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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ben on December 3, 2000, at 11:20:25
Hi
Does anyone have experience with lithium augmentation for unipolar depression ? There are several different opinions concerning the efficacy of lithium in unipolar depression (20-80%). Does the antidepressant effect of lithium (in combination with an SSRI) kicks in faster than other antidepressants ?
Posted by allisonm on December 3, 2000, at 15:48:58
In reply to Lithium augmentation in unipolar depression, posted by ben on December 3, 2000, at 11:20:25
My doctor added lithium to Remeron when it seemed that the Remeron wasn't working enough on its own. I know it helped, but I could not tolerate side effects, one of which was uncontrollable weight gain.
Posted by marlyse on December 5, 2000, at 2:08:55
In reply to Re: Lithium augmentation in unipolar depression, posted by allisonm on December 3, 2000, at 15:48:58
Did you gain weight because you eat or drink more with lithium ?
Marlyse
> My doctor added lithium to Remeron when it seemed that the Remeron wasn't working enough on its own. I know it helped, but I could not tolerate side effects, one of which was uncontrollable weight gain.
Posted by Noa on December 5, 2000, at 6:09:26
In reply to Re: Lithium augmentation in unipolar depression, posted by marlyse on December 5, 2000, at 2:08:55
I was on lithium for a few months. I had unccontrollable thirst, and craved sweet drinks especially. I became addicted to regular Coke, as well as all kinds of iced teas and juices, etc.
I have heard that this kind of thing can account for a lot of the weight gain. I had been warned of this and told to stick to water. I tried to stick to water, but these cravings were intense.
BTW, I stopped the lithium because of my hypothyroid and being in the process of trying to figure out the best med combo, although my endocrinologist said it is possible to stay on lithium and just increase the thyroid hormone doses. But, the lithium did help initially, as an augmentor to my ADs for unipolar depression (some theorize a "bipolar 3"-- depression that is in the same family as bipolar but variations in mood range from euthymic-dysthymic-major depression, and don't include any mania or hypomania).
Posted by allisonm on December 5, 2000, at 18:43:35
In reply to Re: Lithium augmentation in unipolar depression, posted by marlyse on December 5, 2000, at 2:08:55
No. I had been watching what I ate before the Lithium and was swimming. The lithium put on the weight no matter what I did. I went from a loose size 14 to a tight size 18 in about a year, the last seven months of which included the lithium.
Li also gave me the runs.
Posted by ksvt on December 5, 2000, at 21:09:41
In reply to Re: Lithium augmentation in unipolar depression, posted by Noa on December 5, 2000, at 6:09:26
> Noa - where have you read about the bipolar 3 concept? ksvt
I was on lithium for a few months. I had unccontrollable thirst, and craved sweet drinks especially. I became addicted to regular Coke, as well as all kinds of iced teas and juices, etc.
>
> I have heard that this kind of thing can account for a lot of the weight gain. I had been warned of this and told to stick to water. I tried to stick to water, but these cravings were intense.
>
> BTW, I stopped the lithium because of my hypothyroid and being in the process of trying to figure out the best med combo, although my endocrinologist said it is possible to stay on lithium and just increase the thyroid hormone doses. But, the lithium did help initially, as an augmentor to my ADs for unipolar depression (some theorize a "bipolar 3"-- depression that is in the same family as bipolar but variations in mood range from euthymic-dysthymic-major depression, and don't include any mania or hypomania).
Posted by Noa on December 6, 2000, at 19:15:59
In reply to Re: Lithium augmentation in unipolar depression » Noa, posted by ksvt on December 5, 2000, at 21:09:41
I read about it in research articles at PubMed, using "Akiskal" to search. He is a big researcher in BP, and this is his pet theory, it seems.
Posted by rou on September 14, 2002, at 12:55:45
In reply to Re: Lithium augmentation in unipolar depression, posted by Noa on December 6, 2000, at 19:15:59
i am about to start lithium to help with my depression. I am on venlaflaxin and valium already but need a booster. can anyone let me know what kind of side effects i may experience at first? and if they last?
This is the end of the thread.
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