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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lara53 on August 5, 2005, at 19:03:02
need encouagement,been staying off boards,[cuz i was]driving myself nuts looking for right med. decided new pdoc hopefully has the knowledge.havent filled script yet, keep putting it off since tues. silly I know.
my best to you all.
Posted by Squiggles on August 5, 2005, at 19:29:32
In reply to scared to start lithium, posted by lara53 on August 5, 2005, at 19:03:02
Hi Lara,
I started lithium long ago. It was really
strange at first - i felt so heavy, like
some pachyderm crashing down the stairs;
also thirsty, stoned, sleepy, lethargic;
but after about 3 months I got used to it
and felt normal. I did not mind the
really pronounced side effects because it
was so effective for me (in a week).Just follow your doctor's orders and
notify anything that bothers you. You'll
probably be started high and then lowered
on the dose.Hope it agrees with you.
Squiggles
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 6, 2005, at 0:51:19
In reply to Re: scared to start lithium, posted by Squiggles on August 5, 2005, at 19:29:32
I just started on Li about 2 weeks ago. I have been struggling to find a mix of meds to help my unipolar depression. I have tried so many things and nothing seemed to have a lasting effect. I finally added Li to augment the mix and I was a bit reluctant too. It just seemed like such a serious drug. BUT it has absolutely made a difference. In fact, something very upsetting happened to me last week and I was very upset and feeling somewhat suicidal. BUT, that next day the Li must have kicked in b/c I started to feel okay--much to my and my therapist's surprise. We both thought that the event in question would have reulted in much more of a crash.
And I have even caught myself laughing a few times in the past few days.
Now I just hope that it KEEPS helping. And I hope that it helps you too!
Best,
EE
Posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 10:51:17
In reply to Lithium is my new favorite drug!!!, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 6, 2005, at 0:51:19
Hi EE,
What dose are you on and what is your blood level??
~Ed
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 6, 2005, at 11:06:27
In reply to Re: Lithium is my new favorite drug!!! » Emily Elizabeth, posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 10:51:17
I'm on 600mg right now. I had my blood drawn on Friday and so I'll find out on Monday what the level is. I can let you know. I know it is supposed to be lower for MDD than BP.
I'm also on a lot of other meds (Lex, Desipramine, Neurontin, Dexedrine, Ambien) in an attempt to control my depression and anxiety. We are hoping that I can cut back on some of the others if the Li can keep me feeling okay for a while. Pdoc doesn't want to take things off that seem to be even a little helpful unless I am doing better. Depression is the pits.
Probably more info than you were seeking. ;) Are you thinking of trying Li?
Best,
EE
Posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 11:23:30
In reply to Re: Lithium is my new favorite drug!!! » ed_uk, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 6, 2005, at 11:06:27
Hi EE,
>I had my blood drawn on Friday and so I'll find out on Monday what the level is. I can let you know.
Thank you :-)
>Are you thinking of trying Li?
No, I'm just curious about your blood level because I'm trying to get an idea RE the 'therapeutic range' for unipolar depression.
Kind regards
~ed
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 6, 2005, at 14:45:04
In reply to Re: Lithium is my new favorite drug!!! » Emily Elizabeth, posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 11:23:30
> No, I'm just curious about your blood level because I'm trying to get an idea RE the 'therapeutic range' for unipolar depression.I think my pdoc said that generally it is between .4 and .6. I'm not totally sure, I'll make sure to pay attn when she says it again. ;)
Best,
EE
Posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 15:38:55
In reply to Re: Lithium is my new favorite drug!!! » ed_uk, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 6, 2005, at 14:45:04
Hi EE,
Here is my impression so far.....
Unipolar depression w/o psychomotor agitation: 0.2-0.4
Depression (acute episode) + severe psychomotor agitation: 0.4-1.0
Acute mania/mixed episode: 0.6-1.0
Prophylaxis of bipolar disorder: 0.3-1.0
~ed
Posted by lara53 on August 6, 2005, at 18:31:49
In reply to Lithium is my new favorite drug!!!, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 6, 2005, at 0:51:19
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 8, 2005, at 16:11:09
In reply to Lithium level » Emily Elizabeth, posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 15:38:55
My level was .5 on 600mg. My pdoc says that she shoots for .4-.6 when used for augmentation. She said that she has had some people who did not feel an effect until they got to .6. Cross your fingers that it keeps working!
Best,
EE
Posted by ed_uk on August 8, 2005, at 16:35:19
In reply to Re: Lithium level » ed_uk, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 8, 2005, at 16:11:09
Hi EE!
My fingers are crossed!
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on August 8, 2005, at 16:37:39
In reply to Re: Lithium level » ed_uk, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 8, 2005, at 16:11:09
Perhaps you could stay at 600mg for a few weeks before deciding where to go from there?
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on August 8, 2005, at 16:53:32
In reply to Re: Lithium level » ed_uk, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 8, 2005, at 16:11:09
Hi EE,
>My pdoc says that she shoots for .4-.6 when used for augmentation....
I think I may have been wrong when I suggested that 0.2-0.4 might be enough to help unipolar depression. There's very little research to guide. I'll have to keep guessing!
~ed
Posted by Lazarus on August 12, 2005, at 16:18:52
In reply to Lithium level » Emily Elizabeth, posted by ed_uk on August 6, 2005, at 15:38:55
I saw my pdoc this week. I take 900-1200 mg of lithium daily plus other meds. My level came in at .55 and the pdoc said that it should be .70.
I run on the manic side.
Lazarus
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 12, 2005, at 19:08:00
In reply to Re: Lithium level should be .70, posted by Lazarus on August 12, 2005, at 16:18:52
I'm not bipolar, just depressive. So, the level I am at is lower b/c I just need the Li to augment the antidepressants I'm on. My pdoc said that for depression it should be .4-.6 and for bipolar it should be .6-1.2.
Hope that the Li is helping you!
Best,
EE> I saw my pdoc this week. I take 900-1200 mg of lithium daily plus other meds. My level came in at .55 and the pdoc said that it should be .70.
>
> I run on the manic side.
>
> Lazarus
Posted by Squiggles on August 13, 2005, at 8:49:45
In reply to Re: Lithium level should be .70 » Lazarus, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 12, 2005, at 19:08:00
No that lithium is picking up again
in popularity among doctors and
researchers, a portable lithium meter
to adjust personal dose uold be just
right. Is it scientifically and
economically possible?Squiggles
(sorry about my keyboard missing
letters - i guess i have to get a
ne one soon).
Posted by Lazarus on August 13, 2005, at 23:21:24
In reply to Re: Lithium level should be .70 » Lazarus, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 12, 2005, at 19:08:00
Thank you for your input.
Lazarus
This is the end of the thread.
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