Starting with meds

[mentalhealthfighter]

So the first thing I'm trying is lithium. Lithium is a kind of salt that works as a mood stabiliser. I have bipolar and I'm mostly affected by depression. My depression makes me want to CTB. I'm going to try every med out there to see if they can render me non-suicidal. If not, I'm either gonna have to live with it, go for euthanasia or take N/SN.

I feel like lithium is making it harder for me to sleep atm. I take it at 10pm. I believe its making my body process it constantly at night which makes it harder to get quality sleep just like when you eat a big meal before bed.

I really hope meds are the cure for me.
What is your experience with medication?

 

[LostSoul1609]

So the first thing I'm trying is lithium. Lithium is a kind of salt that works as a mood stabiliser. I have bipolar and I'm mostly affected by depression. My depression makes me want to CTB. I'm going to try every med out there to see if they can render me non-suicidal. If not, I'm either gonna have to live with it, go for euthanasia or take N/SN.

I feel like lithium is making it harder for me to sleep atm. I take it at 10pm. I believe its making my body process it constantly at night which makes it harder to get quality sleep just like when you eat a big meal before bed.

I really hope meds are the cure for me.
What is your experience with medication?

Did you get lithium prescribed by a competent medic? By your tone it sounds like you are going to try over the counter stuff that you think could work.
Medication are a complex topic and it depends on your sympthoms, lithium is basically a mood enhancer but not a proper medication, for those you should see a psychiatrist which will start to give you some medication for some time, keep in mind that everyone reacts differently so you might need to try some different ones before you get good result, and some medications (like antidepressants) take a long time to kick in and start doing their job.
In my experience medication are worth it, I've been prescribed benzodiazepines and zoloft (antidepressant) and they worked with minimal side effects, although keep in mind that they only lower the symptoms of your illnesses, not eliminate the cause for that you should try therapy and related. The psychiatrist that will prescribe medications might want to know if you're following a therapist before he gives you a prescription.
Medication basically deleted my insomnia and helped me be more outgoing and active in some instance, also helping a lot with anxiety and related, even after quitting I still feel like they improved me, of course you might want to start to do stuff while you're on meds that will help you retain the effects after quitting, for example antidepressants might help you be more active so you could start working out and keep that on even after quitting which will help you with insomnia and drowsiness, stuff like that.
Hope this clears something for you, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[mentalhealthfighter]

Did you get lithium prescribed by a competent medic? By your tone it sounds like you are going to try over the counter stuff that you think could work.
Medication are a complex topic and it depends on your sympthoms, lithium is basically a mood enhancer but not a proper medication, for those you should see a psychiatrist which will start to give you some medication for some time, keep in mind that everyone reacts differently so you might need to try some different ones before you get good result, and some medications (like antidepressants) take a long time to kick in and start doing their job.
In my experience medication are worth it, I've been prescribed benzodiazepines and zoloft (antidepressant) and they worked with minimal side effects, although keep in mind that they only lower the symptoms of your illnesses, not eliminate the cause for that you should try therapy and related. The psychiatrist that will prescribe medications might want to know if you're following a therapist before he gives you a prescription.
Medication basically deleted my insomnia and helped me be more outgoing and active in some instance, also helping a lot with anxiety and related, even after quitting I still feel like they improved me, of course you might want to start to do stuff while you're on meds that will help you retain the effects after quitting, for example antidepressants might help you be more active so you could start working out and keep that on even after quitting which will help you with insomnia and drowsiness, stuff like that.
Hope this clears something for you, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Why isn't lithium a proper medication? I had it prescribed by a psychiatrist and professor. What else should I take? Remember that I cant take antidepressants because they can make me manic

 

[LostSoul1609]

Why isn't lithium a proper medication? I had it prescribed by a psychiatrist and professor. What else should I take? Remember that I cant take antidepressants because they can make me manic

It isn't that it isn't a proper medication, what I meant is that it isn't a proper antidepressant, which seems to be okay in your case also it should have less side effects which is great. Is it helping with your depression? If the insomnia becomes a problem you can still ask for benzos I think, or some other sleeping pill that might help.

 

[mentalhealthfighter]

It isn't that it isn't a proper medication, what I meant is that it isn't a proper antidepressant, which seems to be okay in your case also it should have less side effects which is great. Is it helping with your depression? If the insomnia becomes a problem you can still ask for benzos I think, or some other sleeping pill that might help.

I cant tell if it helps yet. It will have to take a few weeks. If it doesn't work I could potentially add an SSRI to it. I take a small amount of benzos to aid with sleep. I hope I dont experience too much Insomnia from trying all the meds.

Edit: I also dont believe therapy does anything. I dont think anyone can talk me out of what I'm feeling. It might help gaining some clarity about my condition but it wont cure me.

 

[TriggerHappy]

So the first thing I'm trying is lithium. Lithium is a kind of salt that works as a mood stabiliser. I have bipolar and I'm mostly affected by depression. My depression makes me want to CTB. I'm going to try every med out there to see if they can render me non-suicidal. If not, I'm either gonna have to live with it, go for euthanasia or take N/SN.

I feel like lithium is making it harder for me to sleep atm. I take it at 10pm. I believe its making my body process it constantly at night which makes it harder to get quality sleep just like when you eat a big meal before bed.

I really hope meds are the cure for me.
What is your experience with medication?

