Bipolar Depression

Hello, I hope there is someone who can help or advise us.
My husband has been depressed all his life and has suffered in chronic pain for 22 years.

We knew he was BP but rarely had any Manic episodes, and they were always more like Hypomania's.
1 month ago he had a Huge Manic episode all the way to Psychosis. He was hospitalized and given large doses of Lithium and became Toxic. They lowered his dose but after 1 month of taking 900mg daily, all life has gone out of him.

He has no goals. He does not want to leave the window he sits in front of, out in the country 10 miles from town. He says he is numb and that life is gray now.
He says this psychiatristhe sees says Lithium is The Gold Standard and that is what she wants him on, and refuses to see him if he does not take it.
He has given up, saying that maybe this numb state is what everyone else feels like and this is what his life now is.
I am researching and finding alot of information. but he is allowing the doctors to tell him what is right for him.
Any advice? Or experience that may help?

What is Lithium suppose to feel like?

Does it deaden you inside, because that is what it is doing to him.

Please...any info would be so appreciated.
Thank you
C.T.

My husband was also on lithium for a while- at first it did seem to have pretty much that same affect on him, but as he was on it longer it got better at first- then worse. Mentally it completly leveled him out and he was fine, but physically he had the worst tremors- to the point where he could not write his own name. I can not believe your husbands pdoc is not willing to discuss other medications- there are so many out there and every person is different. My husbad has been on several different meds- zyprexa, geodone, lithium, lamictal ect.. Zyprexa also made him a zombie- Geodone leveled him out very well but he had real bad joint and muscles aches from it. Right now he is on a bit of a trail mix lamictal, ambilify, pristique and xanax. This combination has worked very well for the last year with no bad side effects.
I really think you need to look into finding another pdoc- if your husbands doctor is not willing to even discuss other meds with him that is wrong. Lithium is the olderest and cheapest med out there but if it is taking away his quality of life it is not doing what it is supposed to. The worst part for my husband with the meds was feeling like a lab rat since you have to find the right medication combinations for you. I hope that this has maybe helped.

I have taken Lithium and while it is a good medication for what I need it for, it too causes me to have this deaden numb depressed state. It is primarily an anti-manic drug and cause of this it dampens. I have gotten to where I also didn't want to leave the house, felt no emotion whatsoever, and had no desire pretty much at all. I am appalled though that his psychiatrist refuses to see him unless he takes the medication. This is just not appropriate. If he is having trouble taking it or it is causing worse symptoms than what he is using it for then the psychiatrist should be open to trying him on another medication. There are many out there.

Starchild60,

grab the bull by the horns, take charge and run with it. Just Another Spouse and Corey12 have hit the nail on the head. There are many medications out there, everyone is different and everyone will respond differently to a medication type. Your doctor is exhibiting an inappropriate attitude toward his patient, your husband, who has become bereft of a quality lifestyle. It took several months for us to find the right meds and dosage for my husband. As I have mentioned in other replies to postings, he takes 3 types, 3 times per day. I fought like tooth and nail with the doctors at the psychiatric hospital where I had him committed to ensure he received the appropriate medication. I told them when I felt and thought it wasn't right. I refused to have him treated by a particular doctor who was filling in because the doctors attitude was, pump him full and knock him out to keep him quiet. Trust your instincts. Seek another, reputable practitioner. It is possible to wash away the grey and restore feeling and colour to a bipolar life.