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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on April 6, 2013, at 9:29:12
I added a low dose (300 mg) of lithium to my Lexapro (I've been doing Ketamine treatments but had a recent relapse) to help stabilize my mood and curtail suicidal ideation as I've been plagued with guilt and self-loathing.
It's my understanding that even this low dose can work rather quickly. I'm not happy about adding it back in the mix, but I thought it would be a quick chemical solution. Anyone know how quickly it can start to work?
Thanks in advance.
-b
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2013, at 10:12:35
In reply to How fast can lithium work?, posted by brynb on April 6, 2013, at 9:29:12
Erin seriously I've seen it work within a week in some and two weeks in manic bipolars. Good luck. Phillipa
Posted by gpznos on April 6, 2013, at 11:03:25
In reply to Re: How fast can lithium work? » brynb, posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2013, at 10:12:35
In my experience and from what I have heard it is not quickly acting at all, months rather than weeks before the full effect can be seen.
Posted by Beckett on April 6, 2013, at 23:57:27
In reply to How fast can lithium work?, posted by brynb on April 6, 2013, at 9:29:12
hi bryn,
For me it was a matter of days. From the first day I began to feel the thoughts of death fade. Granted, it was subtle at first but it worked. I was on 300mg for a week maybe ten days, and the thoughts were gone. The depression was not, but it was more bearable.
As the last poster noted, full effects take longer.
I remember that you've had some problem with lithium in the past (if I'm correct) and cannot recall the details.
Best of luck.
Posted by brynb on April 7, 2013, at 7:37:10
In reply to Re: How fast can lithium work? » brynb, posted by Beckett on April 6, 2013, at 23:57:27
Thanks, Beckett.
I'm hoping it evens me out rather quickly. You're correct--I had to discontinue even this low dose in the past as it caused grotesque edema and cellulitis (the lithium was really the only variable at the time), so along with stopping it, I was on antibiotics and diuretics for a while.
Hopefully it'll just smooth things out right now without a hitch. That's what I'm hoping.
Thanks again.
-b
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