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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bryn B. on July 12, 2012, at 13:30:47
i started 300 mg of lithium a week ago and initially felt ok (maybe even good). now i'm super cranky, irritable and more lethargic than ever.
thoughts?
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 12, 2012, at 20:49:34
In reply to Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by Bryn B. on July 12, 2012, at 13:30:47
I suppose that it is possible, but it is also likely that these are symptoms of the disorder that you are taking the lithium for. 300 is a low dose, even for augmenting purposes. When I took it as an augmenting agent I took between 600 and 900 mg. What is your pdoc's plan in terms of dosing? If you thought it might be helping, it might make sense to stick with the med a little longer, perhaps at a higher dose.
Feel better!
EE
Posted by Bryn B. on July 12, 2012, at 23:57:16
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 12, 2012, at 20:49:34
The Lithium is an addition to my Lexapro. I was supposed to go up to 600, but feel too "off" (and I'm having stomach issues). Ugh. I think my pdoc wants to play it by ear, especially as it's not clear where I fall on the mood disorder spectrum (bipolar, mdd, etc.). The one thing that is clear: Lexapro alone doesn't cut it.
Emily, I know you mentioned being on Lithium--do you still take it? And do you take an AD?
Thanks!
Posted by former poster on July 13, 2012, at 0:57:30
In reply to Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by Bryn B. on July 12, 2012, at 13:30:47
I don't want to sound anti-med, but Lithium made me feel worse too. I felt some relief initially. I had high hopes for Lithium. Then after a few weeks I couldn't function. I had a horrible feeling vegetating away, blunted, "half there".. Even small doses produced the same effect.
Hope you find the right med/s!
Posted by emily elizabeth on July 13, 2012, at 11:34:40
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse? » Emily Elizabeth, posted by Bryn B. on July 12, 2012, at 23:57:16
I stopped taking Lithium a while back for reasons unrelated to the medication itself. (I was trying to get private insurance and being on Lithium and/or Abilify disqualified you, so I tried to stop them). I was pretty stable on 20mg Lexapro, 600mg Lithium, and 5mg Abilify.
Nowadays, I am trying to get pregnant, so the only thing I am taking is Lamictal. It seems pretty good so far.
Lexapro alone didn't cut it for me either. I feel your pain. Hang in there.
EE
P.S. Definitely read the Phelps book "Why am I still depressed?" It is primarily about BP II and talks about folks like you (and me) where it is not clear exactly where they fall on the mood spectrum. I found it really informative.
Posted by Bryn B. on July 13, 2012, at 12:34:31
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by emily elizabeth on July 13, 2012, at 11:34:40
Posted by SLS on July 13, 2012, at 13:36:31
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by emily elizabeth on July 13, 2012, at 11:34:40
> Nowadays, I am trying to get pregnant
That put a smile on my face.
:-)
> so the only thing I am taking is Lamictal. It seems pretty good so far.
Great! I hope you continue to feel well on Lamictal. What dosage are you at? How long have you been taking it?
Good luck!
- Scott
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 13, 2012, at 18:30:15
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse? » emily elizabeth, posted by SLS on July 13, 2012, at 13:36:31
I took 25 mg for two weeks (which didn't seem to do much). Then I bumped up to 50 and that really started to work! I have been on 50 two weeks now and saw my pdoc today. We decided to just keep it here for now because maybe (fingers crossed) this will be enough.
I also think that the TMS, although not the complete solution for me, helped enough that I can get away with a lower dose.
I'll keep you posted! :)
EE
Posted by brynb on July 13, 2012, at 19:30:57
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 13, 2012, at 18:30:15
The side effects of Lithium seem to be worsening. I'm forgetting words and stopping mid conversation because I forget what I'm saying. It's horrible.
I think I need to try another mood stabilizer. I did okay on Trileptal in the past, so maybe it's worth another trial. I'm also open to trying Lamictal again (perhaps it'll be different this time around?).
Any suggestions as far as a mood stabilizer or similar med to add to the Lexapro? I'd also like to reduce my Lexapro from 20 to 15 or even 10 mg; I don't necessarily feel different/better on the higher dose, just more exhausted. I really appreciate all the feedback...
