Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 527198

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 63. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experiences

Posted by barbaracat on July 13, 2005, at 16:34:05

Most of what I've heard and experienced are the nasty effects of too high a dose of Li - tremors, nausea, headache, sweating. I've cut back to 600mg and have no side effects. I'm taking low dose Cymbalta as an AD and thyroid. Things were working great. But I'm just not feeling on my feed lately and wonder if increasing the Lithium slightly would kick things in or dull me out? I could always try it in small increments, but I'd like your experience.

How did too little feel for you and when did you know you had increased it to the right amount - this is subjective, not based on blood results, although please mention if there is a noticeable correlation. Thanks, everyone. - Barbara

 

Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experiences » barbaracat

Posted by smith562 on July 13, 2005, at 20:03:54

In reply to Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experiences, posted by barbaracat on July 13, 2005, at 16:34:05

I have been wrestling with this question for months, maybe years. After much reading and discussion with other babblers, for me the best indicator is ...... Sleep. If I sleep more than 8 hours a day, I am on too much lithium or too little antidepressant. If I sleep less than 6 hours a day, I am on too little lithium or too much antidepressant. I tried this after reading a study using sleep as way to dose mood stablizers.

Hope this helps!

Your friend,

Smith

> Most of what I've heard and experienced are the nasty effects of too high a dose of Li - tremors, nausea, headache, sweating. I've cut back to 600mg and have no side effects. I'm taking low dose Cymbalta as an AD and thyroid. Things were working great. But I'm just not feeling on my feed lately and wonder if increasing the Lithium slightly would kick things in or dull me out? I could always try it in small increments, but I'd like your experience.
>
> How did too little feel for you and when did you know you had increased it to the right amount - this is subjective, not based on blood results, although please mention if there is a noticeable correlation. Thanks, everyone. - Barbara

 

Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience

Posted by ramsea on July 14, 2005, at 3:48:37

In reply to Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experiences » barbaracat, posted by smith562 on July 13, 2005, at 20:03:54

This is a hard question for me. My experience is that of Bipolar 1, with rapid cycling and Mixed Manias, as well as a "normal personality" that is naturally very emotional and warm and very sensitive to everything--sounds, substances, feelings of others, words, colors, etc.

Only lithium offers me relief from the villain that is most out to get me--Mixed Episodes of pure mania with profound darkness. It takes at least 500 mg. for me to start improving, as I seem to need less of most medicines than average. But 1200 mg will be tolerable in a deep mania, though sickening if just maintaining or starting up on it after a "med vacation".

To maintain a space of mind that feels "okay" for me ---not dulled and drugged out--but not prone to sudden bouts of rapid cycling which can lead to longer and more treacherous mental places if not treated sharply and well---I find the dose varies between 600-1200mg. I don't stay at the higher doses for long.
But as for sleep--------well, lithium never helps me sleep. How I envy people who sleep with just lithium. I take Seroquel for sleep, at a low dose of 25 mg. most nights. But when a rapid cycling episode hits, or I show signs of increased overexcitement/irritability/depressive thinking/rages hidden or obvious/horrid racing thoughts and images/etc., then it is time to increase Seroquel for me. 50 mg. -100 mgs can help me sleep and slow the show down.

But even with all that--the lithium and Seroquel---I still rarely manage to patch 4-5 hrs of sleep together without a known waking, where I check the clock, put on an audiobook that is restful, and try to breathe myself back to sleep. Without the medicines, I am often up every hour on the hour (sometimes uncannily exactly hour to next hour). I eat to try to sleep and that makes me gain weight, though it can calm my nerves. I find black-out curtains help some--I live in a climate of long summer days.


For me, I know the lithium is helping by a very easy test. In my mixed episodes I want only relief from what feels like interminable misery. I would poke a hole in my head to let the endless screaming sorrow and confusion stream out---a frequent fantasy when I feel like that.

