Lithium - we tried to be friends but is it time to say goodbye?

[miss muse]

Happy Sunday everyone

Just a query which some of you may or may not be able to help with. I've been on Lithium for just over 4 months and at the therapeutic range for about 6 weeks. For just over a month now I have had a major depressive episode, the longest I have ever had one. Normally they last for about a week and a bit, two max. Kind of reckon I'm a rapid cycler as get the hypomania for about 5 - 6 days.

Anyway, I am having recurent suicidal ideation, oppressive doom, feeling I've no future, not worthy of one anyway, its my destiny to die from suicide or illness around now, if I topped myself everyone I know would be happy...you know the drill. I also can not concentrate, especially in work (I'm a PA so have to be on the ball). Also having horrific panic attacks at night (last week thought earth was under alien attack! Then I calmed down and went back to sleep).

My instinct is to tell my pdoc and see what my other options are as it doesn't appear to be doing what it says on the tin.

Anybody been on or currently on this where your lows have been worse and for longer before you start to stabilise? In two minds whether to act now or wait until my next official appt on 24th April. Hmmmmmmm.

Thanks in advance.

[LemonHead]

A few thoughts:

Don't some people take other medication in addition to lithium? Would it work better in conjunction with something else?

Might you be worse if you were off the lithium?

Do you need a higher dose of lithium?

[miss muse]

Thanks for your replies LemonHead and sylvan. I think that yes I should talk to the pdoc about trying something else along with the Lithium. I've been told my level is around 0.7 so maybe room to hike it up slightly more? Having another blood test done tomorrow. Yes my depression is also a lot worse and intense than hypomania, longer episodes too. Maybe an anti-depressant might take edge off a bit.

Thanks again.