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What Does Euthyroid Mean Clinically?
Question: two questions YYYY@YYYY
1. what does clinically euthyroid mean? it was on the consultants report to me.
2. I was a headtecher running my school quite happily. I felt faint just a few times and my deputy said I should walk around in the fresh air. I regret this because before that I used to go for every aliment to the doctor. I know I was a hypondriac but that was because my dad died in front of me when I was only 13. he had a defective heart from birth. everyone else in my family have died in their 80's and 90's. my pledge to myself was that my boys wouldn't have the heartbreak of having a parent dying at a young age. I am only 63. now I think I am dying because I didn't go to the doctor when I felt faint a few times and am scared that my worse nightmare is coming true and I am dying young. I lost my job because first I was saying I had a broken bac k when clearly I hadn't if I was walkin g around. then I kept saying I was dying, this has been my position for the last ten years. my partner put me into a mental hospital rather than going to the g.p. I have been in sheltered accommodation for the last six years. I didn't go to my son's wedding in japan because I was scared I would die on the plane yet I love flying. I am scared to go out. sometimes I go to the theatre in Windsor but also often buy tickets then lose the nerve to go. I used to have such a happy life. I feel I have lost everything. I just don't know if I am dying or not. I know I have high blood pressure and a problem with my thryoid. I can't understand why I listened to the deputy and didn't follow my strict regime of always going to the doctor about everything. if I had seen the doctor would I be okay now?
1. what does clinically euthyroid mean? it was on the consultants report to me.
2. I was a headtecher running my school quite happily. I felt faint just a few times and my deputy said I should walk around in the fresh air. I regret this because before that I used to go for every aliment to the doctor. I know I was a hypondriac but that was because my dad died in front of me when I was only 13. he had a defective heart from birth. everyone else in my family have died in their 80's and 90's. my pledge to myself was that my boys wouldn't have the heartbreak of having a parent dying at a young age. I am only 63. now I think I am dying because I didn't go to the doctor when I felt faint a few times and am scared that my worse nightmare is coming true and I am dying young. I lost my job because first I was saying I had a broken bac k when clearly I hadn't if I was walkin g around. then I kept saying I was dying, this has been my position for the last ten years. my partner put me into a mental hospital rather than going to the g.p. I have been in sheltered accommodation for the last six years. I didn't go to my son's wedding in japan because I was scared I would die on the plane yet I love flying. I am scared to go out. sometimes I go to the theatre in Windsor but also often buy tickets then lose the nerve to go. I used to have such a happy life. I feel I have lost everything. I just don't know if I am dying or not. I know I have high blood pressure and a problem with my thryoid. I can't understand why I listened to the deputy and didn't follow my strict regime of always going to the doctor about everything. if I had seen the doctor would I be okay now?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Here are my answers to your questions:
1. Euthyroid means that your thyroid function is normal. If this is an adjective related to a thyroid cyst, it means that that region which seems to be a cyst on ultrasound, has a normal thyroid function, just like the other parts of the thyroid gland. If your tests say euthyroid, it means that your thyroid function is just normal. So it is nothing to worry about.
2. All your actual symptoms seem to be related to depression and an anxiety disorder. The loss of hope, feeling depressed, the fear of dying, the loss of initiative are signs of anxiety and depression.
What kind of medication are you taking for anxiety?
Have you experienced any episodes of fainting after the first ones?
What about your blood pressure: what are your actual blood pressure values? High blood pressure is not a lifethreatening disease and if treated properly, you can have a normal life expectancy.
Why do you feel you are dying? I don't see the reason why you are dying.
Episodes of fainting can be related to different causes: low blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, epilepsy seizures, anxiety (also caused psychological fainting related to strong emotions), etc.
But, no one of these causes is such serious to lead to death.
So relax! No one of the symptoms you refer, indicates any serious disorder.
Could you please give some more information on your actual therapy and on the performed tests? I would give a more professional opinion on your clinical situation, after reviewing your tests and being informed on your actual therapy, in order to discuss the possible changes to your actual therapy.
