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LabRat27
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Default May 10, 2019 at 10:06 AM
  #1
Already on wellbutrin, naltrexone, lamictal, Adderall, and propranolol.
I've been having lethargic lack of motivation kind of depression symptoms. Doc wanted to titrate my lamictal from 200mg to 300, but it ended up making things worse and I got suicidal ideation so now I'm back to 200 and just added lithium 300mg 2x/day

Has anyone taken lithium for depression, especially with another med like lamictal? If so, did it help, and how long did it take for you to see improvement?

I'm technically bipolar 2, but I've only had one really obvious hypomanic episode. I may have had others without realizing though. It was less than a year ago that I had the one where I could definitely tell it was not normal.
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Default May 14, 2019 at 03:10 PM
  #2
Hi there!

As far as I know, lithium is usually not used with another mood stabilizer such as Lamictal. If the one is proving ineffective, then it is possible to switch to the other.

Lithium can be used to augment an antidepressant, but not with the use of Lamictal at the same time (to my knowledge).

If you are bipolar II, or at least likely to be, has it ever been raised as a possibility that antidepressants may be causing mood instability? I know that you have only had a hypomanic-type situation once, but I guess it could still cause instability on its own (which is why a mood stabilizer would be good).

Lithium, like Lamictal, needs to be tapered up to the therapeutic dosage. You will get regular blood tests to check the lithium levels in your blood; this ensures that it does not become too high and you start feeling sick. There are certain tips doctors may give patients taking lithium such as drink plenty of water and avoid (excessive) alcohol intake.This all still has to do with the lithium levels in your blood and making sure they do not go beyond a certain amount.

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Default May 14, 2019 at 05:38 PM
  #3
We are considering adding lithium to my tegretol so I could drop my Wellbutrin which does send me up too high. There are articles on this online. I have been mildly hypomanic for a long time. I did well on lithium alone years ago. Lately I am nervous about changing anything and want to start a Masters program, so I am reluctant to make any changes right now.

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