OMG! I have done it!

I have achieved EUTHYMIA!!!!!

I am not depressed.

I am not manic.

OMG. I can't believe it. It's been two years of hell during this last cycle. I feel like....myself. I don't even know what to do with my Lithium powered self.

I thought sad and depressed were the same thing. That happy and hypomanic were the same thing. I guess they aren't.

So now what do I do? It's too late to change my life, I'm 33 years old and have too many responsibilities.

Go you! Euthymia, huh? Sense of well being (from my ancient Greek studies oh so long ago).

Hope it stays. Do you recommend lithium if my p-nurse is trying to add it? I'm afraid of it still.

Stay well.

Lithium has a scary reputation, but it's really not bad!

When I first started taking it I was sooooooo thirsty. Drinking 4 liters of water a day thirsty. I peed a lot! But that was really temporary. I gained a couple of pounds in water weight.

I did have to get a baseline thyroid test, and a urinalysis to make sure my thyroid and kidneys were okay before starting Lithium. I have been on it for a few months now, and got another thyroid/pee test. Once a year that will need to be checked. Some people will get hypothyroid on Lithium, most don't. Some people gain weight, but I have not. Your kidneys can get affected but that is after many many years of treatment, and many of those folks get better after stopping lithium.

I am much more scared of antipsychotics, their side effects seem much worse than Lithium ever could be. (at least for me)

Give it a shot. It's cheap too!

Hmmm...I suppose if things stay normal I'll wait to see if lamictal alone helps. If they get worse, I'll definitely research lithium more and possibly add it. Thanks!