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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by katrina on September 17, 2001, at 17:56:15
I am on 675mg so far with no side effects and it has been 2 weeks...I felt some positive stability but it has diminished. Any thoughts? How long should one give lithium a chance? I am on 30 mgs of celexa and 2.5 klono. Thanks.
Posted by chloe on September 20, 2001, at 19:55:17
In reply to Lithium-Eskalith..When does it start helping??, posted by katrina on September 17, 2001, at 17:56:15
Hi Katrina,
I don't know... But I wanted to write, since no one has responded. I just started Lithobid 300 mgs today and would love to know the answer to your question, too.All I can say, having been on Li before, you are so lucky to not have side effects! I would imagine it is time to check in with your pdoc who may order a Lithium level to see where you are at. If you are taking it for AD augmentation, you will want a level of +/-.5 to 1.0. From what you said, that you had some benefit, and it has worn off, your doc will probably have you increase you dose a bit.
Please, let us know how it goes, and if you develop any side effects. You don't even have a hand tremor? Frequent urination? Nausea? I think this is a good sign, and this may be a good med for you once you settle in on the right dose, IMHO.
I do have one question for you. Do you find Li calming or sedating at all? I feel so energized after my first dose. Maybe just be a coincidence, but just hope I can sleep tonight...
Take care and hope you are feeling stable
Chloe> I am on 675mg so far with no side effects and it has been 2 weeks...I felt some positive stability but it has diminished. Any thoughts? How long should one give lithium a chance? I am on 30 mgs of celexa and 2.5 klono. Thanks.
Posted by katrina on September 21, 2001, at 15:45:30
In reply to Re: Lithium-Eskalith..When does it start helping?? » katrina, posted by chloe on September 20, 2001, at 19:55:17
>I'm up to 900 now and no side effects except the extra urination thing...I don't find it too energizing or anything as mine is XR. Had my first blood test today so I'll wait and see on this. I am a rapid cycler with major depression, major irritability, etc.
Posted by JohnL on September 21, 2001, at 16:43:44
In reply to Lithium-Eskalith..When does it start helping??, posted by katrina on September 17, 2001, at 17:56:15
Hi Katrina,
I have heard of people responding within hours to Lithium, and other people where it takes 4 weeks, and others where it never works at all. I don't know of any way to predict.Probably the best thing is to just give it a month or so and work with your doctor. If after a month it was not showing some significant benefit, then personally I would drop it and look elsewhere. That is, unless it is being used for mood stabilization instead of augmenting an antidepressant. But trying to predict how long it will take to work is anyone's guess. I've seen it happen in one day, and I've seen it happen in 30 days, and anywhere inbetween. After a month though if it wasn't helping much, the odds are greatly reduced that it will ever be much help. Just my opinion, based on observation of others.
Hope this is helpful.
John> I am on 675mg so far with no side effects and it has been 2 weeks...I felt some positive stability but it has diminished. Any thoughts? How long should one give lithium a chance? I am on 30 mgs of celexa and 2.5 klono. Thanks.
Posted by chloe on September 21, 2001, at 17:42:12
In reply to Re: Lithium-Eskalith..When does it start helping??, posted by JohnL on September 21, 2001, at 16:43:44
I think i may be one of those that responds immediately to Li. Today was my second day of 300mgs XR with an eventual target of 600/day. I am taking it for stabilization, AD augmentation and irritability. I am *much* less depressed today and feel like taking on some new challenges, after seriously wanting to end it all yesterday.
BUT, I have this internal speedy feeling. Like my insides are buzzing, and I am a little jazzy all over. Is this edgy/anxious, but *positive* feeling going to stay with me during the duration of treatment on this drug? Or will this anxiety wear off? I would really like to feel relaxed and mellow and happy, not wired. I not really comfortable with this 'activated' feeling...
Can anyone chime in?
Thanks
Chloe
Posted by Mitch on September 21, 2001, at 23:25:44
In reply to Re: Lithium-speed? John, Cam, anyone?, posted by chloe on September 21, 2001, at 17:42:12
> I think i may be one of those that responds immediately to Li. Today was my second day of 300mgs XR with an eventual target of 600/day. I am taking it for stabilization, AD augmentation and irritability. I am *much* less depressed today and feel like taking on some new challenges, after seriously wanting to end it all yesterday.
