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Anybody Using Lithium for Regular Depression (Not Bipolar)

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Posted 7/1/2015 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi to everyone. Been off the boards for a while because I have been very sick physically - 2 ER trips in less than a week. One was because of a kidney stone, and the other was due to a serious infection of the colon. But to get back to topic - I have been on Remeron & Tofranil. Been on Remeron for 3 months, Tofranil for 1 month. Like everything else I have tried along with the Remeron, the Tofranil did not work. My doctor just called and told me he is prescribing a very low dose of Lithium for me. I feel desperately bad and need to stabilize, and he said Lithium is a mood stabilizer/anti-depressant. I have to take a very low dose because I have serious problems with metabolizing meds too quickly. I'm still researching the DNA testing for metabolic enzymes but have just run into brick walls so far. But can anybody who is suffering from "regular" depression, not bipolar disorder, tell me if you have ever taken Lithium and if you had any success? Thanks very much.
Posted 7/2/2015 6:05 AM (GMT 0)
sorry you have been unwell. seen this post on the depression thread, but since you are on the bi-polar forum i will just say lithium is very hit and miss. regardless of the dx of bp or depression. i have used it. to no effect. i hope you receive further feedback.
Posted 7/2/2015 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi othersideof60,

Sorry to hear how you have been. I'm glad you're okay.

I hope the Lithium will work for you. Be sure to inform you doc of any changes or side effects.

We are here for you.

UA
Posted 7/2/2015 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear about your recent issues. I had several kidney stones, one of which the urologist had to go in to get, so I can relate to how much pain you probably experienced with that. Hope you are feeling better now. As HT says, lithium is hit or miss, and it is a mood stabilizer. Granted I have bipolar, but lithium was effective for my moods, sadly, I couldn't tolerate certain side effects, so I had to stop it. Can't agree more with UA about making sure your doctor knows about any SEs you have on lithium and how it works for you. Best to you. - Taygeta
Posted 7/3/2015 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, everyone, for your responses. I'm in a really bad way today and have been for weeks. Feeling so hopeless. Life is so short, & to have wasted the last 6 months of my life feeling like I'd be better off dead breaks my heart. I wouldn't know what it felt like anymore to be ME, to not feel hopeless and overwhelmingly sad, to feel I had something to look forward to. It's like I died the day this all started. Sorry for the pity party - just had to vent - and I don't like worrying my loved ones with talk like this. Thanks for listening.
Posted 7/3/2015 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
That's what the forum is for. If you need to vent, you can do it here. I know I have had similar thoughts to yours so I completely understand. But that's not you. It's a physical issue just like any other ailment and the problem is your brain chemistry, like mine, is out of balance. I believe there is no difference between any other physical disease and the disease we have that messes with our thoughts. It's just that our disease has a stigma labeled by society. Your disease has caused you to feel like you've wasted six months. You haven't wasted six months because you have been fighting against your disease for the last six months. I know Latuda is expensive but perhaps you can ask your doctor about trying it. I had over six months of depression and nothing could break it but it's broken now by Latuda. If the lithium isn't bringing you up some then tell your doctor. If not Latuda, ask for some other med. Something will work for you, you just need to find out what it is. My prayers are with you. - Taygeta
Posted 7/3/2015 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
And as for the past, I have the same problem. I feel guilt over how much time I have wasted while in depression. I'm still working on that, but I have to forget about the past and the depression. I can't change it, though I wish I could, but I have to learn to accept that what has happened cannot be changed. Look toward the future. Have hope that something will help you soon. Keep the faith. I know it's hard. It's in fact the most difficult thing I have ever experienced, trying to keep any faith at all when I've been in deep depression. - Taygeta
Posted 7/3/2015 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much, Taygeta. God bless!
Posted 7/4/2015 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
your journey to wellness has begun. yes, the forum is what it is all about. taygeta said it perfectly. here for you.
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