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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CindyLou on September 5, 2004, at 10:23:01
I haven't found any research to indicate that LIthium causes anxiety, however, in my case, I have had horrible anxiety, irritiability, fear, agitation, etc. since starting Lithium a month ago or so. These symptoms have become more severe since I increased the dose from 900 mg. to 1250 mg.
I do take stims during the day (low doses) to help combat fatigue -- could the LIthium perhaps interact with the stims and/or caffeine? I have taken them for a long time, before the Lithium, and they didn't cause this intense anxiety.
I also take Prozac - 10 mg. (which has never caused anxiety before), and Klonapin at night (o.5 mg.) I had stopped the Klonapin about a month ago since the Lithium made me tired (I take the Lith at night) and I didn't need the Klonapin to sleep. I just took the Klonapin as needed -- sometmes a half dose, sometimes none.
I have taken the Klonapin the past two nights in case the anxeity I am feeling is related to Klonapin withdrawal, but I still have that anxiety.
Any thoughts, experiences, advice GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Cindy
Posted by Maximus on September 5, 2004, at 11:31:08
In reply to Can Lithium CAUSE anxiety???, posted by CindyLou on September 5, 2004, at 10:23:01
Hi,
It seems to be very rare. But in my case, yes, it does cause anxiety.
But we know that Lithium does potentiate an antidepressant. You take Prozac... Moreover we do know that Lithium regulates the catecholamines in the brain. A little bit more norepeniphrine and dopamine here and there may trigger anxiety.
But in your case i would be inclined to think that is not negative. You seem to get from your combo of meds a very good antidepressive response. Perhaps you could take a little more Klonopin or simply ask to your pdoc to add a tiny dose of atypical antipsychotic such as Zyprexa or Seroquel.
Finally, there are so many mechanisms of action (i spare you the details) and interactions involving the lithium that we can not be sure at 100% why it does cause anxiety.
Posted by olysi79 on September 5, 2004, at 12:03:06
In reply to Can Lithium CAUSE anxiety???, posted by CindyLou on September 5, 2004, at 10:23:01
Hi there... I took my first dose of Lithium yesterday and have the SAME PROBLEM! I also feel feverish and crappy overall. I promptly paged my PDOC and said no thanks... I'm sure she's sick of my escapades with different meds and probably thinks I'm a hopeless case... we're back to the drawing board next week...next up is depakote probably...
Posted by CindyLou on September 5, 2004, at 12:27:06
In reply to Re: Can Lithium CAUSE anxiety???, posted by olysi79 on September 5, 2004, at 12:03:06
I'm so sorry you had such a rough experience with the Lithium -- there is nothing worse than feeling horrible on it the first day. I have also been through a litany of meds, and usually have very intense side effects right away. I had a bad experience with the Lithium when I first tried it 4 years ago, but I was in the throes of post-partum depression at the time. This time when I tried it again, I didn't have many side effects at all, until this anxiety issue came up a few weeks ago (I am thinking it has to do with the increased dose, combining with other meds...)
Anyway, I give you credit for not continuing on the Lithium only to feel miserable for a few weeks and then have to get off of it. Hopefully your pdoc understands that some of us have a hard time finding the right med, and will continue to work with you.
Take care, and hang in there,
cindy
> Hi there... I took my first dose of Lithium yesterday and have the SAME PROBLEM! I also feel feverish and crappy overall. I promptly paged my PDOC and said no thanks... I'm sure she's sick of my escapades with different meds and probably thinks I'm a hopeless case... we're back to the drawing board next week...next up is depakote probably...
Posted by olysi79 on September 5, 2004, at 12:36:23
In reply to Re: Can Lithium CAUSE anxiety??? » olysi79, posted by CindyLou on September 5, 2004, at 12:27:06
Hi Cindy, thanks for the response... I guess I get scared that my PDOC will somehow think I'm a hopeless case... there are times when I feel ok, but she just sees the worst of everything. She told me to ride out my mood problems for a couple of days until I see her, stop taking the Lithium, and they'd we try something else... I just don't want her to give up on me is all.
> I'm so sorry you had such a rough experience with the Lithium -- there is nothing worse than feeling horrible on it the first day. I have also been through a litany of meds, and usually have very intense side effects right away. I had a bad experience with the Lithium when I first tried it 4 years ago, but I was in the throes of post-partum depression at the time. This time when I tried it again, I didn't have many side effects at all, until this anxiety issue came up a few weeks ago (I am thinking it has to do with the increased dose, combining with other meds...)
>
> Anyway, I give you credit for not continuing on the Lithium only to feel miserable for a few weeks and then have to get off of it. Hopefully your pdoc understands that some of us have a hard time finding the right med, and will continue to work with you.
>
> Take care, and hang in there,
> cindy
>
>
>
>
> > Hi there... I took my first dose of Lithium yesterday and have the SAME PROBLEM! I also feel feverish and crappy overall. I promptly paged my PDOC and said no thanks... I'm sure she's sick of my escapades with different meds and probably thinks I'm a hopeless case... we're back to the drawing board next week...next up is depakote probably...
>
>
Posted by HappyGirl on September 6, 2004, at 10:51:32
In reply to Can Lithium CAUSE anxiety???, posted by CindyLou on September 5, 2004, at 10:23:01
Hi:
>>>> I do take stims during the day (low doses) to help combat fatigue -- could the LIthium perhaps interact with the stims and/or caffeine? <<<<--- What kind of 'stimulant' are you on? In your suspicion, .... yes, Stimulant DOES cause 'Anxiety,' ... particularly 'potent' form of Stimulants(I just can't remember the names of all those, ... ). Also, Coffee does, too.
For this reason, most of podocs. rxes 'Wellbutrin SR/XL' that is a sort of 'stimulant,' but 'milder form of stimulant' NOT to cause 'anxiety.'In addition to this above, Lithium may have some augumentation to 'stimulant' on which you've been on, because there is/are interaction among the meds. you're taking. Particualy, Lithium has 'good effect' on depression along with good 'booster' on prozac. However, if Anxiety is a BIG problem, then you need other form of med. For me, 'Trazodone' before the bed has been doing a good job on 'Anxiety' along with 'depression' throughout the day. I take just 50 mg. due to 'sedative effect/sleepiness' during the day, especially in the morning, sometime lasts until noon-time when I take the 150 mg. Traz. But, over all, I love this med. knowing this med. has both 'depression' and 'anxiety' effect on my Bp II.
H.G.
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