>
> BUT, I have this internal speedy feeling. Like my insides are buzzing, and I am a little jazzy all over. Is this edgy/anxious, but *positive* feeling going to stay with me during the duration of treatment on this drug? Or will this anxiety wear off? I would really like to feel relaxed and mellow and happy, not wired. I not really comfortable with this 'activated' feeling...
>
> Can anyone chime in?
> Thanks
> ChloeChloe,
Never got anything resembling a *speedy buzz* with lithium! :) I think it is probably augmenting your microdose of Celexa you are taking (since they are both serotonergic meds). Also, I notice that when Summer starts giving way to Fall with cool crisp nites, etc., I usually will experience heightened hypomanic episodes during my cycling. I don't think it is anything to worry about as long as you don't get irritable.
Mitch
Posted by chloe on September 22, 2001, at 8:11:04
In reply to Re: Lithium-speed? John, Cam, anyone? » chloe, posted by Mitch on September 21, 2001, at 23:25:44
Can Li and and SSRI cause this major wiredness. I was wide eyed last night and could not sleep, but for a few hours. I would feel my heart pounding in my chest and my body pulsing in my bed. And then I would wake from my light sleep and just get up...I darted out of bed a couple of times to adjust the window. I have no idea why.
I tried to dowse this agitation by bumping up my nuerontin and diazepam, but as I mentioned, I could not shut myself off. Can I be having too much serotonin? Aren't most people knocked out by Li? What is wrong with me that what ever I take now I am a live wire. I think i even have a little akathesia. I just can't sit still.
Sorry I have never ending questions. I really wasn't expecting this reaction from the Li. Could Celexa be too targeted an SSRI for me to augment with Li, like you alluded to Mitch? I can only tolerate 1.75 mgs without getting hypo and overenergized.
All thoughts greatly appreciated.
Chloe
Posted by Mitch on September 22, 2001, at 10:52:36
In reply to Re: Lithium-speed? John, Cam, Mitch anyone?-more » Mitch, posted by chloe on September 22, 2001, at 8:11:04
> Can Li and and SSRI cause this major wiredness. I was wide eyed last night and could not sleep, but for a few hours. I would feel my heart pounding in my chest and my body pulsing in my bed. And then I would wake from my light sleep and just get up...I darted out of bed a couple of times to adjust the window. I have no idea why.
>
> I tried to dowse this agitation by bumping up my nuerontin and diazepam, but as I mentioned, I could not shut myself off. Can I be having too much serotonin? Aren't most people knocked out by Li? What is wrong with me that what ever I take now I am a live wire. I think i even have a little akathesia. I just can't sit still.
>
> Sorry I have never ending questions. I really wasn't expecting this reaction from the Li. Could Celexa be too targeted an SSRI for me to augment with Li, like you alluded to Mitch? I can only tolerate 1.75 mgs without getting hypo and overenergized.
> All thoughts greatly appreciated.
> Chloe
Chloe, You might ask your doc about a small dose of a different SSri that is not so activating. They make Paxil in a liquid that is real convenient-I think it is 2mg/ml. Maybe 2mg of Paxil every day wouldn't be near as agitating?Mitch
Posted by Maya63 on September 16, 2003, at 10:14:27
In reply to Re: Lithium-speed? John, Cam, Mitch anyone?-more » chloe, posted by Mitch on September 22, 2001, at 10:52:36
I am new to this site but wanted to post my own personal experience. I started Lithium, a low dose (450mg)and started experiencing extreme anxiety and restlessness. I had to stop the Lithium.
Now I am trying Geodon, Klonopin (PRN)and will see my pdoc today about getting back on Strattera (which helped me before) and a low dose of Topamax (to hopefully help with the hypomania). I am BiPolar2. I had tried to get off all meds and was going to take Lithium and Stelazine while I tried to get pregnant since I knew that those two are better choices to take while pregnant. HOWEVER, this did not work for me and I feel quite unstable right now so my husband talked me into realizing that I am not in a position to conceive, as I am quite unstable.
Just wanted to share my experience with Lithium and I have been reading about others (although it's rather rare) who have had the same problem with Lithium increasing anxiety/restlessness.
~Maya
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