First of all I want to say sorry for posting like 600 threads a minute at the moment. But I'm having a really hard time talking about all this in real life currently. Anyway, I'll try and keep this as short as possible!
I had an appointment with my consultant psychiatrist today at the request of my GP. The appt went fine and the main purpose of it was to discuss the fact my medication doesn't seem to be working as well as it was and that there has been a deterioration in my condition after a spell of feeling quite well.
So, the plan is to raise my Trazodone from 300mg to 400mg to see if that helps, which in all honesty I'm not feeling too hopeful about, but you never know. If things haven't improved after a month, my psych has suggested that we either augment the Trazodone with Lithium OR swap onto Amitriptyline with Lithium.
Ok fine, but, Lithium? I mean, I've always assumed that it's pretty heavy-duty stuff, as in you've got to be quite bad to be prescribed it. And it seems like a complete pain in the arse of a med to be taking, what with having blood tests and all that. I don't know, I might be completely wrong in thinking all this. And Imight be premature in thinking about all of this as I might not need it, but I've got a bad feeling I might.
Flippin' heck, that was long! And I'm sorry, I know I should just talk to my psych or friends, but I really find it hard. Plus the fact it makes more sense to me to ask people who will more than likely have gone through the same or very similar things.
Sorry, but any advice about taking Lithium, the tests involved, effectiveness etc. Absolutely anything really!
Thank you so much, and sorry for the length of this!
I understand your feelings baout lithium.
I refused it for almost a year; thinking it to a be 'dead-end', 'I must be really messed up' med.
I've been on it for years now...and i will never go off it! It has worked so incredibly well for me.
The blood tests can slow down, the longer you are on it and the longer you can remain at a set dose. I havent been tested in months and feel no need to. Not at this point.
The tests are quick.
Ive had no side effects, except possibly to my skin, became prone to a few breakouts...but that is easily solved by a good cleanser.
I would really recommend trying it.
I really know how it feels to have this one suggested to you.
But, I'm so glad it was.
Good luck and let us know ok??
(ETA: the bloodtests, in the beginning, are VERY important. Because the difference between a therapeutic dose and toxicity is very narrow.)
Hey, thanks for the reply. I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought "oh sh*t" when facing the prospect of being put on Lithium.
I'm glad to hear that you have had a positive experience with it though and feel a bit better having heard that. I'm just feeling a little bit freaked out that it was suggested in the first place really, y'know?
I can really understand; the first while of taking them I felt awful...not because SE's, but because it was LITHIUM.
I was embarassed getting a refill, having the pharmacist know I was on it.
But, as i started to feel the benefit of it, those feelings eased. It just didn't matter anymmore, because I felt so much better!
If it is suggested, do try it. I know it is an old drug, but it's been around for a reason.
I think they use it initially because of so few side effects and because ppl seem to respond well to it.
Good luck and I'm really glad you are feeling better about the idea.
xx
I was on Lithium a few years back to augment an anti-depressant.
As above I also resisted it for about a year, thinking it was a horrible drug and a last resort and all that stuff, I mean, hell, Nirvana had a song about it!
Eventually I gave in, and it really wasn't that bad. Frequent blood tests initially but once you are on a stable dose it's months between them.
And it is proven to be very effective for some people.
In the end it didn't do an awful lot for me back then but I am actually going to be starting back on it in the next couple months in combination with some different meds.
Don't go on what you hear about a medication, the only way to know is to give it a try yourself.
I realise I have just pretty much repeated what's said above, but... there you go :P
Hmm, I think I might give it a go if things aren't better by my next appt with my psych at the end of the month.
The other day I was like, "pfft, I don't need Lithium, as if". But today I feel like absolute crap, I haven't even got out of bed. ****ing moodswings. I hate being this way so I guess I need to forget any negative feelings I have about taking it and just give it a try. In a way I feel slightly disheartened by the fact that I might have to take it. But then there is this tiny part of me that feels optimistic, or maybe hopeful is the word. It might work. I might be able to start having a life.
I still think that having loads of blood tests at the beginning will be annoying, but it's not like I'm scared of needles. And frankly, anything is better than feeling like this.
Rambling on there! just need to talk about it or my head will explode!
I hope you do manage to try it.
It has made such a HUGE difference for me.
I don't like taking pills, but this one? I'll very gladly take it.
It has helped so very much.
Good luck!
xx
I'm in the same position. My psych has started suggesting lithium to help boost my anti-depressants but I always saw it as a last resort type drug as its so hard to manage, so really scared.
Also does it cause an increase in appetite as my ed is really bad atm and I know that would just stress me out even more. Does it help with sleep?
Sorry for all the questions just scared. Hope it works well for you, let me know if you try it and how you find it
Hey. No I don't think it helps with sleep, but I'm a little worried about possible weight gain too. Urgh, bloody meds.
I think I'm going to tell my psych that I want to go ahead with it when I see him on the 30th. It's definately worth a try and I can come off it if I don't like it.
My main concern now though is that I've heard it can do some damage if you OD on it. I do have a history of taking OD's, some pretty bad ones too hence my GP will only prescribe one/two weeks worth of meds depending on how I'm doing. Although this wednesday she gave me a months worth, so I have 100 odd tabs on me, not a good move really! Might take some back. Anyway, I think I'll have to be super careful with this stuff, maybe give it to someone else to look after for me (how embarrasing!).
Anyway, thank you for the words of encouragement. I did speak to a friend about it briefly but she didn't really know much about it, so speaking to you has been very helpful.
Hi people. First of all just want to say thanks for the advice I have already received on this subject, very helpful. So yeah, I'm after more advice, again! Well, and a bit of encouragement too please.
I saw my psych today and decided to give it a shot with the Lithium. I've had a good think about it over the last couple of weeks and am sure that I'm doing the right thing. But I'm feeling a tad apprehensive about it really and ideally would like to have had a bit more of a chat about it with my psych, but he was like, 'here's your prescription, bye'!
I'm not starting it until tomorrow, but was after a bit of advice and support. I'm quite unsure about a few things. I know I need to arrange to see the practice nurse a week after starting to get a blood test, but, is that it then blood test wise?! And side effects, some of them are apparently 'normal' but also a sign of toxicity?!
Hmm, sorry, I'm confusing myself now with all these questions, let alone anyone else! But yeah, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Things to look out for, do's and don'ts etc. Sorry to ask all of this but I feel as though I've just been given this stuff and left on my tod to get on with it really.
i was gonna say the same as lostandalone, od on lithium is something you will regret, it got really really ill on it. could you be strong enough when you collect your script to tell the pharmacy when they get it wrong and give you too much? you can ask your gp to tell the pharmacy? also, the pharmacy can put your meds into a doset (sp?) box, it just makes it more annoying to get at the pills to od on them?
