Posted by Christ_empowered on June 16, 2011, at 3:50:26
In reply to Phillipa - Re: Lithium level and meds?, posted by sheilac on June 15, 2011, at 6:07:01
hey. Sorry if my previous posts seemed kind of harsh, I just personally find lithium frightening and I think that comes across when I'm talking to other people, too.
Anyway, what I've noticed from my own experience is that once doctors think you have bipolar, they focus on stabilizing your mood. I don't know why they do that in soft bipolar, where mania isn't an issue, but they seem to do it to people across the bipolar spectrum. She might be thinking that if she can get your mood to even out, your depression will become less intense, or at least after you get to a certain lithium level she'll see what she's dealing with in terms of residual mood symptoms. I'm not your doctor, so I can't say that with certainty, I'm just saying what I've observed in my own experiences with psychiatrists.
Have you tried supplements? I mean, its not a well-regulated industry and the data is kind of sparse, but some supplements do help mood problems. I take a high dose (6 grams) of taurine plus a high dose (3grams) of niacinamide for my mood instability and anxiety. Seems to work nicely. As a side benefit, the niacinamide has really improved my skin. Depending on where you live, you might be able to check out an alternative and/or orthomolecular doctor to help put together a program to supplement (possibly eventually replace) your medications. If you can't find a doc near you, there are plenty of websites to help you find a little bit of direction in putting together a supplement program that could help you out. Just a thought.
Good luck.
poster:Christ_empowered
thread:988093
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110610/msgs/988281.html