Posted by ronaldo on November 2, 2006, at 9:05:09
In reply to Re: Bipolars: Lithium levels, dosage and adjuncts. » ronaldo, posted by Squiggles on November 2, 2006, at 8:16:38
> I am prescribed 300mg lithium carbonate
> 3 x per day. I have been on this dose
> for more than 20 years now.
> When initiated the first year
> I was started slowly and raised within a
> year (if my memory serves me well).
> With that I take 1.50 mg Klonopin.
>
> I also take Synthroid for lithium-induced
> hypothyroidism - 0.112.
>
> I have asked if i could take a smaller dose
> of lithium, but my blood levels being
> consistently 0.8-1.2, my dr. does not think
> it is a good idea to lower it.
>
> You may not have seen my post on a counterfeit
> lithium batch i took last year -- within 6
> months i reached mixed states - a very dangerous
> fall. I was able to raise myself out of it by
> switching pharmacies and getting the "good" stuff.
> I think that is proof that I am bipolar, if there was ever any doubt in my dr.'s mind or mine, or anyone else's.
>
> Squiggles
>Hi Squiggles,
Thanks for your reply. Do you take a controlled or sustained or extended release form of Lithium? I was surprised to hear that you split your dose in three. Have you always done so? Which lithium brand do you take? I take all my lithium in one dose, 900 mg, at 9.30 pm with my olanzapine 10 mg. That's all I take. Never had thyroid problems luckily.
Do you, or have you ever suffered from flat affect or avolition or anhedonia? (avolition = a psychological state characterized by general lack of desire, motivation, and persistence) social withdrawal? apathy? I have got the whole lot and the purpose of this thread (for me) is to try and find a way out of this depression-like situation.
If anyone has been through this and found a way out of it then I would dearly like to know how they managed it.
....Alan
poster:ronaldo
thread:699709
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061028/msgs/699737.html