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Lithium/cymbalta vs ???

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Posted 7/10/2008 4:20 PM (GMT -7)
My doc put me on liuthium to boost the effects of cymbalta.  I continued to be very anxious/depressed even with the cymbalta.  The lithium is terrible, it might help me a very little for the head, however, it makes me so sleepy.  I fall asleep after my am dose sitting straight up watching tv.  I battle with fatigue all ready.  Does anyone have a suggestion of another med that might work better than both of these.  I see the doc next week.  I just can't sleep my life away, it makes me more depressed/anxious.  Hopefully someone will have a better idea, thanks.
Posted 7/10/2008 5:02 PM (GMT -7)

Hi KeepingThe Faith,

I'm sorry I am not familiar with either of these meds. I'm sure someone who is will be along shortly to help out.

Have you been on the Lithium long? Is it possible that your body will adjust to it in time or maybe your doc has you on too high a dose?

In the meantime, stay safe, try and do some gentle movement, even if it's just to the letterbox, and hang in there.

Hugs

Meg

Posted 7/10/2008 5:05 PM (GMT -7)
keepingthefaith,

There are a lot of meds out there as an option, if your current one is not working you should bring up your concerns to your pdoc. Lithium works for some people's depression and not others, it is usually prescribed when antidepressants are not effective. It's kind of strange that Lithium makes you sleepy, I have the opposite problem, it keeps me up. But you should definitely bring it up with your pdoc especially if there is no benefit to being on it. Best wishes on your search! :-)
Posted 7/10/2008 6:13 PM (GMT -7)

My Pdoc suggested just today to add Seroquel to Cymbalta.  I am not crazy about the Cymbalta as I have not had good luck with it so I said no.  There are many combinations out there.

There is a new product out called Deplin.  Deplin® is a novel anti-depressant augmentation therapy with 7.5mg of L-methylfolate. I believe it was just approved in May.  You can check it out on net or ask you Dr. about it.

I have  no opinion on it either way.  Just a thought.

Good luck,

Kitt

Posted 7/11/2008 10:07 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks so much for your replies.  My family agrees I need to stop the lithium.  All I do is sleep with it.  Maybe the cymbalta doesn't work for me, I'm going to ask her to try something else.  I've got to get out of this hole.  God bless you all.

Posted 7/11/2008 7:41 PM (GMT -7)
I'm bipolar (with panic disorder) so lithium actually worked well for me, but I stopped being able to afford the blood work as I am not insured.

However, it didn't make me sleepy, just even-tempered. I loved it.

If it would have made me sleepy I think I would have shopped for a new drug.

ps. It did make me slightly anxious until I was at the right dose, but again, the tiredness wasn't present.
Posted 7/12/2008 2:57 PM (GMT -7)

M73

Thank you for your reply.  Your the 2nd one that said they didn't have the sleepiness.  Gosh, I'm just at a lose.  I pray so much cuz I just don't know what else to do!  If anyone has time can you just name your anxiety med if your on one & if your not how do you cope?  I wonder if just proper strict nutrition would do it, but, I also have Crohns. 

Posted 7/22/2008 1:50 PM (GMT -7)
I just wanted to respond that my psych doc said she has Never ever had anyone say they became sleepy on lithium.  Anyway, we are staying on the cymbalta & she has prescr. xanex.5 daily.  I have a lot of stress due to a step daughter, so I am going to try my best to again reduce my stressors (of course easy said than done).  I'm also trying to decrease my pain meds now that I had neck sx & I don't have that much physical pain.  I guess I do the opposite on meds.  Take care everyone, god bless & have a calm day.

Posted 7/22/2008 3:05 PM (GMT -7)

So glad you got rid of the Lithium and my Dr. is always telling me too that my complaints of sx are simply not do to the med.  I would love to write her Rx for some of these drugs. devil
Good luck with new combo.  Bless you

Kitt

Posted 7/22/2008 5:24 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks Kitts, Yes would love to write the docs a few prescriptions too!  Or let them have our life for 1 month, (not that the grass is greener on the other side either)! eyes
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