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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kate on April 13, 2000, at 9:20:22
hi all,
i just started on lithium yesterday (began at 225 mgs and am working up to 450 twice a day.) in combination with the 75 mgs of effexor xr i have been taking for a while now. i have heard that there are possible weight gain side effects with this medicine. i have problems with an eating disorder and really hate to gain weight. i was wondering if anyone had any good or bad news about the drug. i have also heard very little that is is positive about the drug except that it is a strong medicine. does anyone have any encouraging words?kate
Posted by Janice on April 13, 2000, at 21:15:22
In reply to need info on lithium, posted by kate on April 13, 2000, at 9:20:22
•The good thing about lithium is that it works for alot of people.
•The bad thing about lithium is that when it works, it seems to work so well, I (probably other manic depressive too) start believing I'm not manic depressive and have thoughts about going off the lithium.
•The dangerous thing about lithium is that its therapeutic range is quite close to toxicity levels. But at the level you'll be on, I don't think you'll have to worry about this.
•Another potentially bad thing about lithium is the weight gain. I've been on it for 5 years or so, and have gained NO weight until the past 3 weeks. 3 weeks ago I increased my dosage to 1200mg, and I have gained 10 lbs. I had/have an eating disorder too, and this is making me very nervous--sick almost! I believe I'm gaining weight because I am eating more. Another reason people gain weight on lithium is due to the lithium's affect on their thyroid.
Lithium is a salt found in nature. I cannot understand why people react to lithium the way they do. It's no big deal. I'm pretty certain I'd be dead by now if it weren't for lithium. It also has a pretty good anti-depressant effect!
kate, please ask me if you have any other questions. Janice
Posted by BinaryWoman on April 14, 2000, at 10:30:27
In reply to Re: need info on lithium, posted by Janice on April 13, 2000, at 21:15:22
My teenage son started lithium 2 weeks ago. When he went on it, his sleep cycle was thrown off by mania. He got off Zyprexa and the pdoc wanted him to wait a few days before putting him on lamictal. By then he was pretty manic, but after 3 days on lamictal waiting for the "rash" his nerves were frayed and he got a rash. Waited 4 days before starting lithium first at 300mg 2xday, now on 300mg 3xday. Now he still can't get to sleep at nite so he's dead tired in the morning and can't get going. I am aware that sleeping thru school hours is attractive for a teenager. Anybody have any ideas?!!
Posted by Abby on April 14, 2000, at 22:47:24
In reply to Re: need info on lithium, posted by Janice on April 13, 2000, at 21:15:22
Janice how did you manage to type in a bullet point? I can do this on my word processor, but I don't know how to type one in manually. What's your trick? Abby
Posted by Janice on April 15, 2000, at 15:30:53
In reply to Re: janice, a question about your post, posted by Abby on April 14, 2000, at 22:47:24
I can also do all this. it's easy…I hold down the option key and press the keys.(•is the 8 key).
I'm on a Mac, so I'm uncertain which key you would hold down on an PC. Janice
Posted by Çåµ *. on April 15, 2000, at 16:27:25
In reply to åß?ƒƒ©??¬????˜µ÷=÷¨ª•ª!=ª•ºªº!=™£¢?§ß, posted by Janice on April 15, 2000, at 15:30:53
> I can also do all this. it's easy…I hold down the option key and press the keys.(•is the 8 key).
>
> I'm on a Mac, so I'm uncertain which key you would hold down on an PC. JaniceJanice - Too, too cool. My postings are going to be incredibly inventive (sometimes) - Thanks - Cam W.
Posted by Jera on April 17, 2000, at 23:54:20
In reply to Re: åß?ƒƒ©??¬????˜µ÷=÷¨ª•ª!=-Janice, posted by Çåµ *. on April 15, 2000, at 16:27:25
I have been taking lithium for over 10 years, and have experienced none of the usual side effects associated with lithium use. I take 900mg a day, and have taken as low as 600mg a day and as high as 1200mg a day. I have experienced no weight gain, no acne, and no hair loss. Occasionally, usually during the summer, and only if I have not had enough water to drink, I may feel a bit "twitchy." Those on lithium must drink ample amounts of water to flush it from the system. Aside from the occasional bout of diarhhea, lithium has truly been a wonder med.
In response to Binary Woman, I would really question what this doctor is doing to your son with all of the med changes, and what kind of expectations he is giving you. It takes weeks, not days, for the effects of lithium to kick in and stabilize the nervous system. If your son is already in a full-blown mania, lithium is not going to do much to bring him down. Be patient. Lithium, by definition, is an anti-manic. Once his blood levels are adjusted, lithium should do a pretty good job of keeping him even.
And always remember that NO med is a cure, as much as we may sometimes want to believe it. Meds are just tools, they treat the symptoms. The real injury is to our core, and if we do the work to find out what our issues are, we all come closer to true healing. I like to quote Sarah McLachlan - "We are born innocent...we are still innocent." Believe that with all your soul. Be who you want to be, and be who you are, no matter how much the two may conflict. Love yourself. You are on a unique path that you have chosen and continue to choose to walk. Wouldn't it be great to just eventually BE, with a peaceful calm and love in our souls? Wish me luck, and I will bid you Godspeed.
Posted by kate on April 18, 2000, at 12:12:10
In reply to No lithium problems, posted by Jera on April 17, 2000, at 23:54:20
well i have been on the lithium for about a week or so now. and i am amazed. although, my hands are a little twitchy, i have a minimum amount of side effects and i am feeling more stable than i have in years. i didn't think it was going to take effect this fast but i am glad that it has. i have needed this for a long time. it feels good to be able to say that i am doing okay for once. i hope it lasts. good luck to the rest of you as well. bye for now.
peace
kate
Posted by BinaryWoman on April 19, 2000, at 9:42:50
In reply to No lithium problems, posted by Jera on April 17, 2000, at 23:54:20
> In response to Binary Woman, I would really question what this doctor is doing to your son with all of the med changes, and what kind of expectations he is giving you.
Jera, These changes have been made over the course of 2 years. My son is hard to medicate and the other meds didn't work for him. The pdoc wanted to start with lithium but my son has been in Spec Ed since Kindergarten and he had a close friend that was put on lithium at an early age and gained a ton of weight. He has finally consented to try lithium because we're running out of options. The doctor has told me it takes time to work.
Now this may be a stupid question, does it make sense to wake him in the morning to give him his lithium to keep on "schedule"? or do you take it when you get up and then space it from there? I would normally ask his pdoc but he's away for the holidays. I see my pdoc tomorrow and I'll ask her. Sometimes it makes more sense to me to ask someone who actually takes the meds.
BTW, I agree with you as meds as a tool. He had a complicated relationship with his late father who died 2 yrs ago. We separated in 1986 when he started taking crack but continued contact and visitation. He was a very charming and charismatic heroin addict. He was very attentive to our son but unpredictable and erratic. I think our son always hoped that his dad would kick his addiction. That hope died 2 years ago. We still see his dad's parents and 3 brothers, cousins, etc. and will spend the holiday with them next week. I don't want him to lose that link. I think it's good for him. They love him unconditionally.
Love,
BinaryWoman
This is the end of the thread.
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