During these times, I am often physically unbearbly jumpy in my own skin, unable to position myself in any restful way, until possibly I drift off to sleep for anxious dreams, and wake in a panic, crying, moaning, terrified. It seems this will never end. Hopelessness overtakes me.

And then, after a week or so on a dose of lithium that is higher than ***I*** am used to (such as up from 600 to 1000) I wake from a solid 3-4 hrs sleep, unaware of waking even once, and I feel a weird sensation---it's called feeling okay, ready for my little expresso and a piece of toast. If that sort of waking continues, I grow very, very grateful. And to sleep 3-4 hrs without waking and being fully conscious--that is wonderful.

Maybe it is a little sad that I measure my days in this way--few people feel over the moon just because they wake up feeling okay after 3 hrs of sleep, but for me this is a definite sign of health and well-being. Some of us are sicker than others....But--- I am doing well right now, so I am feeling fortunate. This problem can be dealt with.

 

Re: Lithium is up there with Pennicilin and Aspiri

Posted by Squiggles on July 14, 2005, at 7:59:44

In reply to Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experiences, posted by barbaracat on July 13, 2005, at 16:34:05

Too little versus too much:

Lower:
- lighter body feeling
- easier breathing
- less sleep
- more skin sensitivity
- higher libido
- more energetic
- clearer head
- less diarrhea

But on too low - mania and psychotic depression

Too much:

- fuzzy head
- leaded body
- head heat waves
- more diarrhea
- chest tightness
- swollen face (probably thyroid effect)
- incoordination
- psychological disturbance
- more sleep and lethargy
- great thirst
- dry mouth and membranes

Too high: tremor

Above is my personal experience. I once
had seizures and stroke [i think, my dr.
said it was withdrawal from K] but I don't
know if I can attribute that to lithium
toxicity - it was very very hot, and that
is a factor. Maybe it was complex.

Coping - drink lots of water, and keep up
the salt and potassium.

Squiggles

 

Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience » ramsea

Posted by barbaracat on July 14, 2005, at 13:26:55

In reply to Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience, posted by ramsea on July 14, 2005, at 3:48:37

Ramsea,
Aren't mixed episodes just the godawful pits? I was getting them more and more frequently prior to lithium - one long horror after another. Best description for mine is Edgar Allen Poe on bad acid. Hopeless terror, rot and decay. I also couldn't sleep so there was no escape or comfort. I read my journals from those times and don't know how I survived. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, I guess.

I haven't had one mixed states psychotic depression since starting lithium, thank the heavenly hosts, although I've had a few corkers of plain old anergic who gives a rip about life depressions (I'm in one right now in fact). Those are a walk in the park compared to dysphoric mixed and I know what you mean about being grateful. I'm grateful that my current depression is just that and not a nightmare few people would believe. Glad lithium works for us, huh?

Yeah, I'm in a downer and it's since I stopped and restarted lithium - the only thing that's different - and raising Cymbalta 10 to 12mg. At least I can sleep - and sleep and sleep. Which makes me wonder if my recent 10 day hiatus from lithium and then restarting back at 600mg might be contributing to this sluggish lethargy? Even went to get some blood tests to see if I've got some mono type thing going on. Or maybe it's just a kind of lethargic depression instead of the agitated ones I'm used to. - Barbara

 

Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experiences » barbaracat

Posted by Maximus on July 14, 2005, at 13:29:48

In reply to Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experiences, posted by barbaracat on July 13, 2005, at 16:34:05

Hi,

Well, we're talking about maintenance here, not acute treatment, right?

My pdoc, Julie Tremblay, an eminent psychiatrist at Québec city, told me once that most of her clients were doing fairly well at a blood dosage between 0.4 and 0.6. So according to her the old 0.8 mark has to be reviewed. So why the new range? Tolerability AND compliance, she said. And if that is not enough then a "low" dose of an atypical anti-psychotic will be just perfect.

So to respond directly, with not enough lithium there is a lack of effecicacy. Too much and i feel bloated, diahrea, confused and shaking. Hum remember 0.8 dosage?

