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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 Roo on October 22, 2001, at 13:38:11
Just wondering what some common side effects are. Also
why are the newer anticonvulsants being used as mood stabilizers
rather than lithium? Is it b/c lithium has a lot of nasty
side effects? I am curious what the experiences of
lithium users are like. I know they probably vary, but
i'm interested in hearing them all.
Posted by akc on October 24, 2001, at 7:58:14
In reply to Who out there is on Lithium?, posted by Roo on October 22, 2001, at 13:38:11
I'm on lithium. The biggest problem I have had is acne. And I have fought a little bit of weight gain. However, having tried to go off lithium, I am now convinced it is the med for me. I am definitely on the depressive side of bipolar. I have never had the really high manias. And if I understand things right (you with more knowledge out there, please correct me), lithium works really well with those who are bipolar, but who tend to the depressive side.
One interesting note, while I was doing just okay on it (with some other stuff -- effexor xr, seroquel, occassional trazadone for sleep), I was still struggling. My pdoc and I decided to switch me to topamax. That turned quickly into a disaster. But, all ends well. She put me back on the lithium, but I have also remained on topamax. I've been stable now for at least 8 weeks -- really a record for me. But even more important is the fact that I am remaining stable through some of the most trying situations. My mom is terminally ill, all this terrorist stuff, I've got job stuff going on -- any of this would have been a trigger in the past.
Way more than you asked for -- just an interesting footnote that I have not posted about, and your question gave me the opening. I hate the acne, and I am working hard on eating better to maintain my weight, but I am now all on board for the lithium. It is sure working for me.
akc
Posted by Roo on October 24, 2001, at 10:51:57
In reply to Re: Who out there is on Lithium? » Roo, posted by akc on October 24, 2001, at 7:58:14
Hi AKC,
Thanks for responding. I remember you from Psycho
social babble! I think, if I recall correctly, we
are both from Kansas. (Not very often I meet other
people from Kansas.
Anyway, so you feel you also receive an AD effect
from lithium? It helps you from going down into
the depths? I am a soft bipolar 2, and also tend
towards more of the depression side. I am trying
lamictal now and really feel it's AD effects, but
last time I tried it, I got the rash, so I'm just
thinking about "Plan B"'s. Did you gain a lot of weight
on lithium, or just a little bit? (That's definitely
a concern of mine. I've already gained 15 pounds
in one year b/c of my p-doc adding mood stabilizers
to my regimen. I'd always thought I was just depressed,
but my p-doc thinks my moods cycle and that I'm either
cyclothymic or bp 2. I don't know. Right now I
take prozac (20 mg's), neurotin (1200 mgs) lamictal
(just starting so the dose is low 40 mg's), and a little
bit of navane at night. I never thought I'd be taking
so many drugs. I used to be fine with just the 20
mg's of prozac, but then in the past 2 years my moods
started cycling really bad and I started having major
anxiety as well (hence the neurotin).
Anyway, sorry to ramble..I guess my main questions were
do you feel you get an AD sort of effect from the
lithium, and how major was the weight gain? How do
you feel on it in general? What's it like having to
get blood levels checked?
Posted by katrina on October 24, 2001, at 12:50:24
In reply to Re: Who out there is on Lithium? AKC, posted by Roo on October 24, 2001, at 10:51:57
> I am on 900mgs of eskalith cr. it works well enough that I was able to go off celexa with no return of the depression part. I have no side effects really. My mood is stable for the 1st time in my life!!!
Posted by susan C on October 24, 2001, at 18:39:41
In reply to Re: Who out there is on Lithium? AKC, posted by katrina on October 24, 2001, at 12:50:24
hi, all,
we have so much in common...slight variations on the same themei am so glad that things are easier for you akc, medically. I know you are very busy, just waving hello...
I had never heard the term 'soft' bipolar two before...I wonder if that is bipolar three? I am getting myself confused there.
