Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 451263

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SSRI's interacting with Lithium

Posted by lizbeth on February 1, 2005, at 18:59:42

Hi,

Has anyone else had problems adding SSRI's to a stable Lithium dose/regimen? There's been research to confirm that Prozac and Lithium interact. I've definitely had interactions with the two of them together, and also with Lexapro and Zoloft. It's not just like they elevate my lithium level. I know the GI upset and sedation that comes with a higher level of Lithium. What I get when I add an SSRI is hard to describe but very unpleasant. It feels like I'm walking through knee high mud mentally. I become a slug, and feel sick too. I don't think it's the serotonin syndrome per se, but I can feel messy interactions happening in my brain.

Anyone else experienced this?
Thanks,
Elizabeth

Re: SSRI's interacting with Lithium

Posted by holymama on February 2, 2005, at 8:11:15

In reply to SSRI's interacting with Lithium, posted by lizbeth on February 1, 2005, at 18:59:42

I have felt that feeling from simply increasing my Lithium dose. I am on a constant regimine of Lithium and two antidepressants, which works pretty well but I still cycle softly. When we tried increasing the Lithium by 150 mg to see if it would stop the cycling, the brain fog/sedation/walking through mud feeling was unbearable and so I had to lower it again.

Re: SSRI's interacting with Lithium » lizbeth

Posted by CareBear04 on February 2, 2005, at 13:56:31

In reply to SSRI's interacting with Lithium, posted by lizbeth on February 1, 2005, at 18:59:42

hi lizbeth,
i've had the lithium side effects that you talked about, especially the GI stuff that comes at any dose but especially on too high doses. i've been on lithium and zoloft for over a year now, and now i'm on lithium, lamictal, zoloft, and prozac. i don't seem to have any problems with SSRI+ lithium; i don't have levels that fluctuate any more than with lithium alone. have you had kidney function tested as well as electrolytes, dehydration, things like that? just a thought. i hope you get this worked out!

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