Thursday, May 31, 2007

The first step-down from Lexapro is complete

Well, I am holding a mini-"graduation" of sorts this week...

I am officially down to 5 mg Lexapro - my dosage of 10 mg is now cut in half from when I started it in December.

And, you know what? I feel pretty good - despite still being sick (uh, how long is Levaquin supposed to take to work, anyway???) and finally seeing the Lady in Red off for (hopefully) another month.

Not bad!

I got through so many gatherings, working on the garden, the workload from hell here at my job, being sick and having AF (and the insomnia that accompanies her) over the past few weeks without being off my rocker (or, as Hubby puts it, not being homocidal). No anxiety, no worries (okay, minimal worries, really). It is a nice change to be "normal" again... It's been a very long time: two years come July, actually, when I got on the ride to TTC #2 in July 2005. I know now that this was when I lost my footing...and my m/c's after that is what finally made me completely fall down.

Funny that we are hoping to get back on in June/July, all things considering. I just can't shake that instinct to proceed...

Hubby and I agreed to purchase those dreaded OPK's because, well, if I am going to get visited more often by AF (go Levoxyl! You rock!), I probably should do something to check to see if I might actually be ovulating. Right? I do refuse to temp - that is out of the question. And, I tried my hand at checking CM again and, well, that was just futile. So, I will try the OPK's this cycle just to check. But, we will hold off on the actual TTC until the next cycle starts (if my thryroid check comes back good, that is) and then start the ovulation induction/IUI game again.

PARTY!!!

Buuutttt, here's my newest thing to worry about, though.

Dr. D is going to start hating me soon, I fear, for double-checking everything...

Some of my bloodwork came back from last week - specifically for the Anticardiolipin AB levels. Here are the current levels:

Anticardiolipin AB, IgG (the one I am worrying about):
  • 7 on 5/9/06 (negative below 10)
  • 13 on 5/23/07 (which puts me in the Indeterminate level pf 11-19 - not positive by any means, yet not negative)
Anticardiolipin AB, IgM:
  • 9 on 5/9/06 (negative below 10 - this is the level I was originally questioning)
  • 6 on 5/23/07 (negative below 10)
Anticardiolipin AB, IgA:
  • below 6 on 5/9/06 (0-12 considered normal)
  • 6 on 5/23/07 (0-12 considered normal)
So, is this something I need to worry about now? I already have a clotting-like disorder. Should I fax this over to Dr. D and press on this? My understanding is that these can fluctuate on any given day, and that we would have to monitor for increases. Am I right on that?

Anyone? Anyone?

(Insert STOP OBSESSING HERE! I have to use my head and stop it.)

I don't want to obsess...so any input is appreciated on this one.

5 comments:

Aurelia said...

Tina,

Some of the medications you are on, or are ending, might be interacting with those levels, which is why they have showed up with so many variants. For example, when I've taken oral anti-anxiety meds with estrogen or progesterone, the hormonal levels in my blood are lower, and the meds are much higher.

Also some thyroid and ADs/anti-anxiety meds can deplete minerals like folic, zinc, calcium, etc. (I assume you know to never take calcium with thyroid pills or other meds, because the meds will not be absorbed by your body.) Anyway, these issues can increase inflammatory factors, so yes, maybe you should call Dr.D, or even your pharmacist and ask about drug interactions, or if you should take something to compensate like extra vitamins, or baby aspirin?

Good luck, I'll be reading!

Unknown said...

I have nothing to add on your blood results, but was so happy to read that the Levoxyl is working for you!

Anonymous said...

yay tina :) Good luck!! I dont know anything about the bloodtests but doesnt hurt to double check. I suggest the clear blue fertility monitor to pinpoint ovulation, it is awesome (except for this month because I messed it up)
good luck!! been busy but school is almost out!
love di

Anonymous said...

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/Immunology/Students/Spring2003/Bowie/introduction.html

This is a good site

Bast said...

It never hurts to double check, it also doesn't look like from reading that blood work that any of the levels were off chart. Can't hurt to ask your doctor but it is most likely not much to worry about.

*hugs*

Best of luck with the lexapro weaning. Are you replacing with any natural options or any other drugs? I'm just curious as we share so the same genetic and anxiety issues.