Posted by barbaracat on June 18, 2005, at 15:40:56
In reply to Lithium: How many times do you dose per day? » barbaracat, posted by Sabino on June 17, 2005, at 18:06:26
Hi Sabino, and Welcome. Your experience with Li sounds so exactly like mine that it's comforting. I too had relief within hours instead of the weeks they report. A calmness and focus that soothed the shrieking agitated depression like nothing else.
I take 600mg. 300mg in the morning and in the evening. This appears to be the best dose for me and causes no negative side effects whatsoever. I have had difficulty losing weight which would have come off easily before, but I know I have to try harder, move my butt more, and the problem will be solved.
You can try extended release. Some say it has a smoother overall effect, but that probably is more for those who are taking a higher dosage and experience side effects. I do hope you can stay at a low dose and avoid the annoying side effects. Those 'therapeutic windows' shown in blood tests are way too high, in my opinion. They are appropriate for someone in a concurrent mania, NOT ongoing maintenance, and cause more harm than help, so don't let anyone browbeat you into the therapeutic range. You don't mention if you're bipolar (your agitated depression being relieved so powerfully would indicate so), but the fact that you're taking Effexor and Remeron would benefit by a mood stabilizer.
Also, be aware that lithium is in a class by it's own in the way it works. Many pdocs have tried to talk me into the different bipolar meds, with disastrous results. Lithium works, is what I need, and I'm so thankful it's in my life. Good luck and keep us posted. Barbara
> Hi all,
>
> I just started Lithobid 300 mgs yesterday. I was wondering how many times you Lithium vets dose daily?
>
> I have really liked Li so far. I mean, it seems to agree with me after a gazillion failed attempts at other meds. I have an aggitated sort of depression, and within an hour of dosing, my frazzled sort of thinking just calms right out, and I start marvelling at how nice and calm I feel.
>
> I already feel like I'd like to try 600, maybe a morning dose, and an evening one. I've been giving Effexor XR a good trial currently too. I'm just over 7 weeks with that. I'm at 225mgs Eff (the past 9 days), and 15 mgs Remeron for sleep.
>
> Even when I have an AD that sort of works, because of my super fast metabolism, I usually dose, then an hour or two later, I'll feel good for a couple of hours, then crash for the rest of the day. Ultimately, that's just too hard to deal with.
>
> I was hoping that maybe Lithium would smooth things out... you know, get rid of the daily roller coaster. And I thought since when I use an AD, that my garden variety depression turns into anxious depression, that perhaps a good mood stabilizer might be the ticket.
>
> Much to my great surprise, after the very first dose of Li, like I said, I had that great feeling of calm, and just well being. But that wears off after 4 or so hours too. But at least not a hard crash like with AD's.
>
> I know my reactions to meds are not at all standard, and I attribute that to the high metabolism. It's made it very difficult, and I've still not found relief.
>
> Anyway, just wanted to say hi, and that so far, so good with Li. I'd be shocked if after all this time fooling around with AD's, that something as old as Lithium does the trick. That would be a miracle.
>
> I got in such a bad way that 7 weeks ago, I took a leave of absence from work. Tried to go back after 3 weeks, and just wasn't up to it. Another 4 weeks, and another try at returning. I lasted 5 minutes, had a panic attack, and left. Then later the same day (yesterday), tried Li for the first time, and felt a relief I haven't known in some time. Hope it isn't a placebo effect.
>
> Sorry for the long, boring post. Best to you all.
>
> Messed up in Mexico, living on refried dreams.
poster:barbaracat
thread:509665
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050617/msgs/515042.html