Posted by Cam W. on March 27, 2000, at 7:08:07
In reply to Re: Tapering off Lithium - Longish, posted by Scott L. Schofield on March 26, 2000, at 19:58:07
Scott - I have seen many people who have not responded to lithium after several discontinuations, but also some who have after a few discontinuations. There seems to be a trend (conjecture only) in which people who have had more than 10 (approx.) manic episodes do not respond as well to lithium upon re-introduction. This could be due to induction of rapid cycling (antidepressant-induced or naturally-induced), as those with rapid cycling do not respond as well to lithium's effects. People who have stopped lithium on only a couple of occasions, and have had only a few manic episodes in their life, seem to respond as well the second and third time that lithium is introduced. I have seen the lithium work upon re-introduction, especially in those who have recently had their first break at a later age (eg mid-twenties) and who were still in denial of the disorder. I have no proof of this, it is just something a doc and I have mused about over coffee a couple of times. For what it's worth - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:28042
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000321/msgs/28222.html