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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Frustratedmama on July 12, 2009, at 11:29:22
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on July 12, 2009, at 7:46:30
SLS
I wish I knew the answer but I, too,find the 3 day phenomena.... :(
FM
I did talk to my pdoc about it....not real clear answers except that my meds arent preventative for me and instead the illness is more "chronic, relentless" in nature than others.... so, my theory is that bipolar (for me) may not be the currect diagnosis in that I dont really cycle without meds I just stay irritable and depressed....its the meds that "help me cycle" so to speak as they offer the releif....unfortunately that releif is sort lived.... Also, I dont get depressed until I releive the irritability (or is it severe GAD?) Just thinking aloud....
I wish you had releif and that lithium was the answer....
Sorry and here for you if you want to chat....
FM
Posted by SLS on July 12, 2009, at 12:29:38
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by Frustratedmama on July 12, 2009, at 11:29:22
> I wish you had releif and that lithium was the answer....
> Sorry and here for you if you want to chat....
> FMThanks FM.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on July 12, 2009, at 20:33:47
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » Frustratedmama, posted by SLS on July 12, 2009, at 12:29:38
Scott so you're think ultra rapid cycle of three days that's the same as the Deplin was also kind of as I remember a blip of feeling good on day three wasn't it? Sorry about the lithium. How frustrating. Love Phillipa
Posted by ricker on July 12, 2009, at 21:55:48
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on July 12, 2009, at 7:46:30
> Lithium stopped helping me after three days had passed. I had been feeling significantly improved.
>
> I wonder what this three-day remission thing is all about with me. It doesn't matter what I take or how much of it I take. Like clockwork, when something triggers an antidepressant response, it always poops-out after three days.Hi Scott, sorry to hear the lithium did not provide long-term relief.
I had mentioned in one of my earlier posts...last year I believe, that I've often questioned why some of us experience chronic failure? I guess that's where "treatment resistant" rings true.
Have you ever considered that perhaps that "magic key" may not be a missing drug, but rather the way the drugs are administered?
Maybe the lithium is telling you it will help, if you try taking it every 3rd day or such? I wonder if you administered your "staple" meds daily along with intermittent dosing of other meds that provided previous benefit? Kinda like water treatment and adjusting chemical dosage so as to "shock" the system.
I could be totally out to lunch with my theory, but hey, I would love to eat prime rib daily, but the occasional cheeseburger tastes great! ;)
Take care, Rick
Posted by SLS on July 15, 2009, at 17:27:31
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by ricker on July 12, 2009, at 21:55:48
Hi Rick.
I have decided to continue taking lithium 300mg. I do feel somewhat better on it than off it. My hope is that it might improve the health of the areas of the brain that have atrophied. Who knows? Maybe long-term, it might set up for a more robust antidepressant response. For now, this low dosage does not seem to be hurting me. That's good news because 450mg and higher actually makes me feel considerably worse.
Holding on to hope...
- Scott
Posted by ricker on July 15, 2009, at 23:15:05
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on July 15, 2009, at 17:27:31
Sounds like a good idea Scott. As I mentioned, 300mg helped with my depression although it took a month or so before the stabilizing effect took hold.
Lets hope it does continue to prove positive in your treatment.Regards, Rick
Posted by Frustratedmama on July 17, 2009, at 7:29:58
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on July 15, 2009, at 17:27:31
Scott, hoping it helps you ALOT not just a little :)
FM
Posted by SLS on July 18, 2009, at 11:59:58
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by Frustratedmama on July 17, 2009, at 7:29:58
> Scott, hoping it helps you ALOT not just a little :)
> FM
Thanks!I'm feeling better.
This is pretty cool.
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on July 18, 2009, at 13:01:44
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » Frustratedmama, posted by SLS on July 18, 2009, at 11:59:58
> > Scott, hoping it helps you ALOT not just a little :)
> > FM
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> I'm feeling better.
>
> This is pretty cool.
>
>
> - ScottYes, pretty cool! And potential protective / healing properties? Very cool!
best,
fb
Posted by SLS on July 25, 2009, at 11:24:48
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by floatingbridge on July 18, 2009, at 13:01:44
I have decided to push the dosage of lithium to 450mg. I feel like I can squeeze more benefit out of it.
