Lithium for bipolar depression

[MisanthropicLycan]

I have tried two different medications for my bipolar depression and neither has done a thing to relieve any of my severe depression. I am starting on lithium in a few days and I am crossing my fingers that this medication helps me find some relief from my severe depression. I am desperate and barely hanging on at this point. My depression and anhedonia is killing me. Has anyone here with bipolar depression had positive experiences with lithium? Please let me know. Thank you.

 

[WhiteDespair]

I have tried two different medications for my bipolar depression and neither has done a thing to relieve any of my severe depression. I am starting on lithium in a few days and I am crossing my fingers that this medication helps me find some relief from my severe depression. I am desperate and barely hanging on at this point. My depression and anhedonia is killing me. Has anyone here with bipolar depression had positive experiences with lithium? Please let me know. Thank you.

I hope this helps you out. I think it helped my friend's mom.

 

[Sensei]

It has helped me, sort of. Last year was one long painful string of mixed and depressive episodes, but this year I've just had one depressive episode. Lithium can definitely alleviate bipolar depressions, but it's mainly a prophylactic (preventive) medicine. It can take weeks or even a few months before it starts working. There are some medicines for acute bipolar depression, e.g. quetiapine, but I have no experience of them.

Something which has helped me and which you might want to consider is herbal medicines and "legal highs". It may sound like placebo stuff and New Age shit, but many of them have been subject to scientific study and shown to work. In some cases they're even working on extracting the active substances and turning them into regular medicines. I use kanna and damiana and this combination works wonders for me, but there are dozens of alternatives to choose between. It's not a long-term solutaion, but it's keeping me alive for now. To my surprise, the psychiatrists i've been in contact with are very positive to this.

Hope you get better soon. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[MisanthropicLycan]

Thank you for your response and the helpful information you provided. So you take lithium and it reduced your depressive episodes?

 

[Sensei]

Thank you for your response and the helpful information you provided. So you take lithium and it reduced your depressive episodes?

It has reduced the frequency of my depressive episodes, but not necessarily the intensity. I should stress that the individual variations are huge and that no one actually knows how lithium works, only that it works. Unfortunately, we suffer from the probably most compex mental illness in existence, and there's no universal remedy. It's trial and error for everyone and it often takes time to find the right medication.

 

[MisanthropicLycan]

It has reduced the frequency of my depressive episodes, but not necessarily the intensity. I should stress that the individual variations are huge and that no one actually knows how lithium works, only that it works. Unfortunately, we suffer from the probably most compex mental illness in existence, and there's no universal remedy. It's trial and error for everyone and it often takes time to find the right medication.

I feel like an experimental guinea pig with the dozens of medications I have tried for depression. They all made things worse or did nothing at all. I am hoping lithium is the mythical holy grail I have been desperately searching for all this time..I don't expect a magical cure or anything but I have heard a lot of positive and inspiring stories about people who suffer from bipolar depression saying lithium profoundly helped them to find some relief...So I have my fingers-crossed this will be the right medication for me. Wish me luck.

 

[Sensei]

I feel like an experimental guinea pig with the dozens of medications I have tried for depression. They all made things worse or did nothing at all. I am hoping lithium is the mythical holy grail I have been desperately searching for all this time..I don't expect a magical cure or anything but I have heard a lot of positive and inspiring stories about people who suffer from bipolar depression saying lithium profoundly helped them to find some relief...So I have my fingers-crossed this will be the right medication for me. Wish me luck.

For many who are bipolar, it is the holy grail. There are just no guarantees. My own, not so interesting history of medication is that Lamictal and Citalopram worked fine for me for perhaps ten years and then it suddenly and inexplicably stopped working two years ago. I was prescribed monotherapy with Lamictal and it resulted in two botched suicide attempts. I lost all hope and when I was prescribed lithium and told that I should have been prescribed it already from the beginning it was a big relief to me. Initially, it alleviated the depressive episode I was in then, but because of a mistunderstanding I stopped taking Lamictal and was thrown back into the abyss. I took up Lamictal again, but it didn't help. The depressive episode lasted for a few more months with the same intensity as before. After it ended, I was free from episodes for over half a year. I have a depressive episode now and I think it's just as bad as the previous ones, but I'm not sure because I "float above it" with my self-medication. I don't know if anything of this makes sense, but at least it shows that medication is complicated, to say the least.

