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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SheilaC on May 4, 2010, at 11:41:59
The past few month have been difficult and I have had episodes of severe anger and irritability. I am on Pristiq, Klonopin and Adderall.
I have tried mood stabilizers in the past and just haven't found anything I liked or could tolerate.
After a really bad weekend, my doc gave me some samples of Zyprexa to get through the short term (she doesn't want me staying on this long term due to weight gain side effects). So last night I took 2.5 mg (I was afraid to take 5mg.) and it totally rocks.
She wants me to start on 150mg of Lithium 2x a day = 300mg a day. I've never taken this before due to my fear of weight gain. I know this is a small dose.
Any input on how low dose lithium might help a BPII person like me?
Posted by stargazer2 on May 4, 2010, at 12:34:18
In reply to Low dose Lithium?, posted by SheilaC on May 4, 2010, at 11:41:59
Hi Sheila...
Not sure about how Lithium will help you but like anything else, it is trial and error. Haven't you ever taken Lithium before as it was the gold standard for Bipolar before all the newer mood stabalizers, and most of them are seizure medications, so they affect the brain by reducing exitability, etc.
I'm interested in why you are also on Adderall, as that med can probably cause some increase in neuro reactivity. Did your doc talk about reducing the dose of Adderall as I would think this med can contribute to some of your symptoms of irritability.
I've been given Lithium numerous times, but I do not have BP but MDD. IT has not worked for me but might for you with your dx.
Good luck.
Posted by morganator on May 4, 2010, at 13:34:38
In reply to Low dose Lithium?, posted by SheilaC on May 4, 2010, at 11:41:59
I say go for it. I'm on the exact same dose and have been doing somewhat better. Don't expect miracles, just hope for mild improvements.
Lithium is promotes neuroprotection and neurogenesis. It also has anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. Lithum induces autophagy-which basically involves the recycling of cells, cell growth, cell development and homeostasis. There are many good reasons to be on a low dose of lithium other than mood enhancing benefits. As long as you don't have any side effects that do not go away, staying on lithium for life is most likely a good thing for you mood and the health of your brain.
Posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2010, at 20:05:38
In reply to Re: Low dose Lithium?, posted by morganator on May 4, 2010, at 13:34:38
Morgan never heard of it being antiviral or microbial? That's a new one to me. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on May 5, 2010, at 14:34:18
In reply to Low dose Lithium?, posted by SheilaC on May 4, 2010, at 11:41:59
Hi Sheila,
Maybe low dose zyprexa would work w/o weight gain. Is weight gain dose dependent? Abilfy weight gain was for me. Anyways, glad to hear something worked:)
I take 300 lithium per day--not for BP, but for reasons stated by Morganator. Maybe 300 will be enough. You're med-sensitive as I recall. The therapeutic range begins at 900 I think.
Helps my mood, and a slight increase in weight, but nothing a little effort on my part couldn't deal with.
Posted by SheilaC on May 6, 2010, at 13:53:49
In reply to Re: Low dose Lithium? » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on May 5, 2010, at 14:34:18
I gained weight on Abilify too.
You have gain ed weight on just 300mg of lithium?
Posted by floatingbridge on May 6, 2010, at 14:29:21
In reply to Re: Low dose Lithium?, posted by SheilaC on May 6, 2010, at 13:53:49
Yes, a little less than ten pounds. But I have made zero effort to lose it. I could if I wanted to--unlike ability which felt very different--the weight gain, that is, felt fast and unhealthy w/abilify.
No other s/e. Mood brightener. Good for your brains, too. (Neurogenic) Don't let weight gain scare you....
Posted by desolationrower on May 7, 2010, at 20:19:56
In reply to Re: Low dose Lithium?, posted by SheilaC on May 6, 2010, at 13:53:49
i posted something recently that suggested Li weight gain is because of increased thirst caused by changes in salt/ion regulation. and people confuse hunger and thirst, and also quench thirst with colas, juice, milk, etc.
-d/r
Posted by SheilaC on May 7, 2010, at 20:48:41
In reply to Re: Low dose Lithium? » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on May 6, 2010, at 14:29:21
Do you take any other meds besides the low dose of lithium?
Do you ever have trouble sleeping? I still have trouble sleeping. Seroquel helps with that but makes me so irritable.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 7, 2010, at 22:36:38
In reply to Floatingbridge - Re: Low dose Lithium?, posted by SheilaC on May 7, 2010, at 20:48:41
Hi Shelia,
How would you describe your sleep problem? Onset, staying asleep, early awakening?
Insomnia (sleep onset type) has been a problem since childhood. Luckily, I respond to sonata (generic). I've also had success w/ lunesta, but the hangover is strong. For a brief time someone prescribed trazedone (sp.)--ugh. Only when my depression is severe do I wake early.
(A friend uses remeron--.)
Pristiq 50
Dex spansules and maybe dex IR total 40-60.
Xanax xr 1.0
Xanax IR .5 as needed
lithium 300
Vicodin 7.5 mgSonata 5 as needed.
I get anxious. I know you have irritability.