 

Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience

Posted by Squiggles on July 14, 2005, at 13:41:55

In reply to Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experiences » barbaracat, posted by Maximus on July 14, 2005, at 13:29:48

I don't dare complain about the side effects
of lithium in the 0.8-1.2 range anymore (that
is what my dr. has on record for the yearly
blood test). I had asked if I could be
put a little lower, but he thinks that is
the right range for me, with the Rivotril
and the Synthroid. My thyroid, my kidneys, my
heart -- everything is perfect, and that
after 20 yrs. on lithium.

I complained about diarrhea, and that made him
very keen on switching me to
something "new" or Valproate (which makes
you 3 times fatter and effects your liver).
So, I will not complain anymore, as after
20 years switching can work or not, especially
with the attempt to get the other drugs in
synch. He never liked lithium, maybe because
of the need for blood tests. But I think
it's the cat's pyjamas.

I am now pretty stable. No headaches, and
as I feell cleansed, so may Dr. Schou is right
about the brain accumulating the stuff over
a long period of time.

I saw some interesting articles on counterfeit
drugs; maybe mine came from a bad supplier. Or
it could just be my dr. is right and I need
0.8 and above.

What doesn't kill you makes you stranger :-)

Squiggles

 

Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience » Squiggles

Posted by barbaracat on July 14, 2005, at 13:53:52

In reply to Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience, posted by Squiggles on July 14, 2005, at 13:41:55

> What doesn't kill you makes you stranger :-)

**Love it!! Always suspected there was something more to that sentiment.

What is this study by Dr. Schou? and brain cleansing? (Sounds a tad Orwellian, but I know you mean something else)
>
BTW, I have not had a blood test in over 2 years but have kept my dosage at 600mg. My blood levels were consistently under by a good deal but I was getting 'good enough' therapeutic results without having to suffer through the side effects of a higher dose.

Barbara

 

Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience

Posted by Squiggles on July 14, 2005, at 14:37:08

In reply to Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience » Squiggles, posted by barbaracat on July 14, 2005, at 13:53:52

> > What doesn't kill you makes you stranger :-)

Not mine - loved the Edgar Alan Poe one though;
when I first had a depressive episode, I
said that I did not believe it was possible
for a human to experience such a fall into
a dark abyss without the use of psychedelic
drugs :-)
>
> **Love it!! Always suspected there was something more to that sentiment.
>
> What is this study by Dr. Schou? and brain cleansing? (Sounds a tad Orwellian, but I know you mean something else)

It's not a study -- it is something he says
in one of his Guide books for the public
available at Amazon.com; I have also seen
lithium holiday suggestions for chronic
lithium users;


> >
> BTW, I have not had a blood test in over 2 years but have kept my dosage at 600mg. My blood levels were consistently under by a good deal but I was getting 'good enough' therapeutic results without having to suffer through the side effects of a higher dose.
>

Well, that's good and it is also very encouraging
as I like my doctor and hate to have cynical
fears about my treatment. If 600mg was good
for you maybe it would be for me; it's hard to
believe though that the recent "generic" brand
I took was that much lower.

Here is a very good site on lithium toxicity:


"Virtual Hospital" Lithium Toxicity - Seminars
http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomframe.jsp?query=%22Virtual+Hospital%22+%22Schou%22+%22lithium%22&page=1&offset=1&result_url=redir%3Fsrc%3Dwebsearch%26requestId%3De619ba857d0125fd%26clickedItemRank%3D2%26userQuery%3D%2522Virtual%2BHospital%2522%2B%2522Schou%2522%2B%2522lithium%2522%26clickedItemURN%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.vh.org%252Fadult%252Fprovider%252Fpsychiatry%252FCPS%252F32.html%26invocationType%3D-%26fromPage%3DNSBoom%26amp%3BampTest%3D1&remove_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vh.org%2Fadult%2Fprovider%2Fpsychiatry%2FCPS%2F32.html

also take a look at at the IGSLI group. Dr.
Schou is the pioneer of lithium as you probably
know:

