Posted by barbaracat on June 27, 2005, at 16:07:35
In reply to Re: More newbie Lithium questions » Sabino, posted by yesac on June 27, 2005, at 14:11:16
Have you tried to go without Seroquel and just stick with Lithium? Hate to knock Seroquel because I know it's helped many, but I had a rotten time on it. It has a very strong anti-histimine component and unfortunately, it doesn't get any better with a lower dose.
I felt constantly fuzzy headed, tired, and more depressed and it never improved. Yes, it did provide extra anti-mania/anit-anxiety benefits but I'm not always manic and the spaced out feeling produced it's own weird anxiety. If I were in the midst of a raging manic episode I wouldn't hesitate to pop a Seroquel, Zyprexa or any other AP, but as long-term maintenance - why? It doesn't make sense. As a sleep-aid? C'mon, that's a pretty hard hitting sleeper. Dopamine antagonism and Tardive Dyskenesia is alot to risk for a mainly anti-histamine knock-out.
I know that antipsychotics are the current darlings of bipolar polypharmacy but IMHO prescribed far too frequently. The clinical literature is full of hope for it's antidepressant abilities, but the anecdotal reports just don't bear this up.
If I were looking to conduct a controlled trial and wondering which med to tweak first it would be Seroquel, not Lithium. You might do just as well on 600mg Li and take the occasional benzo as needed for sleep and anxiety. On a good mood stabilizing regimen you could try a low dose AD. Maybe not Prozac cause it's so activating, but there are plenty out there to choose from and once you're stable but not comatose, that part should go much more smoothly. - Barbara
poster:barbaracat
thread:509665
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050627/msgs/519990.html