Posted by former poster on July 13, 2012, at 22:54:39
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by brynb on July 13, 2012, at 19:30:57
>> I'm forgetting words and stopping mid conversation because I forget what I'm saying. It's horrible.<<
Yup.. I remember that horrible feeling too. It didn't go away very quickly after stopping. But it does go away. Lithium was one of my most horrible experiments of my life. Maybe we don't have the right genetics to respond favorably to Lithium?
I really wish Drs. would be more careful with these powerful meds! Lamactil or Trileptal might be a better choice. Or Omega-3 fish oil, NAC is a gentler way to go.
Posted by polarbear206 on July 14, 2012, at 10:18:36
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by emily elizabeth on July 13, 2012, at 11:34:40
> I stopped taking Lithium a while back for reasons unrelated to the medication itself. (I was trying to get private insurance and being on Lithium and/or Abilify disqualified you, so I tried to stop them). I was pretty stable on 20mg Lexapro, 600mg Lithium, and 5mg Abilify.
>
> Nowadays, I am trying to get pregnant, so the only thing I am taking is Lamictal. It seems pretty good so far.
>
> Lexapro alone didn't cut it for me either. I feel your pain. Hang in there.
Dr. Phelps is
>
> EE
>
> P.S. Definitely read the Phelps book "Why am I still depressed?" It is primarily about BP II and ptalks about folks like you (and me) where it is not clear exactly where they fall on the mood spectrum. I found it really informative.Dr Phelp's psycheducation.org is a wealth of knowledge on mood disorders.
Posted by brynb on July 14, 2012, at 13:54:56
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by polarbear206 on July 14, 2012, at 10:18:36
The Phelps website is a good one--it really hit home for me.
It's amazing how ignorant a lot of pdocs seem to be regarding the mood disorder spectrum. I get manic from Neurontin, and when I've told this to my docs, they think I'm crazy (no pun intended). I know this is a generalization, but they seem to forget that everyone has a unique makeup.
I'm really frustrated; my family noted how "even" and "calm" I am from the Lithium, but I can't tolerate the side effects. I'm seeing my pdoc this week, so I'll discuss it with him, but I'm at my wit's end with the whole trial and error thing.
Posted by former poster on July 14, 2012, at 15:28:14
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by brynb on July 14, 2012, at 13:54:56
I feel for you.
Oh beware.. I wonder how safe these meds are? Neurontin gave me visual hallucinations.
Posted by polarbear206 on July 16, 2012, at 6:50:09
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by brynb on July 14, 2012, at 13:54:56
> The Phelps website is a good one--it really hit home for me.
>
> It's amazing how ignorant a lot of pdocs seem to be regarding the mood disorder spectrum. I get manic from Neurontin, and when I've told this to my docs, they think I'm crazy (no pun intended). I know this is a generalization, but they seem to forget that everyone has a unique makeup.
>
> I'm really frustrated; my family noted how "even" and "calm" I am from the Lithium, but I can't tolerate the side effects. I'm seeing my pdoc this week, so I'll discuss it with him, but I'm at my wit's end with the whole trial and error thing.knowledge is power......hang in there. :-)
Posted by Brynb on July 16, 2012, at 19:58:26
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by polarbear206 on July 16, 2012, at 6:50:09
>
> knowledge is power......hang in there. :-)
>Thanks polar bear :). Indeed it is. I've been diligent about charting my moods, my responses to meds, etc. I'm hopeful it'll all pay off.
Posted by Brynb on July 16, 2012, at 20:37:37
In reply to Re: Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by polarbear206 on July 16, 2012, at 6:50:09
>
> knowledge is power......hang in there. :-)
>Thanks polar bear :). Indeed it is. I've been diligent about charting my moods, my responses to meds, etc. I'm hopeful it'll all pay off.
Posted by phidippus on July 17, 2012, at 19:09:31
In reply to Can Lithium make you feel worse?, posted by Bryn B. on July 12, 2012, at 13:30:47
Too little Lithium to make a judgement call. Maybe your mood is just getting worse-maybe a little more lithium might help.
Eric
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