Posted by yesac on November 15, 2005, at 11:18:09
In reply to Re: Efexor and Lithium 1 Week, posted by Squiggles on November 14, 2005, at 7:10:45
I've been on lithium for about 7 months. I take it for treatment resistant severely agitated depression (possibly some variant of bipolar). Anyways, it's basically the only thing that has ever worked for me, and believe me, I've tried a lot! I take a fairly low dose (600mgs). Last time I got my blood levels checked, I think it was just about 0.6. I have tried going up to a higher dose, and I couldn't tolerate it. I've also tried taking a lower dose, and then it didn't work.
I also take Seroquel, and I think that the two drugs kind of augment each other, because if I try going off either, I fall apart.
The only major side effect I get is the shakiness, which seems to wax and wane. It's really bad right now, driving me crazy-- so I think I might ask my shrink about Inderal/propanolol. Other than that, the only side effect I notice is slight thirstiness, so I need to drink more water/liquids.
By the way, I resisted taking lithium for a really long time, due to all of the negative things I had heard about the drug. I was so afraid of gaining weight, getting skin problems, needing to pee a lot, and all the other stuff you hear. But honestly, it's not a bad drug at all. I am just so glad to have found *something* that works. It's certainly not perfect, but I'm glad that I have it.
poster:yesac
thread:576221
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051112/msgs/578937.html