Posted by barbaracat on June 29, 2005, at 15:39:36
In reply to Re: barbcat, won't you have to stop the cymbalta? » ravenstorm, posted by barbaracat on June 25, 2005, at 1:11:52
Hi All,
Wanted to keep you posted on my attempts to wean off lithium. I guess it was a total of 3-1/2 weeks of reducing from 600 to 300mg and stayed there for a week. I started to feel just not good. Mildly depressed wanting to sleep all day and yet slightly agitated too. Colors not as bright, vaguely irritated and wanting a drink REAL bad.The slow titration down didn't produce any glaring symptoms but I was beginning to realize that, along with the mild depression and agitation, I wasn't thinking as clearly. It's hard to recall lessons previously learned at such a cost, it's hard not to feel cynical about attempting to be positive, and all those worthy resolutions to go out and get more exercise and blah blah go out the door when the brain and body aren't tracking well. When I'm chemically challenged, I become a different person with different memories and attitudes. I'm lucky, I pulled back early enough in time before getting caught in a nose dive in a plane whose controls aren't responding.
I don't claim to know how any of these meds work, but understand that the means by which lithium works seems to involve a delicate balance of ionic calcium levels within the neuron to allow appropriate firing down axon's path. What I was beginning to experience was the hint of disruption of this smooth firing.
It was a good trial, good to know that I do better with lithium and should not stop, and good that I didn't just stop like I've done in the past with severe mixed states results every time. Humbling knowing that I'm so beholden to a med that has it's own separate problems (weight gain, thyroid), but in the end thankful that it exists and it makes this imperfect physical vehicle able to navigate life better. - Barbara
poster:barbaracat
thread:509665
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050627/msgs/521152.html