Posted by ceres on August 22, 2009, at 5:25:47
In reply to Lithium Effiacey, posted by gibbons482 on August 20, 2009, at 0:49:08
I had been on lithium a number of times. Each time I went off, because it was aggravating my already hyper bladder. I was afraid to drink anything or drive too far.
This time round, a doctor talked me into lithium based on its neurogenerative (sp?)properties, as I continue to get more cognitive problems w/ each episode.
I started with regular tablets & switched to sustained release --not sure if there was a difference. It made me tired & muddled for a few mo's. I don't recall a fatigue phase in the past. But, I haven't developed the bladder issue. For some reason, my blood level is higher on a smaller dose, possibly from other meds I take.It's helped bring me down to a more tolerable place after being unstable for a period. (I didn't have a doctor for a while, so was managing my own meds & using old Rx's which threw things off.) Lithium hasn't done much for my depression, other than lowering suicidal urgency.
A lot of drugs undo it a bit. SSRI's, stimulants, & now Welbutrin tend to make me either very hyper or agitated & anxious.I think that Lamictal, like Scott said, helps w/ depression. It seemed to be working at 300mg/day, but not at my current 100mg. Eventually I want to go off Lamic as it aggravates my cognitive issues. Also, I attribute the numbness in my fingers to Lamic & hope it resolves off the drug.
--Current doctor thinks Lamic is only prophylactic against depression after long term use. --not sure.
For me it was worth trying lithium again.
poster:ceres
thread:913079
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090818/msgs/913449.html