Posted by ds on November 16, 2003, at 13:17:26
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects?? » amuse, posted by sarita0001 on November 15, 2003, at 8:40:53
Hi.
First, let me apologize for the long post...I do not have BP, but I do have a neurotransmitter disorder and, as such, I've taken all these medications and am now on Lithium. I just recently started Lithium, and besides constantly having to use the bathroom, the side effects have been minimal, and I'm already up to 900mg a day. Nausea has been my main issue. For this I have found homemade ginger tea to be a very big help.
I cannot say the same for many of the other drugs they throw at us in terms of side effects. I did get the beginnings of the Lamictal rash, and it was not fun. I was on Neurontin for quite a while, but I could not make it to a fully therapeutic dose due to side effects - exhaustion and increased pain (my main problem is debilitating headaches - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 5 years now). Depakote and Topamax made living a normal life impossible. With Depakote I was very tired and had a hard time concentrating and reading. With Topamax, I'd sit down to read and three hours later realized I had just be zoning and hadn't turned a page. I was non-functional. Also, all three of these caused severe weight gain.
I am hopeful with Lithium, but I go for my first battery of tests tomorrow to assure there are no kidney, liver, or thyroid issues starting.
For people who are having issues with energy, concentration, and weight gain, my doctor and I have found what we considered an unusual course of action - the Zone diet. I know that sounds odd, but I lost 50 pounds (all of which I gained from medications), and I have increased energy and concentration. I do the diet along with 400mg of Riboflavin and 300mg of Co-enzyme Q10 and 3,000mg of omega fish oils a day. I can't tell you how much it has helped. Plus, it only has positive side effects, and that's never a bad thing.
Well, thanks for all the information you have provided - I'm just trying to be smart about learning the potential side effects of Lithium. I did hope I could help a little. I look forward to learning more. And, I have been on just about every drug in this class, so if people have questions about side effects, I’d be happy to let you know my experience. I seem to always get the worse side effects the drugs offer!
-ds
poster:ds
thread:49891
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031116/msgs/280293.html