Posted by Karen_kay on January 4, 2004, at 19:59:34
In reply to Re: I got the rash - Lithium or Lamictal? » Karen_kay, posted by katia on January 4, 2004, at 1:12:27
Lithium doesn't cause the potentially fatal rash that Lamictal does. I can't remember what the particular name of the rash is called (Johnson something). How much Lithium are you taking? And when is the last time you had a blood test? Did he send you in to get your blood drawn? What other symptoms are you having now? I've just been doing a bit of reading and a rash from Lithium could also be a sign of possible Lithium toxicity. Now, you'd know if the levels of Lithium in your system were toxic... Trust me!!! When I took it I was paranoid! To the point that once, over the span of a week, I had my blood drawn every single day. And that gets expensive. But the signs are as follows:
Fine hand tremor, polyuria, and mild thirst may occur during initial therapy for the acute manic phase, and may persist throughout treatment. Transient and mild nausea and general discomfort may also appear during the first few days of lithium administration.
These side effects usually subside with continued treatment or a temporary reduction or cessation of dosage. If persistent, cessation of lithium therapy may be required.
Diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscular weakness, and lack of coordination may be early signs of lithium intoxication, and can occur at lithium levels below 2.0 mEq./l. At higher levels, ataxia, giddiness, tinnitus, blurred vision, and a large output of dilute urine may be seen. Serum lithium levels above 3.0 mEq./l may produce a complex clinical picture, involving multiple organs and organ systems. Serum lithium levels should not be permitted to exceed 2.0 mEq./l during the acute treatment phase.
The following reactions have been reported and appear to be related to serum lithium levels, including levels within the therapeutic range:
Neuromuscular/Central Nervous System: tremor, muscle hyperirritability (fasciculations, twitching, clonic movements of whole limbs), hypertonicity, ataxia, choreo-athetotic movements, hyperactive deep tendon reflex, extrapyramidal symptoms including acute dystonia, cogwheel rigidity, blackout spells, epileptiform seizures, slurred speech, dizziness, vertigo, downbeat nystagmus, incontinence of urine or feces, somnolence, psychomotor retardation, restlessness, confusion, stupor, coma, tongue movements, tics, tinnitus, hallucinations, poor memory, slowed intellectual functioning, startled response, worsening of organic brain syndromes
Cardiovascular: cardiac arrhythmia, hypotension, peripheral circulatory collapse, bradycardia, sinus node dysfunction with severe bradycardia (which may result in syncope)
Gastrointestinal: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastritis, salivary gland swelling, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, flatulence, indigestion
Genitourinary: glycosuria, decreased creatinine clearance, albuminuria, oliguria, and symptoms of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus including polyuria, thirst, and polydipsia
Dermatologic: drying and thinning of hair, alopecia, anesthesia of skin, acne, chronic folliculitis, xerosis cutis, psoriasis or its exacerbation, generalized pruritus with of without rash, cutaneous ulcers, angioedema
Autonomic: blurred vision, dry mouth, impotence/sexual dysfunction
Miscellaneous: fatigue, lethargy, transient scotomata, dehydration, weight loss, leukocytosis, headache, transient hyperglycemia, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, excessive weight gain, edematous swelling of ankles or wrists, metallic taste, dysgeusia/ taste distortion, salty taste, thirst, swollen lips, tightness in chest, swollen and/or painful joints, fever, polyarthralgia, dental caries.
I suffered from hallucinations, walking into walls, stupor, fatigue, poor coordination and upset stomach (to the point that I couldn't eat or drink). But, even when I had countell blood draws, my Lithium level wasn't high. I believe the therapuetic range is at about 1.0, but don't quote me on that. And I too suffered from derealization as well.
Don't let this freak you out! It's just stuff you have to know about and be aware of. Here's a link to the site where I found this info..
http://www.healthyplace.com/medications/lithium.htm
Take care hun. And call your Pdoc!
Karen
poster:Karen_kay
thread:287670
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031231/msgs/296479.html