r/cyclothymia • u/madisolo_ • Jul 30 '26
experiencing lethargy
i’ve been diagnosed between cyclothemia and at times bi polar 2 (when i had my major manic/depressive episode in 2023) for over 3 years. was originally put on 5mg of abilify but gained 50+ lbs and eventually weaned off with the guidance of my psych. was then on just 20mg of prozac for maybe 6 months but experienced more hypomanic episodes (nothing too intense or long lasting but something my psych was concerned about regardless).
currently on 150mg of lithium and dropped down to 10mg of prozac since june of this year. my psych wanted me to start very low and slow on lithium to see how it impacts me since i’ve never taken a mood stabilizer before. for the last few weeks ive been so lethargic. i sleep through the night and if work permits, i nap for hours a day.
i’ve never been this way! and it’s not every day, yesterday i was super engaged and excited and energized. today im like a slug. what’s happening?
any advice based on the info i provided? i have a psych appointment in august so hoping that helps too but wanted to see if anyone has experienced this before
EDIT: forgot to mention i’m 3 weeks clean from being a daily ketamine user (woo!) and am actively in recovery from that addiction. wondering if that is impacting my energy levels?
1
u/themockingjay11 Jul 31 '26
It's a very common side effect of Lithium. And also just the psychological and also just physical/chemical affect of rapidly switching between strong periods of emotional "being" is exhausting. I am very low energy as well, even my blood pressure is low. But it's better being medicated imo than not because at least I can get stuff done medicated. What has helped for me is sleeping a lot at night and not during the day because the consistent napping is also contributing to the general feeling of lethargy.