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Re: The Uniqueness of Lithium? » Chloe

Posted by bob on January 28, 2002, at 19:38:32

In reply to Re: The Uniqueness of Lithium? » bob, posted by Chloe on January 28, 2002, at 19:23:42

> I do agree that Li is a truly unique med, in that is not an anticonvulsant, but is a mood stabilizer. Where I don't agree is that it is harder to tolerate in the "depressed" phase. Lithium does have some serotineric properties that make lithium an antidepressant as well as an antimanic.
>
> Lithium is one of my favorite "antidepressants". I feel rapid relief from depression when I take the initail 300 mgs. In fact, sometimes I feel a little "high" until the stabilization effects kick in.
> If you do a search of the archives, both medlib and CamW gave me some great insight and info on lithium and how it "works" in the body. I think lithium is a wonderful med, that can be used for AD augmentation, for mood stabilization or mania. And I think it is widely underutilized in it's extended release form. I just wish I could tolerate it's side effects...Unfortunately I have had to turn to Depakote.
>
> Are you taking or planning a trial of lithium?
> Chloe


Chloe:

I think the literature was saying that the side-effects become more pronounced when an individual is not in a manic phase of an illness. Whether that holds any water or not, I don't know, as I've never been on it for an extended period of time.

I have trouble raving about a drug that people eventually cannot tolerate, no matter how good the mental benefits. In my view, a truly successful treatment would be well tolerated - not barely tolerated, as so many psychotropics are. That doesn't mean that a particular drug is an utter failure, just that it is a therapeutic contradiction. If it was like chemotherapy, and only had to be for a set period of time, it would be different, but it seems the treatment periods for these illnesses often last forever. That's when intolerability rears its ugly head.

Trying Lithium is a thought I mull over every now and again. I always see evidence of intolerability though. What stopped you?

Depakote was very tiring (extreme drowsiness), as well as giving me weight gain, and hair loss. For the 1.5 years I was on it, I don't think I ever got excited about anything. It flattened me big time.

 

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