Posted by Chloe on January 28, 2002, at 20:15:17
In reply to Re: The Uniqueness of Lithium? » Chloe, posted by bob on January 28, 2002, at 19:38:32
> I think the literature was saying that the side-effects become more pronounced when an individual is not in a manic phase of an illness. Whether that holds any water or not, I don't know, as I've never been on it for an extended period of time.I think many true Bipolars, BP1, tend to not want to stay on lithium after the acute manic phase is over. The theory being that the manic person dislikes the "dulling" effect of lithium and feel that they have lost all creativity or ability to feel things in the intense ways they have grown accustome to living with bipolar illness. At least that is my sense of it...My cousin reports this.
> I have trouble raving about a drug that people eventually cannot tolerate, no matter how good the mental benefits. In my view, a truly successful treatment would be well tolerated - not barely tolerated, as so many psychotropics are. That doesn't mean that a particular drug is an utter failure, just that it is a therapeutic contradiction.
> Trying Lithium is a thought I mull over every now and again. I always see evidence of intolerability though. What stopped you?After a few months on lithium I get a burning sensation on my scalp that just continues to escalate. It becomes so painful that is all I can focus on...All rashes and psoriasis have been ruled out. It is a neuropathic pain I developed, I think from the drying effects of lithium (it is a salt...). I restarted it just recently with a TCAntidepressant to help with the neuropathic pain. But I was unable to get to a therapuetic dose without pain...So it was not effective in stabilizing my mood.
This adverse effect I had with Li, is almost unheard of. I think it's just my bad luck. I would encourage anyone with a mood disorder to give Li EXTENDED RELEASE FORMULA (ie lithobid, eskalith CR. Regular release is very difficult to tolerate imho) a try. I found the typical side effects of ER very benign. No gi upset. No hand tremor. No weight gain. The only side effects was slight polyuria. And the AD and mood stabilizaation effects were profound. I am very sad to loose this med. But the scalp issues persist even without the lithium now.
> Depakote was very tiring (extreme drowsiness), as well as giving me weight gain, and hair loss. For the 1.5 years I was on it, I don't think I ever got excited about anything. It flattened me big time.You have completely summed up my experience of Depakote, except it doesn't make me tired. I really am not a fan of this med. And dread all the impeding problems with side effects (esp. hair loss and weight gain) ahead. But for the moment it's a hell of a lot better than agitated mixed states and cycling. I am hoping a low dose of 250 mgs with my neurontin will put a stop to my cycling. One can only hope.
I would really consider lithium. It is useful for the things you mentioned above in your post about cycling and irritability...
Keep us posted
Chloe
poster:Chloe
thread:91836
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020124/msgs/91933.html