New meds

[Kaleidoscope Eyes]

So. Remember how I was pissed at Lithium for making me fat and making me tired? Well it turns out my anti-depressants are actually the more likely culprit for my slugishness and loss of concentration (though Lithium takes full responsibility for the 25 extra pounds). We had lowered my dose of Lithium before to try to affect the slug feeling and it hasn't changed. All that happened is my moods have indeed been a little worse since the change. So I'm back on the higher Lith dose, and instead of changing the Effexor (which I was DREADING, we just finally found the drug combo that takes away pretty much all of the depression, I didn't want to switch drugs and risk the new combo not working as well. I'd rather be a happy slug than a depressed rabbit, if that makes sense), I'm being put on Adderall. My doctor wanted to put me on Ritalin initially, but since the Adderall often suppresses appetite, we decided it might be good to counteract the increased appetite/slowed metabolism from the Lithium.

I increase my Lithium this week, and next week I start the Adderall. I really hope this works for me, It's been so long trying to figure out the proper drug cocktail. I just want to be myself again, and hopefully this will do that for me.

[byee]

Sometimes, it takes a while to find the right meds (or combo of meds) that does the trick, that hits the 'sweet spot'. Hang in there, work with the docs, and I'm sure they'll sort it out. Just be sure to describe as accurately as you can the changes not only in the way you're feeling, but also in how it's affecting your functioning/behaviors, too.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[Kaleidoscope Eyes]

Yeah, I know, all the little details matter. It's been about two years since we started messing with this stuff and I think we're finally getting close to cracking the code. there may be changes later down the road, but I expect them to be dosage changes if anything. (Assuming the Adderall works. If it doesn't, we start over with a new stimulant.)

I'm really crossing my fingers here.

[The Batman]

I really hope this works out for you

[thesphinx]

Good Luck! I used to be on lithium it did some weird things to me, The current antidepressants I'm on make me feel really sluggish so I know where your coming from.

[Kaleidoscope Eyes]

Oh, man, I am loving this Adderall stuff. I feel awake, I'm not taking mid-afternoon naps anymore, and I'm not stuffing my face constantly. Naturally I don't eat too much and I eat really slow, but on the Lithium, when I would eat I would eat really fast, like I was starving, and I'd eat a lot, even once I was getting full. I thought it was just my body changing or something, but suddenly, I don't have the urge to do that anymore. Hm. Definitely a nice side-effect.

The only "bad" side-effect, is that while it's initially kicking in and wearing off, my eyes dry out. I'll blink and they'll sting and water a lot like when it's windy. Some eye drops should fix that I think, though.

[The Batman]

There was a special on mtv True Life about adderall saying how addictive it can get please be careful with it and don't take more than prescribed here is a website with more information about it http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/amphet_ad.htm

[Kaleidoscope Eyes]

Thanks for the concern, but I know not to take more than I'm prescribed, trust me. if I were to run out even a week sooner than I was supposed to, my parents would be all over me asking where the extra pills were. Not to mention I've just gotten to a pretty good point in my life. And I'm about to be bumped up to 3 weeks in between therapy sessions for hopefully the final time (something always seems to happen to push me back down to every other week), I'm not gonna screw it up and go back to once a week. I've dealt with withdrawals before (especially when they were lowering my Xanax dose, that wasn't fun), and I know how to get through them.

In short, I promise to be smart about this and stay healthy. :)

[Zephyr]

I'm glad you've found something that works = )

Good luck.