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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tensor on March 10, 2005, at 23:17:10
Hi,
is there any problem with stopping Lithium without taper it down? I've had no success with lithium so there's no risk for relapses which seems to be the case with rapid discontinution. I want to see if lithium is causing me fatigue and more important, preventing my AD's from helping, i know it's supposed to do the opposite. I read somewhere that lithium increases the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, wouldn't that be the opposite of what my AD's are trying to do? I also know that that's not the *only* thing it does, but...
I take 1200mg/d, blood level is 0.7, for AD augmenting.Ideas, experiences and thoughts greatly appreciated.
/Mattias
Posted by Maximus on March 10, 2005, at 23:17:10
In reply to Lithium discontinuation and some questions, posted by tensor on March 10, 2005, at 5:03:20
> I take 1200mg/d, blood level is 0.7, for AD augmenting.
That is correct and it does not seem to help? For how long have you been on Li?
> Ideas, experiences and thoughts greatly appreciated.
If you're not bipolar, there is no need to taper it off.
You could try a lower dose to see if that helps, see 900 mg.
If it does not work after 3 weeks, i would find another strategy. Look at your *worst* residual symptom (anxiety?, fatigue? mood?) and try to address it first.
Posted by SLS on March 10, 2005, at 23:17:10
In reply to Lithium discontinuation and some questions, posted by tensor on March 10, 2005, at 5:03:20
> Hi,
>
> is there any problem with stopping Lithium without taper it down? I've had no success with lithium so there's no risk for relapses which seems to be the case with rapid discontinution. I want to see if lithium is causing me fatigue and more important, preventing my AD's from helping, i know it's supposed to do the opposite. I read somewhere that lithium increases the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, wouldn't that be the opposite of what my AD's are trying to do? I also know that that's not the *only* thing it does, but...
> I take 1200mg/d, blood level is 0.7, for AD augmenting.
>
> Ideas, experiences and thoughts greatly appreciated.
>
> /Mattias
I've stopped lithium 1200mg abruptly without sequalae. You should probably trust your doctor's judgment on this.0.7 is higher than is necessary for AD augmentation in the absence of bipolar disorder.
If lithium is not working, don't try to out-think the biology of your brain and how medications affect it. Any heuristic approach to try to figure out how these medications interact with the brain is largely an academic exercise and is moot.
May your next treatment regime bring you success...
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk on March 10, 2005, at 23:17:10
In reply to Lithium discontinuation and some questions, posted by tensor on March 10, 2005, at 5:03:20
Hi Matt!
I just replied to your babblemail.
>If you're not bipolar, there is no need to taper it off.
I think it would be sensible to do a rapid taper rather than d/cing it overnight, just to be on the safe side, I don't think you'll have any problems. Even when people don't respond to a drug, abrupt withdrawal can sometimes be problematic - this could potentially be the case with Li even though it doesn't have a well-defined withdrawal syndrome. To be honest, I think you'd probably be fine if you did d/c it abruptly, but a rapid taper would be both safe and convenient.
Best regards,
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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