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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by amdew717 on November 4, 2008, at 15:16:35
Hi everyone,
i am a 55 year old male with atypical depression.I just began taking Lithium Carbonate 300 mg 2x day last week. i can't say i've noticed any benefit from it. i don't think i'm bi-polar but my pdoc wanted to give it a try because he thought i would benefit from a mood stabilizer. i am not currently on any anti-depressants. in the way of side-effects, i have experienced absense of sex drive (although i didn't have much before starting), greatly decreased morning erections, anxiety. i don't know if any of these is actually being caused by the Lithium or simply due to the depression that i'm still in.
In the recent past i have taken the following:
Nardil - both old and new. had the most success with this but stopped taking it when the new formula didn't seem to work for me.
Stattera - couldn't tolerate the insomnia
Serzone - low side-effects didn't seem to provide any benefit
Geodon - too much sedation, felt disconnected to people, erectile dysfunction
Pristiq - too stimulating, caused rage fits
Emsam - same as Pristiq
I feel that i'm ready to return to Nardil since even in it's lesser form it was probably working better than anything i've taken since. Pdoc doesn't want to add anything more just yet, but wants to see how I do on Lithium alone.
I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks, James
Posted by azalea on November 4, 2008, at 20:56:10
In reply to Lithium - How long to kick in?, posted by amdew717 on November 4, 2008, at 15:16:35
Have you tried Lamictal?
It's a mood stabilizer that typically has fewer side effects than Lithium.> Hi everyone,
> i am a 55 year old male with atypical depression.
>
> I just began taking Lithium Carbonate 300 mg 2x day last week. i can't say i've noticed any benefit from it. i don't think i'm bi-polar but my pdoc wanted to give it a try because he thought i would benefit from a mood stabilizer. i am not currently on any anti-depressants. in the way of side-effects, i have experienced absense of sex drive (although i didn't have much before starting), greatly decreased morning erections, anxiety. i don't know if any of these is actually being caused by the Lithium or simply due to the depression that i'm still in.
>
> In the recent past i have taken the following:
>
> Nardil - both old and new. had the most success with this but stopped taking it when the new formula didn't seem to work for me.
>
> Stattera - couldn't tolerate the insomnia
>
> Serzone - low side-effects didn't seem to provide any benefit
>
> Geodon - too much sedation, felt disconnected to people, erectile dysfunction
>
> Pristiq - too stimulating, caused rage fits
>
> Emsam - same as Pristiq
>
> I feel that i'm ready to return to Nardil since even in it's lesser form it was probably working better than anything i've taken since. Pdoc doesn't want to add anything more just yet, but wants to see how I do on Lithium alone.
>
> I appreciate any feedback.
> Thanks, James
Posted by amdew717 on November 4, 2008, at 22:15:51
In reply to Re: Lithium - How long to kick in? » amdew717, posted by azalea on November 4, 2008, at 20:56:10
I have tried Lamictal a while back and i seem to remember having itchy skin, though not a rash, while taking it.
Posted by Phillipa on November 5, 2008, at 0:25:40
In reply to Re: Lithium - How long to kick in?, posted by amdew717 on November 4, 2008, at 22:15:51
Did you titrate slowly starting at either very low 12.5 or 25mg for two weeks and then increase? Must titrate slowly on lamictal. Love Phillipa
Posted by amdew717 on November 5, 2008, at 5:54:03
In reply to Re: Lithium - How long to kick in? » amdew717, posted by Phillipa on November 5, 2008, at 0:25:40
its been a over 5 yrs, but yes i remember increasging the Lamictal very slowly.
Posted by jms600 on November 5, 2008, at 17:32:11
In reply to Lithium - How long to kick in?, posted by amdew717 on November 4, 2008, at 15:16:35
I've just started lithium for severe anxiety and anxiety related depression. I'm also on 150mg amitriptyline and 40mg buspirone.
My psychiatrist told me that it can take around two weeks before you start to feel any benefit - and that those beneficial effects slowly and gradually increase further over the following next few months.
I'm surprised your doctor hasn't put you on an antidepressant to take along with the lithium..? I thought that was the general approach to treating depression only (no mania) with Lithium.
Taking of amitriptyline, have you tried any of the tricyclics? Drugs such as amitriptyline and imipramine are considered by many to be the gold standard. The side effects can be a little more troublesome though.
Stick with the lithium - 600mgs per day is relatively low. I've read that lithium can be taken in doses over 1.5g (make sure you are monitored properly though)!!
My psychiatrist says it's a very good drug - it's worth giving it a go!!
Good luck!
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