Posted by Mitch on January 11, 2002, at 22:26:50
In reply to Re: Eskilith CR/Lithobid, etc. » Mitch, posted by Chloe on January 11, 2002, at 16:09:22
> Mitch,
> Ok, now you have done it, fueled my obsession!!:)
>
> Eskilith CR vs Lithobid:
> The Eskilith CR is the hard yellowish tablet (450 mgs) that is scored. From what I have read about it, it's just very densely pressed Li and just breaks up slower on it's way out, so to speak.
>
> The lithobid (300 mgs), (which I prefer, since I don't seem to have the yucky side effects of increased sweating, nausea...) is the pink enteric coated tablet that isn't even digested in the stomach. This one I know I can't cut up. And you might be right about the dye causing some skin problems...I am so sensitive. I can't even use any creams or soaps with perfume, so a little dye might really be a culprit!
>
> Anyway, So I think it's safe to cut a scored 450 Eskilith CR in half without messing with the potency or absorbtion, do you?...I did NOT know that you could dissolve the reg lithium in juice. Why don't pdocs tell me these things? I am glad you are there to mention it!...
>
> However, I really do prefer the CR. I seem to have problems with reg. lithium and my blood sugar. I seem to get a surge of ?energy, jazziness?, and feel shaky. Then about 4 hours later, I have an energy, mood and BS crash. If I don't eat right away, I really lose it! That happened yesterday about 4 pm. Have you heard of the BS thing? I think I remember this from years ago, and that was one of the reason I didn't want to retry it...But I am glad I did. Li works very quickly for me. And there was some urgency as my therapist is headed out of town this week. I have been extremely needed related to my rapid cycling. I am so hoping that this small amount of li and the TCA will smooth things out so I can get through a day or two without a crisis...
>Oh, yes I have *done* so many different types of lithium it is ridiculous. Oh, except lithium *citrate*, have you done that one? I haven't tried it yet. It is supposed to be easier on your GI tract. I had a pdoc ask me about it once. Never went there, never done it.
I have done the Eskalith immediate release tablets (300mg), the slow-release 450mgCR tabs you are talking about, and the Eskalith 300mg immediate release capsules, and the 300mg Lithobid "pinkie" slow-release tablets that include some sodium, whew!Excuse me-I thought you had immediate release lithium available (obviously you didn't). That's why I brought up the OJ thing. If you crush up any of the stuff you do have, obviously it becomes immediate release, sorry. The Eskalith IR "pinkie" capsules are perfect for the OJ thing. Just open up a two or three and mix with xxxML of juice and drink xxxML per day, etc. That was what was in my mind's eye when I replied last. Hey, I just thought of something. You *could* do this OJ thing with pinkie IR Eskalith caps. You probably can choose to fill your RX generic as you like, right? You might try that.. NO dyes in there.
Oh, you *really* need to take your lithium with lunch or breakfast or something. That way it doesn't blast into your bloodstream so rapidly. If you can divide it into two doses per day, taking one with lunch and the other with a big snack a couple of hours before bedtime would work the best, IMO.
> Question? Why not retry the Amitriptline if it was really stabilizing for you? I think you said you are on Nortriptyline. How does that compare to Ami for you? My pdoc suggested that one as well. BUT I was on Ami in the eighties and liked the calming sedative effect. I recall that Nort. is more activating???
>
> Thanks
> Chloe
I don't think that *now* I would like the sedative properties of the amitrip. -because of the involving stressful detaily job I have now. I did sort of rethink about it today some. Notrip. is much easier for me to tolerate. It also works in combo with SSRi's a lot better. It's the only TCA that I didn't get blurred vision and dizziness on. Yes, it is more activating. But, not in an anxious way like you might think. Nortrip. is a good med for panic disorder, too. I found it works best in combo with a pinch of Zoloft or Celexa.Mitch
poster:Mitch
thread:88843
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020110/msgs/89795.html