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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CindyLou on March 1, 2004, at 15:02:04
... or is it like the SSRIs that take weeks to build up in our systems before they start working?
Just wondering, because I just started Lithium two days ago, at a very low dose (225 mg.) I am very med sensitive, so that actually isn't too low for me to start.
Anyway, I have been feeling so much more stable and balanced the past two days it's eerie. No uncontrollable agitation. I was expecting bad results from the Lithium because I tried it a few years ago at 300 mg. and felt awful (I was in a post-partum period then, however.) Most meds have bad side effects for me, so this is strange ...good but strange.
I don't want to get my hopes up. Placebo effect, maybe? Too low of a dose to make a difference? Coincidence? Or could it be WORKING?
Any thoughts greatly apprecaited.
Thanks,
cindy
Posted by Metalblade on March 1, 2004, at 15:25:54
In reply to Can Lithium work in a day?..., posted by CindyLou on March 1, 2004, at 15:02:04
Cindy I fully belive that lithium can work that fast, it did for me. I first started at 300mg and it just seemed like it made the paxil I take work again. Then my body got kind of use to it and I uped it to 600mg. It just keeps working better the higher I go with it. I now take 1200mg and that gives me a serum level of .6meq/l. Each time you increase you will get the side effects back but they eventually go away. Stick with it. In my opinion if you react to it that fast, its a good sign you are a true bipolar. I have also been very sensitive to medication too.
Posted by Metalblade on March 1, 2004, at 15:32:06
In reply to Can Lithium work in a day?..., posted by CindyLou on March 1, 2004, at 15:02:04
I have a question for you. You said you tried the lithium a few years ago and didn't feel good. I'm wondering, did the lithium make you nervous. Were you not taking an AD at the time. If I'm not taking my paxil to calm me down I am a nervous reck on the lithium alone. But together the work great.
Posted by CindyLou on March 5, 2004, at 15:37:56
In reply to Re: Can Lithium work in a day?..., posted by Metalblade on March 1, 2004, at 15:32:06
Hi,
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this! When I first tried the Lithium, it actually made me extremely fatigued. I just wanted to sleep all day. I only tried it for a day or two, because at the time I had an infant and I couldn't afford to feel like that -- I could barely care for her. I was taking 300 mg. at the time. I don't think I was on an AD at the time, since everything I tried had bad side effects.This time around (4 years later), I am doing much better on the Lithium. It's been 5 days, and I really haven't noticed any side effects. I have been tired at times, but I get tired a lot anyway. I seem to be much more "balanced" and patient, less agitated, etc.
I am also on Lexapro (which I just reduced from 10 mg to 7.5), Klonapin at night for sleep, and Dextroamphetine/Ritilin for energy when I crash during the day. I am trying to get off the stims.
Sorry for the long answer! Thanks for your reply -- you have been very encouraging.
Cindy
> I have a question for you. You said you tried the lithium a few years ago and didn't feel good. I'm wondering, did the lithium make you nervous. Were you not taking an AD at the time. If I'm not taking my paxil to calm me down I am a nervous reck on the lithium alone. But together the work great.
This is the end of the thread.
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