Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Could to much Lithuim cause depression?
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Lithuim and depression
6/23/09 8:19pm
Chris,
Lithium dosage that result in blood levels within the therapeutic range (.6 - 1.2 mEq/l) may result in a side effect of sedation but not depression. Lithium has an antidepressant effect and improves the action of antidepressants in treating depressive symptoms. If, by too much, you mean above the therapeutic range, then you are dealing with toxic side effects like extreme lethargy and possibly coma.
If you take Lithium and are experiencing pronounced fatigue, your level may be high and you need to contact your doctor for advice and to arrange for a blood test. Levels may increase due to dehydration from an illness with fever or diarrhea, taking diuretics, or the lack of normal salt and adequate liquid intake, during hot weather.
6/23/09 8:38pm
You should be having regular blood test..such as every 30 days. It is very easy to go toxic on Lithium. I know, I was on Lithium for just under 6 years. I went toxic many times, and it is not very pleasant. So I had to take vacations off of it. I suffered depression while on Lithium, but not because of Lithium. I got to the point that I could hardly convience myself to take it. I barely have any good veins now. I am not saying Lithium is a bad med...it's just the opposite, Lithium is a very good med. It's just VERY important to have your blood test done every month.
6/23/09 10:00pm
I took Lithium for a while. I never hit the standard therapeutic dose range that knowthyself listed and yet had Lithium toxicity once - very very nasty.
I experienced, while on it, a moderate depressed mood. I was exhausted all the time, lethargic, apathetic and slept quite a lot. I even forgot to pick my child up from school once and flooded the bathroom while running a bath because I couldn't stay awake. All while taking only Lithium at 900mg per day (highest).
I also gained considerable weight.
HOWEVER... it helped tremendously the suicidal ideation and impulsivity for me anyway.
It's a very good drug for a large majority of folks and I would consider taking it again if necessary but at this time I'm no longer on it. I have taken it 3 times.
Reason I don't take it any longer is the consistent low lethargic and apathetic mood I remain in while on it and the inability to ever reach the therapeutic range without encountering toxicity.
Yet for suicidal ideation... I'd take it again.
6/24/09 3:20am
Quick simple answer...NO
One of the most importing things to take into account while on Lithium is the blood tests to make sure your not at toxic levels. You doctor should have talked to you about what to look out for in the way of side effects of the medications.
Common side effects - Mild hand tremor; mild thirst; temporary, mild nausea and general discomfort at the beginning of treatment.
Having any of these issues is not good and you need to be seen right away...
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; confusion; diarrhea; drowsiness; excessive weight gain; fainting; giddiness; inability to control the bladder or bowels; increased thirst; increased or decreased urination; involuntary twitching or muscle movements; loss of consciousness; loss of coordination; muscle weakness; persistent headache; persistent or severe nausea; ringing in the ears; seizures; slow or irregular heartbeat; slurred speech; swelling of the ankles or wrists; unsteadiness; vision changes; vomiting.
6/24/09 9:57am
I am not toxic and have my blood levels checked regularly. BUt I cant seem to shake this depression. And thought that the lithuim was supressing my moods so much that it was turning me south. Thank you all for the replies and i ma glad to hear that its not the lithuim that is making me depresseed.
6/24/09 10:06am
So the Lithium isn't helping with your depression but is helping with your supposed mania or hypomania. Lithium was originally prescribed solely for mania not for depression.
As I said, Lithium left me in a low depressed mood while on it though it may very well be due to toxicity - though I never got above 0.2 with my blood levels. With my hypersensitivity to meds.. 0.2 was toxic to me and pdoc reduced me down.
You might want to seriously speak with your pdoc if you are experiencing some heavy depression that isn't shaking loose. See if there is something else he/she can either add or suggest.
You needn't struggle so with depression if there is something he/she and your therapist together can do to help.
6/24/09 6:02pm
I am on Librax - just started it. Also Lexapro and the combo of these not working for me - I have no emotions at all. Are you on Librax?
6/25/09 4:09pm
I guess it is not Lithium - I thought it was. It is an anti-anxiety med. I am not doing so well - the combo of the Librax and the Lexapro is not pulling me out of the state I am facing daily. I was Hospitalized for anxiety attacks beginning of June for 1 week and when I left felt fine. Given Lamactil - which is a step up mood stabilizer, but when I went to the 2nd phase - my heart started racing so the dr pulled me off of it. I see my Dr on Monday - he won't make another change at this point until he sees me. I wake up every morning panicky and cannot pull myself out for hours. Has anyone experienced this - any advice?
6/25/09 12:43pm
By chris— Last Modified: 10/26/11, First Published: 06/23/09
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Chris,
Lithium dosage that result in blood levels within the therapeutic range (.6 - 1.2 mEq/l) may result in a side effect of sedation but not depression. Lithium has an antidepressant effect and improves the action of antidepressants in treating depressive symptoms. If, by too much, you mean above the therapeutic range, then you are dealing with toxic side effects like extreme lethargy and possibly coma.
If you take Lithium and are experiencing pronounced fatigue, your level may be high and you need to contact your doctor for advice and to arrange for a blood test. Levels may increase due to dehydration from an illness with fever or diarrhea, taking diuretics, or the lack of normal salt and adequate liquid intake, during hot weather.