Good luck, buddy! :)

 

[MisanthropicLycan]

Don't worry it definitely makes sense to me. So it seems like lithium was a Godsend to you when you first began taking it huh? That is awesome. Those are encouraging words.

 

[Sensei]

Don't worry it definitely makes sense to me. So it seems like lithium was a Godsend to you when you first began taking it huh? That is awesome. Those are encouraging words.

Yes, it was sort of a Godsend, especially since it intially had such positive effects on my depression. Again, don't take it for granted that it will help you too, but it very well might. Also, and I know this sounds strange and stupid, I like the feeling of taking lithium pills. It feels right. It doesn't really resemble any other medicine I've ever taken. It's as if you get something you didn't know you were missing, even if it doesn't work so well. It's a kind of placebo effect I guess, but what does it matter if it makes you feel better?

 

[MisanthropicLycan]

Yes, it was sort of a Godsend, especially since it intially had such positive effects on my depression. Again, don't take it for granted that it will help you too, but it very well might. Also, and I know this sounds strange and stupid, I like the feeling of taking lithium pills. It feels right. It doesn't really resemble any other medicine I've ever taken. It's as if you get something you didn't know you were missing, even if it doesn't work so well. It's a kind of placebo effect I guess, but what does it matter if it makes you feel better?

This is interesting to me. Is there some type of unique physical sensation that follows taking lithium?

 

[Sensei]

This is interesting to me. Is there some type of unique physical sensation that follows taking lithium?

Yes, at least for me. The medicine is a kind of salt and I've never tasted anything like it. Evidently, it's the best tasting alkali metal. I get a tingling sensation when I take lithium. It's difficult to localize and it's quite subtle, but it's definitely there. It's as if my body is saying to me, "you have a chemical imbalance in your brain, and this is good for you." Take this with a grain of salt, though. (Pun intended.) After all, I'm technically crazy.

 

[Throwawaysoul]

. I was prescribed monotherapy with Lamictal and it resulted in two botched suicide attempts. I lost all hope and when I was prescribed lithium and told that I should have been prescribed it already from the beginning it was a big relief to me.

I am prescribed Lamictal and haven't picked it up yet. Slightly scared of the possible "deadly rash". I also don't want anything else to strengthen my suicidal thoughts. I realize what works for you may not work for me. Few questions if you don't mind.

Did Lamictal induce brain fog? I'm already pretty foggy, anything more and I will be a potato.

Does Lamictal help with anhedonia?

Any other awful side effects?

 

[Sensei]

I am prescribed Lamictal and haven't picked it up yet. Slightly scared of the possible "deadly rash".

You mean Stevens-Johnson syndrome? It's very rare, but there's of course always a risk.

I also don't want anything else to strengthen my suicidal thoughts.

There's a documented increased risk of suicide if Lamictal is used as monotherapy, but only as monotherapy, not in combination with lithium or other stabilising medicines. The risk is increased for those who take it for epilepsy too. So, be careful and contact your psychiatrist as soon as possible if you feel that your suicidal thoughts get stronger.

Did Lamictal induce brain fog? I'm already pretty foggy, anything more and I will be a potato.

Zero brain fog for me. Never heard of anyone getting it actaully.

Does Lamictal help with anhedonia?

It prevents depression so it should prevent anhedonia too. That's just a guess, though. Maybe it's possible to suffer from anhedonia without suffering from depression at the same time.

Any other awful side effects?

None that I've noticed or heard of. As with all medicines, there are drawbacks with Lamictal, but it has really helped many people suffering from bipolar disorder.

 

[MisanthropicLycan]

I am prescribed Lamictal and haven't picked it up yet. Slightly scared of the possible "deadly rash". I also don't want anything else to strengthen my suicidal thoughts. I realize what works for you may not work for me. Few questions if you don't mind.

Did Lamictal induce brain fog? I'm already pretty foggy, anything more and I will be a potato.

Does Lamictal help with anhedonia?

Any other awful side effects?

I have been on lamictal for a few months and it has done absolutely nothing to help my depression. It stops mania and helps me sleep but that is it. It did not help one bit with my severe depression or anhedonia. I didn't notice any other negative side-effects on it. Hopefully the medication works well for you though!

 

[Throwawaysoul]

@Sensei @MisanthropicLycan thank you both.

 

[MisanthropicLycan]

You are welcome. I hope we can both find relief soon.

