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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 scatterbrained on June 24, 2004, at 20:08:17
Has anybody tried a small dose of lithium to augment an antidepressant? How long does it take to work. Once you went on it could you eventually go off it and let the antidepressant work on it's own. Are the side effects severe even at a low dose?Any help would be greatly appreciated
Posted by scatterbrained on June 25, 2004, at 1:33:28
In reply to lithium augmentation, posted by scatterbrained on June 24, 2004, at 20:08:17
I need to know, I'm suicidally depressed and seeing my doctor tomorrow, my doctors pretty much intellectually challenged and won't have anything to say,he'll give me whatever, please help.I need something.I'm taking lamictal 300, paxil20, and stopped adderal because when it wore off it made me totally disoriented and suicidal and pretty much led to the profoundly low place I'm at now.before a few weeks ago I was doing a little bit better, nothing to write home about, still profoundly debilitated, still confused and disjointed but not to this extent.
Posted by wraith on June 25, 2004, at 6:47:21
In reply to lithium augmentation ANYBODY!!!!!!!, posted by scatterbrained on June 25, 2004, at 1:33:28
Scatterbrained,
I was placed on Lithium and Amitriptyline after a combination of Surmontil (TCA), Nardil (MAOI) and tegretol failed to lift me from depression. I was diagnosed with severe uni-polar depression.
The lithium augmentation was very much a last stab by my Psychiatrist who thought we might be heading towards ECT. Because of my very low mood - near suicidal - I was also given for a short time Lorazepam to 'knock me out' until the lithium and Amitriptyline began to work.
This was 3 months ago and I have never looked back. My mood began to rise after a couple of weeks and each week my wife has commented that it has continued to get better. Also the 'brain fog' or confusion which I had begun to accept as being a part of me has lifted and I now feel mentally sharp and ready to return to work.
Overall I think I am better than well. I have had mild depression most of my life, punctuated with major depression. At this time I am feeling better than I ever did and this is feeding through to all aspects of my life.
I think my long term prognosis is to reduce Amitriptyline to a maintenance dose of 25mg but continue on Lithium - possibly for life.
I hope lithium works as well for you as it has for myself.
All the best
Posted by sac on June 25, 2004, at 9:11:56
In reply to Re: lithium augmentation ANYBODY!!!!!!!, posted by wraith on June 25, 2004, at 6:47:21
What dosage of lithium are you on? I have bipolar II and was on Lithium 400mgs. briefly for about a week but I didn't feel good on it. Did it take time for your mood to lift with the Lithium?
> Scatterbrained,
>
> I was placed on Lithium and Amitriptyline after a combination of Surmontil (TCA), Nardil (MAOI) and tegretol failed to lift me from depression. I was diagnosed with severe uni-polar depression.
>
> The lithium augmentation was very much a last stab by my Psychiatrist who thought we might be heading towards ECT. Because of my very low mood - near suicidal - I was also given for a short time Lorazepam to 'knock me out' until the lithium and Amitriptyline began to work.
>
> This was 3 months ago and I have never looked back. My mood began to rise after a couple of weeks and each week my wife has commented that it has continued to get better. Also the 'brain fog' or confusion which I had begun to accept as being a part of me has lifted and I now feel mentally sharp and ready to return to work.
>
> Overall I think I am better than well. I have had mild depression most of my life, punctuated with major depression. At this time I am feeling better than I ever did and this is feeding through to all aspects of my life.
>
> I think my long term prognosis is to reduce Amitriptyline to a maintenance dose of 25mg but continue on Lithium - possibly for life.
>
> I hope lithium works as well for you as it has for myself.
>
> All the best
Posted by wraith on June 25, 2004, at 10:04:58
In reply to Re: lithium augmentation ANYBODY!!!!!!! » wraith, posted by sac on June 25, 2004, at 9:11:56
Sac,
I am on 1200 mg of lithium which equates to a lithium serum level of 0.7m/eql (which is well within range). It took a few weeks for me to notice mood lifting because I was heavily sedated on Lorazepam at the time. The only side effects I noticed is increased thirst.
Hope this helps.
Posted by sac on June 25, 2004, at 13:43:23
In reply to Re: lithium augmentation ANYBODY!!!!!!!, posted by wraith on June 25, 2004, at 10:04:58
This is the end of the thread.
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