Wait, what just happened? Newly diagnosed with BP

Hello everyone, I usually lurk on a site for years trying to decide if I am in the right place. Today, I'm just going to jump in here. I am having some troubles and I need help.

I have been treated with antidepressants for about 12 years, I am 52. I remember were treatment started, 2004. I was suffering from extreme insomnia. Not sleeping for days, no weeks, at a time, I also had extreme bouts with agitation. Until that point, I had no real concept of mental illnss, if it was broken or bleeding, it was a problem, anything else, buck up. I finally went to a dctor, his diagnosis was depression. Hmm, I told him I'm not depressed, I'm stressed out. He asked me to clarify what I meant. I explained that my mind is going at maximum speed, I cant slow down my thoughts. I explode in fits of anger. I don't think that I sleep at all. He stuck with the diagnosis of depression and prescribed Paxil. That seemed to settle things down quite a bit.

Jump ahead to present time. I have gone through several antidepressants in the past decade. Including Celexa, Welbutrin, Zoloft. I have tried to stop a different times, just to get a feel for my condition. I always end up with my anger and agitation, ruminating thoughts, creeping back up to the surface. For the past year or two, one thing has caught my attention: I am having recurring bouts with depression, severe depression, brink of suicide depression. I realized, in all the time on antidepressants, I had never been depressed(until two years ago).

So off to the doctor last week,, who diagnosed bipolar, had me stop the Zoloft and start lithium. That was one week ago. Three or four days into it, I thought we might be onto something. Then things took a turn for the worse physically, I have such severe dizziness, I can barely walk. I don't think I can safely drive. When I move, it feels like my brain is sloshing around for a few seconds after I stop. Also, my anger short fuse has returned, I am sensitive to light and sound. I emailed my doctor, he told me to wait it out. I am thinking this had to do with abruptly stopping 150mg/day of Zoloft, five years +, but my doc seems insistant that I stick to the plan.

Anyone familiar with SSRI withdrawal? I am thinking a small tapering dose of Zoloft (50mg) I am on a pretty light dose if lithium 600mg/day, could this be side effects of the new med?

Thanks Getting By, I broke down and took 50 mg zoloft, two hours ago, and I feel a bit better. I am hoping it is the SSRI withdrawal, that is causing this funk, and not the lithium. My doc has a tendency to underplay problems, probably good in some cases.

had the same. i am no longer on lithium. served it's purpose at the time though. welcome to the forum. keep strong and keep talkin' with ya doc.

Hey everyone, I am returned from the brink, I hope. Last we spoke I was having horrible withdrawal from a zero day Zoloft taper. I am pretty sure that is still happening, though much less severe now. I am a bit surprised my doc would do that to me. Though considering my state at the time it might have been best.

I was very slow to increase my lithium I believe I was pretty much in denial about my diagnosis plus the med seemed to give me trouble at every increase. As it is, I just hit the 1,800mg/day dose. Blood test next week. I am not sure if it is the drug for me or not. I guess when I compare my mood week by week, it is improved, but at what cost? I just don't feel right, my brain feels like I just got a shot of novacaine, my lips burn, my eyes are dry, my hands have a pronounce twitch, not a tremor, and my taste buds are out of whack.


OK, thanks for listening, and I'll try to stay in touch.
Goodluck everyone!
I have to PS this in all fairness, I was in a very deep dark place, full of despair where I could only see one very tragic way out. Lithium has changed that, numb lips or not, I am in a brighter place.

Post Edited (Low-n-Slow) : 11/2/2014 7:00:12 PM (GMT-7)