IGSLI
http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomframe.jsp?query=%22Schou%22+%22lithium%22+%22brain%22+%22blood%22&page=2&offset=0&result_url=redir%3Fsrc%3Dwebsearch%26requestId%3Df6451ee80d04641a%26clickedItemRank%3D20%26userQuery%3D%2522Schou%2522%2B%2522lithium%2522%2B%2522brain%2522%2B%2522blood%2522%26clickedItemURN%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.igsli.org%252Fgeneral.html%26invocationType%3Dnext%26fromPage%3DNSCPNextPrev%26amp%3BampTest%3D1&remove_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.igsli.org%2Fgeneral.html

and look at the "Intoxication" articles.

Squiggles

 

Re: Tiny URL » Squiggles

Posted by Maximus on July 14, 2005, at 15:23:14

In reply to Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience, posted by Squiggles on July 14, 2005, at 14:37:08

Squigg,

Take a look at here and say goodbye to the extra long urls ;-)

""http://tinyurl.heh.pl/tinyurl.php""

 

Re: Tiny URL

Posted by Squiggles on July 14, 2005, at 18:38:37

In reply to Re: Tiny URL » Squiggles, posted by Maximus on July 14, 2005, at 15:23:14

I am sorry for being sloppy; I will
try removing the frames next time.
Unfortunately, your neat transformer
does not seem to work with my software.


Squiggles

 

Re: quoth the raven, or something » barbaracat

Posted by ramsea on July 15, 2005, at 1:07:57

In reply to Re: Too little Lithium vs. just enough? experience » ramsea, posted by barbaracat on July 14, 2005, at 13:26:55

Barbara,
Sorry to hear about the depressive state you're in. You sure do understand Mixed mania conditions however---which makes me feel guilty, a little, because it is always nice not to be the only one. But I still don't wish it on you---or me, for that matter. It's strange how some folks pay good money to experience these tasters of hell. We get it free--and no luck for it.

My pdoc said last week that there are always going to be breakthrough episodes, the key is to become superaware of what is happening and taking steps for real damage control. He said this because I have been feeling so good--and you know the rest...Pity isn't it, that feeling good has to contain a warning for the likes of us.

Though it isn't as frequent for me as hypo/mania/mixed with psychotic features at times, I have been there with serious lethargic depression too, Barbara. I think it is easier for family and friends to bear,because we're sort of lumpish and quiet and they know where to find us (bed, sofa.) And yes, easier to bear in comparison with St. Vitus's dance but still----untreated, it seems to make the "next" mania more severe. Hope your dragging mood lifts soon for you.

 

Re: quoth the raven, or something » ramsea

Posted by barbaracat on July 15, 2005, at 11:35:02

In reply to Re: quoth the raven, or something » barbaracat, posted by ramsea on July 15, 2005, at 1:07:57

Thanks, Ramsea. Your post made me laugh! Aren't brains funny things? The webcasts I was listening to given by speakers on bipolar research all mentioned that bipolar disorder is considered the most fascinating condition in medicine. No other pathology spans the whole gamut of symptom extremes in such excruciating intensity and no other illness is able to contain two separate symptom polar opposites at the same time. Lucky fascinating us.

I'm going to start back on my regimen of L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine because this state of blahs has a definite dopamine depletion feeling. I'd been taking Ritalin and Concerta for a short while and I know those meds can deplete dopamine, and serotonin raises inversely to dopamine. So I'll try to bolster it without meds that deplete it see where things go. These blahs and manias? I say 'Nevermore!'. - Barbara

 

Raving ravens :-) » ramsea

Posted by Squiggles on July 15, 2005, at 11:35:07

In reply to Re: quoth the raven, or something » barbaracat, posted by ramsea on July 15, 2005, at 1:07:57

:-)

Just want to clarify that in the twenty
years or so that I have been taking lithium
and my supplementals, I have never had a
breakthrough episode. So, in my case at least
listening to my doctor and taking my drugs
on a regular schedule has paid off, with
the exception of a little tinkering which
my doctor has frowned on but has not been
restrictive. I have a wise doctor.