Currently:Parnate 80mg
nortriptyline 150mg
Lamictal 200mg
Abilify 20mg
lithium 450mg
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on July 25, 2009, at 13:11:19
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on July 25, 2009, at 11:24:48
> I have decided to push the dosage of lithium to 450mg. I feel like I can squeeze more benefit out of it.
>
>
> Currently:
>
> Parnate 80mg
> nortriptyline 150mg
> Lamictal 200mg
> Abilify 20mg
> lithium 450mg
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott
Thanks for the update--wishing you success....!
fb
Posted by SLS on August 3, 2009, at 13:13:27
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on July 25, 2009, at 13:11:19
I went up to 600mg of lithium two days ago.
I am feeling some real good stuff today. If I remain improved for two week, I expect to reach full remission. I can't help but to be optimistic.
Currently:
Parnate 80mg
nortriptyline 150mg
Lamictal 150mg
Abilify 20mg
lithium 600mg
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2009, at 14:08:05
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on August 3, 2009, at 13:13:27
w/fingers crossed for you!
fb
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 3, 2009, at 14:53:19
In reply to Yay! Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on August 3, 2009, at 14:08:05
Scott:
Wow! Wonderful news!!
You have certainly earned it!!
gayle
Posted by Frustratedmama on August 3, 2009, at 17:29:44
In reply to Re: Yay! Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 3, 2009, at 14:53:19
Posted by SLS on August 3, 2009, at 17:47:16
In reply to Congratulations SLS!!!!!! :) (nm), posted by Frustratedmama on August 3, 2009, at 17:29:44
This is so cool.
:-)
I hope it lasts.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 3, 2009, at 20:31:09
In reply to Re: Congratulations SLS!!!!!! :), posted by SLS on August 3, 2009, at 17:47:16
Seriously me too. Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2009, at 11:23:45
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on August 3, 2009, at 13:13:27
> I went up to 600mg of lithium two days ago.
>
> I am feeling some real good stuff today. If I remain improved for two week, I expect to reach full remission. I can't help but to be optimistic.The past two days have not been as good. I can still feel the lithium doing something possitive, but I am afraid that things might head in a negative reaction as the days proceed. I was tempted to go up to 900mg, but that is not yet the logical move. I'm going to try to continue with 600mg for a week before making any decisions. Being bipolar, perhaps I need to use bipolar dosages. That might put me at 1200mg.
I am not as optimistic as I was two days ago, but I am far from being pessimistic. Of course, this can change very quickly.
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on August 5, 2009, at 11:39:43
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on August 5, 2009, at 11:23:45
hang in there--my fingers are still crossed for you
fb
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 19:49:07
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on August 5, 2009, at 11:23:45
Scott have you had lithium levels checked yet? Phillipa
Posted by Frustratedmama on August 6, 2009, at 7:40:42
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on August 5, 2009, at 11:23:45
I am hoping that it was just a bad day for you and that you are doing better..... You deserve to feel well! Good luck! :) Thinking of you!
Posted by SLS on August 7, 2009, at 12:59:34
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by Frustratedmama on August 6, 2009, at 7:40:42
> I am hoping that it was just a bad day for you and that you are doing better..... You deserve to feel well! Good luck! :) Thinking of you!
Today is better. What a pleasant surprise. Thanks for your support.
I think I ought to commit to continuing with lithium 600mg for a few weeks before seeing my doctor next and evaluating my experience with this dosage. To practice what I preach, I need to be patient and give this medication time to work. I should expect ups and downs. It is likely to take months before I approach remission. These drugs have a lot of ground to cover.
I am again optimistic by what I am feeling.
- Scott
Posted by Frustratedmama on August 8, 2009, at 9:34:30
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on August 7, 2009, at 12:59:34
Great news and keep us posted! I know I had a few down days this week....but the irritability is still much less than a month ago so I will take what I can get right now! Here's hopin we both have better days ahead!
Posted by SLS on August 11, 2009, at 6:01:20
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by Frustratedmama on August 8, 2009, at 9:34:30
This sucks.
Lithium pooped-out.
This sucks.
I think I feel marginally better at 600mg. I might stay on lithium indefinitely as a neuroprotective and inducer of neurogenesis.
This sucks.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 11, 2009, at 6:02:38
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on August 11, 2009, at 6:01:20
Did I mention that this sucks?
- Scott
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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