Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 988495

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600mg Li too much...

Posted by sheilac on June 17, 2011, at 8:37:53

After a few days on 600mg of Lithium I became a zombie. I was tired and irritable (probably because I was so down and lethargic).

Last night I took 300mg and I feel much better today. Still drugged, but functioning.

My blood level at 450mg was only .4, which is why my doc upped me to 600mg. But I just can't tolerate that much.

Is low dose like 150mg or 300mg beneficial for the long haul, especially for someone like me that is prone to depression?

I can't take anti-depressants (they make me hypo-manic in the long run).

I thought I had heard that low dose Lithium helps with depression. It doesn't have to be the "theraputic" dose?

 

Re: 600mg Li too much... » sheilac

Posted by zonked on June 17, 2011, at 9:28:19

In reply to 600mg Li too much..., posted by sheilac on June 17, 2011, at 8:37:53

> After a few days on 600mg of Lithium I became a zombie. I was tired and irritable (probably because I was so down and lethargic).

Lithium made me either irritable or completely apathetic. I know what you mean.

> Is low dose like 150mg or 300mg beneficial for the long haul, especially for someone like me that is prone to depression?

I think SLS has recently found significant benefit from a low dose like you describe, after failures with higher doses. I hope he sees this thread.

-z

 

Re: 600mg Li too much...

Posted by sheilac on June 17, 2011, at 9:43:53

In reply to Re: 600mg Li too much... » sheilac, posted by zonked on June 17, 2011, at 9:28:19

Thanks! Yes, I have done nothing this week. I haven't even showered in 3 days! I took a little extra Adderall today so that maybe I can workout and shower and do my hair and make-up.

I don't like being a couch veggie. 600mg is just too much.

I think I remember when I first tried Lithium at 150mg I felt great, really upbeat and all, but then I started taking it 2x a day and after a while on 300mg I felt more flat.


 

Re: 600mg Li too much...

Posted by Phillipa on June 17, 2011, at 11:00:55

In reply to Re: 600mg Li too much..., posted by sheilac on June 17, 2011, at 9:43:53

I also hope SLS sees this if I recall others also take a low dose. Phillipa

 

Re: 600mg Li too much...

Posted by floatingbridge on June 17, 2011, at 11:14:24

In reply to Re: 600mg Li too much..., posted by Phillipa on June 17, 2011, at 11:00:55

Sheila, Maybe your doc will let you go lower and still get the results s/he wants, which is to keep you from cycling.

Maybe 300 will be more manageable to you as a patient over time, and since you're sensitive, your blood serum levels might not need to hit the charts.

What's your doc think?

Good luck.
fb

 

Re: 600mg Li too much... » sheilac

Posted by SLS on June 18, 2011, at 5:06:20

In reply to 600mg Li too much..., posted by sheilac on June 17, 2011, at 8:37:53

Hi.

> After a few days on 600mg of Lithium I became a zombie. I was tired and irritable (probably because I was so down and lethargic).

I find that I begin to experience these things at a dosage of 450mg/day. 300mg seems to be perfect, although I may try 450mg again as a rechallenge.

Harvard studies on the treatment resistant depression observed that the range of dosages for low-dose lithium was 300-600mg when used as an adjunct to Prozac. Most responded at 450mg.

My lithium blood level at 300mg is 0.2 mmol/L. This dosage is generally accepted to be far to low to be used as an anti-manic mood stabilizer. The dosage range for this indication is 0.8-1.2 mmol/L.


- Scott

 

Re: 600mg Li too much... » sheilac

Posted by SLS on June 18, 2011, at 5:13:50

In reply to 600mg Li too much..., posted by sheilac on June 17, 2011, at 8:37:53

> The dosage range for this indication [mania, mood stabilizer] is 0.8-1.2 mmol/L.

This usually dictates the usage of 900-1500mg of lithium.

I didn't know that you rapid cycled. I know someone who rapid-cycles who has had success combining Nardil with Trileptal.

Can you describe what your cycle looks like?


- Scott

 

scott. - Re: 600mg Li too much...

Posted by sheilac on June 18, 2011, at 6:16:49

In reply to Re: 600mg Li too much... » sheilac, posted by SLS on June 18, 2011, at 5:13:50

I only rapid cycle when I have been taking any kind of antidepressant or stimulant. I even tried Wellbutrin and it sent me over the edge.

Adderall can do it to me to. But Adderall, even in small doses helps so much. I have been able to get on a regular schedule, work out, lose 25 lbs and do some part time work since starting Adderall XR.

Klonopin isn't enough to keep me stable.

Right now I am going to try low dose Trileptal and low dose lithium. Since I can't tolerate antidepressants, I think low dose lithium will help. Plus, I think Trileptal and Klonopin will keep me from getting too irritable from the Adderall wear off. Doc wants to slowly go up on Trileptal.

My doc wants me to stay on Adderall as the positives outweigh the negatives that can be controlled.

 

Re: 600mg Li too much... » SLS

Posted by zonked on June 18, 2011, at 9:49:47

In reply to Re: 600mg Li too much... » sheilac, posted by SLS on June 18, 2011, at 5:06:20

> My lithium blood level at 300mg is 0.2 mmol/L. This dosage is generally accepted to be far to low to be used as an anti-manic mood stabilizer. The dosage range for this indication is 0.8-1.2 mmol/L.

If only blood levels were a reliable indicator for everything we take, right? One of my friends (bipolar I- w/psychotic features-SEVERE, PTSD) has determined 0.7 to be her "magic number." She is probably the most mania-prone individual I've ever met. (Based on stories she's told me, I've never seen her manic.)

There are other things in her cocktail (to keep psychosis and anxiety at bay), but lithium is her anchor. It even screwed up her thyroid really bad, but she's told me she wouldn't be alive today were it not for Lithium...

I might address this in a separate thread, but I do wonder - when will psychiatry become less of a guessing game and more of a real science outside of academia--in general practice? Hopefully, in our lifetimes.

-z

 

scott. - Re: 600mg Li too much...

Posted by sheilac on June 18, 2011, at 13:03:01

In reply to Re: 600mg Li too much... » sheilac, posted by SLS on June 18, 2011, at 5:13:50

I only rapid cycle when I have been taking any kind of antidepressant or stimulant. I even tried Wellbutrin and it sent me over the edge.

Adderall can do it to me to. But Adderall, even in small doses helps so much. I have been able to get on a regular schedule, work out, lose 25 lbs and do some part time work since starting Adderall XR.

Klonopin isn't enough to keep me stable.

Right now I am going to try low dose Trileptal and low dose lithium. Since I can't tolerate antidepressants, I think low dose lithium will help. Plus, I think Trileptal and Klonopin will keep me from getting too irritable from the Adderall wear off. Doc wants to slowly go up on Trileptal.

My doc wants me to stay on Adderall as the positives outweigh the negatives that can be controlled.


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