Regarding physical activity, I would recommend you to perform as much as you can (walking, jogging, gym, aerobics, recreational sports, etc.) because they would really help you change your actual emotional state and help youunderstand that your body is quite normal.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask me!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Here are my answers to your questions:
1. Euthyroid means that your thyroid function is normal. If this is an adjective related to a thyroid cyst, it means that that region which seems to be a cyst on ultrasound, has a normal thyroid function, just like the other parts of the thyroid gland. If your tests say euthyroid, it means that your thyroid function is just normal. So it is nothing to worry about.
2. All your actual symptoms seem to be related to depression and an anxiety disorder. The loss of hope, feeling depressed, the fear of dying, the loss of initiative are signs of anxiety and depression.
What kind of medication are you taking for anxiety?
Have you experienced any episodes of fainting after the first ones?
What about your blood pressure: what are your actual blood pressure values? High blood pressure is not a lifethreatening disease and if treated properly, you can have a normal life expectancy.
Why do you feel you are dying? I don't see the reason why you are dying.
Episodes of fainting can be related to different causes: low blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, epilepsy seizures, anxiety (also caused psychological fainting related to strong emotions), etc.
But, no one of these causes is such serious to lead to death.
So relax! No one of the symptoms you refer, indicates any serious disorder.
Could you please give some more information on your actual therapy and on the performed tests? I would give a more professional opinion on your clinical situation, after reviewing your tests and being informed on your actual therapy, in order to discuss the possible changes to your actual therapy.
Regarding physical activity, I would recommend you to perform as much as you can (walking, jogging, gym, aerobics, recreational sports, etc.) because they would really help you change your actual emotional state and help youunderstand that your body is quite normal.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask me!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you very much.
to answer your questions my blood pressure when last taken was60 over 30. I take medication for high blood pressure.
the medication I am on from the physiarist venlafaxine, Valium, phelgum not sure of spelling!
I have had no other episodes of feeling faint since those ones 17 years ago. I know there are many causes of feeling faint but I am scared because I didn't go to the doctor to find out why I felt faint and had whatever was the cause treated. I was fine afterwards for 8 years still running my school.
then as I said in a follow up question which wasn't really a follow up as I have only just realised that your answer was under my question! sorry! ten years ago I suddenly started saying that my back was broken, then that I had been set up for a murder then that I was dying. I lost my job because that was all I would say. my frends thougt I was menopausal because I was 52 and had had no signs of the menopause unless the feeling faint was one? however my g.p. never gave me a hormone test. my partner put me in a mental hospital where they did that electrical therapy on me twice which I am angry about, I had no tests and phycotic medication as treatment after that until six years ago when I was put in supported living. that is when doctor vassos became involved and was tiold by the mental hospital that I had delusional disorder and was on physcotic medication. he said I wasn't delusional but had anxiety disorder. then decided he didn't know. you asked why I believe I am dying. I don't know why that strong belief begun ten years ago and that is a long time to believe you are dying. I didn't go to my son's wedding in japan because I thought I would die on the aeroplane. yet when I was okay I had travelled to japan as well as other places. also the reason I think I am dying is that the doctor here told me that I should have gone to the doctor when I felt faint, that most people do and that she didn't know what would happen to me.
another doctor here told me that I became ill ten years ago because I hadn't gone to the doctor. my own g.p. says he doesn't think I am dying but doesn't know what is wrong with me. I hate being in a supported living house when I used to run a school. I have my own house in cheddington but that is being let out while I am here. I rarely go out sometimes I have been to the theatre but often I buy tickets and lose confidence to go, however last Thursday I took myself in taxi to XXXXXXX street and sawa cardiologist as I was told that one of the causes of feeling faint are early signs of life threatening conditions. he did an ecg which was fine and a hert scan which I haven't heard about, I don't understand why I happily ran my school for 18 years and then suddenly out of the blue started saying silly things and thinking I was dying. to go on for ten years has lost me my children. XXXXXXX my eldest son arranged for me to go to the mundersley hospital in London for mental disorders but they came up with nothing. he also arranged for me to have a head scan. that was fine. in regards to your comment about exercise I don't really go out to do any. I did try yoga once .
my main symptom over the last year has been getting very sweaty.
thank you fpr your time.
to answer your questions my blood pressure when last taken was60 over 30. I take medication for high blood pressure.
the medication I am on from the physiarist venlafaxine, Valium, phelgum not sure of spelling!
