Does anyone else take Lithium for depression?

The Lithium helps my antidepressant (Citalapram) to work better. I just wondered if anyone else takes Lithium for major depression. I was on Zoloft for about 8 years but it stopped working for me.

I've used the Blue Squares to mark when I've had a daytime sleep. (I don't have periods, hysterectomy). At the moment these daytime sleeps are very deep and last for about 3.5 hours.
Thanks,
Kelpie

Hi
I'm not taking Lithium although a Psychiatrist did suggest it once.
I sort of ran away and didn't go back after that.
I take Fluoxetine Hydrochloride (Prozac) at 40mg a day at the moment and a lot of supplements.

I work in the week but at weekends I also have long deep sleeps in the afternoons.
They are hard to fight!

Good Luck.

Thanks Maniac1701d,

I also ran away from the Lithium idea 10 years ago. I was frightened because I'd read about it being "toxic" with regular blood tests needed to keep an eye on Lithium blood levels. I wasn't afraid of blood tests. It was the toxicity thing.

When I finally said yes to Lithium I was in a very depressed state with many strong thoughts of killing myself.

I can honestly say that taking Lithium has been the best thing for me. My outlook is much brighter than it was. Adding Lithium to my antidepressant has drawn me a safe distance back from the "black hole" I was being pulled in to. I don't want to give the impression things are better than they really are. I still have down days now and then but nothing like before.

I agree with you... those long deep sleeps are hard to fight!

Thanks again for your reply.

Kind regards,

Kelpie

Hi
I'm pleased the Lithium works for you.
I was scared of the toxicity too.
Luckily I've not been so low that I have been in the same situation I was in when I saw that psych since, so I've not had to think about that approach again.
I'm comfortable with the fact I'll be on some sort of AD for the rest of my life though.

Hi Kelpie,

Please do not be afraid of the toxic nature of Lithium. Your doctor will ask you have regular blood tests which, will detect any bad effects of lithium. I started Lithium 2 weeks ago for bipolar and, the depression which I had since a wee boy has vanished!

Thanks bipolarwildr,

It is so good to hear about a positive result like yours. I'm very happy for you that your depression has vanished. That is what we all want and hope for. It's great to read that it can happen! You've encouraged me very much.

I'm seeing the Pdoc tomorrow. I think he'll be changing me from Citalapram to something else. I get well for a while then start sliding backwards again. He can't increase the Citalapram as I'm already over the recommended dose. That leaves us no room to adjust the dose upwards if things go bad. He doesn't want to increase the Lithium.

I am feeling quite apprehensive about the prospect of jiggling meds again. I've had a bad experience with Effexor, yet it works fantastically for my friend. It's a bit of a lucky dip really. I just want to feel better.

Thanks again,

Note: If my chart looks funny, its because I use the blue squares to mark each time I have a big daytime sleep. Had a hysterectomy so don't need the blue squares.

Regards,
Kelpie

I take lithium as well for many reasons. I began taking it almost... 2 years ago I want to say? I still have cycling but not as bad as before and have yet to have a really bad manic episode. The lithium helps with the mania but not so much for the depression with me, I am still constantly depressed, sometimes have mixed moods, and tend to want to stay in bed even though its nice outside at the moment. I go see my med doc on the 6th of may. last time he raised my abilify and lowered my lithium, he says he wants to try to take me off of it (gasp). He has so much faith in the abilify.

Hi meghanwilson,

I hope your Pdoc can find some good answers for you. I feel like I'm a walking chemistry project that's taking forever to complete. I'm sorry that you're feeling so depressed. I know how much It sucks. I'll be thinking of you on the 6th May.

Sue

I'm bipolar and have been for many years. My docs have tried many different meds to help me. I wonder why they never tried Lithium. It seems to be a standard med for depression which is my most common problem.
I'm stable now on Tregretal and Seroquil so I don't think I'll try a change but I wonder why Lithium was left out of my guinea pig bowl.