Posted by tensor on January 22, 2013, at 9:00:29
In reply to Does lithium reduce motivation and activity level?, posted by SLS on January 21, 2013, at 13:30:53
> Hi All.
>
> I have been taking lithium for about 1.5 years. My dosage has been steady at 300 mg/day. I found it somewhat helpful at first, but it may no longer be needed for depression since adding several other drugs. I have continued to take lithium in the hope that it would encourage the recovery of brain tissue and to help prevent Alzheimer's Dementia.
>
> Overall, I have been feeling better and better. However, my motivation to engage in activities has not improved very much at all. When I have responded to treatment in the past, my motivation improved along with anergia and anhedonia. I just can't get myself to do anything right now. Something is not right. I am normally very industrious when I am feeling well.
>
> 300 mg/day is considered to be a low dosage of lithium. However, higher dosages make me feel passive and perhaps apathetic. This is why I am considering it as a possible culprit in causing my lack of motivation. However, it might be one of the other drugs I am taking. For all I know, it could be the nortriptyline or Abilify. If anyone has any insight as to what might be the culprit, I could really use some help here.
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> The first thing I would like to know is whether or not lithium can reduce one's motivation to initiate activities.
>
> I am considering testing each drug one by one. Lithium would be the logical first choice to test because it is the easiest to discontinue. I would probably have an answer within days and there won't be a withdrawal syndrome to worry about. I would choose Abilify next because I don't recall having problems with motivation prior to beginning treatment with it 10 years ago. Also, it is probably responsible for the bulk of my 50 pound weight gain and high triglycerides. I also consider nortriptyline to be a possible culprit, but my concern for the return of depression is greater with its removal than with that of the other drugs. The lack of motivation existed before the addition of prazosin and minocycine.
>
> This is what I am currently taking:
>
> Parnate 80 mg/day
> nortriptyline 150 mg/day
> Lamictal 200 mg/day
> lithium 300 mg/day
> Abilify 10 mg/day
> prazosin 15 mg/day
> minocycline 200 mg/day
>
> Any and all comments are welcome.
>
> Thanks much!
>
>
> - ScottDo you know what your blood level is? I'm wondering if it has any therapeutic value at all. You could try and leave it out for a while. Lithium had no effect on my depression and my blood level was in the therapeutic range for depression.
Higher doses of nortriptyline made me tired and unmotivated. Could be worth a try cutting back to 75mg. It's a complex combo, I wish I could be of more help./tensor
poster:tensor
thread:1035977
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130112/msgs/1036074.html