Posted by Mufasa on February 26, 2008, at 5:07:21
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by linkadge on September 12, 2003, at 9:05:54
I'm Bipolar 1 and on currently 1200mg's of Lithium. I was originally on 900mg's. I got a blood test about a month and a half ago and it read 0.6. I was very sick with the flu/sinus infection and slept frequently. I didn't take my medication because I had forgotten, was too ill, and delirious with my fever. So not really comprehending this I had the blood test.
My doctor then moved me to 1200mg's. I got the most bizarre affects. Typically the tremors, the nausea.....then I got very irritating ear ringing, my heart would pound and just sitting there I would feel like I'd been running, twitching, biting my tongue, stupor..just wandering my kitchen looking for a pair of slippers, repeating words over and over such as "no thank you"..I'd say it again and again like my mind was lapsing and I couldn't stop it - dizziness, upper ribs hurting and under arms as if they were sore or bruised, even broken? - no hunger, great fatigue, anxiety, anger and aggression, suicidal thoughts and thoughts of hurting others in a very violent way, clawing at my flesh, raging and damaging things in my home in a blind frenzy....now all along this past month and a half I told my doctor of these things. I think there was a lack of proper communication from my end because he didn't seem to be too concerned.
He really delayed in sending me the paperwork for another blood test. About 4 nights ago I went into panic, paranoia, hearing things somewhat and seeing flickering lights and shadows that weren't there. I went down the steps and my ears buzzed very loud and I was practically suffocating, my lungs wouldn't give me enough air. I assumed this was panic, but the problem as I wasn't having the typical anxiety. It was great inner agitation from actual physical effects. I passed out. When I came to I drank a lot of water and called my doctor immediately. I left a rather distressed voicemail, nearly in tears. He didn't call for another 12 hours. When he did my LBL was at a 1.7. So he yanked the chain and took me off Lithium for the time being until I was stable, and then put me on 900mg's.
I'm on Lamictal too at 200mg's, never gave me a problem. That's all I'm on right now.
I was really happy, thank God you know? He took me off the sadist pill! Well every time I get comfortable with the situation of these pills it gets worse.
I suffer major vertigo when -on- Lithium, to the point of bed rest, vomiting, and it yanks me out of my sleep and I'll stumble like I'm having a seizure until it passes. I'm off it now and I have mild vertigo, but great confusion. My mind can think a thought very well, but talking, coordination, comprehending is so difficult. I feel mentally damaged. Much anxiety, shaking, paranoia and severe sorrow...I will cry any time for no reason. Hyper sensitivity, irritability, can't deal at all with distraction or noise, violent hunger that cannot be satisfied, I blurt out words, still busting up the stuff in the house, seeing those weird shadows and even images.
As it were, cold turkey and Lithium? Not good bed fellows.
poster:Mufasa
thread:259235
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080221/msgs/814747.html