Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 16857

Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Lithium, Day 11

Posted by Noa on December 13, 1999, at 19:39:51

I have noticed small increments of improvement in my mood, but my motivation and productivity at work (and at home) are still very low. The frequent urination and thirst seem a bit less intense in the past couple of days, though I have had a headache yesterday and today and wonder if I am not drinking enough. I feel sluggish and sleepy a lot. Had blood drawn Saturday to assess lithium levels, results not back yet. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

Re: Lithium, Day 11

Posted by S. Suggs on December 13, 1999, at 21:46:43

In reply to Lithium, Day 11, posted by Noa on December 13, 1999, at 19:39:51

Noa: You still need to give it some more time. I know it's hard, but hang in there. At least it seems that you are getting some relief from the thirst factor. Thanks for the update and Blessings,

S. Suggs

 

Re: Lithium, Day 11

Posted by Bob on December 13, 1999, at 23:45:16

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 11, posted by S. Suggs on December 13, 1999, at 21:46:43

If you want to keep track of how much water you are drinking, one method I've used in the past is to use one of those travel mugs that fits into a car/minivan's cupholders and some rubberbands. Make sure you know the volume of the mug. Every time you finish a mug of water, put a rubber band around that bottom section of the mug that goes into the cupholder.

Using that trick, I could make sure I was staying on target for drinking a mug an hour while at work. That got me close to a gallon between 9 and 5. At the time I was trying to drink 1.5 gallons a day, so it made my pre-work and post-work loads much more manageable.

So set yourself a goal and see if it's sufficient. If not, up your intake.
Bob


Okay, I know someone out there is wondering why drink 1.5 gallons of water a day. It was part of a fitness/diet plan that really worked well (before my zoloft 40). The water was to help both with the fat burning and workout strain repair issues ... plus, if you drank it gradually like that and as cold as you could stand it, you'd always have to force your body to warm itself back up from the chill it would give you. A little simple thermodynamics to burn off a few extra calories for "free". How many, I dunno ... but more than drinking cool water instead of ice-cold water.

 

Re: Lithium, Day 11

Posted by dove on December 14, 1999, at 10:48:46

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 11, posted by Bob on December 13, 1999, at 23:45:16

Hi Noa,

I've been watching your story unfold and wanted to thank you for letting us in on your journey. It doesn't feel so lonely when I can stop at the board anytime and see your name and updates. I am seeing my doc on friday and am going to ask again about lithium, if he still pushes the ssri's I'm probably going to get a second opinion. I send my blessings your way and once again just wanted to say "Thank you," you give a lot to this board and I really appreciate it.

Best wishes to you Noa,
dove

 

Re: Lithium, Day 12--thanks, you guys

Posted by Noa on December 14, 1999, at 21:10:55

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 11, posted by dove on December 14, 1999, at 10:48:46

Thanks Bob, Suggs, and Dove. Any and all support is extremely helpful. I am having a hard time not being discouraged, even though I know it is probably too early to judge whether the lithium is going to help. As I said in my previous post, I had noticed day to day small improvements in my mood, but the past two days have been hard. I have had a hard time with my energy level, motivation, initiative, and the past two days, my mood has been "cloudy".

I got my blood test back. My lithium level is 0.5. When I look up info about lithium, I see the range of levels for treatment of bipolar illness, but I don't know what is considered therapeutic for augmentation of ADs in treating depression. Can anyone fill me in?

Thanks.

 

Re: Lithium, Day 12--thanks, you guys

Posted by Elizabeth on December 15, 1999, at 10:14:55

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 12--thanks, you guys, posted by Noa on December 14, 1999, at 21:10:55

> I got my blood test back. My lithium level is 0.5. When I look up info about lithium, I see the range of levels for treatment of bipolar illness, but I don't know what is considered therapeutic for augmentation of ADs in treating depression. Can anyone fill me in?

Sure. The range for antidepressant augmentation is 0.5-0.8 mmol/L. So you're on the low end.

 

Re: Lithium, Day 12--thanks, you guys

Posted by Noa on December 15, 1999, at 12:32:50

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 12--thanks, you guys, posted by Elizabeth on December 15, 1999, at 10:14:55

Thanks for the info, Elizabeth. Where did you learn this?

 

Hi Noa...

Posted by Janice on December 15, 1999, at 20:49:42

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 12--thanks, you guys, posted by Noa on December 15, 1999, at 12:32:50

This is common knowledge Noa. 0.8-1.2 mmol/L. is the treatment level for manic depression. Lithium has a small margin between the therapeutic level and toxic level. I believe toxicity level can start at 1.5 mmol/L.

If I were you, I would not expect a miracle from lithium but an overall lessening of your depression and much of your irritability, if you have it.

I'll be reading your posts and hoping well for you, Janice.


