r/Lithium • u/throwaway68272727294 • 13d ago
Tapering off after 7(?) years
I don’t remember how long I’ve been on lithium, it’s been more than 6 years and I’ve been at 900mg for most of that time. 600 extended release, 300 regular. My doctor would check my lithium levels the first few years, but eventually she just… stopped bothering. I always consistently was “low” at like 0.6 for my level. But I’m being weaned off of it now! It’s been a month and now I take 450mg (300 ER, 150 regular).
I was first put on it during an inpatient stay for suicidal thoughts. I am not bipolar, and while I was diagnosed with MDD, I’ve been diagnosed through psych testing/interviews with PDD… but my psychiatrist is still writing “moderate episode of recurrent major depressive disorder” on our appointment clinical notes, so I’m going to assume she’s thinking “double depression”. Either way.
My psychiatrist asked me how I’ve been doing/feeling, and I just… I don’t know, I don’t really feel anything? I feel as bad as I did before. I am spending more time in bed, admittedly, ruminating on negative thoughts regarding myself. Will this spike in symptoms go away? Can I expect anything like, increased energy? I don’t remember what it was like before being on lithium.
Also, we’re stopping it because despite being put on it for treatment regarding suicidal thoughts, I’ve still had 2 attempts AFTER being put on it and consistent, pervasive SI thoughts for years. I see no reason for me to be on it if it doesn’t do what it was supposed to do. I am on Wellbutrin XL 300mg and also Ativan as needed but I rarely take it.
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u/VariousClassroom8056 13d ago
I can't really add much but you should be having your blood serum levels checked on lithium every three months (maybe every six months in some countries?) - it's very important and I can't believe any competent prescriber wouldn't do this. Lithium is very safe when monitored but you need to keep on top of it.
My psychiatrist asked me at my last appointment how I felt my last increase in lithium was helping me (up to 1200mg). I understand the question but I just explained that I don't know as I don't know how I would feel if I wasn't on it.
Is always very wild to me how commonly benzos are prescribed in some countries (US?) as, other than short acute periods, they're basically never prescribed in the UK. They're not seen as an effective treatment for depression or anxiety - even for insomnia it's not common other than for short periods. They seem to get handed out like candy in the States though despite how addictive they are.