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Member Since Jul 2019
Location: Texas
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Nov 30, 2019 at 03:51 PM
#1
I recently read that Lithium only works for 30% of people with BP, unfortunately. I know that many people on here have been on Lithium at some point. My question is: How long before you know whether you respond to Lithium or not? I'm not on any of the typical mood stabilizers at the moment, but if it becomes necessary I would rather try Lithium over Depakote. I've already tried Lamictal, and it did not work for me when I was in a deep depression this summer following my first ever manic episode. I've heard Lamictal isn't very effective for mania anyway. I'm very anxious about this upcoming Spring, and want to have a plan regarding which mood stabilizer to try in case I slide into a mania. How long did you take Lithium before you realized whether it was working for you?
__________________ Bipolar 1, although pdoc now thinks it's possibly BP2. Newly diagnosed Spring 2019. Current meds: Seroquel IR 300 mg Wellbutrin 150 mg XL Clonazepam .5mg as needed Supplements: NAC, Fish oil, Multivitamin, Vit. D, Vit B-12, Magnesium, Lithium Orotate, L-Methylfolate, Probiotic, Calcium, Vitamin C, ("Twilight Time" containing L-Theanine, L-Tryptophan, and Melatonin) |
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 Anonymous46341, bpcyclist
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Bizi is bizi
Member Since Nov 2005
Location: cajun country
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Nov 30, 2019 at 04:25 PM
#2
I have been on lithium now 3 months. my mood is pretty stable.
bizi __________________ 150mg of lamictal 2x a day haldol 5mg 2x a day 1mg of cogentin 2x a day klonipin , 1mg at night, 4-5 peri-colace for chronic constipation multi vit,, vit c, at noon, tumeric, caffeine at noon PRN Remeron 15mg at night, zyprexa10mg under tongue, requip2mg. |
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Poohbah
Member Since May 2018
Location: Toronto, Canada
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Nov 30, 2019 at 05:14 PM
#3
I would think you'd have some kind of idea after 3 months. At least that's when my pdoc said that things weren't looking good when I tried lithium.
We ultimately gave up on lithium after 9 months. I said 3 months initially because it took about 2 mind to get my blood level to the right number and then stay stable for a month to know whether there was a chance it might work. Even then the result after that time isn't conclusive since it can take a while to reach full efficacy. So it depends on how long it takes for you to get to your target blood level. Once you reach that you need to give it time to work and it's not a fast acting drug. For me 9 months was a little long - I would have liked to have my pdoc give up after something like 4 months. But my pdoc wanted a clear indication that it wasn't working for me. Lithium needs patience. __________________ * Dx: Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorder * Rx: Remeron, Prozac, Klonopin, Vraylar My avatar picture is a photo of the Whirlpool Galaxy I took in April 2023. I dedicated this photo to my sister who passed away in July 2016. |
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Legendary
Member Since Sep 2019
Location: Portland
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Nov 30, 2019 at 05:38 PM
#4
I was in a massive depression when I started it in 2008. By three weeks' time, I was markedly improved. It got better from there. Lithium is traditionally considered to be better for mania, which is why it is so often paired with Lamictal. Lamictal did zero for me. Lithium probably saved my life, at least that's how I feel today. There is no question it has had a big impact on my depression.
You may have some dry mouth between the lithium and the Wellbutrin, but mine's not terribly bad. __________________ When I was a kid, my parents moved a lot, but I always found them--Rodney Dangerfield |
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Member
Member Since Nov 2014
Location: The Forest
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Nov 30, 2019 at 07:03 PM
#5
Lithium saved my life also. 30% seems rather low, seeing as it's been the drug of choice for bipolar disorder for decades. It only took a couple of weeks to really kick in for me.
__________________ Bipolar 1, GAD Lithium 900mg, Gabapentin 700mg, Zyprexa 10mg |
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catches the flowers
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Location: Downtown Vibes, California
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Nov 30, 2019 at 08:32 PM
#6
No, 30% is far too low. This is a good source for medical info; it states that Lithium helps approximately 80% of people with BD.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8084977 __________________ |
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Legendary Wise Elder
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Dec 01, 2019 at 01:06 AM
#7
I think I’m all fairness to Lithium you need to wait until you are at therapeutic level and then give it 3-4 months.
Because we know medication can only do SO much we have to be very proactive in feeling better by self care, using coping skills , good sleep hygiene, meditation , mindfulness healthy diet and exercise etc etc etc. Years ago Lithium defiantly helped me but I had to work my hardest with self care.. eventually I got tired of cystic acne and concern about my thyroid and kidneys. __________________ Helping others gets me out of my own head ~ |
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Dec 01, 2019 at 04:58 AM
#8
I think a mood stabilizer should be paired with an antidepressant or antipsychiotic. At least that is what works for me.
__________________ "I carried a watermelon?" President of the no F's given society. |
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chels127, still_crazy
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Poohbah
Member Since Aug 2017
Location: Australia
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Dec 19, 2019 at 11:30 PM
#9
It took about a week for Lithium to begin taking effect. I was extremely manic, bordering on psychotic at the time.
__________________ Pookyl ———————————————————————————— BP1, GAD, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Claustrophobia Psych meds: Saphris, Seroquel XR, regular Seroquel. PRN Diazepam and Zopiclone |
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