Posted by SLS on July 25, 2012, at 13:41:21
In reply to Re: Scott- lithium Trileptal combo ., posted by Sheilac on July 25, 2012, at 12:38:34
> I think that even 450mg of Lithium helps me. If I could take 600mg without explosive diarrhea I would. Maybe in time I can make it up to 600mg lithium.
That sound like a good plan.
> I know for sure, since being on 300mg - 450mg of Trileptal a day that it makes me very depressed. More depressed than I have been in years. I have been taking Trileptal since April. I'm not sure I would be alive if I went to 600mg.
That is far worse than just flat affect. I guess Trileptal is not the right drug for you.
> This past week starting with 600mg and then reducing to 450mg has been good. I feel stable and even happy, like I'm getting a tiny antidepressant feel from the lithium.
That's great! You may have found your answer. I hope so.
> I have never been able to make it to a therapeutic dose of any psych med
You are not alone in this. It may have more to do with drug mechanisms and brain chemistry rather than liver metabolism, though.
> So, maybe the diarrhea will go away at 600mg and I can go from 450mg to 600mg.
The diarrhea might return at 600 mg/day, but it will hopefully be less severe and eventually disappear. My experience with lithium was similar to yours in the beginning of treatment.
Okay, then. You have a plan to follow. Let's hope that the lithium is the right drug for you. Your response to it thus far is encouraging. Try to be patient. If you are tempted to make any changes to your plan, perhaps it is best to communicate this to your doctor so that he can provide some input.
Good luck!
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1022042
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120718/msgs/1022109.html