Posted by sac on August 19, 2007, at 7:20:08
In reply to Re: Lithium Good Bad Ugly? - Very Good)BCAT » clubfitter, posted by barbaracat on August 13, 2007, at 23:22:51
Hello, I've suffered from bipolar II for roughly 6 years, prior to that (and my two pregnancies) I was on AD's for about 10 years for unipolar depression. I've been on most of the meds: depakote, lamictal, neurontin, tegretol, etc. etc. I've had the most success with lithium slow release form. I am determined to keep the dose as low as possible at 450mg/day of the slow release form. with this I get a blood level of .5
I am trying to avoid side effects like MORE hair loss, weight gain, etc. I also take 20-30 mgs. Prozac daily. I feel like I constantly go around in circles wondering which med makes me feel like c***. I always blamed the lithium for my apathy/anhedonia but never had success going off...would get agitated in a couple days. I wonder if the SSRI exacerbates my cycling. I have a pretty clear cut case of weekly cycling. I've noticed that I have good energy/motivation one week only to be followed by extreme fatigue/depression the following week and this pattern continues. Sometimes I just want to throw in the towel with SSRI's and just stick with lithium..though it's like I'm scared and I don't trust myself to be able to deal with life without my Prozac. Oh, and by the way, I have been on Cymbalta too but had to stop due to heart palps. Any ideas/experiences with combined SSRI/lithium treatment? thanks so much.
poster:sac
thread:774956
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070815/msgs/777061.html