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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by for2itous on April 30, 2003, at 1:06:37
> just wondered how it compared to SSRIs
> or perhaps Zyprexa?I can't compare Lithium to other remedies because I am fortunate to have a 30 year successful relationship with Eskalith for Bipolar I, rapid cycling.
Lithium should be your last resort...it is very toxic...super heavy. If you do decide to take it, you should be in a manic state because Lithium brings you down. There's no literature about this but I think that there's an advantage to taking Lithium when not in the deepest depression (drug-induced).
Lithium rules you with an iron fist. In 30 years, I have only experienced being blue...and only allow that for a day or two by using 24 hour sleep deprivation.
If you try it, you will be doing your body a favor by taking time release...side effects are reduced-especially stomach upset. You have to like water because Lithium makes you so thirsty that you can't fullfil the need with any other liquid. Don't expect to sleep through the night without at least one trip to the bathroom If being heavy depresses you, find another solution.
Not going to list all the side effects. Just remember that Lithium can be fatally toxic. But if it works, you will bless every tab you take. Luck on your journey....
Posted by Barbara Cat on May 1, 2003, at 16:48:39
In reply to Lithium and depression, posted by for2itous on April 30, 2003, at 1:06:37
I just had another validation that I really really need lithium. I was without it for a week and my deterioration was pretty rapid. It is the thread that ties together all my other meds - not enough on its own, but crucial in the overall mix. I am am taking less than the therapeutic dose. 600mg seems to be working for me so I don't want to go higher. I'm on straight generic lithium carbonate and haven't noticed any bad side effects, only some trembling which eventually goes away. No problem with drinking more water since that's a good thing anyway. Lithium is neuro-protective and is thought to create more dendrites and contribute to overall brain health. The weight gain is a struggle but under control with alot of exercise. Without lithium I have no presence of mind to exercise. A good med and like all things, one to be used juditiously. I don't find it at all 'heavy' but then again, I'm on a fairly low dose. You bet I thank that little pink pill every time I pop one.
> I can't compare Lithium to other remedies because I am fortunate to have a 30 year successful relationship with Eskalith for Bipolar I, rapid cycling.
>
> Lithium should be your last resort...it is very toxic...super heavy. If you do decide to take it, you should be in a manic state because Lithium brings you down. There's no literature about this but I think that there's an advantage to taking Lithium when not in the deepest depression (drug-induced).
>
> Lithium rules you with an iron fist. In 30 years, I have only experienced being blue...and only allow that for a day or two by using 24 hour sleep deprivation.
>
> If you try it, you will be doing your body a favor by taking time release...side effects are reduced-especially stomach upset. You have to like water because Lithium makes you so thirsty that you can't fullfil the need with any other liquid. Don't expect to sleep through the night without at least one trip to the bathroom If being heavy depresses you, find another solution.
>
> Not going to list all the side effects. Just remember that Lithium can be fatally toxic. But if it works, you will bless every tab you take. Luck on your journey....
Posted by McPac on May 1, 2003, at 19:20:59
In reply to Re: Lithium and depression » for2itous, posted by Barbara Cat on May 1, 2003, at 16:48:39
Lithium has also been VERY good for me....what did you start to feel like during the week you went without it? thnx
Posted by for2itous on May 1, 2003, at 23:01:50
In reply to Barb, Re: Lithium and depression, posted by McPac on May 1, 2003, at 19:20:59
Not taking Lithium a week only effected me in the very beginning when the symptoms came immediately back. I hardly miss a pill now.
Actually went without Lithium for 2 years. My doctor told me when i got pregnant in the early 80's that taking Lithium during pregnancy was ok but not during breast feeding, I couldn't imagine giving up Lithium just before being subject to post partum depression because I did want to breast feed. I didn't believe that Lithium was safe for the fetus because of how it felt the first time I took it. I'm happy I gave it up immediately because it has been found now it can be toxic for babies.I can't explain how I experienced such a happy pregnancy with no bipolar phases except that I have never wanted anything so much and was filled with joy and expectation that depression couldn't take hold...really can't figure it out. But started having manic and depressive phases when my son was about 8 months old. It seemed that the less he needed me, the more I had bipolar symptoms. Had a long lasting manic phase when Dan was a year old and as I discontinued breast feeding,I resumed on the Lithium.
