Posted by Noa on January 7, 2000, at 16:08:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by shan on January 7, 2000, at 15:01:19
> i'm kinda scared to take lithium, any info that might help? would be greatly appreciated.
> thanx :)
I was, too. About 3 years ago or so, my doc introduced the idea to me, but I did not want to go there. He said he understood. Since I hadn't tried what I considered to be less "serious" medications at that time, at least in combo, I thought I didn't really need to consider lithium. Well, more recently it has become clear that I need something of a different class than the usual drugs, both to augment the AD effect, and to address what appears to be a cycling aspect of my depression.So, I started the lithium. I asked a lot of questions here and had a bunch of tests done, spoke with my GP about my overall health and the appropriateness of lithium, etc. She agreed it was a good idea to try it.
So far, it is ok. The lithium has had none of the usual sorts of side effects, like drowsiness, headache, etc. The main problem is the annoyance of having to pee a lot, and being thirsty all the time. But I am getting used to it.
As far as safety, my doc has had me get blood levels twice. The first time (at dose of 900 per day) my level was low, 0.5. I just took another blood test yesterday. When I get the results, I will let you know. My doc does not like to go above 1.0, even tho it has been customary to treat bipolar disorder above that. Toxic levels are something like 1.5. What my doc does is combine lithium with another mood stabilizer, like neurontin, depakote, or lamictal, so the person doesn't have to keep lithium levels up close to toxicity. I think the aim for me is around 0.8.
When we decided to go the route of a mood stabilizer, I asked why he prefered lithium. His response, and incidentally, my GP had the same response, was that lithium is a better known entity and has a good record of producing a good antidepressant effect.
S. Suggs wrote that he has been taking lithium for three years and is happy with how it works.
Where are you at in your thinking/decision making? Are you looking at lithium for augmentation of the effexor xr? Do you have bipolar symptoms in addition to the depression?
poster:Noa
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000101/msgs/18315.html