Posted by SLS on September 26, 2006, at 18:42:01
In reply to Lithium users, posted by johnnyj on September 26, 2006, at 15:00:35
> Has anyone had experience with lithium?
>
> I was taking it for unipolar depression and cut my 600 mg dose in half 6 weeks ago and had some stomach problems, spaciness, headache and some anxiety issues. It seemed to level out but then 3 days ago I stopped completely. I feel better actually. I know it is too soon to tell but I feel clearer not so spacey (this was bad after eating). My breathing seems better too. I had some weird sensations in my chest and stomach but I don't feel as anxiety as much. I am thinking this has got to be placebo related because I was only taking 300 mg. I could not tolerate lithium carbonate and had to switch to lithobid a few years back (slow release).
>
> It is possible that a medication can cause problems after being on it for 10 years? My problems started after a bout of pneumonia and I seemed to be med sensitive after the illness. I am cautious and if my sleep improves I may wonder if this med was causing me problems. I had a lot of mental slowness and could not read full paragraphs as I would jump around. This is better too.
>
> Withdrawal seemed to be REM rebound type stuff or more vivid dreams. Last night was better though. The first night every time I awoke I seemed to fall right into dreaming (very strange).
>
> Has lithium caused anybody anxiety or depression here?
I have a couple of things in mind here, but the only thing that you can really do at this point is to sit back and observe. Just know that for unipolar depression, the dosage range found to be effective when used as an adjunct to standard antidepressants is 300-600mg.For me, lithium at dosages of 450mg and higher causes me to have flat affect and makes me feel passive and without motivation or creativity. It feels almost like depression. This is not uncommon. I love hearing stories like that of Squiggles' There are people for whom lithium just hits the target perfectly and does not produce negative affective or cognitive side effects.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:689407
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060919/msgs/689443.html