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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Yesac on March 3, 2004, at 15:42:06
I just started lithium yesterday- 300mgs and then I'm supposed to go up to 600 in a few days.
I've been hesitating on taking lithium for months and months, but I've tried so many other things and nothing has ever helped (plain old depression, not BP).
I'm freaked out about the side effects. So far today there have been none, but it's only been one day.
Can any lithium-takers tell me about the side effects you have experienced? Thanks.
Posted by Toph on March 3, 2004, at 16:14:35
In reply to lithium side effects, posted by Yesac on March 3, 2004, at 15:42:06
My only main side effect on Li is diarrhea occasionally (sorry to get graphic, but I'm talking about loose stools not explosive uncontrollable diarrhea which would be more of a problem). I don't eat as much fiber as I should, so I don't know whether I could control this minor problem with diet.
Another side effect I notice is I no longer experience the euphoria from excess alcohol consumption. When intoxicated my motor skills are impaired like everyone else, but there is not much of a high. I still enjoy a beer or two and a glass of wine, but there is no big buzz from getting loaded. Maybe this is a good thing.
Posted by Metalblade on March 3, 2004, at 21:12:13
In reply to Re: lithium side effects, posted by Toph on March 3, 2004, at 16:14:35
Don't worry its not as bad as you think. You also might get a slight head ache that will go away. You should be fine. Are you taking an antidepressent with the lithium. I would if I were you. You will probably notice that the lithium will make that AD work.
Posted by Chrissy on March 4, 2004, at 6:55:22
In reply to lithium side effects, posted by Yesac on March 3, 2004, at 15:42:06
My recent posting on my experience so far..So far today feel fine...
Hello, I have been on Lithium for 12 days now. I am also on 80 mg Prozac, 50 mg adderall, and xanax only as needed. I have been through alot of different meds and so badly want to find my right combo. Adderall has been the best help for the past year, and I've been on diff. doses of prozac for last 9 years. (I'm 28) I still go into "depressive episodes" that's why my pdoc has been trying a mood stablizor. All of the other mood stablizors have made me ill. Topamax, Neuronton (bad!) busporian, depakote, Welbutrin, and recently Zyprexa. All caused such crazy side effects. Best way I can describe it is like having a high fever and experiencing all the symptoms of heavy head, dizzyness, nautious etc, but with no fever. And others such as weight gain, sweating, and so on. I guess Lithium is a last ditch effort. Well let me just say, that I've titrated up to 4, 300 mg a day and don't feel better on this...the side effects are making me ill. Heavy head, confused, like a 2 second delay.. My head feels physically sick after about 4 hours..if that makes sense, It feels like a storm is (physically) going on in my head depressed...uneasy...nautious, headache. Also had the typical shaking hands. My pdoc was on vacation...and no one would give me any answers on what to do, the doc on call was no help, and said just wait to talk to my pdoc. None of my recent blood tests have come back yet so I have no idea what my levels are. Finally they paged my pdoc on vacation, and she called me, and said to take 3 a day instead of 4. I am so ready to get off this medication. I read some on toxicity with this med, and that concerns me. Could it be that Mood Stablizors in general will always make me ill? My dosing is 300 mg, now only 3 times a day. Can anyone give advice?
Chrissy
Posted by Metalblade on March 4, 2004, at 8:04:09
In reply to Re: lithium side effects, posted by Chrissy on March 4, 2004, at 6:55:22
Hi Yesac, I think you increased your dose to fast. Also if you are the kind of person that it takes along time for AD's to work for, don't expect this to work soon as you take it either. It works the same day I take it but thats because I'm very sensitive to medication, AD's make me hypomanic then drop me like a rock.
Posted by Yesac on March 4, 2004, at 9:32:17
In reply to Re: lithium side effects, posted by Metalblade on March 3, 2004, at 21:12:13
> Don't worry its not as bad as you think. You also might get a slight head ache that will go away. You should be fine. Are you taking an antidepressent with the lithium. I would if I were you. You will probably notice that the lithium will make that AD work.
Nope. I'm getting off Lamictal now (should be off in a few days) and it will just be the lithium. I've been on countless antidepressants as well as occasional other stuff (provigil, adderall, ritalin, risperdal, ativan) but nothing has helped me basically at all. I usually haven't had many or any bad side effects, except Adderall.Do you think that lithium in combination with an AD that did not work at all for me (I mean- nothing) might help it work?
Posted by Yesac on March 4, 2004, at 9:35:25
In reply to Re: lithium side effects, posted by Toph on March 3, 2004, at 16:14:35
Toph- can you tell me how long you have been on lithium? Thanks.
Posted by Metalblade on March 4, 2004, at 19:39:26
In reply to Re: lithium side effects » Metalblade, posted by Yesac on March 4, 2004, at 9:32:17
It made mine work so it just might work for you. Here is some info that you might want to read.
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/lithaug.htm> > Don't worry its not as bad as you think. You also might get a slight head ache that will go away. You should be fine. Are you taking an antidepressent with the lithium. I would if I were you. You will probably notice that the lithium will make that AD work.
>
>
> Nope. I'm getting off Lamictal now (should be off in a few days) and it will just be the lithium. I've been on countless antidepressants as well as occasional other stuff (provigil, adderall, ritalin, risperdal, ativan) but nothing has helped me basically at all. I usually haven't had many or any bad side effects, except Adderall.
>
> Do you think that lithium in combination with an AD that did not work at all for me (I mean- nothing) might help it work?
>
>
Posted by Toph on March 5, 2004, at 8:53:15
In reply to Re: lithium side effects » Toph, posted by Yesac on March 4, 2004, at 9:35:25
Yesac, I have been on lithium continuously since 1981 when I last ended up in the hospital in a manic state stimulated by the birth of my son. I have had no major manic or depressive episodes since then, only dysthymia and a few brief hypo-manic stints. I consider myself lucky that this salt works wonders for me.
This is the end of the thread.
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