Posted by Barbaracat on November 16, 2004, at 2:22:39
In reply to Re: Lithium - is it really that big a step?, posted by cubic_me on November 13, 2004, at 6:59:26
Lithium saved my life and was no big deal at all. I was horrified at first at what it 'meant' and what if people found out, but laugh at this now (although I still don't broadcast it). It really made all the difference in a medication journey that went on for over 30 years without much success.
I've been on a low sub-therapeutic dose (600mg) for over 2 years. I'm bipolar and didn't realize it except that SSRIs weren't working any longer and destabilizing me terrible into mixed states. As soon as I began lithium it was like a nice fuzzy blanket came to protect me from that wild electric static so common to bipolars.
Yes, make sure you get the other info - electrolytes, water intake, take extra salt (sea salt, no Morton's). You'll also gain weight unless you make a very concerted effort not to, so commit to getting alot of exercise. You may also notice your hair quality feels different at first, kind of coated, but this went away.
As far as mind problems, lithium has been shown to actually grow new dendrites and increase BDNF, a very good thing for brain health. Anti-aging proponents are taking small amounts for just these brain regeneration properties. Go slow and you may find that you don't need the 'therapeutic window' amounts dictated by blood tests which are likely to cause annoying side effects, at least at first (tremors and dopeyness were the most annoying for me until I reduced the dose). Even though I'm not even in the low end of the window, my pdoc eventually said 'it seems to be working, the blood tests aren't telling us anything new, so let's just skip them'. Fine with me. But you need to find what works for you.
BTW, I also was on Remeron and have never glutted myself like a fattened hog like I did on that med. I was insatiable, lurking by the fridge at 2am and I've never been this way. Lithium is NOTHING like Remeron. You don't feel like a constant food lust-bucket, it just takes forever to lose anything you put into your mouth, Atkins diet, anything, and you absolutely need to exercise those calories off.
> Thanks so much of all your reassurance everyone. I suppose the most worrying possible side effects for me would be long term memory/brain funtioning trouble and weight gain. I never thought that weight gain would affect me until I went on Remeron and coudn't stop the gain no matter how little I ate or how many times I went to the gym - so frustrating!
>
> jlb121 - are you saying that lithium shouldn't be used in depression as it reduces the absorption and reuptake of mood enhancing compounds? I understood what you were saying but wondered what your conclusions were. Thanks.
poster:Barbaracat
thread:415163
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041113/msgs/416519.html