Posted by BetweenDreams81 on February 4, 2011, at 9:33:43
Lithium was mentioned as an option and am open to listening to all ideas. I am just at the beginning figuring things out. Was on Lamictal (titrating up), alprazolam 0.25mg up to 4x/day, and 10mg Ambien at night. Unfortunately, I developed a rash/fever/flu symptoms/and severe body ache when the dose of Lamictal reached 50mg/day. Very bummed about it because I did definitely feel a vast improvement in mood those few days I was at 50mg (and it could not have been a placebo!)
So now, I feel like we're back at square one. alprazolam is doing well for keeping my spinning anxiety in check, but it is a band-aid at best for right now. I'm mostly on the depressive side but when I swing the other direction I get very irritable and make crazy irrational $ decisions.
Lithium was mentioned, and I am open to it, I have used lithium orotate in the past with good results (helped anxiety, but at such a low dose it didn't touch the low mood/lack of motivation)
I AM afraid of weight gain. I do keep myself in good shape, and I do not want that apperance to change. I had a devestating response to birth control pills that left me 20 lbs heavier in just 30 days. (this was 9 years ago). I would not be able to tolerate this type of a gain, it would throw me into depression.
What are your experiences on Lithium? did you gain weight? If so, are you male or female...I'm wondering if there is any sex-type connection to weight gain with different meds.
If you have other suggestions...please let me know! :o) I will be talking options with pdoc on Monday.
poster:BetweenDreams81
thread:978642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110130/msgs/978642.html