I have had no other episodes of feeling faint since those ones 17 years ago. I know there are many causes of feeling faint but I am scared because I didn't go to the doctor to find out why I felt faint and had whatever was the cause treated. I was fine afterwards for 8 years still running my school.
then as I said in a follow up question which wasn't really a follow up as I have only just realised that your answer was under my question! sorry! ten years ago I suddenly started saying that my back was broken, then that I had been set up for a murder then that I was dying. I lost my job because that was all I would say. my frends thougt I was menopausal because I was 52 and had had no signs of the menopause unless the feeling faint was one? however my g.p. never gave me a hormone test. my partner put me in a mental hospital where they did that electrical therapy on me twice which I am angry about, I had no tests and phycotic medication as treatment after that until six years ago when I was put in supported living. that is when doctor vassos became involved and was tiold by the mental hospital that I had delusional disorder and was on physcotic medication. he said I wasn't delusional but had anxiety disorder. then decided he didn't know. you asked why I believe I am dying. I don't know why that strong belief begun ten years ago and that is a long time to believe you are dying. I didn't go to my son's wedding in japan because I thought I would die on the aeroplane. yet when I was okay I had travelled to japan as well as other places. also the reason I think I am dying is that the doctor here told me that I should have gone to the doctor when I felt faint, that most people do and that she didn't know what would happen to me.
another doctor here told me that I became ill ten years ago because I hadn't gone to the doctor. my own g.p. says he doesn't think I am dying but doesn't know what is wrong with me. I hate being in a supported living house when I used to run a school. I have my own house in cheddington but that is being let out while I am here. I rarely go out sometimes I have been to the theatre but often I buy tickets and lose confidence to go, however last Thursday I took myself in taxi to XXXXXXX street and sawa cardiologist as I was told that one of the causes of feeling faint are early signs of life threatening conditions. he did an ecg which was fine and a hert scan which I haven't heard about, I don't understand why I happily ran my school for 18 years and then suddenly out of the blue started saying silly things and thinking I was dying. to go on for ten years has lost me my children. XXXXXXX my eldest son arranged for me to go to the mundersley hospital in London for mental disorders but they came up with nothing. he also arranged for me to have a head scan. that was fine. in regards to your comment about exercise I don't really go out to do any. I did try yoga once .
my main symptom over the last year has been getting very sweaty.
thank you fpr your time.
Brief Answer:
You are not dying from any lifethreatening disease. Just relax!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
I carefully read all your follow up and understand your concern.
Your actual blood pressure values seem to be low (60/30 is a low blood pressure). Are you feeling dizzy, chronic fatigue, etc.?. You should discuss with your attending physician on the possibility of reducing antihypertensive therapy.
Your performed cardiac and brain tests, exclude any possible serious conditions. So the episodes of fainting at that time, don't seem to have been related to any cardiac or nervous system disease. They may have been just low blood pressure, etc.. So even if you had gone to your GP at that time and performed some tests, nothing would have come out.
Euthyroid means that your thyroid hormone levels are quite normal. When did you start levothyroxine? It seems that your hormonal situation is balanced now. So there is nothing to worry about.
All your problem seems to be an irrational fear of dying. This is perfectly untrue in your actual clinical situation (based on your symptoms and performed tests).
I would recommend consulting with your psychiatrist and discussing the possibility of making some changes to your actual therapy (increase the doses of switch to another antidepressant). It seems that your actual therapy (venlafaxine) is not very effective in controlling your fear and anxiety.
