[VanGore28]

I am schizoaffective and I am worried about taking lithium. Its the only drug i've found that helps with my negative mood associated with the affective part of my disorder. But I can't use it forever can I?! I risk thyroid problems and my liver being damaged. But Lamictal/lamotrigine is far too expensive. so is abilify

I can't function properly without the lithium. I don't need a huge dose - 350mg.

I am already on quetiapine, mirtazapine and venlafaxine. They are not treating my depression.
Without lithium It's more than depression though, I'm flat as a pancake, no emotion, attention span is dire, no motivation to speak to people, horrible feeling. I think I get a bit of anhedonia as I just want to shut myself In a room with music and beer. the music doesn't alter my mood just distraction

350mgs of Lithium is very low. I was on 900mgs I believe and I weigh 170lbs. How much do you weight? 350mgs is pretty low in general.

How expensive can lamictal be in the UK? I thought there was a universal healthcare system there. What's going on?

Here I pay about $200 a month for lamictal 375 a day dosages. Although now I just need 225. However, I found free insurance that only covers meds which brings the price down to $30. Have you talked to someone who can help you find a better option because Lamictal is pretty good, otherwise, I honestly believe you are on a low dosage, but you will probably have to pay just as much since you have to have your blood work done every so often.

[VanGore28]

My doctor basically said he wont give me anymore medication. Im above recommended venlafaxine. So i have to buy the lithium myself no regulations from the internet from companies who are only after profit. I know its risky. But i cannot live normally without something to lift my mood. Im caught between a rock and a hard place

[VanGore28]

I weigh about ten or eleven stone btw. Im tall and im female

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by VanGore28

My doctor basically said he wont give me anymore medication. Im above recommended venlafaxine. So i have to buy the lithium myself no regulations from the internet from companies who are only after profit. I know its risky. But i cannot live normally without something to lift my mood. Im caught between a rock and a hard place

Sounds like you need another doc who will treat you properly.....

[VanGore28]

Its not that easy. They are all a part of the same team more or less. All I can do is ask for a second opinion and if they agree with my doc I'm still up the creek. I guess ill just have to pay. In three months ill be back on the minimum wage paying all my bills, I live alone you see. The prospect sends me into such a gloomy, dark place

[VanGore28]

I have found a relatively affordable new med to try and replace lithium - Carbamazepine/Tegretol. I scoured internet and I am wondering how safe it will be ?

Yes the uk has a universal healthcare or nhs but I buy lithium myself because my doctor has given up on giving me any more medication . He has resigned himself to fact that they WON'T do more not that they cannot. There is more chance of me becoming heavy weight champion of the world than my mood lifting naturally. Doing my head in.

So anyone have experience of carbamazepine - it's side effects, effectiveness for depression in affective disorders?

[VanGore28]

Just found out that tegretol and Seroquel do not mix. back to drawing board

[hobo2000]

Originally Posted by VanGore28

I am schizoaffective and I am worried about taking lithium. Its the only drug i've found that helps with my negative mood associated with the affective part of my disorder. But I can't use it forever can I?! I risk thyroid problems and my liver being damaged. But Lamictal/lamotrigine is far too expensive. so is abilify

I can't function properly without the lithium. I don't need a huge dose - 350mg.

I am already on quetiapine, mirtazapine and venlafaxine. They are not treating my depression.
Without lithium It's more than depression though, I'm flat as a pancake, no emotion, attention span is dire, no motivation to speak to people, horrible feeling. I think I get a bit of anhedonia as I just want to shut myself In a room with music and beer. the music doesn't alter my mood just distraction

I'm sorry you're going through this first. I don't know where you live, but if you live in a state where you get free healthcare like medicaid maybe you could convince your Psychiatrist to refer you to see a nutritionist for treatment for the Depression, since you are taking so many medications already. I read that Magnesium supplements are good for treating Mania, and high doses of B-vitamins are good at treating Psychosis. A good website for alternative medicine is foodforthebrain(.com). I hope you figure something out and feel better.

I just don't see a really good reason why your doctor is refusing to prescribe Lithium to you, it's such a low dose.Desoxy persisted on getting COncerta and finally won over his psychiatrist. Maybe keep trying to win over yours and you might win in the future!

[VanGore28]

Maybe if I persist they will do something. but my blood pressure is on high side because of all these medications and because I can't do high intensity exercise anymore too. So I don't think they will budge on account of the heart rate but nothing ventured nothing gained