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i think the lithium is making me depressed

when i 1st got on this med 6 weeks ago i could feel it calming me after 3-4 weeks being on it..i been manic for so long,its like i miss it..i dont understand what im saying....i just seem to down.i do still get manic but not real bad a very irritable kind..any help on this.....,james
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Avatar universal
You can't judge your character clearly on your own. It's nearly impossible due to being innately bias. That's where close friends & family are helpful. My friend is on lithium, and I noticed her depression set in immediately after the first night of use. Without the lithium, she's never been depressed. NEVER. Not once in the 22 years I've known her, but she does go from manic (what I describe as hyper happy) to snippy, almost agitated, but still lively. Lithium zaps the friggin life force out of people! Yes, she's bipolar ... whatever that means in this overly medicated day & age. I always thought it was just being a Gemini.
Best of luck to everyone.
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7045116 tn?1387400173
I appreciated your info.  I just started lithium and was thrilled not to have any of the typical side effects that seem to start right away, like shakiness, headache, etc.  I know I've only taken 3 pills now so far but my system is fairly clean since I have tried everything I could think of to cure myself with out pills.  I had a major episode that convinced me I needed help though.

Anyway, I googled and found this thread so I am planning to watch, and/or look for active threads where people are talking about lithium.  My doctor was really thorough, and then I got to go on to see the psychiatrist on staff, who is the one that wanted me to do the lithium.  He will be monitoring me.  First time in my 60 years that I have taken anything for my bp.  
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605458 tn?1539228808
Some people require more than one mood stabilizer or a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant. Some even need an antipsychotic. Finding the right combination can take time and can be frustrating, but once hit upon it can make you feel more 'normal'. Also, your medication needs will change as your disorder goes through different episodes, cycles, and just over time.

One of the frustrating things about psychiatric medications is that it can take a long time before you are getting the full benefit of the drug. Be thankful, the drugs used not too long ago took even longer. It isn't like taking a couple of Tylenol and in an hour your headache is gone. The levels have build up over time and be active in your brain before you will know how much relief you will get. Also, seeing a therapist can help with the missing mania depression. Although I dread any cycle, I understand the depression that comes not from my brain being depressed, but from the horrible let down from the mania. Suddenly, abruptly, I'm not the kick *** genius writer I thought I was while I was manic. Every single time, it is like being punched in the gut or lured to the top of a skyscraper with the promise of gold waiting only to be flung over and splatting onto the pavement. But I understand that not everyone can afford therapy, and that is the sad state of our health care system. You might want to try doing what you can for yourself and read some books- I don't recommend the internet for your first source of information AT ALL. Start out with something simple, such as Bipolar for Dummies, or try some famous memoir type books, such as the ones by Kay Jamison and Patty Duke. Being a guy, you might like Electroboy. The Bipolar Survival Guide was helpful to me. There never seems to be an end to them, new ones all the time with the latest information. I have one memoir I have on my to-read pile, Madness by Marya Hornbacher. Just go to Amazon.com and check out the books. You can get them used pretty cheap.
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Avatar universal
i bee reding alot..i dont think im reading the right things about the problems..everyone is also difft.,,.
Helpful - 0
607502 tn?1288247540
Lithium cant make you anything - its not a psychoactive drug.  It is a mood stabiliser but it will not on its own make you either manic or depressed - it helps to stabilise moods but you can and will still feel manic and or depressed at times - this is the cycle and we all have one - thats why the mood tracker is good because it helps you map your cycles and triggers.

You seem to be stabilising which is what is supposed to happen with Lithium after about 6-8 weeks when you reach therapuetic levels - you mentioned in another post you were 0.8 mmol which is right in the range.

Depression is going to happen sometimes  - no drug is going make you feel fine all the time - this is why lifestyle changes, therapy and learning about the disease are vital for us BP's

There are some excellent books out there and thats a good place to start learning.  I also again think you need to be getting much better information from your doctor - you dont seem to have been told much if anything about the meds you are on.

As for lithium its been around since 1869 - the web is full of information on this med much of it very good if you look past the stuff which is colored by the drug companies points of view (lithium is generic and thus not profitable so be aware of that when reading criticism and suggestions of trying the latest multi $$$ per dose drugs)

If you are BP you MUST ask questions of your doctors and you MUST educate yourself on the disease - there is no escaping it, it doesnt go away, it cant be cured - its part of you so its in your best interests to ask questions and learn about it and the meds you take.
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