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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 3, 2005, at 21:23:27
I'm at a point where I need to make some decisions about my med combo. I have GAD and major (unipolar) depression. I take a number of meds that are helpful, but none that have completely cleared up my depression. I take Lexapro, Desipramine, Neurontin, and Ambien. I just ened a trial of Lamictal which didn't seem to do much of anything.
I have already tried a number of SSRI's and Welbutrin (made me SUPER anxious). I'm trying a stimulant as of today, but Lithium is probably the next good option if that doesn't work.
I'm a little scared about trying Li. Sounds like it can have some pretty serious side-effects. Anyone here tried it to augment antidepressants? I don't have any bipolar symptoms, just some very resistant depression.
Any advice or experiences would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
EE
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 4, 2005, at 7:34:16
In reply to Anyone use lithium for unipolar depression?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 3, 2005, at 21:23:27
Posted by Bill LL on April 4, 2005, at 8:29:01
In reply to Anyone use lithium for unipolar depression?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 3, 2005, at 21:23:27
Which stimulant are you trying? They can be very effective as an AD augmenter.
I think that a well thought out diagnosis is helpful in the early treatment stages. But hard to treat people may just be atypical and should try things that defy their "official" diagnosis. So if I were you, I would try the Lithium if the stimulants do not help enough.
The side effects of Lithium will probably be mild than you think.
> I'm at a point where I need to make some decisions about my med combo. I have GAD and major (unipolar) depression. I take a number of meds that are helpful, but none that have completely cleared up my depression. I take Lexapro, Desipramine, Neurontin, and Ambien. I just ened a trial of Lamictal which didn't seem to do much of anything.
>
> I have already tried a number of SSRI's and Welbutrin (made me SUPER anxious). I'm trying a stimulant as of today, but Lithium is probably the next good option if that doesn't work.
>
> I'm a little scared about trying Li. Sounds like it can have some pretty serious side-effects. Anyone here tried it to augment antidepressants? I don't have any bipolar symptoms, just some very resistant depression.
>
> Any advice or experiences would be much appreciated!
>
> Thanks!
> EE
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2005, at 17:18:38
In reply to Re: Anyone use lithium for unipolar depression?, posted by Bill LL on April 4, 2005, at 8:29:01
I worked with a pdoc who diagnosed everyone as bipolar. He would ask you to come with him to see a pt in their room. You always knew what he would say when you left the pt. "You know what? He/she's been misdiagnosed. They're bipolar. Order l50mg of lithium to start and we'll up it from there. The strange thing is it usually helped. He also didn't believe in the theraputic ranges of lithium. If the pt felt better it was the right level. Found out later he was bipolar which explained why he arrived each day envigorated after working out very early in the am, and had so much energy. I never saw him depressed. Even after he had a mild heart attack. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Spriggy on April 4, 2005, at 19:34:41
In reply to Re: Anyone use lithium for unipolar depression?, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2005, at 17:18:38
You crack me up...
A bipolar doctor who diagnosis everyone with bipolar.. That is just too funny.
This is the end of the thread.
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