I'm bipolar: newly diagnosed.

[MR_WHY]

Hello,

I'm recently diagnosed with bipolar and mood disorder.
I'm now on Lithium. The dose increase gradually. Now I take 600 mg twice a day.
I'll complete 8 weeks since I stareted the lithium but nothing happen, no change.
When the lithium should be work? It's too long.
Any advice .... ???

[MR_WHY]

I'm also on sodium valporate.

[Crystal413]

8 weeks is usually when some meds kick in. You are on a high dose so I don't think you can go higher in my experience. Are you taking tablets or capsules? The tablets don't work for me, only the capsules.

I hope you talk to your pscychiatrist and let him/her know what's going on. Your body just might respond to a different medication at this point.

[MR_WHY]

I take tablets.
I don't know.
I try lamictal before.
Now, I take lithium plus sodium valporate. I'm not sure if there is any other good effective medicine for me.

[MR_WHY]

Are your capsules contains lithium carbonate or different format?

[MR_WHY]

Why there is no active answers and replies?

[MR_WHY]

Should I change sodium valporate to Lamictal?

[Crystal413]

I take Lithium carbonate capsules. There is a difference between capsules and tablets for some people like me. I would ask the dr to switch to capsules before yet trying another med. If the Lamical didn't work before, maybe you didn't titrate to a high enough dosage. Hope this helps.

[MR_WHY]

I try lamictal before when I'm on antidepressents. So, I'm not sure now what to do? Continue lithium? continue sodium valporate or not? Change it to lamictal or different drug?
Medicines not work on depression, mania, mood changes.

[skibunny24]

Tough question. I was on seroquel, lithium, lamicatal, AND lamotragine at the same time (off the seroquel now). My doc thought adding other drugs, rather than replacing, was the WA to go. It was too much for me, but everyone is different. Maybe talk about a secondary rx to support the lithium?

[MR_WHY]

DO you think may I should change Depakine (valproate sodium) to Lamicatal? or try something new?
To know, I try both before when I used antidepressent but no effect.

I'm really confused.

[MR_WHY]

I don't know what to do. Lithium is the best one but now I'm not sure what's other choice I still have.

[Crystal413]

Did you forget about trying lithium capsules instead of tablets??

There are dozens of meds to try out there. The dosage and side effects are most important as well as working for you.

Do you not have a good relationship with your pdoc? If not, find a new one. He knows best. We are not dr's and can't recommend what you should take only the pdoc can. Your pdoc knows your history, what you have been on, dosages, meds, length of meds and combination of meds. You really need to talk to him.

[MR_WHY]

I'm not sure if Lithium capsules available where I live. I will ask. Thanks.

[zoe_zozo]

switch to caps they seem to work better for me. im on 1800 mls a day and it took a long time to get them leveled. dont be changing the medications too much. give lithium a chance is a well know to be the best bi polar med on the market.

[MR_WHY]

Thanks.
How much your lithium dose (mg per day)?

[MR_WHY]

If lithium work on u, How many minuites need until it work (after ingested it)?

[MR_WHY]

I switch sodium valporate to Lamictal.
I didn't find Lithium capsules until now. I'm still looking for it.

[Crystal413]

I take 600 mg in am and 300mg in pm, but everyone is different. It can
Take several weeks for lithium to work, same with most other meds.

[MR_WHY]

Can I buy lithium online? Do u know trust website?

[Crystal413]

Honestly I don't know. Maybe ask your dr.

[Roamer1712]

Bipolar Disorder is long Long LONG story ...in my capacity as bipolar disorder sufferer but it's a disease that you can tame and the good news is that there are so many great people were suffering bipolar disorder; Frued, Virginia Woolf, Victor Hugo, Bill Clinton, Hitlar and so many others. Be punctual on your medication is one of the most important things, do blood analysis for lithium level in blood is also very important on periodical basis, there are some food  that may help, sleeping is a key indicator..stable sleeping patterns is indicator of stablility and decrease or increase means your medication needs to be modified contact the psychatrist asap. These times of in between seasons is remarkable for relapse i.e. manic or depressive episodes..Avoid negative people, read about how to maintain positive mental attitude, prayer of course help

[Roamer1712]

Group therapies are perfect as they provide supportive company but the point it is expensive here in Egypt..only two places do it professionally

[MR_WHY]

Thanks for your supportive answer.
My sleep still not stable. Also, My biplar cause chronic headache.

Can u give me examples for helpful food or nutrients?

Lithium still not work. My dose 400mg (twice) I try increase the dose by myself but still not work.

Some answers her suggest try lithium capsules but I didn't find it where I live until now.

[Crystal413]

Sleep problems are often an issue. Lithium didn't help my sleep but adding Saphris to my regimine did. Depisodes can also  disrupt your sleep. There are sleep meds you can always try too.

If your not drinking enough water on Lithium you are likely to get headaches.
Water is very important when taking Lithium.

Vitamin B and D are very important. You can have your dr check your levels. Also check your folic acid. My folic acid was fine but I was deficient in L-Mythlfolate (the breakdown of folic acid) so I have to take that now too. Have your iron  and cortisol checked too. These deficiencies can definetly affect our mood. Fish oil is good to take.

If you tried to increase your dose (which is not reccomended without the doc) how long were you on the increase? Too much Lithium can be toxic, effect your kidneys and give you bad side effects. That's why the doc needs to decide how much to give you.