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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sheilac on October 17, 2012, at 17:05:31
I take the following:
300mg Lith (150am & pm)
300mg Trileptal (150mg am & pm)
1-2mg Klonopin (pm)Since adding low dose lithium I have been much calmer and easier to get along with. People seem to like me better on low dose lith and I am able to let things roll off and just be cool.
HOWEVER, I have noticed that my enthusiasm, creativity and drive have come to a complete stop. Even sex is hard for me. This is a problem because I am a creative person and the art work I do requires a certain level of drive, enthusiasm and obviously, creativity. Maybe I just have to try harder?
Sitting still and reading a book has become easier.
My doc gave me 5mg Ritalin because she thinks I have ADD or ADHD, but I don't notice anything with the Ritalin except really bad upset stomach, gas, etc. I think the Lithium kills the Ritalin.So - how do I get my mojo back? Drop down to 150mg of Lith a day? Stay on the same level of Lith, but up the Ritalin and deal with stomach upsest? Forget the Ritalin altogether and become a Starbucks addict?
Being level is good, but being a couch potato is bad.Not sure what to do, but my energy, drive and enthusiasm are suffering, as well as my art.
Any suggestions?
Posted by rjlockhart37 on October 17, 2012, at 17:58:22
In reply to Feeling dull..., posted by sheilac on October 17, 2012, at 17:05:31
sounds like lithium and trileptal are blunting nuerotransmitters, that's there job in manic/mood disorders to calm down the mind.
you should defintaly consider Focalin due to less side effects, same thing as Rililin but cleaner. Provigil will give you energy if that can even be considered, with Namenda would create a smart drug effect, cognitive improvement.
Have you ever considered older mood stabilizers like Depakote? gaba med, but also it may not work. Other options are Topamax and Nuerontin.
coffee for me really makes me not feel focused, more nervous and unstable but it differs with people.
Talk to your doctor maybe about these options
r
Posted by Sheilac on October 17, 2012, at 18:32:45
In reply to Re: Feeling dull..., posted by rjlockhart37 on October 17, 2012, at 17:58:22
I've tried Focalin in the past and it made me very emotional when it wore off, but it might be worth a try.
Is Adderall better than Ritalin in this situation?
Is it a bad idea to decrease lithium?
I will ask my doc about Focalin.
I just wasn't sure if I wasn't being blunted too much.
Neutontin did nothing for me, and topamax made me a stupid, sleepy couch potato.
Overall, I like lithium.
Posted by sheilac on October 18, 2012, at 8:03:17
In reply to Re: Feeling dull..., posted by rjlockhart37 on October 17, 2012, at 17:58:22
Since adding 300mg of Lith everything has been great, but, again, no motivation, energy, etc.
I was thinking that since both Lith and Trileptal are doing their jobs (blunting mood swings, etc.), maybe I'm a little too blunted.
Maybe the answer is to try an even lower dose of Lith - like 150mg and then if I need a boost go back to 5mg Adderall XR.
It just take a little bit of meds to keep me in line.
I do love Lithium though.
Posted by phidippus on October 20, 2012, at 17:39:55
In reply to Feeling dull..., posted by sheilac on October 17, 2012, at 17:05:31
Leave everything alone and try a higher dose of stimulant.
Eric
Posted by sheilac on October 21, 2012, at 15:41:53
In reply to Re: Feeling dull... » sheilac, posted by phidippus on October 20, 2012, at 17:39:55
I kept my Lithium at 300mg and just switched from Ritalin back to Adderall. Much better.
A low dose of Adderall is much better than living on caffeine all day.
Plus, the low dose Lithium is a must for me. Even my doc said I seem much calmer and happier with the addition of Lithium.
Yea!
This is the end of the thread.
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