Besides, low doses of new antipsychotics can help reduce anxiety and your fears. (You should not create a bad idea on your mind only taking into consideration the class of the drug, but should go deep in the mechanisms of action).
I would also advise consulting with a psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy could be really helpful in your case.
You should try to cooperate with your attending physician, because this is your life and you should gain faith in live again.
If you don't trust your psychiatrist, switch to another one. That is simple. But you should do something, to take again control of your live.
You have children. You should think about them, as you were afraid they would lose you once. They are losing you now, not physically, but in another way, while you are all day thinking about your fears. You should try to understand this, before it is too late.
Hope to have been of help!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
You are not dying from any lifethreatening disease. Just relax!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
I carefully read all your follow up and understand your concern.
Your actual blood pressure values seem to be low (60/30 is a low blood pressure). Are you feeling dizzy, chronic fatigue, etc.?. You should discuss with your attending physician on the possibility of reducing antihypertensive therapy.
Your performed cardiac and brain tests, exclude any possible serious conditions. So the episodes of fainting at that time, don't seem to have been related to any cardiac or nervous system disease. They may have been just low blood pressure, etc.. So even if you had gone to your GP at that time and performed some tests, nothing would have come out.
Euthyroid means that your thyroid hormone levels are quite normal. When did you start levothyroxine? It seems that your hormonal situation is balanced now. So there is nothing to worry about.
All your problem seems to be an irrational fear of dying. This is perfectly untrue in your actual clinical situation (based on your symptoms and performed tests).
I would recommend consulting with your psychiatrist and discussing the possibility of making some changes to your actual therapy (increase the doses of switch to another antidepressant). It seems that your actual therapy (venlafaxine) is not very effective in controlling your fear and anxiety.
Besides, low doses of new antipsychotics can help reduce anxiety and your fears. (You should not create a bad idea on your mind only taking into consideration the class of the drug, but should go deep in the mechanisms of action).
I would also advise consulting with a psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy could be really helpful in your case.
You should try to cooperate with your attending physician, because this is your life and you should gain faith in live again.
If you don't trust your psychiatrist, switch to another one. That is simple. But you should do something, to take again control of your live.
You have children. You should think about them, as you were afraid they would lose you once. They are losing you now, not physically, but in another way, while you are all day thinking about your fears. You should try to understand this, before it is too late.
Hope to have been of help!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you. but doesn't it matter that I didn't find out WHY i felt faint even if they don't cause death do they have serious reprussions . shouldn't they be treated at the time? is the reason that I didn't go the reason that I became ill ten years ago or are they not related? you seem to suggest they are not related but one of the doctors here told me that most people go to their doctor when they feel faint so she didn't know what would happen to me. one doctor hassin said I hadn't got long to live but retracted that statement when my brother went with me to see him. so it is great to hear you say that I haven't a life threatening illness. my g.p. says that I am not dying but he doesn't know what is wrong with me and te phyciarist says the same . I was on phycotic drugs for a while when he thought I had a delusional disorder but stopped them when he said that I wasn't delusional because I would have responded to them . I have blown it with my sons who I had a brilliant rapport with at one time because of my constant emails over too many years saying I had b roken my golden rule by not going to the doctor and I was dying. .I didn't go to simon's wedding in japan I case I died on the plane... that is awful. it would be nice to know what is wrong with me to have held this belief for so long and lost so much because of it. I have two lovely grandchildren who I barely see. I live in a supported living house away from friends and family.
the physcriast comes with the house and comes every six months and prescribes the medication. when I have suggested anything else he is not keen to take notice. he is supposed to be one of the best in the field ... doctor E, Vassos.
I don't think I can change..
I did pay for counselling and the cbt therapy didn't work. I also paid for a physco therapist but she thought it all stemmed from my dad dying when I was 13. he was 52 but had problems with his heart. the rest f the family have lived into their 80's and 90's. which I thought I would when I was working. I lost my job because I kept saying I had broken my back and that I was dying yet I was an intelligent woman. the physco therapist was lovely but she suggested things like walking in the morning dew bare footed which didn't appeal to me or perhaps I should have tried it.
