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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 Sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 16:25:27
My current doc gave me a script for the long acting version of Lithium Carbonate ER so I only have to take it at night, but it was waking me up in the middle of the night with terrible leg cramps.
Is the anything I can do about that? I took it at 8:00pm and the cramp hit around 4:30am. Awful painful.
That's why I switched back to the 150mg immediate release capsules twice a day.
I like the idea of a long acting version, but not the pain.
Do I just take 300mg of my immediate release all at once?
Is there a mineral I should take before bed to guard against the charlie horses?
Posted by schleprock on August 19, 2012, at 16:58:36
In reply to Lith carbonate ER / cramps, posted by Sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 16:25:27
Funny they should call it "Lithium Carbonite ER", as it was Lithium Carbonite that last sent me to the ER.
Posted by Sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 17:29:43
In reply to Re: Lith carbonate ER / cramps, posted by schleprock on August 19, 2012, at 16:58:36
What the heck happened to you? I'm guessing you no longer take it?
Posted by phidippus on August 20, 2012, at 0:15:56
In reply to Lith carbonate ER / cramps, posted by Sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 16:25:27
The leg cramps are probably an isolated incident. Take all 300 mg of Lithium at once.
Eric
Posted by SLS on August 20, 2012, at 7:14:54
In reply to Re: Lith carbonate ER / cramps » Sheilac, posted by phidippus on August 20, 2012, at 0:15:56
Lithium can throw off one's electolytes. I don't know if that is the case here. However, potassium levels can drop, causing muscle cramps and GI side effects. Lithium competes with potassium at the level of the sodium-potassium pump, so it can interfere with muscle control. Taking a supplement or drinking Gatorade might help.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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