I took Lithium when first dx clinical depression. in the late 80's it helped a little..but my stomach got upset, so I went off of it...I am now on Depakote and am wondering what direction I will go next...add neurontin, add lithium. I am surpised your doc has you on prozac, I thought it was common practice to be very cautious with SSRIs and bipolar patients...?
If you have no problems with blood tests, the monitoring blood tests are no bother, they just take a vial. To monitor liver function. I have been taking them regularly for Depakote levels, more for educational purposes, as some peole need up to 125 for effectiveness with mood. I am at 50-60 and found no change in mood at higher doses.
I have decided, as many have here, that if something is going to work, it will within a month at the most...no more putting up with things...yours, sincerely,
Immpaaatttient mouse
susan C> > I am on 900mgs of eskalith cr. it works well enough that I was able to go off celexa with no return of the depression part. I have no side effects really. My mood is stable for the 1st time in my life!!!
Posted by akc on October 24, 2001, at 20:18:25
In reply to Re: Who out there is on Lithium? AKC, posted by Roo on October 24, 2001, at 10:51:57
> Anyway, sorry to ramble..No need to apologize ... I ramble often!
> do you feel you get an AD sort of effect from the lithium?
Definitely this go around. I have been thrown on so many meds over the past couple of years, and sometimes more than one change at a time, that I have not always known what is what. But my last depressed episode came on the heels of going off lithium. My pdoc was out of town, and I made some adjustments to some other meds we had changed (the topomax and effexor). When she got back, we decided to then add back in the lithium -- it really was then that I got the major AD effect. I will say that the success could be the lithium in combination with my other meds. Plus, as I pointed out in my earlier post, I believe that adding the topomax to my regimen has added to my stability.
> and how major was the weight gain?
I had lost about 15 pounds before I started on lithium -- I have gained that back, and struggle with a couple of more pounds. And that is over the past year and month or two. But I don't exercise regularly, and I don't have great eating habits. So I believe that my weight issues can be addressed. This is nothing like the weight problems I had (the 60 pounds I gained) with zyprexa (scream!).
>How do you feel on it in general?
Right now, I am feeling better than I have in a long time. I am having one of the longest periods of stability that I have ever had. I am not high in any definition. My mom is very ill -- and I am able to experience all the emotions that go with that. And be bummed about work, etc. My point is that I think I am experiencing life on life's terms. For a couple of months I have been able for the most part to go through things without things sending me into a spiral (I struggled for a few days with the Sept. 11th stuff, but even that I came out of much sooner than I ever would have in the past). I still worry a lot, but overall, life is pretty good for me.
>What's it like having to get blood levels checked?
I'm not too bothered with having blood drawn or anything. I have been on lithium long enough, that I don't have to go to often anymore. Once every couple of months. At first, my pdoc had me go every couple of weeks -- it will depend on how your doses increased. But as pointed out in other posts, not much blood is drawn. The big thing is remembering not to take your lithium when you get up the morning you are going to have it drawn. You can eat, take your other meds, etc. But I have twice taken my lithium even though I consciously was thinking about having my blood drawn! It's no big deal -- you just have to go back the next day. But I always feel stupid when I sit down and they ask when my last dose was -- right at the moment I do my Homer Simpson impression "Doh" -- you'll understand when you go throught the process. And to think -- I made really good grades in school. :-)
I hope this information helps. And look -- I do ramble!
akc
Posted by Mitch on October 25, 2001, at 0:27:01
In reply to Re: Who out there is on Lithium? AKC, posted by Roo on October 24, 2001, at 10:51:57
> Hi AKC,
>
> Thanks for responding. I remember you from Psycho
> social babble! I think, if I recall correctly, we
> are both from Kansas. (Not very often I meet other
> people from Kansas.
