[ouch]

I am on celexa and have just had lithium and trazadone added to celexa. I mostly have unipolar depression, and had only 1 hypomanic episode on st. john's wort. Terrified of the side effects of lithium - scared to take it!
Advice?

[psisci]

Start on a low dose, get your doc to do regular lithium levels every 2 weeks if you are increasing the dose, drink alot of water, and do not take NSAIDS.

[desperado]

Hey Ouch,

Try not to be worried, re: Trazedone.....not bd med; gd results -- i.e., better sleep (for me, anyway). Just drink a TON of H2O & monitor your sex life/adverse affects....

Can't say I know much re: Lithium, but all the best. I recommend you take conscientious notes re: Lith.

Best wishes from a fellow T.dotian,

Des

[MOJO3]

been on lithium for 4.5 years...combined with risparodal for 3 years...now just lithium. Tremors at first 3 weeks...lots of water...eat well...must take with food. Personal experience has been good. May have weight gain, my nurse says to stay away fats in diet something about the combination causes weight gain. Healthy and well. I will put up with a few extra pounds in order to stay mentally well. No fears.

[ouch]

trazadone has made me have more sex drive, weirdly enough.... have pills sitting in my drawer... don't feel like going through this again - every med causes horrible things... just feel like quitting!

[MOJO3]

been on lithium for 4.5 years...combined with risparodal for 3 years...now just lithium. Tremors at first 3 weeks...lots of water...eat well...must take with food. Personal experience has been good. May have weight gain, my nurse says to stay away fats in diet something about the combination causes weight gain. Healthy and well. I will put up with a few extra pounds in order to stay mentally well. No fears.

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Just be sure to get blood work done when they tell you to, body can maintain toxic levels of lithium, hence need for blood tests. tc

Your doc should monitor you with blood tests to see how your kidneys are reacting to the Lithium. I had great results as far as mood, but despite drinking lots of water, it caused kidney malfunction so I had to get off it.

I take Trazodone every night to help with sleep & it has anti-depressant features, as well. Also take Abilify & Lamictal for bipolar 1 (plus some stimulants to help me combat the excessive daytime sleepiness I have). Oh yeah & klonopin at night,too.--Suzy

[ouch]

that's even more than me i think. meds in general scare me...

Yeah, on a lot of stuff but it seems to keep me stable most ot the time. I do trust my meds provider & have been on these drugs for several years with some tweaking from time to time. The meds helped me so much that I now have a good quality of life so I'm thankful for them.

My daughter thinks she is bipolar, but she can't take meds due to her being a lawyer & having to report it to the bar. Lots of stigma out there.--Suzy

[drunksunflower]

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Suzy5654 said:

My daughter thinks she is bipolar, but she can't take meds due to her being a lawyer & having to report it to the bar. Lots of stigma out there.--Suzy

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You are joking right?

Is that actually a legal requirement in the US?

pretty sure it's not here ...

my dr has said to me there is NO way work can ever ask you about things like that.

psisci do you know????

[psisci]

No it is not...

[drunksunflower]

So who is telling S's daughter that?

sheesh. that is ridiculous ....

[Danialla]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Suzy5654 said:

My daughter thinks she is bipolar, but she can't take meds due to her being a lawyer & having to report it to the bar. Lots of stigma out there.--Suzy

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I think a full blown manic episode would contribute more to the stigma than being stable on meds...JMHO.

I hope things continue to go well for her though...

[jefftele]

hi ouch i relate to your attitude to meds ,not sure what it is but i don't like meds full stop,i've explored possible reasons too many to list when ive been very ill i've no other option.but to take meds so they have their place.i like to think my crashes are just that and i take meds till i'm out of them.the medical model has meds as the front line approach,i think a holistic approach is more suited to myself. communication with your doc about fears will hopefully help you both in coming up with the best form of treatment good luck

Apparently, the state she is in asks if you have been treated for a mental illness in order to take the bar exam & be a lawyer in good standing--like you have to report if you have been convicted of a crime. It may vary state by state. She is moving to a new state & will take the bar there. I'll ask her if they ask that question.

The state I am in they even ask that question when you get your driver's license. I always answer "no" for fear that they wouldn't let me have a license.--Suzy

[drunksunflower]

personally, i would lie ... they can't access your medical records can they?

psisci again may be able to answer more clearly.

[psisci]

Just say no, they have no legal right to that info at all.