evaluation by an internist initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or specialist care may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.
Take care!
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