This recent catastrophe, was due to the
corrupted supply of lithium. It was evident
almost from the first pill -- I felt no
side effects and assumeed that this was due
to the superiourity of the "generic" drug.

Five months later, the mania and depression
proved that this was not the case. Moreover, my dr.'s call to the pharmacist to get the old version and the recovery from that intervention was sufficient to bring me back to normality.

So, this is just to clarify the in my case
at least, breakthroughs have not just been accidental failures, but directly caused to a physical problem with the meds in this case.
There *are* breakthroughs, and causes are usually
and mostly due to not taking your drugs, among other causes.

Take your drugz and listen to your doctor.

Squiggles

 

Re: Raving ravens :-) » Squiggles

Posted by barbaracat on July 15, 2005, at 11:57:14

In reply to Raving ravens :-) » ramsea, posted by Squiggles on July 15, 2005, at 11:35:07

Squiggles,
Coupla questions. When you say you've never had a breakthrough episode, could you clarify? No depression? No anxiety? Beyond the normal grunge, that is. Are you taking anything else?

Did you note what company made the bogus generic lithium brand? We keep hearing how generics are 'just as good' but I have noticed difference in quality and effect from a few generics, but so far, not lithium. Jeez, what a crummy thing to do, but at least it proves that what we're experiencing from these meds is not a placebo effect.

I have not been the same since restarting after my 10 day break from lithium. Could be other factors such as raising the Cymbalta a slight amount, but this dragging muddy feeling is - a drag. I know exercising, taking a walk, would help but my overriding sentiment is 'screw it, I don't want to and I'll just have to keep doing it'. So I don't. If someone were dangling the winning lottery ticket in front of me on a stick, I might rouse myself, but no one is, so screw it. And I'm usually the one beating the 'exercise is good for you' drum.

It's true that when we're in these places, the brain doesn't track well and normal rules do not apply. - Barbara

>
> Just want to clarify that in the twenty
> years or so that I have been taking lithium
> and my supplementals, I have never had a
> breakthrough episode. So, in my case at least
> listening to my doctor and taking my drugs
> on a regular schedule has paid off, with
> the exception of a little tinkering which
> my doctor has frowned on but has not been
> restrictive. I have a wise doctor.
>
> This recent catastrophe, was due to the
> corrupted supply of lithium. It was evident
> almost from the first pill -- I felt no
> side effects and assumeed that this was due
> to the superiourity of the "generic" drug.
>
> Five months later, the mania and depression
> proved that this was not the case. Moreover, my dr.'s call to the pharmacist to get the old version and the recovery from that intervention was sufficient to bring me back to normality.
>
> So, this is just to clarify the in my case
> at least, breakthroughs have not just been accidental failures, but directly caused to a physical problem with the meds in this case.
> There *are* breakthroughs, and causes are usually
> and mostly due to not taking your drugs, among other causes.
>
> Take your drugz and listen to your doctor.
>
> Squiggles

 

Raving ravens :-)

Posted by Squiggles on July 15, 2005, at 12:06:49

In reply to Re: Raving ravens :-) » Squiggles, posted by barbaracat on July 15, 2005, at 11:57:14

> Squiggles,
> Coupla questions. When you say you've never had a breakthrough episode, could you clarify?

No depression, no mania.


> Did you note what company made the bogus generic lithium brand?

Yes, and I have notified them.


We keep hearing how generics are 'just as good' but I have noticed difference in quality and effect from a few generics, but so far, not lithium.

I don't believe that all generics are necessarily
bad. In a production line "quality control" may
fail in pharmaceuticals, just as in any other
manufacturing company. Alternatively, it could
be a bad batch, or an imported bad batch, or
an old depleted batch. I really don't know but
I would hesitate to generalize to all drugs from
this. It could just as easily happen withe anothe
non-generic brand.