Posted by for2itous on May 1, 2003, at 23:15:20
In reply to Re: Lithium and depression » for2itous, posted by Barbara Cat on May 1, 2003, at 16:48:39
At that dosage, you'll be fine. Hope all keeps working well...
Posted by Barbara Cat on May 2, 2003, at 11:54:02
In reply to Barb, Re: Lithium and depression, posted by McPac on May 1, 2003, at 19:20:59
How did I feel... My thoughts started fragmenting, like there were multiple strands of unfinished thoughts going at the same time. I started feeling very unfocussed, not remembering where I put things. Very uncentered and jagged. Any stress becomes humongous and unbearable. This kind of despairing stress will then lead to a mixed states agitated depression, every time. I've had this same set of symptoms before I started lithium and would get frantic with worry (what's happening to me?) and that made it worse and caused the descent. This time I recognized it as lithium deprivation and was as level-headed as possible. Starting lithium again made everything mo' bettah. But it took a week before I felt settled in. Taught me a lesson. - BarbaraCat
> Lithium has also been VERY good for me....what did you start to feel like during the week you went without it? thnx
Posted by McPac on May 2, 2003, at 18:46:59
In reply to Re: Barb, Re: Lithium and depression » McPac, posted by Barbara Cat on May 2, 2003, at 11:54:02
I'm wondering if Lithium has withdrawal side effects? hmmmmmmmm.....IF so,how would someone know whether it was the lithium withdrawal OR their original sympoms?
Posted by for2itous on May 2, 2003, at 20:26:28
In reply to Re: Barb, Re: Lithium and depression » McPac, posted by Barbara Cat on May 2, 2003, at 11:54:02
You go Barb.....I have felt a similar feeling except for me, sometimes when I look in the mirror I get confused!!!!! LOL
Found this site because I'm doing a paper about Lithium for a psych class. Most amazed at how Lithium succeeds to help stablize depressed moods with other drugs. So happy for you that it does Barb kitty at such a low dose.
Posted by for2itous on May 2, 2003, at 20:34:13
In reply to Barb, Re: Barb, Re: Lithium and depression, posted by McPac on May 2, 2003, at 18:46:59
What you described could be withdrawel symptoms if you took Lithium for a long time-how much of a history do you have....aren't you old friends with your original symptoms?
> I'm wondering if Lithium has withdrawal side effects? hmmmmmmmm.....IF so,how would someone know whether it was the lithium withdrawal OR their original sympoms?
Posted by Barbara Cat on May 3, 2003, at 11:10:28
In reply to Withdrawel Symptoms » McPac, posted by for2itous on May 2, 2003, at 20:34:13
Is it lithium withdrawal or just old symptoms, good question. I've done a web search and all 'experts' in the field claim there are no withdrawal symptoms from stopping lithium, but most people had a return of old symptoms, mainly mania. I think that's true for me - I noticed I was going into a house cleaning frenzy at all hours of the night. A worthy mania, but unfortunately my presence of mind quickly evaporates and I'm left with a fretful misery with all sorts of loose ends that I can't manage anymore. That frazzled disjointed anxious depression is an old feeling for sure and one that I tried to heal with SSRIs, unsuccessfully. They'd all fizzle out eventually. Only with lithium have I stabilized. It's been almost 16 months now and this is the longest that I've been stable, even letting myself hope that I can eventually have a life. Oh, the vanilla lethargic sort of depression comes every now and then but it's usually due to being burnt out or something I can ascribe it to. I haven't had the spooky horror show type since starting lithium.
Being without it for almost two weeks, I could see how the discordant anxiety could easily turn into dread and bleakness, mainly because I just don't think straight without lithium and things spiral out of control. Thanks for cheering me on during this. You folks are so great. Oh, BTW some of you might have seen the thread where I was experimenting with lithium orotate. I threw in the towel after 3 days without seeing any improvement and went back to good old lithium carbonate. - BarbaraKitty (I like that!)
This is the end of the thread.
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