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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bellalisse on July 27, 2011, at 19:19:13
I am taking 450 mgs of lithium and 5 mg lexapro for Bipolar I. I have a ton of ups and downs. There are weeks that I feel great, however this week is a real down week. I have extremely depressed. I keep thinking that maybe I should go back to Seroquoel, however I felt extremely sedated. Anyone has any thoughts?
Posted by herpills on July 27, 2011, at 20:40:44
In reply to lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by Bellalisse on July 27, 2011, at 19:19:13
> I am taking 450 mgs of lithium and 5 mg lexapro for Bipolar I. I have a ton of ups and downs. There are weeks that I feel great, however this week is a real down week. I have extremely depressed. I keep thinking that maybe I should go back to Seroquoel, however I felt extremely sedated. Anyone has any thoughts?
Have you thought about adding Lamictal? It's not as sedating as Seroquel, and may help with the depressions. herpills
Posted by sheilac on July 27, 2011, at 20:52:29
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I » Bellalisse, posted by herpills on July 27, 2011, at 20:40:44
How long have you been on the lithium and lexapro? They are both low doses. I have used both and liked both at low doses.
I loved seroquel for sleep, but could only take about 25 - 50mg a night.
Depending on how long you have been on these meds you may need an adjustment if you are still experiencing highs and lows.
Posted by morgan miller on July 27, 2011, at 22:56:33
In reply to lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by Bellalisse on July 27, 2011, at 19:19:13
Up the lithium dose to 900 for a while and find a great therapist if you have not already. It may also be worth considering adding 500 mg of Depakote and keeping on lithium at 450 mg. Don't bother with the seroquel, it's just not worth it.
A more paleo or primal diet has helped me quite a bit. It might be worth looking into. Mark's Daily Apple is a great resource if you are serious about primal eating/living.
Posted by morgan miller on July 27, 2011, at 22:59:50
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by morgan miller on July 27, 2011, at 22:56:33
> Up the lithium dose to 900 for a while and find a great therapist if you have not already. It may also be worth considering adding 500 mg of Depakote and keeping on lithium at 450 mg. Don't bother with the seroquel, it's just not worth it.
>
> A more paleo or primal diet has helped me quite a bit. It might be worth looking into. Mark's Daily Apple is a great resource if you are serious about primal eating/living.Suggesting adding depakote may look like it flies in the face of my recent anti-polypharmacy posts. I think 3 good meds at the right doses is perfectly o.k. I believe 90 percent of patients, if they give themselves time, and do other good things for themselves, will not ever have to take more than 3 medications.
Posted by Phillipa on July 28, 2011, at 0:25:42
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by morgan miller on July 27, 2011, at 22:59:50
I suggest xanax as has a slight antidepressant effect and doesn't have to be addicting. As if feel good on right dose why would you add more? Phillipa
Posted by Bellalisse on July 28, 2011, at 13:14:51
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I » Bellalisse, posted by herpills on July 27, 2011, at 20:40:44
I will talk to my doctor about it because this is getting ridiculous. Today my husband had to come home to help me because I cannot get anything done and have been extremely depressed. Today my doctor called this morning and increased my lithium to 450 mg twice a day.
Posted by Bellalisse on July 28, 2011, at 13:19:09
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by sheilac on July 27, 2011, at 20:52:29
I have been on lexapro since Jan 2008 and Lithium just recently because for some reason back in April Seroquoel did not work for me any more. I was taking 50 mg and the doctor switched my meds. Lithium works but the dose is not right
Posted by Bellalisse on July 28, 2011, at 13:26:08
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by morgan miller on July 27, 2011, at 22:59:50
Funny thing that the doctor suggested adding depakote with my increased lithium. I hope it will work. My doctor starts me slow. I started taking lithium at 150 and now up to 900 mg. I hope i get better because I believe next step is hospitalization
Posted by morgan miller on July 28, 2011, at 23:01:16
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by Bellalisse on July 28, 2011, at 13:26:08
> Funny thing that the doctor suggested adding depakote with my increased lithium. I hope it will work. My doctor starts me slow. I started taking lithium at 150 and now up to 900 mg. I hope i get better because I believe next step is hospitalization
A little depakote might be a good idea here. Good doctor, as long as he doesn't keep on piling up the meds.
Make sure you get a hold of some Solgar l-methylfolate and take 400 to 800 mg. Both lithium and depakote have potential to reduce folate. If you take depakote, get some l-carnitine and take 500 to 1000 mg a day, depakote can deplete this too. Also, supplementing fish oil, a good multi, and some magnesium(glycinate, taurinate, or citrate) would be a good idea.
Hope you feel better soon!
Morgan
Posted by desolationrower on July 30, 2011, at 21:33:34
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by morgan miller on July 28, 2011, at 23:01:16
over 450mg lithium usually isn't better for antidepressant. have you ruled out traditional antidepresasnts (to take with lithium)?
-d/r
Posted by Bellalisse on July 31, 2011, at 19:00:24
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by desolationrower on July 30, 2011, at 21:33:34
> over 450mg lithium usually isn't better for antidepressant. have you ruled out traditional antidepresasnts (to take with lithium)?
>
> -d/r
My bloodwork came back the lithium was not at a therapeutic level. It was .04 and to be at a good level it should be at .06. The increased dosage for now is the step the doctor wants to go and I have not been working since April when I started cycling really bad. Hopefully soon I can go back!
Posted by desolationrower on July 31, 2011, at 23:25:07
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by Bellalisse on July 31, 2011, at 19:00:24
lithium does a lot of things, so a singular level doesn't seem right for everyone. hope the bump helps.
-d/r
Posted by sheilac on August 1, 2011, at 8:47:54
In reply to Re: lithium / lexapro for Bipolar I, posted by desolationrower on July 30, 2011, at 21:33:34
My blood level at 450mg Lithium was.4 and the doc wanted me to go higher to 600mg to try for blood level of .6.
I got really depressed when I moved over 450mg.
At 300mg I feel really calm and almost stoned.
I haven't tried adding 150mg to my current Geodon to see how that works.
All you can do is try what your doc suggests and see how it works. Lithium might be the right med for you or at least an add on med to something else.
This is the end of the thread.
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