Hi,

8 days ago, NP added 300 mg Lithium and 50 mg Trazedone to 60 mg Citalopram/Celexa (upped from 40 mg 4 months ago) and 2 mg Clonazepam/Klonopin (been taking a long time.)

Finally was able to get some sleep, and after a day or two, too much sleep. Also have been feeling very weak and lethargic.

Saw NP yesterday for follow-up. She indicated that 300 mg Lithium was adjunct treatment for depression. We agreed that right now it’s not so important to establish diagnosis (others on staff have suggested I may be bipolar), but to treat symptoms. She said since adjunct dosage low compared to bipolar dosage, I don’t need any blood tests. Little bit concerned about this since I had such an extreme reaction to Effexor.

Reported sleeping 12-15 hrs/day. It seems as if the Lithium has allayed anxiety (mind-racing, inability to sleep or eat) but I’m still very depressed both mentally and physically, it has just taken another form, sleeping too much instead of too little, for example. Reported this as well as weakness and lethargy. Forgot to report dizziness and perpetual nausea.

Directed me to try to go without Trazedone and go back to my melatonin and since I didn’t notice any difference at all between 40 mg Celexa and 60 mg, to drop back to 40 mg.

Ended up having to take 25 mg Trazedone last night. I’m still weak, lethargic, dizzy and nauseated which I am now thinking is from the Lithium, but on this low a dose?

Also before starting on new meds, I couldn’t get out of bed from lack of sleep. Now it’s difficult to get out of bed because of med side effects.

Are these side effects from Lithium, at 300 mg? Will they go away? Dry-mouth went away after 3-4 days. What do you think about going w/o blood tests?

Thank you for your support and advice.