Posted by Taylor123 on June 13, 2003, at 9:27:08
In reply to Lithium Novice, posted by colin wallace on June 12, 2003, at 15:32:34
> HI!
I'VE JUST QUIT MY LITHIUM AGAINST MY DOCTOR'S ADVICE, SO I WON'T GIVE YOU MY OPINION ON LITHIUM AND HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL, BUT I'LL GIVE YOU THE FACTS:
dOSE IS DEPENDANT ON WHAT YOU ARE TREATING. IF YOU ARE USING IT FOR MANIA TREATMENT OR HYPOMANIA, YOU'LL NEED A DOSE GREATER THAN 1000MG PROBABLY.
MY GUESS IS THAT YOU'RE USING IT AS AUGMENTATION WITH YOUR ANTIDEPRESSANT. IN WHICH CASE YOU WILL ONLY NEED A SMALL DOSE; FOR EXAMPLE 400MG.BUT: THE WHOLE THING WITH LITHIUM IS IT IS DEPENDANT ON YOUR BLOOD LEVELS, NOT HOW MANY MG YOU TAKE.
THE THERAPUTIC RANGE IS 0.5-1.2 mmol/L
the 200mg u are taking now, will give a blood well below that range, so effectivly it won't be doing much anyway.there is no absolute in regards to when to get blood tests done. some people will have a high blood lithium level after taking 400mg, and others will have less than 0.5 (and hence be out of theraputic range.)
I reckon that you should get your blood tests done, untill you establish a consistent blood level of around 0.5-0.6 mmol/L (probably taking about 400mg.)
Lithium is a toxic drug, and you shouldn't really take it without seeing how your body metabolises it.
I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT A BIT...
HAVE TO RUN, GOT A MILIION THINGS TO DO...
HAPPY VIBES TO YOU; HOPE ALL IS WELL
TAY
P.S - YOU SHOULD ALSO GET TFTs (THYROID TESTS) DONE.
poster:Taylor123
thread:233456
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030609/msgs/233656.html