Lithium plus Wellbutrin, questions

[Guest VALGAL222]

Okay, I am Bi-polar II. I was off of meds completely for almost 2 months. New doctor put me on 600mg of Lithium plus 2 doses of WB 150 SR. I have been taking this since the Monday after Easter. The last two days have been bad, really bad. I am emotional and despondant. I was doing fine up to this point. I have never taken Lithium before but was on WB 450 ER for almost 3 years before the 2 month stint without. Is this the Lithium causing this? I can't just go see my doctor because she is in a different state.

[AirMarshall]

Lithium is unlikely to cause increase depression. It is an excellent med for limiting depression, and the only med proven to reduce suicides. Besides being a mood stabilizer it is often used as an adjunct with traditional Antidepressants.

Most likely one of two things things are going on. You body has adjusted to Lithium, and become more efficient at eliminating it (through the kidneys). It may be time for a bump up of your dose. Or, you are just on a down swing. Unfortunately, while our bipolar meds reduce our mood swings, and increase the time between them, they can't totally prevent episodes.

Time to call your pdoc, even if you can't see her. Have you had blood work to check your lithium levels? Lithium is a med that can't be ordered solely on tablet dosage because we all process it differently.

"Motherhood and apple pie": Make sure you are doing all the other things to stay well: No alcohol/drugs, eat regular, get good sleep, limit caffiene, get some exercise and sunshine each day.

Finally, don't let being depressed make you depressed! Part of education for bipolars is learning (and beleiving) that even though you may be in a bad way, that you will not get out of control, the meds wiil help. Experience is the biggest teacher, and it can take a year or two to develop confidence.

Best, a.m.

[Guest VALGAL222]

Thanks AM.

I think I might be drinking too much water. It is also good to know that this could be normal. It is so scary to realize that things you thought were normal are not thoughts that normal people have. I have so much stress in my life right now and it is good to know it is not the lithium. I watch what I eat, exercise, avoid alcohol and get enough sleep. I am currently solo mom, hubby in the new state (where the dr is), trying to sell the house, trying to keep it in show condition with a 4 year old running around, dog almost lost her eyeball and the neighbors one house over just put their house on the market for 25,000 less than we are at (same floor plan). So I guess even a normal person would be overwelmed by all of this. No, I need to do my labwork, again won't be in that state until the end of May. Thanks again, I will just hang in there. I thought perhaps the mood swings would completely go away, darn it.

[AirMarshall]

Stress, what stress? Hah.

The lithium PI recommends drinking 2-3 liters of water per day. Two reasons: Lithium tends to dehydrate you, and displaces regular table salt; it helps flush lithium out of the kidneys.

a.m. Hang in there.

[Guest VALGAL222]

I am running a 10K on Sunday so I have been drinking a lot of water. Also received approval from doc to skip Sat night dose of Li to ensure I do not get dehydrated. I am just so darn thirsty, I tend to drink about 6 or 7 32 oz glasses of water anyway but now I am even more parched. I will watch it-- you just get nervous about dehydrating, you know?

[AnneMarie]

Hey, give your pdoc a call, anyway. If nothing else, she should know what's up with you.

Good luck in the race!