Posted by patrickhh on April 29, 2006, at 20:14:48
In reply to Is lithium any good?, posted by Don_Bristol on April 28, 2006, at 19:53:08
> I need some info to introduce me to lithium.
>
> I've tried many of the antidepressants and so far the best has been Parnate. I am taking 50mg. (Here in the UK we think that is a lot.) The psyichiatrist tried adding the tiniest bit of one of the new neuroleptics (olanzapine) but I had too many side effects.
>
> My psychiatrist detects something in me and my presentation which makes him feel that lithium is worth trying. All I know about lithium is that blood levels need to be carefully monitord and that it is used for bipolar.
>
> Ny psych says "It's not used only for biploar" and I didn't pursue that point. So guys, QUESTION ONE: what else could he be thinking about using lithium for? Does lithium affect serotonin?
>
> QUESTION TWO Is lithium seen as a good med? All that blood testing seems to make lithium a lot of work. But is it worth it?
>
> QUESTION THREE. Can I take lithium with Parnate?
>
> Thank you.
>
> DOnActually Don, lithium seems to be the most studied augmenting agent for treatment-resistant depression. Studies show it to be pretty effective when used as an augmenting agent. Unfortunately, we don't know why it helps. It just does.
Blood testing is necessary because lithium has a very narrow therapeutic range. Take a little too much, and it can be lethal. So your doc wants to make sure you're on the right dose, in comparison to your metabolism.
Lithium and Parnate can be taken together.
poster:patrickhh
thread:637942
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060429/msgs/638231.html