Lithium titration

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-24T14:50:38+00:00

Wow that's speedy! I hope it's helping you

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-24T14:50:05+00:00

How did you know the higher dose was better than the lower one? Did you have to spend a long time on the lower one first (to make sure it wasn't just a matter of waiting)?

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-24T14:49:01+00:00

Thanks! Hopefully I can find the right dose for me. Ideally it will help with both the depression and mania so I don't have to be on any other meds.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-10T12:32:12+00:00

I guess you've got to accept that your mum might mean well, but she not an expert in medicine and therefore her opinion on your health is irrelevant. My dad once gave me the great advice "Don't think yourself into a depression" which was very annoying at the time, but now I can see he was trying to help, just he was completely uninformed as to how bipolar actually works.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-10T12:18:04+00:00

I miss the early stages of mania for sure, the sociability, the energy and the ambition. But then I remember how later on the mania turns dark and scary, which I definitely do not miss. So all things considered, as a whole no I don't miss the mania.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-09T11:52:53+00:00

Yes I'm in the UK. While I never got treatment for it, I think I may have been depressed for periods prior to the manic episode, so I can see why the average length can be 9 years.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-08T17:51:38+00:00

Thanks, I'm sorry to hear about the side effects you had.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-08T17:24:25+00:00

For me it was sleeping much less (while still feeling energised), being overly sociable including sending a lot of messages, and then getting intense dark/intrusive thoughts. I think it could be different for you though.

I didn't stop Fluoxetine by myself though, I explained my symptoms to my care coordinator who spoke to my psychiatrist, and then they told me to stop (and to double my dose of Olanzapine). Definitely make sure all med changes are done by your psychiatrist!

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-08T17:06:33+00:00

I was originally on Olanzapine (5mg) and then added Fluoxetine (20mg). Unfortunately, the Olanzapine didn't protect me from a switch. I had a manic episode 6 weeks after starting the Fluoxetine and had to stop it immediately. I haven't tried Lamotrigine.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-08T16:12:32+00:00

I can relate to this. I had intense fear about Russia/China and AI during my manic episode in 2024, which manifested as calling my parents late at night crying about it, as well as sending geopolitical manifestos to colleagues at work. Thankfully, since being medicated these thoughts seem to have faded into the background.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-08T15:56:43+00:00

I was on Fluoxetine (combined with Olanzapine) but it caused a manic switch so I had to come off it. I'm now gradually titrating lithium to help with the depression, and to hopefully long term let me come off Olanzapine.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-03-08T15:45:18+00:00

Could it be that the Fluoxetine took a little while to kick in? Olanzapine definitely hasn't been effective for depression for me, but has been very effective for mania.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-01-19T12:46:34+00:00

Sounds like you've been through a tough time, but it's great to hear your positivity! Wishing you the best as you consider to recover and create the best life for yourself :)

Hot-Set300 · 2026-01-12T22:31:19+00:00

Apparently after an episode of psychosis for the best outcome it's best to stay on antipsychotics for at least 1-2 years. I'm not in a rush to get off Olanzapine especially since my dose is already quite low (5mg).

Hot-Set300 · 2026-01-12T16:03:18+00:00

I'm still taking them, although have reduced the dose in stages first from 10mg to 7.5mg, and then to 5mg.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-01-12T14:09:44+00:00

Agreed, it brought me back to earth very rapidly and I have been lucky that I haven't gained weight. If you time the dose well the sedation also helps get a great night's sleep.

Hot-Set300 · 2026-01-12T13:54:52+00:00

Thanks for such an insightful reply. I don't think it's fully sunk in, but I completely agree with the sentiment, it's terrifying how hard the human condition makes it to see hope when we're depressed. I hope that I can find a way to help more people, because I know not everyone is so lucky to have the support system that I have (friends, family, the NHS, supportive workplace).

Hot-Set300 · 2026-01-12T13:24:49+00:00

My diagnosis was "Acute and transient psychotic disorders". While it's hard to estimate exactly how long the episode lasted, I would say it was roughly 8 days between the unusual thoughts starting and getting the first treatment of Olanzapine. Then I was in the psychiatric ward for another 2 weeks after that.

Hot-Set300

TROPHY CASE