Effexsor and lithium

[Katy]

Hello all-

I am wondering if anyone has tried Effexsor for depression and if so, if it made them excessively sleepy. One of the mom's from my girl's Brownie troop said it does to her (like me) and she was prescribed lithium to balance it out. Has anyone tried or heard of this? Will speak to my psychiatrist on Monday, but I'm hoping for more info to back up this one suggestion.

Thanks all Katy

[scarfyrre]

Did you ever find out?

I was once on Effexor and Lithium, and I admit I was draggy most of the time. There was also some nasty side effect, but I've been on so many things I can't remember if it was weight gain or what.

Why can't they make anti-depressants that help you lose weight? Just that extra 10-20 pounds. Sigh.

Anyway, I'm now on Lithium and Wellbutrin and I have never felt better. I wake up perky, my mood is stable, and I handled the last 7 months with CPS only wanting to kill them and not myself.

[Katy]

thanks for replying!

When I saw the clinical psychologist he said there was a new drug out that was not addictve and used with Effexsor to combat the sleepiness, but he didn't know the name. I have been diagnosed with dysthymia- chronic depression.

Hopefully in the next week I will see the doctor and get a supplement to help me with this! And I'll be sure to ask about the lithium!

I hope you had a wonderful winter solistice! Katy

[scarfyrre]

I bet he's talking about that new Ambien. It's narcotic-free, but when the commercial describes the after effects it reminds me of OC sleep aids. I think it's Ambien LC or somethiing like that.

I take normal Ambien and love it. I actually sleep good for the first time in a couple of decades.

Good luck, hon. My winter solstice was great. I didn't celebrate as I *should*, but we did the usual Santa thing. Ritual will have to wait.

[laceybug26]

I am currently taking both lithium and effexor. Unfortunatly, neither helps with the tired and groggy feeling. I know that some phyciatrist are now prescribing meds like adderall, ritalin, and other stimulants with lithium. I know that most people benefit from that combination, and it helps with weight loss too. Just be carefull and take as recommended because stimulants can become habit forming.