Posted by peabo on May 23, 2003, at 8:54:54
In reply to Newcomer..., posted by peabo on May 22, 2003, at 14:18:34
Jack:
Thanks for the advisory re: open cap Effexor.
>Did Lithium alone control your depression?
The short answer is no...
The long answer is that I first got manic in '91, and prior to that, despite acknowledged intervals of depression and indecision, never imagined I had a problem greater than the next fool's. Meanwhile, I was self medicating with alcohol and pot... a practice which continues to this day. I've (briefly) tried Welbutrin, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Neurontin... but never allowed any of them enough time to work... don't quite know why.
Though my depression has been pervasive, it has also been subtle... carrying me down gradually, rather than suddenly. And I guess I've always been reluctant to own up to it or take an additional med to deal with it.
Lithium appears to have successfully controlled the mania... and I believe it helps some with anxiety (though I still take about 25 mg of chlorpromazine a day to stifle what the lithium doesn't address), but I can't say I recommend it (lithium) as a highly effective anti-depressant.
(This is all "for what it's worth".)
Regards,
peabo
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poster:peabo
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030520/msgs/228549.html