Lithium for anxiety????

[Danath]

Hi all,

I'm currently on 10mg of Olanzapine and have been taking 25-50mg of amitriptyline.

These were prescribed by an emergency GP.

Now the psychiatrist is looking at putting me on lithium and removing the amitriptyline, I don't know what his intentions for the Olanzapine are.

Has anyone ever heard of lithium being used where the primary problem is anxiety? (although I am quite deeply depressed as well). I see very little information online about it for this indication.

Any help appreciated, particularly if you yourself have taken it for this purpose.

Thanks,

Dan

[pulisa]

Yes, I've had it offered to me but declined. Apparently it can help in some cases. As I'm sure you know your blood needs to be monitored very closely whilst on lithium.

[Danath]

yeah he said something like that. Wants to take blood and kidney tests before starting me on it. worried now as i've tried every drug on that forum list now :(

[mark84]

I've had some family members on lithium for varying neurotic problems, but that was way back, before my time, maybe late 1960's/1970's, I don't think it's used so much nowadays, I say if you're getting given it though get it down you and don't worry :)

[Danath]

There was even a song by evanescence a few years ago called Lithium :P oh and Nirvana had a song called Lithium too I think :P

[pulisa]

Getting the right dosage of lithium in your system is really important. Make sure the consultant has had experience in monitoring lithium levels and that you have faith in him/her. It's a powerful drug.

[Danath]

I'm just concerned about it full stop to be honest pulisa, not worried about side effects, just that it won't do a damned thing. but i find myself wondering if what i have is anxiety or like a negative mania?

[23tana]

I am on Lithium 600mg. After the first few days it was like a light switch going on for me. It has helped so much. I do have my bloods checked regularly

[Danath]

thats good 23tana, thanks for sharing :)

[MrAndy]

http://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Meds/Lithium
I've got a few mates who are bipolar and take high doses of lithium by depot injection,it's the only drug that works for them
10mg olanzapine should quell anxiety quite well

[Danath]

sadly the olanzapine has only really done it when Itake it at night, it doesnt really last into the following day :(

---------- Post added at 21:31 ---------- Previous post was at 21:31 ----------

but yeah crazymeds is one of my goto sites as well :)

[MrAndy]

Olanzapine is the go to drug in an emergency because it acts so fast,unfortunately it makes you very fat :huh:

[Danath]

Yeah the urge to eat is horrendous!

[sidiam]

Hi Pulisa,
Did you ever try Lithium?
It is the next on the list for me, if the citalopram doesn't work.
If I decide to try there is a good lithium outpatients at my mh clinic.
hope you are coping
take care
Sxx