Posted by Don_Bristol on May 4, 2006, at 10:47:59
In reply to Re: Is lithium any good?, posted by linkadge on April 29, 2006, at 20:56:44
> Lithium does affect serotonin. It works by blocking an inhibitory serotonin autoreceptor (5-h1b) and thus increasing serotonin release.
>
> The effect of SSRI's is thought to be delayed by the time it takes for the drug to desensitize these autoreceptors, but a drug like lithium can affect serotonin release immedately.
>
> Lithium also affects other neurotransmitters as well. Ie it seems to have a stabilizing effect on glutamate. Increasing glutamate if levels are too low, or reducing it when too high.
>
> Some people find it very hard to tollerate. While I did find it had a very good initial antidepressant effect, that seemed to wear off for me.
>
> In Europe, lithium is used a lot more for unipolar depression.
>
> I think its worth a shot.
>
> LinkadgeLinkadage, you mention side effects. In practise what side effects do people find most troublesome with lithium.
I find the official data sheets a bit misleading for this info (which is why I am asking you or anyone else who can contribute) because the official sheets can overlook so much. EG the SSRIs came out and sexual side effects hardly got mentioned and yet made 1 person on SSRIs in 4 has that side effect.
TIA for any info.
Don
poster:Don_Bristol
thread:637942
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060504/msgs/639917.html