I kept asking doctor vassos when I could drive again but he was negative, I asked him when I could get out of this house and I said will it be when I stop saying I am dying and he said something like that. last time I saw him he said he didn't know what was wrong with me and he didn't know if I was dying. I got my brother to come to the last scheduled meeting with him to challenge this and say what exactly could I be dying of. but he didn't come because he had been climbing trees and fell and broke his leg before the meeting. I will suggest to him about trying a new low dose anti phycotic drug... have you any suggestions? my last social worker said did I kow what incongruent meant so I gave him an explanation and he said that is you. you are smiling and I wouldn't be if I was like you and dying. I have actually complained about that in writing. there seems to be nothing positive from people aroun me which doesn't help. I did ask dr vassos if I could come off the venaflaxine and he said no because I had been on it a long time. I also take Valium and one beginning with p. I will get the full name and let you know, should I suggest dropping them all and going for something like you suggest . I have been suggested benzodiazepine with an anti physocotic drug. ? the trouble is the staff say when I don't take the prescribed medication I relapse and get more anxious. but I don't feel that I am less anxious when I am on it. my blood tests were all okay except for the liver one( an di have never been a drinker!)but my g.p. desn't seem worried about it. I could send you a list of my blood test results if that would help? I was so sure that I was dying that I bought my son and family a butlins holiday last year as a goodbye. you can see that it is hard to feel confident that I am not with what some of the professionals have said. I asked doctor vassos if I could go across and help my daughter in law with the new baby in july and he said you won't feel well enough. everything seems to have to go through him. my son used to come t the review meetings but stopped because he said it was always the same me saying I was dying and him saying everyone dies.
I went to London though to see a cardiologist. I think I mentioned that. I am waiting for the results of the echo graph.. not sure if that is the correct name. the ecg was fine. it is good that you put that you are carefully reading what I write as that is refreshing. I lost my partner. when I started saying stupid things he put me into a mental hospital. they did give me electrical treatment twice which I was angry about because I don't think it is scientifically justified and it didn't make any difference anyway. I didn't think I should be there for saying silly things withherion addicts and people who had tried sucide. I think I should have been seen by a g'p' first and had a hormone test. I was 52 and had had no signs of the menopause. I never did unless feeling faint was one of them.
I was very happy ten years ago when it started that I had the belief that I was dying. so I don't know what caused it. I was good at running my school and miss it. you said before it is too late to delay my children's fears but I think I have made it too late.. I needed you a long time ago. XXXXXXX says he doesn't wnt to hear from me exept in emergency although I did see the family last Saturday.
that was a low blood pressure reading done by the cardiologist but before that the reading was 20 over 180 should I suggest stopping the medication for that for a while?
my only symptons are this fear that I am going to die young like dad. I am 63. he was 52. and that I get very sweaty and have a cough. I also have had several times a uti and I keep myself clean.
I am sorry I have written so much. even if it is my life which I feel I have ruined I have no choice in physiarist. sorry my spelling is awful for an ex headteacher. I think that I will write to doctor vassos as it will be another five months otherwise. I was in hospital at the last review meeting because the staff who are not medically trained felt I was in a state of relapse and not acting normally but I don't know why they thought that. perhaps because I had refused the medication. while I was there they did a biopsy as I had had a bleed and they said that can be a sign of cancer in a post menopausal woman . when I was back here I had a phone call asking me to go for a scan where they inserted a camera up my vagina, the results were fine. a thin womb lining which they expected in a woman my age. and a little fluid. the biosopy wouldn't say any different would it? because I have to see the consultant at the end of January. I must get rid of this fear of going out. I have been to the pictures a couple of times and the theatre but I may have said and I am trying not to be repetitive I have often bought tickets and then lost the nerve to go. I also mustn't bombard XXXXXXX with emails that I am dying. I have spent all but two Christmases here which hasn't been fun cos XXXXXXX says if I talk about dying he won't invite me. you are right I need to take charge of my life again. try to accept I am not going to die regardless of what some professionals say. I did email doctor vassos onc but he told me off. but if I write to him to ask about changes in medication as I missed the last review I can't see him being annoyed at that. just relax... wish I could..
the physcriast comes with the house and comes every six months and prescribes the medication. when I have suggested anything else he is not keen to take notice. he is supposed to be one of the best in the field ... doctor E, Vassos.
