Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 16147

Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Lithium, day one

Posted by Noa on December 3, 1999, at 12:55:17

I finally started lithium to augment my already soupy cocktail. I started on one 300 mg capsule this morning, and am supposed to take another later. Four days of this regimen, and then I move on to one in the morning and two at night. After I have been on that for 5 days, I need to get blood drawn and check my levels.

Some of you have followed my deliberations about whether or not to go with a mood stabilizer, and which one. I finally decided to do it after this last immobilizing episode of depression. It felt like a confirmation that I have a cycling depressive disorder and it will never get under control without a mood stabilizer. I don't know if a mood stabilizer will work, but at least I have to try.

My pdoc actually had recommended lithium about three years ago and I have been very resistant to the idea. He always said he understood that feeling.

Why did we go with lithium and not lamictal/neurontin? Well the pdoc said lithium has the most well documented record as an AD augmentation strategy.

In terms of my mood, I have already started feeling better since starting SR version of ritalin, which meant going with a higher dose (although I don't know if the actual amount of medicine delivered is more--that is tricky with extended release meds) and since increasing my serzone from 150 to 225, although it makes me tired. My pdoc had said I could increase the serzone to 300, but I think that would be too sedating. I am also considering breaking the 225 up and taking 75 in the afternoon, and 150 in the evening, to see if it manages the sedation better. My effexor xr is still at 375, and my throid (t3 and t4) are still in the "soup".

I read somewhere (on Dr. Bob's PsychoPharmocology tips)that it can take up to 6 months of lithium to see a reduction in the frequency of cycling in unipolar depression. But my pdoc said the lithium also has potential to increase the antidepressant effect sooner than that. We'll see.

 

Re: Lithium, day one

Posted by S. Suggs on December 3, 1999, at 14:11:13

In reply to Lithium, day one, posted by Noa on December 3, 1999, at 12:55:17

Noa, I have been taking lithium for 3 1/2 years now. My origional doc tried several times to get me to take it and like you I was reluctant. Was I ever wrong!! I made a huge difference, the main was that my frustration / anger went from a 9 to a 4 (1 - 10, 10 being worst). It did give me headaches for a couple of weeks, but it was well worth hanging in there. I started at 600 per day and later increased to 900. I also noticed that I seemed a little less anxious as a benefit. I have dysthymia and take parnate as well, 50 mg/day. Lithium has proven itself over and over again as safe and effective. My serum levels were never a problem. Just make sure to get enough salt in your diet and drink plenty of water. Best wishes and blessings,

S. Suggs

 

Re: Lithium, day one

Posted by JohnL on December 3, 1999, at 14:13:20

In reply to Lithium, day one, posted by Noa on December 3, 1999, at 12:55:17


Cheering for ya! Hard to argue with Lithium's solid track record in augmentation. Wishing you well. :) JohnL

 

Re: Lithium, day one

Posted by Janice on December 3, 1999, at 14:40:41

In reply to Re: Lithium, day one, posted by JohnL on December 3, 1999, at 14:13:20

I really hope it works for you Noa like it has for me. I noticed it effects by the third day. It prevents my highs and cuts my lows off; and also helps with my daily hyper-reactiveness from the ADHD. I'm less emotionally sensitive on it (thank God).

If you have any side effects, just post them, and we'll hopefully be able to help. Janice.

 

Re: Lithium, day one

Posted by saint james on December 3, 1999, at 23:38:31

In reply to Lithium, day one, posted by Noa on December 3, 1999, at 12:55:17

. But my pdoc said the lithium also has potential to increase the antidepressant effect sooner than that. We'll see.

James here....

If memory serves Li makes the cell membrane more permeable to AD's. It is common as an augmentation to add a small amount of Li to get this effect, if you are not trying to also control cycleing, then of course a greater amount of Li is needed.

j

 

Re: Lithium, day one

Posted by Noa on December 4, 1999, at 8:36:49

In reply to Re: Lithium, day one, posted by saint james on December 3, 1999, at 23:38:31

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. So far, so good, no noticeable reactions off the bat.

 

Re: Lithium, day one

Posted by Bob on December 5, 1999, at 10:17:39

In reply to Re: Lithium, day one, posted by Noa on December 4, 1999, at 8:36:49

> Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. So far, so good, no noticeable reactions off the bat.

It may be subtle, so be patient. I hope it goes well for you and, as the posts above show, it works. But you know m... fuggedabowdit! I couldn't tolerate 450mg. Tried for several months, first with prozac and then with zoloft (before switching to my TCA in place of Li). I can tell you, tho, even though I thought the Li was doing nothing, when I went off it I crashed pretty quickly. It *was* having a strong effect that, for me, was getting lost in the side effects.

good luck!!
Bob


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