Things I've learned about Diflucan, compounded T3, and me

In my continued adventures, I started taking 200mg of diflucan over the weekend.

I started with feeling a little toxic about forty minutes after taking the drug, and otherwise just feeling a little tired. No other changes or side effects. I am wondering if this is working at all.

One thing I did notice, my nose ran like crazy, like I was coming down with a cold, when I sat next to the air conditioner. Especially for the first few hours after taking the drug. I had been having intermittent runny nose and stuffiness that I attributed to the AC before, but this was extreme.

The next day I took it, about thirty minutes later, felt a little toxic, then for about an hour and half, felt pretty disconnected, exhausted, and weak. Did have to hit the bathroom (urgent trips are completely not normal for me), but after I felt really, really good. Like I'd taken a hit of muscle relaxants and some Xopanex. It was kind of weird, in a good way, but unnatural for me.

And, of course, it didn't last. When I got home (all of this happened while at a brunch with friends, of course), and once again next to the AC, I got some light sniffles, but nothing major.

The next day, took the Diflucan at the same time of day, and soon felt completely exhausted, like I'd run a marathon. I am not sure what happened. I strongly suspect it was blood sugar (but it could also be the DHEA or ribose I took too), as I'd accidentally not included a lot the day before (habit). To compensate, I ate a number of carbolicious things (rice cereal with rice bran added, almond and rice flour pancakes- with forbidden cream cheese, and a big dose of ribose). I thought that had beat the low blood sugar, assuming that my insulin resistance would protect me from a crash.

I was wrong.

The following day I awoke in pretty extreme pain and fatigue. I had to go see my old endocrinologist that day too-- which is always taxing. She didn't want to hear about the new doctor and my taking T3 to supplement the synthroid. (I mean it. She didn't argue, she simply disregarded me telling her. Weird.) When I told her that I had been tested for epstein-barr and mycoplasma pneumonia and came up high on both, she immediately insisted I go see a infectious disease specialist. She insisted that the doctor who first ran the blood test and that I was actively seeing was hardly more than a chiropractor and that I needed to see a real doctor.

But, she's a "real" doctor, and refused to do the blood tests that now are such a big deal. Why should I want to go somewhere she considers "real" when "real" didn't get me anywhere in the first place?

Sigh.

Later that day, I took an extra DHEA and some more ribose (which I struggle with because it is pure carbs and my body can't handle it well. I use 1/5th the normal dose).

That night, the pain increasing, I actually ate some craisins (tried rinsing off the sugar first-- futile). It was a desperate act that should have caused a serious headache. Instead, the pain started to go a way a little.

Also, while I was at the endo's, I'd gotten a package from the compounding pharmacy. My T3 prescription had arrived. I discovered that I have to be very, inconveniently, strict about how I take it. It will bind to practically anything too easily, so I have to take it two hours after a meal, and one hour before one, every time. Great. That means I either have to wait an hour after I get up to eat (not really an option on busy mornings), or I get used to waking up an hour before I need to, taking the T3, going back to sleep for an hour.

I mean, I could take the T3 before bed, but I often eat close to bedtime in order to maintain my blood sugar levels through the night.

That night, at about 4:25am, I woke up feeling absolutely refreshed and great. Like I had during the weekend. I tried to go back to sleep, and eventually did for an hour or two. Then got up, took the T3, and went back to sleep.

Two hours later, I woke up feeling better than ever. It was great. And the feeling lasted all day-- took my diflucan, all the other meds, etc. (although I did blow off the ribose-- it was giving me headaches- I also cut down on the DHEA, because I wasn't sure that it wasn't the cause of my fatigue)

And today? Well, not that good. I didn't sleep well. Had temperature problems (sweats, hot flashes, cold spells), all night. And the pain that had gone away, was back again. Fatigue, achiness, and now a sore throat.

Not good (and I have to talk to the editor today). I took the T3 and tried to sleep a little more, but to no avail. Got up, did breakfast, felt better. Still fatigued, but now just the normal fatigue I get when I sleep while suffering from low blood sugar.

After breakfast, I took the diflucan. I am on the fence as to what symptoms it is causing, and what is caused by all the other, supposedly harmless, stuff I am taking.

I do know that, after taking the diflucan, I turned on the AC (humidity is intolerable here) and my nose ran only a little bit. After the diflucan fully kicked in, my nose isn't running and is only a little stuffy.

Could it be that that "allergy" I've "always" had is, in fact, a fungal infection? Interesting.

Meanwhile, I have noticed sores starting in my mouth and throat. Will have to see how that progresses.

Also of note, after I received the T3 from the pharmacist, I called in with some questions and learned that the doctor who is treating me is kind of new. She's "good" he says, but she's really just following a protocol. She won't be likely to be able to be inventive or flexible.

It makes me think, maybe I should check that "real" doctor, the infectious disease doctor the endo' suggested. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion if I am being treated by someone blindly following someone else's doctrine.

For example, her "protocol" says if someone's intestines are infected, have them take 200mg of Diflucan. But, it is now common practice to start with a loading dose of 400mg first, then drop to 200 after. But her protocol was written before that discovery was made. So here I am, with an obviously pernicious, chronic infection, not taking the most effective dosage course. (I found this out, of course, after starting the medication) There may be reasons for this, but none that she mentioned to me.

Oh, and by the way, the T3 (10mcg, supposedly time released), doesn't seem to be doing anything at all. Just to be clear. ; )

So that's where I stand.

I have to schedule my life around these drugs at this point (T3, synthroid, DHEA/prenenolone, ribose, maitake, diflucan, ribose, and more), dealing with a changing sea of side effects, while trying to get on with life.

Right now my biggest problems, as I see it (but I could be wrong...), are the soreness and pain coming back, fatigue, and these sores that are starting in my mouth and throat. They are not uncommon with Difulcan, but I don't like it.

All in all, I bet that the treatment for my intestines will be the easiest I'll be facing. I am pretty sure both the epstein-barr and mycoplasma pneumoniae will require IV treatments. I am expecting to be completely bed ridden with a side of seizures for those...