Posted by SLS on March 20, 2005, at 7:49:56
In reply to Lithium and gastrointestinal problems !, posted by ben on March 20, 2005, at 2:25:16
Hi.
> I was trying lithium carbonate and acetate but both made me allways nauseous. Then my pdoc gave me lithium aspartate and it worked without any big problems. After more than two years taking abou 20 mmol at night I have severe constipation bloating (gaz) and sometimes abdominal cramps. Can that be the lithium ? I am taking 300 mg of Efexor and 1200 mg of Neurontin too (per day). Lowering the dose of Effexor and Neurontin didnt work. Tried bulking agents, magnesium, zelnorm, bisacodyl etc. What about an other lithium form - like sulfate and slow release ? My TSH and other important factors in the blood are okay.
Sounds pretty weird that this side effect should occur so latently. I guess anything is possible, considering the latency involved with thyroid toxicity. I guess one of the common sense questions would be how long after you began taking Effexor did this problem start?
Eskalith is an extended-release form of lithium, but it is the carbonate form. It is very expensive. If money isn't an issue, you could at least give it a try. It should prevent the nausea. Maybe the rest of the GI stuff would resolve as well.
Good luck.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:473090
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050317/msgs/473107.html