 

[Sensei]

@Sensei @MisanthropicLycan thank you both.

No sweat. Good luck with your medication. Keep us updated.

 

[k75]

I'm on lithium, but I'm not bipolar. It's severe major depression with suicidal ideation. Lithium is well known for helping with suicidal thoughts. I've been on it twice. It worked so well the first time. The thoughts and urges were gone. Unfortunately, I had my levels checked and they were too high, so my dose was lowered. The lower dose wasn't effective and I stopped.

A few months later, my psychiatrist decided I should give it another try. So I'm back on the higher dose. My levels are creeping up to where they were the first time, which sucks. I don't know what I'm going to do. It's made me feel so much better, though.

I do have very bad anhedonia. I'm not sure if it's going to completely cure it, but since I've been on lithium plus latuda it seems to be getting a little better. I am at least starting to feel little urges to do things again that I used to enjoy, and that's a big deal because I wasn't even wanting to try before.

I am prescribed Lamictal and haven't picked it up yet. Slightly scared of the possible "deadly rash".

I tried lamictal, and we thought I had developed a rash from it, so I was quickly taken off. It turned out to be something different, but I was too wary of it to give another try. I'm on latuda now.

 

[Redlmnop13]

I found that lithium did little for my depression. Lithium had this mellowing effect, and slightly reduced suicidal ideation... I guess that could be considered reducing depression. But it gave me no energy, nor fully removed my suicidal ideation.

 

[k75]

I found that lithium did little for my depression. Lithium had this mellowing effect, and slightly reduced suicidal ideation... I guess that could be considered reducing depression. But it gave me no energy, nor fully removed my suicidal ideation.

Yeah lithium does not do anything for my depression either. I always need a secondary antidepressant with it. but it does a pretty good job usually with my suicidal thoughts.

 

[azucaramargo]

I'm on lithium, but I'm not bipolar. It's severe major depression with suicidal ideation. Lithium is well known for helping with suicidal thoughts. I've been on it twice. It worked so well the first time. The thoughts and urges were gone. Unfortunately, I had my levels checked and they were too high, so my dose was lowered. The lower dose wasn't effective and I stopped.

A few months later, my psychiatrist decided I should give it another try. So I'm back on the higher dose. My levels are creeping up to where they were the first time, which sucks. I don't know what I'm going to do. It's made me feel so much better, though.

I do have very bad anhedonia. I'm not sure if it's going to completely cure it, but since I've been on lithium plus latuda it seems to be getting a little better. I am at least starting to feel little urges to do things again that I used to enjoy, and that's a big deal because I wasn't even wanting to try before.


I tried lamictal, and we thought I had developed a rash from it, so I was quickly taken off. It turned out to be something different, but I was too wary of it to give another try. I'm on latuda now.

K75, you're fighting so hard! You are a real hero. Thank you.

 

[k75]

K75, you're fighting so hard! You are a real hero. Thank you.

Thank you!! I feel like giving up all the time, but I'm determined to keep trying until I can't.

 

[azucaramargo]

I am prescribed Lamictal and haven't picked it up yet. Slightly scared of the possible "deadly rash". I also don't want anything else to strengthen my suicidal thoughts. I realize what works for you may not work for me. Few questions if you don't mind.

Did Lamictal induce brain fog? I'm already pretty foggy, anything more and I will be a potato.

Does Lamictal help with anhedonia?

Any other awful side effects?

I think Lamictal's a good drug. You definitely need to start slowly and gradually increase the dose to avoid that Stevens Johnsons Syndrome. Even with a slowly titrated dose, I noticed a few mosquito-bite like weals(?) on my body. I always told my doc, and he said to let him know if anything changed.

Thank you!! I feel like giving up all the time, but I'm determined to keep trying until I can't.

I need this strength in my life. Thank you for being on this site and being a paragon of optimism and will. Please keep fighting. It not for yourself then for MEEEEEEE!

 

[Misanthrope]

I had a good solid number of years on lithium where I did not go into manic highs and was the most stable I had ever been. I honestly miss it. It though did nothing for the depression directly, but as I was not going sky high I crashed less often. The main issues with lithium is it is hard on the body especially the thyroid. Hopefully those risks were outlined to you along with the importance of fluid intake. Drink a lot of water even when you are not thirsty! You may well feel foggy and tired at first but it does pass. I hope you can find some stability on Lithium. I did for a good while and the only reason I had to come off it was physical health issues unrelated to Lithium. I wish you all the best.