My depression seems to be unipolar. Is your dx BP ll?What's your regime?
Hope there's something helpful here--.
Best to you,
fb
Posted by Hombre on May 8, 2010, at 1:27:14
In reply to Floatingbridge - Re: Low dose Lithium?, posted by SheilaC on May 7, 2010, at 20:48:41
Magnesium (not magnesium oxide, not with calcium or anything else), zinc, B6 and niacin are helpful when it comes to sleep. I take less Seroquel that way and feel calmer. Daily exercise is also key.
I swear the magnesium has altered my hormones so I am getting leaner and losing the fat/water I put on from low dose lithium and a higher dose of Seroquel. I have more calm, clear energy and can concentrate better. I'm not saying it would do this without the meds, but it sure helps the meds. Again, daily exercise is key, but it also makes me feel much more energetic and calm, able to deal with more BS.
Posted by SheilaC on May 8, 2010, at 9:45:39
In reply to Re: Floatingbridge - Re: Low dose Lithium? » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on May 7, 2010, at 22:36:38
> Hi Shelia,
>
> How would you describe your sleep problem? Onset, staying asleep, early awakening?
>
> Insomnia (sleep onset type) has been a problem since childhood. Luckily, I respond to sonata (generic). I've also had success w/ lunesta, but the hangover is strong. For a brief time someone prescribed trazedone (sp.)--ugh. Only when my depression is severe do I wake early.
>
> (A friend uses remeron--.)
>
> Pristiq 50
> Dex spansules and maybe dex IR total 40-60.
> Xanax xr 1.0
> Xanax IR .5 as needed
> lithium 300
> Vicodin 7.5 mg
>
> Sonata 5 as needed.
>
> I get anxious. I know you have irritability.
> My depression seems to be unipolar. Is your dx BP ll?
>
> What's your regime?
>
> Hope there's something helpful here--.
>
> Best to you,
>
> fb
>
>
>
>I take Pristiq 50mg
Klonopin .5 - 1.5mg per day
Lithium 300mg
I would say my problem is falling asleep and getting into a nice deep sleep.Seroquel helped with that - but it made me mean.
I tried melatonin last night and it seemed to help.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 8, 2010, at 22:29:19
In reply to Re: Floatingbridge - Re: Low dose Lithium?, posted by SheilaC on May 8, 2010, at 9:45:39
Oh good. Melatonin gives me a headache :(
That might really be enough for you.
Remzon or something like that is a melatonin based sleep scrip. I haven't heard much about it.
Best to you.
Posted by SLS on May 8, 2010, at 22:33:47
In reply to Re: Floatingbridge - Re: Low dose Lithium? » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on May 8, 2010, at 22:29:19
> Oh good. Melatonin gives me a headache :(
>
> That might really be enough for you.
>
> Remzon or something like that is a melatonin based sleep scrip. I haven't heard much about it.
>
> Best to you.
Rozerem (ramelteon)?
Has anyone combined Rozerem with Remeron?
- Scott
Posted by Dan_MI on May 9, 2010, at 11:23:17
In reply to Low dose Lithium?, posted by SheilaC on May 4, 2010, at 11:41:59
Sheila,
If you are Bipolar II, like me, why on earth does your doctor have you on Adderal? If you are BPII, Adderal is not in your best interest. In fact, Pristiq is even frowned upon for people like us.
Lithium is a life-saver, a relationship-saver and a job-saver. It brought calm to me on the first day I took it. And I experienced no weight gain at 1200 mg/day. In fact, I run half-marathons and swim and bike.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 9, 2010, at 11:48:42
In reply to Re: Floatingbridge - Re: Low dose Lithium?, posted by SLS on May 8, 2010, at 22:33:47
Yes, (bad speller).
No haven't tried that combination or either.
I like that tensor is doing well on remeron--a personal friend is, too.
I don't hear much at all about the other sleep med.
Good question....
Posted by cee on October 4, 2010, at 11:45:20
In reply to Re: Floatingbridge - Re: Low dose Lithium?, posted by Hombre on May 8, 2010, at 1:27:14
> Magnesium (not magnesium oxide, not with calcium or anything else), zinc, B6 and niacin are helpful when it comes to sleep. I take less Seroquel that way and feel calmer. Daily exercise is also key.
>
> I swear the magnesium has altered my hormones so I am getting leaner and losing the fat/water I put on from low dose lithium and a higher dose of Seroquel. I have more calm, clear energy and can concentrate better. I'm not saying it would do this without the meds, but it sure helps the meds. Again, daily exercise is key, but it also makes me feel much more energetic and calm, able to deal with more BS.hello floatingbridge
you have some good ideas will try some of them it seems thay we are taking the same meds,i take750 seroquel and 150 mg of lithium how about you
take care cee
Posted by floatingbridge on October 4, 2010, at 14:01:09
In reply to Re: Floatingbridge - Re: Low dose Lithium?, posted by cee on October 4, 2010, at 11:45:20
Hi Cee,
Hombre wrote that post which is confusing because my name is in the header.
I do hope Hombre's suggestions work for you!
fb
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