Thanks, everyone. Her psychiatric-nurse-practitioner-therapist told her to quit cold-turkey. I think the reason may be that she was only on it for about three weeks. Her practitioner thought that the lithium would be enough to stabilize her so that the Celexa wouldn't cause her to cycle.

She is still cycling, but not with the extremes that she had before. So she gets a bit anxious, but not to the point of a panic attack. No hypomania, either, I don't think. And while she has spells of depression, they're not as severe or long-lasting (she roller-skates them away). We think the lithium has done her a lot of good, especially since it's only been three weeks.

My daughter has been having these cycles for two years now, with a six-month respite that began last spring and lasted through the summer (is it usual to have a remission like that?). We were trying to get a diagnosis for her the whole time. There's a lot of Graves disease (hyperthyroidism) in the family*, so when she first described her symptoms, I was sure it was that. Tests came back normal--and then weird for a while (contradictory)--and then normal normal normal normal again. It took me two years (including the remission) to be convinced that she didn't have a thyroid condition. So we're still getting used to the idea that this is bipolar.

Thanks for the welcome, and the help.

Abby
*yes, I know lithium can mess up the thyroid...

Hi, Abby

As you know three weeks is not enough time to tell if something is working. Three weeks on the lithium does provide some indication if it helps. The Nurse Practitioner will probably order lithium blood work at 6 weeks to check levels.

My own experience is that the side effects can kick in within three days but the benefits can take a month or two or even three.

For some sensitive people, three weeks is long enough to do careful tapering.

Some people can have remissions. Sometimes the light in the spring /summer can make people more up. Less often, people can become up in the winter months.

Maybe in your daughter's case the discontinuation syndrome will be mild because she was only on the anti-depressant for three weeks.

It is o.k. to call any pharmacist with these types of med questions --- especially about stopping a medication.
It is very much o.k. to call the person prescribing the medication. People who practice psychiatry expect telephone calls (or texts or emails) from us.

Mari

I agree cold turkey is rough even at few weeks with the meds, if it were my dd I would have her titter Dow, half or quarter dose over at least week or so.

Oh, I am glad to see a proactive Mom, we love our kiddos and it hurts to see them with health issues. Hugs to you and dd.
Great informed friends here. From the meds to Super Bowl snacks on daily agenda!
Di

you picked the right forum.
Does your daughter ive with you?
Is she able to work/
Go to college?
IT sounds like you are doing a great job...hoping that you also have supportive people in your life.
welcome aboard.
bizi

Thanks so much, everyone! My daughter is in college, about two hours from here. She came home in mid-December in a real state of crisis. By mid-January she was much better, but if it had been my decision to make, I wouldn't have sent her back to school for the spring semester. But she decided to go back. She's in close touch (has a weekly phone appointment) with her practitioner, and she knows we'll come get her at a moment's notice.

I do feel really good about the way we've taken care of her. It seems like this kind of illness often makes people lose the support system that it makes them need.

That's very encouraging that three weeks on lithium isn't enough to show its full benefits. There's a lot of hope in that.

I appreciate all your help.

Abby

Hi, Abby,

Your support for her is everything.

M

Abby

Its very good that she felt she can go back. And is making it.

Its very important to encourage her to do just that.

Donna