Valeant (my usual provider) warned me that switching from one brand to another or generic
may not be bioequivalent. They were right.

> I have not been the same since restarting after my 10 day break from lithium. Could be other factors such as raising the Cymbalta a slight amount, but this dragging muddy feeling is - a drag. I know exercising, taking a walk, would help but my overriding sentiment is 'screw it, I don't want to and I'll just have to keep doing it'. So I don't. If someone were dangling the winning lottery ticket in front of me on a stick, I might rouse myself, but no one is, so screw it. And I'm usually the one beating the 'exercise is good for you' drum.

It took me 30 days to start feeling normal and
I am still stabilizing. Dose and time are important -- perhaps your dr. could help you with
that.

>
> It's true that when we're in these places, the brain doesn't track well and normal rules do not apply.

I hope you get better soon; I don't know why
lithium has always been so good with me - it's
just a good match and I sympathize if not all
can be so lucky. I have a friend who has gone
through about 20 drugs before getting right.

Squiggles

 

Re: To Squiggles

Posted by Maximus on July 15, 2005, at 12:57:53

In reply to Re: Raving ravens :-) » Squiggles, posted by barbaracat on July 15, 2005, at 11:57:14

> Squiggles,
> Coupla questions. When you say you've never >had a breakthrough episode, could you clarify? >No depression? No anxiety? Beyond the normal >grunge, that is. Are you taking anything else?

Sorry but i repeat the same questions ;-) You have had no depression? No anxiety? No insomnia? No fatigue? No libido loss. Just the Lithium and voilà?

That would be very exceptional, indeed.

 

Raving ravens :-)

Posted by Squiggles on July 15, 2005, at 13:00:45

In reply to Re: To Squiggles, posted by Maximus on July 15, 2005, at 12:57:53

Yup, exceptional indeed (for lithium
related effect only).

Squiggles

Search

IGSLI

for a good research group
on lithium topics.

 

Re: Raving ravens :-) » Squiggles

Posted by barbaracat on July 16, 2005, at 13:32:33

In reply to Raving ravens :-), posted by Squiggles on July 15, 2005, at 12:06:49

Squiggles,
I might have given the wrong impression. It's not lithium that causing this slump. I've been on lithium for almost 3 years and it's been the best thing for me.

As far as the dragging, I think I've just been coming down with a bug because I've got a fever and other symptoms. But it also feels like a slight depression. Unlike you, I still get depressions, but they're manageable. I still get anxiety but considering some very anxiety provoking life situtations (husband out of work for 4 years, us living on my disability), it's manageable.

Just wanted to set the record straight. Lithium rules! - Barbara

 

Re: Lithium antidepressant augmentation?

Posted by Squiggles on July 16, 2005, at 13:55:33

In reply to Re: Raving ravens :-) » Squiggles, posted by barbaracat on July 16, 2005, at 13:32:33

Sorry if i misinterpreted your
message; i am still stabilizing
and my conncentration is getting
better day by day but takes a while.

The depression and anxiety you describe
sound relatively mild to full blow
m/d, and maybe other factors you mention
are relevant - but i am always vigilant
about the dose of the drugs -- they
too play a very significant role
in mood.

Lithium rules in the right range.

Squiggles

 

Re: Lithium antidepressant augmentation? » Squiggles

Posted by barbaracat on July 16, 2005, at 14:14:31

In reply to Re: Lithium antidepressant augmentation?, posted by Squiggles on July 16, 2005, at 13:55:33

Oh crap. I've been considering increasing my dose for a while and your post is my confirmation to go for it. I'm way below the therapeutic window and have resisted increasing because it really is a pork-o-genic drug and it really has been good enough - but maybe not optimal. I never got to the point of getting over the uncomfortable side effects of higher doses and I have hypothyroidism and I worry about it.

