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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maynerd on November 17, 2005, at 22:43:58
I am fairly new to taking lithium so I am still learning. My problem is the last 3 days I have been getting increasingly irritated by the littlest thing, today feeling like I am just about to explode into a complete rage. Along with this is a growing scatter-brained head and focusing probs. All this is for no apparent reason, as nothing in my environment has changed recently. What I am wondering is if it could be the result of too much sodium in my diet lately on top of my meds. I ask because I noticed that my irritability was going up after I ate a bowl Chinese food that had lots of soy. After noticing this I realized that I had been eating soy much more than normal the past few weeks and so this could be the problem.
Is this the problem? If it is what do I have to do? I have cut out the sodium rich diet but don't really want to give up my favorite food forever. Any help or insights on this would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by med_empowered on November 18, 2005, at 0:03:33
In reply to Lithium prob?, posted by Maynerd on November 17, 2005, at 22:43:58
hmmm..lithium can make focusing a good bit harder; its ill effects on cognition are pretty well-known. I imagine this could be frustrating and could cause problems. Do you have any other options for a mood stabilizer? I like trileptal, and I hear Keppra is pretty good--it also doesn't have too many side effects, usually. Depakote, Tegretol, and atypical antipsychotics are also pretty good options; lamictal is good, but usually needs another med w/ it for hypomania...some treatment-resistant patients do pretty well on Phenytoin (Dilantin), and Klonopin is very helfpul for a lot of people, too.
Posted by Squiggles on November 18, 2005, at 6:36:04
In reply to Lithium prob?, posted by Maynerd on November 17, 2005, at 22:43:58
Hi,
I don't know what your dose is,
but soy would bring the lithium
*down* not up; also too much salt
will *not* increase the lithium
blood level.Squiggles
Posted by Maynerd on November 18, 2005, at 13:16:12
In reply to Re: Lithium prob?, posted by Squiggles on November 18, 2005, at 6:36:04
Can't change meds as I have no insurance right now so must pay for my lithium. I am currently taking 1200 mg daily. If not sodium intake, is there anything else that may be having an effect on my lith levels? Perhaps it's the increased coffee intake during crunch time at school, or my notorious habit of not staying well hydrated.
Posted by Squiggles on November 18, 2005, at 13:21:59
In reply to Re: Lithium prob?, posted by Maynerd on November 18, 2005, at 13:16:12
> Can't change meds as I have no insurance right now so must pay for my lithium.
Argh, lithium is one of the cheapest drugs
around;I am currently taking 1200 mg daily.
That may be too high; can your dr. try you
on 900mg?If not sodium intake, is there anything else that may be having an effect on my lith levels? Perhaps it's the increased coffee intake during crunch time at school,
caffeine makes you void more, and hence
decreases the lithium level;
or my notorious habit of not staying well hydrated.Definitely! That will increase the
lithium - drink drink drink - Coke is good
or just plain water, OJ is excellent;Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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