 

Lithium, Day 13

Posted by Noa on December 15, 1999, at 21:08:04

In reply to Hi Noa..., posted by Janice on December 15, 1999, at 20:49:42

Hi. Saw my pdoc this evening. He thinks my true level is probably around .4 because I got a .5 on blood drawn about two hours after taking a 300 mg. capsule. In any event, he is recommending staying at this level another week to give it a fair amount of time to have an effect. If no major improvement, increase from 900 mg to 1200 mg. and get levels about 5 days later.

I noticed a bit more improvement today. I am just so impatient. And intolerant of any worsening mood, even though I know there is going to be some fluctuation. When I feel worse, I feel panicky about a repeat of the recent severe bouts. After the bout this past summer, when I was seriously suicidal, I am afraid of my depression in a big way. Wanting to improve fast is like wanting to speed away from danger. So I have set up this expectation that lithium is my getaway car. I know I need to be more realistic, but the fear of becoming severely depressed again is so powerful. I feel like I am running out of the fuel it takes to deal with these episodes. I feel like a cat who has used all of its lives.

 

Re: Lithium, Day 12--thanks, you guys

Posted by Elizabeth on December 15, 1999, at 21:25:47

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 12--thanks, you guys, posted by Noa on December 15, 1999, at 12:32:50

> Thanks for the info, Elizabeth. Where did you learn this?

You're welcome.

1. I take lithium for AD augmentation.
2. It's in a textbook of mine.

:)

 

Re: Lithium, Day 13

Posted by S. Suggs on December 17, 1999, at 7:40:27

In reply to Lithium, Day 13, posted by Noa on December 15, 1999, at 21:08:04

Noa: Just curious how things were going with your lithium trial. I think you have done a great job in keeping us up to date and I'm interested to see how your progress is going. Just stick with it, lithium can take a while to augment an ad or just work on its own. Best wishes and Blessings,

S. Suggs

 

Re: Lithium, Day 13

Posted by Phil on December 17, 1999, at 7:47:19

In reply to Lithium, Day 13, posted by Noa on December 15, 1999, at 21:08:04

Noa,
Started Li today myself. Couldn't make it into work yesterday, called my new pdoc and Li was the call.
Hope you are doing well.

Phil

 

Re: Lithium, Day 13

Posted by Noa on December 17, 1999, at 10:56:03

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 13, posted by S. Suggs on December 17, 1999, at 7:40:27

Hi. Be sure to read my post below, in response to Abby, who started a new thread.

Phil, I wish you luck. What other meds are you on? Was your doc recommending the lithium as the next step for a while, or was this a recent strategy discussed? Keep us posted about how you are doing. I am *thirsty* for reports from others on the lithium experience. Being able to keep you guys up to date frequently has been helpful for me. Getting supportive and informative responses has been a lifesaver.

 

Re: Lithium, Day 13

Posted by Phil on December 17, 1999, at 18:43:08

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 13, posted by Noa on December 17, 1999, at 10:56:03

Noa,
I just recently, about amonth or so ago, switched pdocs...felt I needed some new input.
I'm on 150mg Nortrip, 20SR Ritalin, and Klonopin. All I had previously discussed with her was the Reboxetine order I have received.
I have been on a slippery slope of late and called her a few days after an appt. and just said it ain't gettin better. She felt Li was the best choice for a quick turnaround-I was at her office 20 minutes later for samples!
Today was okay but I really am just drifting...feel like I have wasted my life, etc.
I really am sick of this disease, the side effects, and just about everything else I can think of. I'll keep you updated and look forward to your posts.
I'm not suicidal but I really wouldn't mind a meteorite slamming my house tonight!

Phil

 

Re: Lithium, Day 13

Posted by Noa on December 17, 1999, at 19:02:11

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 13, posted by Phil on December 17, 1999, at 18:43:08

Phil,

Hang in there. I have been taking the lithium for two weeks now, and finally, yesterday and today, I have begun to feel a qualitative difference. Until then, only small increments of minor improvement, but not enough to chip away at my discouragement.


I have also gotten so sick of this disease, but finally today feel hopeful. So hang in there. And if the lithium is not "it", even though it is hard to do, keep in mind there are other possibilities to try.

Keep us posted.

 

Re: Lithium, Day 13

Posted by Bob (Hi Noa!!) on December 24, 1999, at 10:56:28

In reply to Re: Lithium, Day 13, posted by Noa on December 17, 1999, at 19:02:11

Looks like things are continued down a few threads, but since you mentioned it here:

(1) if you need one or two of my nine lives, kitty, you got'em. Er, eight lives. I do think I surrendered one of them ... but that'll still give me six. ;^)

(2) anyone who is NOT sick of being depressed, please raise your hands.


Hmm ... I don't see any. Looks like Phil and Noa are in good company.

Bob


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