Lithium augmentation

[swimmer49]

I have veen diagnosed with treatment resisitant depresson.  Im am 49 with this being my second episode, first being at 32. My Dr added lithium 300mg with my cymbalta 60mg. It worked ok, but I still had some residual symptoms of my depresson like mild sleep disruption, difficulty concentrating and still a mild to moderate lower mood. My level was running between .1 and .3, so he has increased it to 600mg., withinn a few days I do seem to feel more like myself and Im sleeping better. Can it work that quickly on my mood? What would be the time frame to expect optimal results? What are the standard dosage and blood levels for augmentation in major depresson? He has told me he will probably keep me on whatever dose is therapeutic for about a year. Does this seem reasonable?   Thank you for any advice you can give me.     Swimmer

[Artistguy]

Jikan,

Are you on lithium? My manic episodes are not that drastic, but I am very, very creative when I'm feeling good. Writing movie scripts, independent filmmaking and painting. I get things started ,putting all my time and energy into my projects and then I come to a roadblock or have a setback. My mood starts sliding way way down. I sleep all day, no energy whatsoever, I feel like a failure in everything. I have no appetite, no self esteem, just total gloom and doom. I can hardly function or even talk to anybody. And then I'll start feeling better, not manic(again) but level. This is a constant rollercoaster and I want to get off of it already. My doc started me on the lithium hoping it will level my mood swings. Has anybody experienced this, and has the lithium helped? The Cymbalta alone hasn't helped with the ups and downs, but helps somewhat with the depression.

[Jikan]

Namaste,

Lithium reaches it steady state in 4-5 days so it's possible that you're feeling better as a result of this.

The average dosage rang is 450 mg to 1,200 mg per day.  Your doctor will determine what the optimal thearputic dose is for you.

Michael

[Artistguy]

I too am on 60mg. of Cymbalta and my Doc started me on 300mg Lithium and will increase to 600mg. I am still very depressed on just the cymbalta and she feels the lithium will help boost my mood. I have had periods of mania, but more on the depressed side. Will let you know how I feel ina few weeks if you are still out there.