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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by francineus on April 9, 2008, at 18:30:10
My doc thinks that since I have not responded well to AD's (make me agitated or stop working or don't work) that I have bipolar dx (although I have not enjoyed the mania). My mom is bipolar so maybe there's something to it. Now taking lithium 1125mg.
It's helping with tearfulness but I am still VERY depressed. The doc thinks that the higher dose can work as an AD. What do you all think? Perhaps an AD would work better with the lithium.
Posted by undopaminergic on April 10, 2008, at 5:34:00
In reply to Lithium alone for depresson ? need AD?, posted by francineus on April 9, 2008, at 18:30:10
> My doc thinks that since I have not responded well to AD's (make me agitated or stop working or don't work) that I have bipolar dx (although I have not enjoyed the mania). My mom is bipolar so maybe there's something to it. Now taking lithium 1125mg.
> It's helping with tearfulness but I am still VERY depressed. The doc thinks that the higher dose can work as an AD. What do you all think? Perhaps an AD would work better with the lithium.
>That's quite possible. Also, it may not be a good idea to use higher doses of lithium due to increasing risks of hypothyroidism and renal dysfunction.
Posted by Bob on April 10, 2008, at 16:28:33
In reply to Lithium alone for depresson ? need AD?, posted by francineus on April 9, 2008, at 18:30:10
> My doc thinks that since I have not responded well to AD's (make me agitated or stop working or don't work) that I have bipolar dx (although I have not enjoyed the mania). My mom is bipolar so maybe there's something to it. Now taking lithium 1125mg.
> It's helping with tearfulness but I am still VERY depressed. The doc thinks that the higher dose can work as an AD. What do you all think? Perhaps an AD would work better with the lithium.
>
My pdoc also told me that there is some data suggesting that higher dose lithium can work as an antidepressant. I was skeptical but never tried it, so I don't know for sure.
Posted by jms600 on April 11, 2008, at 9:57:05
In reply to Re: Lithium alone for depresson ? need AD? » francineus, posted by Bob on April 10, 2008, at 16:28:33
Have you thought of asking your doctor to augment the lithium with an SSRI? I've got a friend who takes lithium along with 10mg of Cipralex (Escitalopram) - and she seems to do really well on the two drugs.
Alone they may not help you, but taken together may have a better effect.
Maybe it's something you should ask your doctor about..?
Posted by bleauberry on April 11, 2008, at 18:42:12
In reply to Lithium alone for depresson ? need AD?, posted by francineus on April 9, 2008, at 18:30:10
I've never been lithium for more than a few days. But here is my short experience.
Lithium alone = lethargy and glumness.
Lithium+ssri=couple pots of coffee with a dash of cocaine.My point is, yes, lithium can do a lot of stuff and it works differently depending on whether it is by itself or mixed with something else. I believe it has a lot of potential, as do decades of clinical evidence. I do not believe what I experienced with lithium will be duplicated with everyone else. I just wanted to point out how dramatically different it worked on its own or in combination.
The cool thing is that it isn't even a drug. It is a natural salt of the earth. Lithium has been used as a stand alone antidepressant and as an augmentor to antidepressants for several decades. I do not think it would still hold its place if it wasn't helping people.
Posted by francineus on April 11, 2008, at 18:45:10
In reply to Lithium alone for depresson ? need AD?, posted by francineus on April 9, 2008, at 18:30:10
Thanks for the input. I am going to discuss adding an AD to the lithium. SSRI's used to help me years ago but now just make me totally agitated. Think I may have BPIII...I was on SSRI"S for years and suddenly they just make me totally agitated.
Posted by roslynn on April 13, 2008, at 17:35:51
In reply to Lithium alone for depresson ? need AD?, posted by francineus on April 9, 2008, at 18:30:10
> My doc thinks that since I have not responded well to AD's (make me agitated or stop working or don't work) that I have bipolar dx (although I have not enjoyed the mania). My mom is bipolar so maybe there's something to it. Now taking lithium 1125mg.
> It's helping with tearfulness but I am still VERY depressed. The doc thinks that the higher dose can work as an AD. What do you all think? Perhaps an AD would work better with the lithium.
>Hi francineus,
I am new here...but sort of in the same situation. My pdoc has been adding more and more meds...recently we decided to go off lithium 600 mg(thinking it wasn't working very well) and substituted Abilify 5mg...well my mood crashed leading me to believe the lithium was doing something for me, after all. It does seem to stop my crying like you mentioned. Abilify is supposed to augment antidepressants if used at a small dose...I don't know about this, it has made me very anxious so far... my pdoc thinks I just have depression but it's my theory that I'm bipolar II as my father is bipolar I....roslynn
Posted by francineus on April 14, 2008, at 18:08:13
In reply to Re: Lithium alone for depresson ? need AD?, posted by roslynn on April 13, 2008, at 17:35:51
it sounds like you can be bipolar. I have no mania, but do have agitation and my mom has BP. Good luck
This is the end of the thread.
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