final(?) outcome of my psychotropic journey

[steve2470]

Now that I am on Lithium Carbonate 300 mg twice a day, my blood level is approximately 0.6, which is the very bottom of the therapeutic range for Lithium. My doc and I agreed that there is no further point to increasing my dosage, since I am sleeping better on Lithium and my mood has improved a bit. Further increases in dosage would only increase the chances of side effects, of which I have none at this point. I stay well-hydrated to avoid those problems.

As for the most stubborn of all symptoms (interpersonal rejection sensitivity), his only suggested remedy is an anti-psychotic, and we both agreed that I might end up getting tardive dyskinesia from an anti-psychotic. I'm not going to take that kind of medication unless I'm really at the end of my rope and it's necessary. I'll just stay in therapy for this symptom.

So, for now, I've arrived at my optimal psychotropic cocktail (Parnate and Lithium). It hasn't been an easy journey but it's been worthwhile, in hindsight. Thanks for reading all my posts, everyone, and I hope they have helped at least one person.

[OregonBlue]

1. Glad you're feeling better. So maintain your dosage for a while but remain open to other options.

"sleeping better on Lithium and my mood has improved a bit" is not really good enough. Maybe over time the combo will work and you will feel better and better. If not, try something else. Like I said, my son is 40 and we are still trying new things. His current regimen is intense but he feels better than he has in 20 years. Keep updates coming.

[get the red out]

2. Glad it is getting better for you

This damned shit is so hard. I am glad you are a path of improvement.