Diagnosis: Major Depression. Clinical Feature: Nihilism. Treatment: Lithium

and this is a serious, sensitive request.

I've been on it for years, my friend.

Generally you don't notice anything - it's more like you notice the absence of little stuff (like mania and pychosis) which is a good thing, natch. I would have thought it was a bit early for the weeing thing to have kicked in. Yeah, your kidneys process water quicker due to the lithium but you get used to it. It's no biggy, unless your levels have gone toxic.

And theres the rub.

Even if you're not under constant medical scrutiny, make sure you get your blood test done regularly, and keep an eye on the lithium level. Every year or so Medical Science reassesses what they think of as the toxic level and - important - they only ever bring it down. Fifteen years ago people would have got prescribed amounts of Li which would cause docs today to faint.

Once I detected a constant gradient upwards in my Li levels, and off my own back (but in concultation with a GP and a Specialist) I reduced my dosage. But, importantly, they didn't detect the slope. No problems since.

I'm kind of blase to it now as I've been on the stuff for a decade, and I often go for long perods without it (naughty!), but in general I think it's had a positive effect on my life.

thank you - I really appreictae the advice...i'm probably being paranoid re the weeing - it could be my normal caffiene intake on its way out... i think i'm having blood tests every fortnight... but yeah, thanks. It's nice to know - you hear these horror stories, and I wanted to hear of someone who has ahd a reasonably positive experience on it, so you've helped a lot.

Other stuff

You won't be gettting tested every fortnight forever - I get done a few times a year now.

Also, because you pissing a lot more you might have to up your normal salt intake- or at least make sure you get a regualr amount down your neck. Keep an eye on your caffeine and alcohol intake (but don't stress too much about it...), anything that affects hydration. Drink load of water.

Thassit

have been sober for 4 years, but it wrecked my bladder, so it goes a lot...and that's the funny thing about the recommendations - drink lots of water, but you'll pee a lot...and I'm like, well yeah, especialy if I'm drinking 8 pints of the bloody stuff each day ;-)

I've never been on lithium so I've no place to make a comment. I am curious however about the Clinical Feature: Nihilism. Is this not the feeling of nothingness? A total lack of emotions? I find when I get this way (I have major depression)it is always in the company of ignorance. If I'm around sensitive indivduals, then I'm not prone to nihilistic behaviors, ie. "That look of nothing" as it has been described. I get a feeling of vampirism. Perhaps this is not accuracte then and I contradict myself. My nihilism is surrounded by feelings of rage at those who are ignorant at the cost of someone elses suffering. This makes me manipulative towards the person, many times they leave either paranoid or angry. Sometimes it is on the verge of a violent climax. If I did not recieve the signals that I did, I would not have reacted to them. I therefore feel I'm innocent. I am human though and welcome any analysis.

P.S. Didn't someone say about Hannible Lecter "I guess he didn't hurt me cause I was nice".

Scott.

i was thinking today about ginberg's line - I saw the best minds of mygrenration destroyed by madness...and I'm wondeirng if perhaps insanity is the most sane reaction to a world where it matters more whether one coulds ee gwynneth paltrow's nipple then the fact the US is currently blowing up more countries than ever before in history...and I was thinking about how myabe extreme depresion (new skaters sport - sponsored by pepsi) and lethargy etc could, theroetically at least, be seen/used as a reeasonable form of protest against participating in a system whereby cold-hearted emotionless mass-sacking of workers is rewarded by multi million dollar bonuses...

And then I took my lithium and watched buffy...

But what do you think?

Hhahahaaha, I think I am going to take up EXTREME DEPRESSION and hopefully get on Channel 5 with it! I can become famous!

Incidentally, I am too moronic even to register with a doctor so please do ignore me (like you weren't anyway ha ha)

laugh srah laugh, but one day i will have my own talkshow.

g, i've never been on lithium, but its fairly well documented on ilx that i'm pretty fucked up. i've spent the last two or three years dealing with myself and my (now ex) partner on various anti-d's, and it's not easy, i won't lie. but you made the first step, and that's always for the good. good luck.