Posted by Solstice on February 18, 2012, at 23:27:20
In reply to Re: Desperate, posted by papillon2 on February 18, 2012, at 23:13:52
> Her Lithium dose (90mg) is tiny, much less than the amounts even prescribed to augment anti-depressants in unipolar depression.
I'll have to look at it again - she's actually on 900 mg (not 90). The shaky hands thing didn't show up until she started the 600 mg - and once she got to 900, that's when it got noticeably problematic for her.
> Lithium is the gold standard for bipolar and is very good for mania.That's what I've always heard.. I don't know why lithium seems scary to me.
> It just sounds like a lot of meds were added at the same time, which would be confusing for anyone in deducing which side effects come from each med.
Yeah.. it is a lot. They were done successively, but in pretty close proximity, so it really would be hard to be sure. My daughter's the one who believes it's the lithium.. and I kind of have to trust her instincts about it since she's the one experiencing the effects of the medications as they've been added and increased.
> I think the side effects of Lithium are greatly overplayed. It is prescribed in much lower doses than it used to be and kidney and thyroid functioning are carefully monitored.Well.. I have to say that it's good to hear from someone who feels that way! I have kind of wondered about the thyroid thing. There are big thyroid issues on both sides of her family. Her thyroid hasn't been checked yet, but I'm wondering if we shouldn't do that, because it's certainly possible that her symptoms might be an indication that she has a poorly functioning thyroid. My own mother has been on thyroid medications since she was in her early 20's, so it's not out-of-the-question that my daughter could have an early-onset thyroid issue that's playing a role. If so, that would certainly explain why the Geodon 'failed,' and why the Latuda and lithium have seemed ineffective.
I really appreciate your input, papillon
Solstice
poster:Solstice
thread:1010739
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120212/msgs/1010765.html