I don't think I can change..
I did pay for counselling and the cbt therapy didn't work. I also paid for a physco therapist but she thought it all stemmed from my dad dying when I was 13. he was 52 but had problems with his heart. the rest f the family have lived into their 80's and 90's. which I thought I would when I was working. I lost my job because I kept saying I had broken my back and that I was dying yet I was an intelligent woman. the physco therapist was lovely but she suggested things like walking in the morning dew bare footed which didn't appeal to me or perhaps I should have tried it.
I kept asking doctor vassos when I could drive again but he was negative, I asked him when I could get out of this house and I said will it be when I stop saying I am dying and he said something like that. last time I saw him he said he didn't know what was wrong with me and he didn't know if I was dying. I got my brother to come to the last scheduled meeting with him to challenge this and say what exactly could I be dying of. but he didn't come because he had been climbing trees and fell and broke his leg before the meeting. I will suggest to him about trying a new low dose anti phycotic drug... have you any suggestions? my last social worker said did I kow what incongruent meant so I gave him an explanation and he said that is you. you are smiling and I wouldn't be if I was like you and dying. I have actually complained about that in writing. there seems to be nothing positive from people aroun me which doesn't help. I did ask dr vassos if I could come off the venaflaxine and he said no because I had been on it a long time. I also take Valium and one beginning with p. I will get the full name and let you know, should I suggest dropping them all and going for something like you suggest . I have been suggested benzodiazepine with an anti physocotic drug. ? the trouble is the staff say when I don't take the prescribed medication I relapse and get more anxious. but I don't feel that I am less anxious when I am on it. my blood tests were all okay except for the liver one( an di have never been a drinker!)but my g.p. desn't seem worried about it. I could send you a list of my blood test results if that would help? I was so sure that I was dying that I bought my son and family a butlins holiday last year as a goodbye. you can see that it is hard to feel confident that I am not with what some of the professionals have said. I asked doctor vassos if I could go across and help my daughter in law with the new baby in july and he said you won't feel well enough. everything seems to have to go through him. my son used to come t the review meetings but stopped because he said it was always the same me saying I was dying and him saying everyone dies.
I went to London though to see a cardiologist. I think I mentioned that. I am waiting for the results of the echo graph.. not sure if that is the correct name. the ecg was fine. it is good that you put that you are carefully reading what I write as that is refreshing. I lost my partner. when I started saying stupid things he put me into a mental hospital. they did give me electrical treatment twice which I was angry about because I don't think it is scientifically justified and it didn't make any difference anyway. I didn't think I should be there for saying silly things withherion addicts and people who had tried sucide. I think I should have been seen by a g'p' first and had a hormone test. I was 52 and had had no signs of the menopause. I never did unless feeling faint was one of them.
I was very happy ten years ago when it started that I had the belief that I was dying. so I don't know what caused it. I was good at running my school and miss it. you said before it is too late to delay my children's fears but I think I have made it too late.. I needed you a long time ago. XXXXXXX says he doesn't wnt to hear from me exept in emergency although I did see the family last Saturday.
that was a low blood pressure reading done by the cardiologist but before that the reading was 20 over 180 should I suggest stopping the medication for that for a while?
my only symptons are this fear that I am going to die young like dad. I am 63. he was 52. and that I get very sweaty and have a cough. I also have had several times a uti and I keep myself clean.
