After Cancer: My Story...Bad Times Ahead

Nothing really changed immediately after my second surgery. What was supposed to be a day surgery once again turned into a hospital stay due to the same problem with dropping calcium levels.

The next morning, my endocrinologist walked into my hospital room to discuss the new medication that I would be taking.

I was sent home later that morning with a prescription for cytomel 25mcg.

Cytomel is a thyroid hormone also known as (L-triiodothyronine or L T3). The thyroid gland produces small amounts T1, T2,T3 and larger amounts of T4, which is the (T) that most people are familiar with. Unfortunately, most doctors concentrate almost exclusively on the T4 for thyroid patients. (A MISTAKE IN MY OPINION).

I was given a prescription of cytomel for one month post surgery, and while taking the medication, I automatically knew that the dosage was too high, as I began having hot flashes, but refused to report it to the doctors, because I was otherwise feeling really good. The problems began once my cytomel ran out, and I was told that I would only be taking synthroid from then on.

Several days after being without cytomel in my system, everything came tumbling down. Severe depression started setting in, and I could not overcome holding back tears, which was something that I was always capable of doing in the past. (I was never a criar) before this, and now, it seemed that it was all I did.

My energy levels dropped to a zombified state, and I began gaining weight very rapidly.

I made an appointment to see the endocrinologist and told her what was happening to me, and I asked for a prescription of a small dosage cytomel.. Needless to say, she refused... and instead, insisted that my depression was not due to my hormone levels, but rather something else.. She was way off line, and I walked out of her office and went to see my family physician instead.