Lithium is awesome, but fucked up my sleep cycle forever.
And I'm a junky so be warned. I was in recovery, so never cross addicted but couldn't access my feelings.
It stopped listless anxiousness, and killed my creativity.
I'm in advertising, I just couldn't focus. I came off it after two cycles, I became deaf to music (would rather be dead, no jokes) and cold to peoples needs.
Its very insidious- be careful do your research especially tapering & withdrawing psychologically.
I ate like the devil, am a gym bunny so it freaked me out being hungry all the time.
I've also done it recreationally, but that u don't need to know about.
My experience, not yours :: so don't take it on, use it responsibly yeah
Good luck, take whatever opportunities are granted to you.
XM

 

[everydayiloveyou]

Did you get lithium prescribed by a competent medic? By your tone it sounds like you are going to try over the counter stuff that you think could work.
Medication are a complex topic and it depends on your sympthoms, lithium is basically a mood enhancer but not a proper medication, for those you should see a psychiatrist which will start to give you some medication for some time, keep in mind that everyone reacts differently so you might need to try some different ones before you get good result, and some medications (like antidepressants) take a long time to kick in and start doing their job.
In my experience medication are worth it, I've been prescribed benzodiazepines and zoloft (antidepressant) and they worked with minimal side effects, although keep in mind that they only lower the symptoms of your illnesses, not eliminate the cause for that you should try therapy and related. The psychiatrist that will prescribe medications might want to know if you're following a therapist before he gives you a prescription.
Medication basically deleted my insomnia and helped me be more outgoing and active in some instance, also helping a lot with anxiety and related, even after quitting I still feel like they improved me, of course you might want to start to do stuff while you're on meds that will help you retain the effects after quitting, for example antidepressants might help you be more active so you could start working out and keep that on even after quitting which will help you with insomnia and drowsiness, stuff like that.
Hope this clears something for you, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

What's your experience with benzos? I have severe anxiety and my psychiatrist said I should really try meds. I asked not to get any benzos because addiction runs in my family. Do you feel that you are dependent on them or that you need them in order to get through anxiety-inducing situations?

also how exactly has it helped your anxiety? Did only physical symptoms improve? sorry for all the questions I'm just worried how I will react to these meds since I have never heard good things about SSRIs/benzos for severe cases of anxiety.

 

[whywere]

Hi! I have been on Celexa for a long time. At least for me it works because when I forget to take it in the morning around noonish or so I start getting a feeling like something is missing. I tried Zoloft at first and boy that drug really pushed all the wrong buttons.

I have had Klonopin for a long time, but I never take it for more than 4 days in a row. From what I have read and been told getting off of benzos is harder and the with drawls are more nasty than even opioids.

Now I also take hydromorphone for chronic pain and mixing benzos with would not be a good outcome.

I will stay on my celexa unless it stops working for me or something better comes along.

All my best to you.

Walter

 

[TriggerHappy]

I apologise, but i can't help myself i have to weigh in :: addiction is f.awful thing to deal with but is more complex than just genetics.
Its about your relationship to mind / mood altering substances. Do u ever overmedicate?
Just honestly ask yourself that then you'll know if u putting yourself at risk.
It very much depends on how your depression manifests and debilitates. I don't take anything (I've chosen the hard road) Celexa & Lexamil are awesome, my sister is on them for depression & anxiety.
Of course I've tried them, a bit too dangerously euphoric for my limited self control.
Goodluck.

 

[whywere]

I apologise, but i can't help myself i have to weigh in :: addiction is f.awful thing to deal with but is more complex than just genetics.
Its about your relationship to mind / mood altering substances. Do u ever overmedicate?
Just honestly ask yourself that then you'll know if u putting yourself at risk.
It very much depends on how your depression manifests and debilitates. I don't take anything (I've chosen the hard road) Celexa & Lexamil are awesome, my sister is on them for depression & anxiety.
Of course I've tried them, a bit too dangerously euphoric for my limited self control.
Goodluck.

100% agree with you. Through the decades I have met folks who were on, like opioids for chronic pain like me and could not stay on set dosage. I have always stayed on my daily dosage of hydromorphone, no issues. Have seen other folks who hardly take a few and bang away they go snorting and whatever.

You are VERY smart and knowledgeable, as when I read your post I had a aha! moment. Thinking about some others who have been on certain drugs and had a very hard/bad time with them.

I have always thought and always will that NOBODY is weak or whatever, it is brain chemistry and other factors that might lead to issues. We are all very important humans and we have too look for one another pure and simple.

Thank you so much for your very thoughtful post, really loved it and you also!

Walter

 

[nubbymon]

So the first thing I'm trying is lithium. Lithium is a kind of salt that works as a mood stabiliser. I have bipolar and I'm mostly affected by depression. My depression makes me want to CTB. I'm going to try every med out there to see if they can render me non-suicidal. If not, I'm either gonna have to live with it, go for euthanasia or take N/SN.

I feel like lithium is making it harder for me to sleep atm. I take it at 10pm. I believe its making my body process it constantly at night which makes it harder to get quality sleep just like when you eat a big meal before bed.

I really hope meds are the cure for me.
What is your experience with medication?

You can try taking it upon waking, to see if you sleep better.
Meds can be lifesavers. It can take awhile to find the right one. I have DNA that makes me not process neurotransmitter-focused medications, but THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING ELSE TO TRY. Be as patient as you can and communicate with your doctor. Psychiatry is changing all the time and new treatments are becoming more available. Hang in there! My doctors have actually recommended that I move to a different state in order to get better help, and at 70, I'm working on that. Wanting to get control of your illness is the biggest part of the battle. We are here for you.

 

[UpandDownPrincess]

I always take my lithium with my evening meal and it does not keep me awake. You may want to ask your doctor about moving the timing of your dose.

It has also been my experience and my psychiatrist's recommendation that lithium always be taken with food. It is much easier on your stomach and gut that way.

When lithium works, it can really make things better. Feel free to ask questions if you wish - I've been on the stuff for a decade and it absolutely saved my life.