I am sorry I have written so much. even if it is my life which I feel I have ruined I have no choice in physiarist. sorry my spelling is awful for an ex headteacher. I think that I will write to doctor vassos as it will be another five months otherwise. I was in hospital at the last review meeting because the staff who are not medically trained felt I was in a state of relapse and not acting normally but I don't know why they thought that. perhaps because I had refused the medication. while I was there they did a biopsy as I had had a bleed and they said that can be a sign of cancer in a post menopausal woman . when I was back here I had a phone call asking me to go for a scan where they inserted a camera up my vagina, the results were fine. a thin womb lining which they expected in a woman my age. and a little fluid. the biosopy wouldn't say any different would it? because I have to see the consultant at the end of January. I must get rid of this fear of going out. I have been to the pictures a couple of times and the theatre but I may have said and I am trying not to be repetitive I have often bought tickets and then lost the nerve to go. I also mustn't bombard XXXXXXX with emails that I am dying. I have spent all but two Christmases here which hasn't been fun cos XXXXXXX says if I talk about dying he won't invite me. you are right I need to take charge of my life again. try to accept I am not going to die regardless of what some professionals say. I did email doctor vassos onc but he told me off. but if I write to him to ask about changes in medication as I missed the last review I can't see him being annoyed at that. just relax... wish I could..
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I carefully read all your medical history and would I would like to clarify some points:
1. You have no life threatening disease. There is no reason that you are going to XXXXXXX All your performed tests can confirm this. Everything seems to be fine with your organs.
2-Not every cause of fainting needs to be treated. You should know that the aim of treatment of such cases is to prevent further episodes, which could lead to body damage by falling (near a fire, from a high altitude, etc.). But this didn't happen to you. So relax. You should consider yourself lucky, that such episodes of fainting have been probably just temporary low blood pressure, etc..
You should know that if there was a serious disease underlying those episodes of fainting, they would keep occurring and you would have gone to the hospital to solve this problem.
So not every cause of fainting needs to be treated. Even if you had gone to see your doctor at that time, your tests would result normal and you wouldn't have taken any treatment. So nothing would have changed.
3- Regarding your psychiatric problem, I disagree with your doctor on the decision of continuing venlafaxine. It is clear that it is not working in your case. I would recommend to gradually stop this drug (reducing the doses gradually) and switching into another antidepressant like Sertraline or Fluvoxamine. These two antidepressants are known to have also a slight antipsychotic effect. If after increasing the doses of one of this drugs, you will not see any improvements, Lamotrigine should be added (add on therapy). This is an antiepileptic drugs, which helps stabilize your emotional state. If there is no improvement after adding 100mg of Lamotrigine, you should add low doses of an antipsychotic. I would recommend quetapine for this purpose.
Hope to have fulfilled all your expectations.
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I carefully read all your medical history and would I would like to clarify some points:
1. You have no life threatening disease. There is no reason that you are going to XXXXXXX All your performed tests can confirm this. Everything seems to be fine with your organs.
2-Not every cause of fainting needs to be treated. You should know that the aim of treatment of such cases is to prevent further episodes, which could lead to body damage by falling (near a fire, from a high altitude, etc.). But this didn't happen to you. So relax. You should consider yourself lucky, that such episodes of fainting have been probably just temporary low blood pressure, etc..
You should know that if there was a serious disease underlying those episodes of fainting, they would keep occurring and you would have gone to the hospital to solve this problem.
So not every cause of fainting needs to be treated. Even if you had gone to see your doctor at that time, your tests would result normal and you wouldn't have taken any treatment. So nothing would have changed.
3- Regarding your psychiatric problem, I disagree with your doctor on the decision of continuing venlafaxine. It is clear that it is not working in your case. I would recommend to gradually stop this drug (reducing the doses gradually) and switching into another antidepressant like Sertraline or Fluvoxamine. These two antidepressants are known to have also a slight antipsychotic effect. If after increasing the doses of one of this drugs, you will not see any improvements, Lamotrigine should be added (add on therapy). This is an antiepileptic drugs, which helps stabilize your emotional state. If there is no improvement after adding 100mg of Lamotrigine, you should add low doses of an antipsychotic. I would recommend quetapine for this purpose.
Hope to have fulfilled all your expectations.
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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