 

[azucaramargo]

I had a good solid number of years on lithium where I did not go into manic highs and was the most stable I had ever been. I honestly miss it. It though did nothing for the depression directly, but as I was not going sky high I crashed less often. The main issues with lithium is it is hard on the body especially the thyroid. Hopefully those risks were outlined to you along with the importance of fluid intake. Drink a lot of water even when you are not thirsty! You may well feel foggy and tired at first but it does pass. I hope you can find some stability on Lithium. I did for a good while and the only reason I had to come off it was physical health issues unrelated to Lithium. I wish you all the best.

This was some helpful advice, @Misanthrope. Thank you.

 

[AllThePsychMeds]

Lithium is like a weight pressing down from the top. It can't lift from the bottom. I've been on lithium for around 20 years. It controls the mania very well. I don't become manic or hypomanic. Lithium does nothing for the depression. Nothing. Welcome to a world with lows and without highs.

I can't physically tolerate the popular alternative medications, such as Seroquel or Depakote. I take Lamictal in adjunct to the lithium. Personally, I think the Lamictal is useless. Doctors don't like to take you off a medication you tolerate, so I have been stuck with it. I envy those who get relief from Lamictal and wish them the best. Lithium really isn't so bad as it goes. I have a bit of intermittent mental fog but don't get drowsy or have vertigo.

I drink water like a fish. I can't say much as to the thyroid. Like all my siblings, I have Hashimoto's, so my thyroid was a lost cause anyways.

The most important thing: time release. Don't let anyone put you on a non time release pill. Lithium pills are salt pills. Without a time release coating, you're in for surprise diarrhea in addition to frequent dosing. Not all doses come in a time release format, e.g. 300 does but 600 doesn't. Something to consider.

 

[azucaramargo]

Lithium is like a weight pressing down from the top. It can't lift from the bottom. I've been on lithium for around 20 years. It controls the mania very well. I don't become manic or hypomanic. Lithium does nothing for the depression. Nothing. Welcome to a world with lows and without highs.

I can't physically tolerate the popular alternative medications, such as Seroquel or Depakote. I take Lamictal in adjunct to the lithium. Personally, I think the Lamictal is useless. Doctors don't like to take you off a medication you tolerate, so I have been stuck with it. I envy those who get relief from Lamictal and wish them the best. Lithium really isn't so bad as it goes. I have a bit of intermittent mental fog but don't get drowsy or have vertigo.

I drink water like a fish. I can't say much as to the thyroid. Like all my siblings, I have Hashimoto's, so my thyroid was a lost cause anyways.

The most important thing: time release. Don't let anyone put you on a non time release pill. Lithium pills are salt pills. Without a time release coating, you're in for surprise diarrhea in addition to frequent dosing. Not all doses come in a time release format, e.g. 300 does but 600 doesn't. Something to consider.

Gigi Hadid supposedly has Hashimoto's.

 

[UpandDownPrincess]

Hi everyone! I'm coming out of lurking to add to this thread.

I take lithium for bipolar disorder as part of a med cocktail. Lithium was added after a stay in a psych unit while I was floridly suicidal. It works great for reducing suicidal ideation.

Unfortunately, it's not as effective for depression as it is for mania. I take an SNRI and quetiapine to work on my depression. It does affect my thyroid so I take Synthroid atm, but thyroid problems often resolve after you stop lithium.

I find that lithium works best if I take an extended release tablet and always, always take it with food.

Let me know if I can help with questions as you start. I hope it brings you some stability.

 

[Squiddy]

Hi everyone! I'm coming out of lurking to add to this thread.

I take lithium for bipolar disorder as part of a med cocktail. Lithium was added after a stay in a psych unit while I was floridly suicidal. It works great for reducing suicidal ideation.

Unfortunately, it's not as effective for depression as it is for mania. I take an SNRI and quetiapine to work on my depression. It does affect my thyroid so I take Synthroid atm, but thyroid problems often resolve after you stop lithium.

I find that lithium works best if I take an extended release tablet and always, always take it with food.

Let me know if I can help with questions as you start. I hope it brings you some stability.

I'm currently on day 3 for it and so far, it hasn't helped with my suicidal thoughts

 

[k75]

I'm currently on day 3 for it and so far, it hasn't helped with my suicidal thoughts

It took about 2 weeks to start working for me.