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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jack Smith on February 13, 2003, at 13:29:27
For all the lithium vets out there, I have a few questions. . .
1. How long does it take to start helping out other anti-d's (ssri's)?
2. What are the short-term side effects?
3. Does it interact with alcohol?
Any answers appreciated.
Jack
Posted by linkadge on February 13, 2003, at 14:08:37
In reply to Lithium Questions, posted by Jack Smith on February 13, 2003, at 13:29:27
I just started on it so I don't know the full deal. I've been haveing a ruff time. (I dropped Celexa at same time as celexa) It does seem to have a very potent calming effect. It's the strangest drug cause I don't feel an effect from it till it starts to wear off. It seems to help anxiety. It's not going to leave you feeling excellent, but it does seem to prevent most syptoms of depression.
It is extremely broad spectrum.
As far as alcohol goes I'm not sure.
It does seem to have a very potent anti-agitation potential.
Linkadge
Posted by Ritch on February 13, 2003, at 23:46:35
In reply to Lithium Questions, posted by Jack Smith on February 13, 2003, at 13:29:27
> For all the lithium vets out there, I have a few questions. . .
>
> 1. How long does it take to start helping out other anti-d's (ssri's)?
>
> 2. What are the short-term side effects?
>
> 3. Does it interact with alcohol?
>
> Any answers appreciated.
>
> JackI echo Linkadge's responses. The main thing is you have to try it and see how it works for *you*. It is tough to predict whether you can tolerate it or not or if it controls your problems as well as other newer alternatives. One thing for sure-it is very CHEAP. You can have no insurance and probably get a month's supply for a couple of bucks (similar to the cost of generic benzos). Try throwing in some fishoil and tyrosine with it. Lithium is known to depress thryoid function. If you need to augment with thyroid hormone-well that's just a few bucks a month too.
Posted by Tabitha on February 14, 2003, at 2:42:37
In reply to Re: Lithium Questions » Jack Smith, posted by Ritch on February 13, 2003, at 23:46:35
Hi, I was just wondering which benzos are available for cheap?
I'm always trying to have a backup med plan to cope with loss of insurance. What a feeling of freedom it would be to get a completely cheap, off-patent regimen.
Posted by Ritch on February 14, 2003, at 8:59:40
In reply to Re: a tangent to... » Ritch, posted by Tabitha on February 14, 2003, at 2:42:37
> Hi, I was just wondering which benzos are available for cheap?
>
> I'm always trying to have a backup med plan to cope with loss of insurance. What a feeling of freedom it would be to get a completely cheap, off-patent regimen.I just filled my generic clonazepam yesterday and it was $2 (for 90 tablets). If I lost my job and health plan I would probably be off Depakote and back on lithium with it.
Posted by Bittersweet on February 14, 2003, at 11:55:29
In reply to Re: a tangent to... » Tabitha, posted by Ritch on February 14, 2003, at 8:59:40
>If I lost my job and health plan I would probably be off Depakote and back on lithium with it.
* * * * *
I have been looking for answers to the lithium question as well. What did lithium do for you, and why did you choose Depakote over the Lithium?
I have suspected I have bipolar for some years but am just now looking into treatment. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks
Posted by justyourlaugh on February 14, 2003, at 12:29:27
In reply to Re: a tangent to... » Ritch, posted by Bittersweet on February 14, 2003, at 11:55:29
hi,
i am very interested in that information as well.
my doc wants me to try it,but i am afraid it will slow me down and i wont be able to function at my job.
thanks
Posted by Ritch on February 14, 2003, at 13:44:33
In reply to Re: a tangent to... » Ritch, posted by Bittersweet on February 14, 2003, at 11:55:29
> >If I lost my job and health plan I would probably be off Depakote and back on lithium with it.
>
> * * * * *
>
> I have been looking for answers to the lithium question as well. What did lithium do for you, and why did you choose Depakote over the Lithium?
> I have suspected I have bipolar for some years but am just now looking into treatment. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks
I have more trouble with med intolerance than I do treatment resistance. Lithium gives me the worst diarrhea problems imaginable. The only thing I found that would control it was lomotil and the doctor I was seeing would not allow me to be on a maintenance of that (because of the opiate that is in it). So, the switch to Depakote was ultimately an attempt to find something reasonably as good as lithium that I could tolerate. Also, lithium suppresses thyroid and I have had thyroid tumor and partial removal of my thyroid (with family history of thyroid cancer). So, I am avoiding it for these reasons primarily. Comparing my experience with the efficacy of these two: lithium worked clearly better for depressive spells. I could get by without an AD with lithium (but still suffer), but there would be no way I could handle a depressive spell on depakote monotherapy at all. As far as the highs go.. I can get much better control of the dysphoric (irritable) highs with Depakote, lithium seems to work better for the euphoric highs that occasionally get out of range. If I went back on lithium I would insist on thyroid augmentation. The monitoring could wind up being more costly than just taking Depakote, but I am not sure. Both of them do reduce anxiety and agitation. Lithium seems a little more energizing. Depakote can induce excessive sleepiness and tiredness.
Posted by jumpy on February 14, 2003, at 19:16:51
In reply to Lithium Questions, posted by Jack Smith on February 13, 2003, at 13:29:27
> For all the lithium vets out there, I have a few questions. . .
>
> 1. How long does it take to start helping out other anti-d's (ssri's)?Well, never tried it with an SSRI ... but I did use it to augment imipramine. I started the impramine and added in the lithium about 10 days later. After two days of 600mg of lithium augmentation I felt so much better. I eventually settled into 200mg of impramine and 900mg of lithium.
> 2. What are the short-term side effects?I had tremor, sexual dysfunction, concentration difficulties with lithium
> 3. Does it interact with alcohol?
I never noticed an interaction with alcohol ... except maybe that once I was feeling better, I could actually have a drink and get buzzed
> Any answers appreciated.
I love the old meds ... I still think lithium, TCAs and MAOIs are tops! Good luck.
Jumpy
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