[ChrisB]

Hi Gang!

At my CPA review today my consultant and I discussed medication.

I currently take the anti depressant sertraline and have done for about a year. I have a long history of depression and of taking anti depressants, but even on these drugs I get massive lows.

He mentioned the possibility of adding Lithium to my current medication and gave me a booklet - which seems to support his arguement of it being beneficial to those with long term and recurring depression.

Quote

Lithium is normally used to prevent attacks of depression, or of hypomania in the small number of depressed people who get this complication. However, in a minority of people, adding Lithium to their antidepressants will make the antidepressant work better, usually within a few weeks of starting the Lithium.

From: http://www.depressio...id=56&Itemid=60

So my friends - do you have any insights into this, the medication itself, or thoughts on the situation?

Thanks Chris

[ChrisB]

Hmmm, 33 views and no replies

What I have learnt is that Lithium is a seriously poisonous substance, the side effects can be extreme and the long term physical health effects can be negative.

Its a drug to me taken and managed carefully with dosage monitored via regular blood tests, its also a long term medication.

However, I'm done with talking therapies, I'm done with these relentless swings in my mood, and other than ECT I think I've tried pretty much every option - so my head says - give it a go!

My wife says its a backward step, further medication and its potential complications.

What she doesnt realise is that since my failed suicide attempt I feel that I have been trapped in this relentless struggle, trapped more than ever by what damage I would do to those around me - so If I have to be here - then I have to give this drug a chance - surely???????

Come on gang, talk to me!

[manic666]

I take sertraline as my main ad its the best of the bunch for me , an yes i have took the lot even lithium but only for a short time . no 1 how many mg of sertraline a day are you on , i find 100mg in the morning is the theraputic dose fore me , anymore an my pork sword wont work.an other side effect i can do without raise there ugly head. But i also take benzos 4mg a day lorazapam keeps my anxierty at lowered levels. I was given lithium as i was not responding to any ad,s but i didnt respond to lithium its a pipolar med .highs an low,s are a depressives life , i have just been in one i just up my sertraline in crisis or pop another lorazapam. Story of a deppresive life chris im afraid , anyway more meds more sideeffect an we can do without them. ps talking about no answers you never answered my time frame vid i posted to for you.

[Deleted Member]

hi chris my mate as been on lithium for about 30 years,he still as his bad times but long term i think it as kept him alive.i thought depakote was the modern version of lithium but not sure,

[ChrisB]

Thanks guys I really appreciate your input!

[manic666]

ChrisB, on 03 April 2012 - 03:32 PM, said:

Thanks guys I really appreciate your input!

You never said what mg of sertraline you take i could give you more insight if you did. You may just need your sertraline ajusted, tell me your MG dose a day, an can then access your problem ,plus how long have you taken it. I have done all the ssri an snri med trail,s an have a 40 year no how on med,s an there side effects , LITHIUM is not really a med for clinical depression, its more a mood stablizer for people with manic phase,s In america they use a med named WELLBUTRIN to lift the low,s when on AD,S but england banned it because heart problem.s with a few patient, what,s get me these patients had heart probs before WELLBUTRIN but they still blocked it leaveing millions of people with no relief , for the sake of a few patients that didnt tollorate it.

[manic666]

What,s going on chris you ask a question about lithium , but i think its more about you being in a bad place at the moment. You dont open up or answer posts to you. i asked the question about your sertraline intake an you blanked the post, it could have a lot or nothing to do with how you feel, but an answer instead of blanking me would help. You are in a depression thats plain to see , an to get out is to share your pain. or it will be the under the blanket syndrome next. Your med may need a tweak they may have failed. But dont ask half a question or you can only get none or half the answer.knowone can answer what your keeping to yourself buddy

[ChrisB]

Lol, stop jumping to conclusions fella! I'm on holiday in the New forest at the moment.

I take 100mg sertraline daily been on it 14 months.

And yes its the mood stabilizing qualities that prompt its possible prescription.

Been to the sea side today too!

[manic666]

ChrisB, on 04 April 2012 - 06:15 PM, said:

Lol, stop jumping to conclusions fella! I'm on holiday in the New forest at the moment.

I take 100mg sertraline daily been on it 14 months.

And yes its the mood stabilizing qualities that prompt its possible prescription.

Been to the sea side today too!

I didnt think i was, your first to post before you were answered sounded pretty low to me.An to ask about lithium i thought you must be on a downer to ask about that. I would move up to 150mg sertraline before trying anything else. Hey an whats with the fella ?????? i was trying to help , but hey forget it, you carnt fool a 50 year depressive verteran , hey but you no best

[ChrisB]

Erm, fella, buddy, pal, mate they are supposed to be terms of endearment, sorry.....

[manic666]

ChrisB, on 04 April 2012 - 08:25 PM, said:

Erm, fella, buddy, pal, mate they are supposed to be terms of endearment, sorry.....

thats ok chris , but there was more to your question about lithium than just lithium, your not going to get replies if you dont like answering posters replies, you may think them personal an nosey. But there not ment to be there ment to get an insite to your head at times of a blip in your treatment. i said why not try 150mg sertraline , you said nothing, useually a poster would reply ,no i dont fancy that or could be an idea. but sadly my friend you carnt open up an there may lie the problem. FELLA an PAL is a term use to strangers in notts ,buddy an mate are the opposite, meaning friend.

[ChrisB]

Ok buddy

Thanks, I will call my consultants and discuss it, I appreciate your input

[mias]

Just like to say. Lucky you in the New Forest Such a beautiful area.

Take care Chris.

[ChrisB]

Thanks Mias,

On our way home today, and quite pleased cos its raining.......

[ChrisB]

Well, I have decided not to change my meds at all just at the moment.

My care coordinator and I discussed my progress to date and agreed that so much has improved that I should keep to the current formula - feels quite empowering really

[mias]

"Feels quite empowering really"
That is brill Chris

[ChrisB]

Thanks Mias

[manic666]

ChrisB, on 12 April 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

Thanks Mias

good for you chris, but pleased dont call them consutants, they are actually 3 rate shrinks on the NHS with a diploma from mcdonalds
most are failed doctors , its quite easy to bee a shrink, my last one used to be a gynaecologist , he went from lady bits to broken minds. HTF are you going to take him serious.Consultant is a name for a doctor who is top of his game, an there isnt 1 shrink in england can claim that. lithium an a AD for depression has more chance of killing your body organs than helping depression. Dont you read up on meds you take an what other posters on other sites say helped or didnt, you get better knolwedge from a patient than any doctor, they just chuck anything down your neck. Read all about your condition , then all the meds that help it an all the meds that dont is the first step, never trust the shrinks,they dont even look at records to see if you have had reactions to certain meds. They just look in there nhs bible of meds an stick a pin in. Once you have your list of meds you go on to user forums of a centain drug an see how people react, you should look at ssris an snri,s for depression as most cover anxierty as well. IF i think i need a med change or a increase i ask the shrink for my choise an i have never been turned down. i think there glad they didnt have to make another wrong disition. They dont no your body only you no that . take charge of it a screw the toilet cleaner ,s who are now shrinks, an never consutants

[mld]

I went to a talk last month about meds. It was really interesting, but I found out that if you're on Lithium you're supposed to carry a booklet around with you for your blood test results etc. It sounded a big deal. Glad you're staying on your current meds. M.

[ChrisB]

Thanks folks,

Strangely yesterday afternoon and today I have been really tense and jumpy, its like my illness plays tricks on me - "See you're not any better - ha!" - kinda thing.......so I have been snapping at my wife, the dog and generally snearing at everyone......

At least the sun is shining I guess!