> Anyway, so you feel you also receive an AD effect
> from lithium? It helps you from going down into
> the depths? I am a soft bipolar 2, and also tend
> towards more of the depression side. I am trying
> lamictal now and really feel it's AD effects, but
> last time I tried it, I got the rash, so I'm just
> thinking about "Plan B"'s. Did you gain a lot of weight
> on lithium, or just a little bit? (That's definitely
> a concern of mine. I've already gained 15 pounds
> in one year b/c of my p-doc adding mood stabilizers
> to my regimen. I'd always thought I was just depressed,
> but my p-doc thinks my moods cycle and that I'm either
> cyclothymic or bp 2. I don't know. Right now I
> take prozac (20 mg's), neurotin (1200 mgs) lamictal
> (just starting so the dose is low 40 mg's), and a little
> bit of navane at night. I never thought I'd be taking
> so many drugs. I used to be fine with just the 20
> mg's of prozac, but then in the past 2 years my moods
> started cycling really bad and I started having major
> anxiety as well (hence the neurotin).
> Anyway, sorry to ramble..I guess my main questions were
> do you feel you get an AD sort of effect from the
> lithium, and how major was the weight gain? How do
> you feel on it in general? What's it like having to
> get blood levels checked?Roo,
My birthplace was Wichita (Wesley Medical Center)! They are doing a lot of clinical testing out there right now with Pregabalin for Chronic Pain Syndromes and for monotherapy for generalized (grand mal) seizures. I wouldn't mind a bit trying out Pregabalin, since I am already taking Neurontin.
Mitch
Posted by Roo on October 25, 2001, at 11:45:51
In reply to Re: Who out there is on Lithium? » Roo, posted by akc on October 24, 2001, at 20:18:25
>
> > Anyway, sorry to ramble..
>
> No need to apologize ... I ramble often!
>
> > do you feel you get an AD sort of effect from the lithium?
>
> Definitely this go around. I have been thrown on so many meds over the past couple of years, and sometimes more than one change at a time, that I have not always known what is what. But my last depressed episode came on the heels of going off lithium. My pdoc was out of town, and I made some adjustments to some other meds we had changed (the topomax and effexor). When she got back, we decided to then add back in the lithium -- it really was then that I got the major AD effect. I will say that the success could be the lithium in combination with my other meds. Plus, as I pointed out in my earlier post, I believe that adding the topomax to my regimen has added to my stability.
>
> > and how major was the weight gain?
>
> I had lost about 15 pounds before I started on lithium -- I have gained that back, and struggle with a couple of more pounds. And that is over the past year and month or two. But I don't exercise regularly, and I don't have great eating habits. So I believe that my weight issues can be addressed. This is nothing like the weight problems I had (the 60 pounds I gained) with zyprexa (scream!).
>
> >How do you feel on it in general?
>
> Right now, I am feeling better than I have in a long time. I am having one of the longest periods of stability that I have ever had. I am not high in any definition. My mom is very ill -- and I am able to experience all the emotions that go with that. And be bummed about work, etc. My point is that I think I am experiencing life on life's terms. For a couple of months I have been able for the most part to go through things without things sending me into a spiral (I struggled for a few days with the Sept. 11th stuff, but even that I came out of much sooner than I ever would have in the past). I still worry a lot, but overall, life is pretty good for me.
>
> >What's it like having to get blood levels checked?
>
> I'm not too bothered with having blood drawn or anything. I have been on lithium long enough, that I don't have to go to often anymore. Once every couple of months. At first, my pdoc had me go every couple of weeks -- it will depend on how your doses increased. But as pointed out in other posts, not much blood is drawn. The big thing is remembering not to take your lithium when you get up the morning you are going to have it drawn. You can eat, take your other meds, etc. But I have twice taken my lithium even though I consciously was thinking about having my blood drawn! It's no big deal -- you just have to go back the next day. But I always feel stupid when I sit down and they ask when my last dose was -- right at the moment I do my Homer Simpson impression "Doh" -- you'll understand when you go throught the process. And to think -- I made really good grades in school. :-)
>
> I hope this information helps. And look -- I do ramble!
>
> akc
Posted by Roo on October 25, 2001, at 11:46:58
In reply to Re: Who out there is on Lithium? AKC » Roo, posted by Mitch on October 25, 2001, at 0:27:01
Mitch--Ever hear of a little town called Ft. Scott?
That's where I'm from.
This is the end of the thread.
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