Mental Health Support Group: 4 days on Lithium Carbonate ER [View all]

For now, the dosage is only 300 mg at night. In a few days, the dosage goes to 300 mg twice a day. From my research on Lithium and its usage in depression treatment augmentation, the dosage can go as high as 1800 mg a day. At this point, I have no idea what my doc is going to do with my dosage. Of course, tomorrow I will go get my first lithium blood level as well as a creatinine level.

Since I'm not Bipolar I or Bipolar II, I have no idea what to expect from this med. Improvement in depressive symptoms overall and prevention of severe depressive episodes is my best idea so far. As far as *my* target symptom of "interpersonal rejection sensitivity" goes, I'm pretty pessimistic that any psychotropic med can "cure" this or substantially alleviate it, when it has very deep environmental roots for me. If Lithium, at any dosage, accomplishes this miracle, I will loudly sing my doctor's praises and those of Lithium as well. We'll see.


So far, I'm just adjusting to it with no real benefit seen so far. Then again, I'm only on 300 mg and not 1800 mg (if he goes that high).


All the best to everyone with your treatment. I highly recommend doing research, because knowledge is power and I think it helps you to cooperate with your doctor instead of being fearful or hesitant.