Questions about lithium - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

sinnister81 · 10-29-2005, 06:40 PM

Hello everyone I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder though Im not sure I exactly agree. I only got a manic episode when I first started prozac and since their little DSM bok says prozac may cuase mania in patients with bipolar disorder thats what was pinned on me. Other than that I am depressed and anxious all the time and have some OCD symptoms but anyway. Prozac was a miracle drug for me until for some reason around last year I started getting headaches. I have tried switching to different anti-d meds but they all give me the same awful headaches, I even tried some natural remedies same result. I am heavily considering LIthium because it doesnt seem to work the same way and Im hoping my body will tolerate it at least not give me headaches. Would you all be so kind enoug to give me some of your experiences with LIthium as I am doing really bad mentally and am just looking for some releif. Any insight you guys can provide would be appreciated.

mudhound · 10-30-2005, 04:42 AM

the wife takes this med. She is having some side effects, but the med does work.

Ruth6:11 · 10-30-2005, 06:36 AM

I've been on lithium alone for 20 years. I have some side effects, but the truth is that I've had 20 years with NO manias or severe depressions.
Lithium is truly the best thing that ever happened to me.

Toby706 · 10-30-2005, 06:40 PM

Hi-

I have taken Lithium since being diagnosed with BP, works great on mania-but doesn't do anything for depression in my opinion. My doc is considering d/c Lithium in favor of Lamictal for me in the next couple months. As far as side effects, Lithium had a few for me-water retention, swelling in the face, weight gain, and a case of hypothyroidism(taking levoxyl for that).

GatsbyLuvr1920 · 10-31-2005, 10:43 AM

sinnister- Since you developed a manic episode while being on an SSRI, in this case Prozac, you are classified as having bipolar disorder. The type you have is bipolar III disorder, "bipolar disorder initiated by the use of an anti-depressant or other organic substance". Basically, this means that it is unknown whether or not you would have ever become manic if you hadn't taken the Prozac- you simply may have remained having major depression. However, now that you've had one manic episode, be it a hypomanic episode or a full-blown manic attack, you technically do have bipolar disorder, and need to be on a mood stabilizer such as lithium. Just a side note- now that you've had a manic episode, you should NEVER take an anti-depressant by itself, as it will induce further (hypo)manic episodes! If you aren't on a mood stabilizer now, or have never been prescribed one, you should really talk to your doctor very soon to avoid the possibility of evoking mania once more. What type of manic episode did you have? This would help determine whether or not lithium would be a good match for you. If you had the classic, "euphoric" mania, a low family history of people with bipolar II disorder, and no signs of a mixed episode and rapid cycling, lithium is probably a good choice. However, if your main symptom was increased irritability that overpowered/dominated the euphoria (especially during hypomania, because most full-blown manic persons become predominantly irritable rather than euphoric), if there's a large history of mood disorders in your family, or if you have something that complicates treatment such as mixed episodes, rapid cycling, or another psychiatric disorder (in your case, anxiety and possible OCD), then one of the anti-epileptic medications, like Depakote or Tegretol, may be a better match. Talk to your psychiatrist to make sure of your options, and see what he/she has to say about which medication would be the best for you. God bless, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

-GatsbyLuvr1920-