But if getting more with the program and taking an amount that is actually therapeutic - well, maybe it will kick it into the next level. So I'm gonna take an extra pinch slowly and see how it goes.

Thanks for the website - very interesting and heartening how beneficial lithium is for so many conditions.

You mentioned that you were on two other meds - I believe Synthroid (I am too along with Cytomel) and Rivsterol(?) - what is that? - Barbara

> Sorry if i misinterpreted your
> message; i am still stabilizing
> and my conncentration is getting
> better day by day but takes a while.
>
> The depression and anxiety you describe
> sound relatively mild to full blow
> m/d, and maybe other factors you mention
> are relevant - but i am always vigilant
> about the dose of the drugs -- they
> too play a very significant role
> in mood.
>
> Lithium rules in the right range.
>
> Squiggles

 

Re: Lithium antidepressant augmentation?

Posted by Squiggles on July 16, 2005, at 14:20:25

In reply to Re: Lithium antidepressant augmentation? » Squiggles, posted by barbaracat on July 16, 2005, at 14:14:31

I take Synthroid and Rivotril (and occasionally
Xanax); the Synthroid is necessary to offset
the lithium's effect on the thyroid function --
hypothyroidism is typical. Your dr. should
check your thyroid, and see if you need more.
The lithium dose depends on reaching the right
blood serum level, as well as your reaction to
that.

The other drugs -- well, i'm not sure but
i think they are for remnant anxiety or
adjuncts to the neurological effect of
the lithium.

Squiggles

 

Re: Lithium antidepressant augmentation? » Squiggles

Posted by barbaracat on July 16, 2005, at 14:41:08

In reply to Re: Lithium antidepressant augmentation?, posted by Squiggles on July 16, 2005, at 14:20:25

Oh, I certainly needed more thyroid. I have to keep my TSH levels very very low in the hyper range just to feel normal. I've always been hypothyroid and with Lithium it's aggravated. I watch my thyroid like a hawk because it is so crucial to everything. Luckily, my GP doc agrees that I need more thyroid than my tests indicate. I also periodically test my sex hormones as well and take bioidentical hormones for menopause.

This past January I ended up in the psych ward because of extreme meltdown. Afterwards, had my hormones tested and all were subnormal. Getting those levels fixed was critical in getting back to being a functional human being.

While I was in the hospital, I was taken off lithium and put on Depakote and Seroquel. It was awful. Not only was I a shuffling drooling zombie but my hair was falling out in chunks. None of that stuff for me, thank you, I'll stick with lithium. If it ain't broke don' fix it

I went off the depakote and back on lithium and went flamingly manic until it settled in. What a glorious trip - a true BP-I classic psychotic mania I haven't experienced in years since starting lithium. Impressive. My husband is a saint but I think he's also rather fascinated by it all. It's certainly not a boring condition.


> I take Synthroid and Rivotril (and occasionally
> Xanax); the Synthroid is necessary to offset
> the lithium's effect on the thyroid function --
> hypothyroidism is typical. Your dr. should
> check your thyroid, and see if you need more.
> The lithium dose depends on reaching the right
> blood serum level, as well as your reaction to
> that.
>
> The other drugs -- well, i'm not sure but
> i think they are for remnant anxiety or
> adjuncts to the neurological effect of
> the lithium.
>
> Squiggles

 

Bye for now

Posted by Squiggles on July 16, 2005, at 14:53:39

In reply to Re: Lithium antidepressant augmentation? » Squiggles, posted by barbaracat on July 16, 2005, at 14:41:08

I'm taking a break from the numerous
sites I participate in now. I look
forward to some normal activities
coming up. So, don't be offended
if I am not active on the boards.

Thank you everyone who has helped
with my recovery.

Squiggles

 

Re: Bye for now » Squiggles

Posted by SLS on July 16, 2005, at 15:52:47

In reply to Bye for now, posted by Squiggles on July 16, 2005, at 14:53:39

Take good care, Squiggles.


- Scott


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