Lithium advice

[Treetops12]

I have agitated depression /possible disphoric bipolar /hypomania (but doctors can't decide), ptsd and panic.

Quite a horrific combo.

My main symptoms are severe anxiety, not sleeping much and waking in total panic really early, never feeling tried during the day, just wired /activated and everything looking too bright /vivid. I also have constant derealization. I cry a lot and have suicidal thoughts due to the awfulness of my condition.

All antidepressants seem to make me more wired. I don't get a high mood though so my symptoms are a/typical of hypomania.

My doctor wants me on a mood stabiliser before trying duloxetine. He wants me to try olanzapine but I'm scared of antiphycotics and the side effects. He also mentioned lithium. Low dose to start.

Id love to hear from anyone out there who's tried it and has anything positive to say. Or anyone who's had weird symptoms like mine. I feel really alone and with 2 kids it's so hard. The derealization makes me feel I'm missing their lives. And my own.

Anyone? 🤞

I had something similar and lithium helped me a lot.

@polmnlj thanks for replying. Did you have the brightness and the derealization if you don't mind me asking? It's causing me to feel very panicked all the time. I hate this unreal feeling. And being so agitated/unable to relax.
What dose did you tske?

Sounds like anti depressants are causing akisthia,

Some have done this to me, despite the fact it was ‘all in my head’

I found olanzapine better then lithium but it's different for everyone. (I have bipolar)

Also I can't take antidepressants as they make me hypomanic- this is a pretty well known side effect in people who suffer with bipolar/mania

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow I'm not on an antidepressant. These have been my symptoms since I became unwell.

I only started lithium this year but it’s going well so far, once I got to the right level it’s helped with stabilising my mood. I used to be on Lamotrigine which also stabilises mood and anecdotally it seemed to stop my anxiety. Might be another one worth considering? I haven’t really had side effects with either. The Lamotrigine did affect my skin a bit (spots on jawline) and my word recall, but I think they probably seem like an ok trade-off for how you’re feeling. I don’t experience your brightness and derealization so can’t offer any info there, but if they are your symptoms of bipolar/depression then these meds could help. Not tried olanzipine but know people who’ve got on well with it

@Treetops12 did anything ever help you

@Treetops12 - I’m sorry I’m late to this…only just seen your thread. I identify a lot. V similar-sounding symptoms / situation.
After lots of to-ing and fro-ing I decided to start Lithium. That enabled my mood to stabilise enough for me to start an antidepressant without it sending me wired / dysphoric. The combination of lithium & sertraline (with occasional Lorazepam for emergencies) has allowed me to get my life back on track from totally destroyed to well, functioning, parenting, new demanding public sector job etc…

I encourage you to explore the above. Let me know if you want further advice / support, although I’m aware this is an old thread so you’ve probably gone now.