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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:41:35
For a few days, I was using my brother's computer and for some reason, I was blocked from posting here. It was very disconcerting. I have posted from that computer before, so I don't know what was different this time. Today, I am back at the public library (hooray for public libraries!!!!), and am so glad to be able to jump in to babbleland again.
Posted by kate on April 20, 2000, at 13:52:03
In reply to I'm back from exile, posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:41:35
hi noa!
glad you are back. i noticed that you said you take lithium. i started on it a couple of weeks ago. it seems to be doing its job pretty well. what has your experience been on the drug? the only side effect i have been experiencing so far is being really shaky. how about you?kate
Posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 14:21:10
In reply to Re: I'm back from exile, posted by kate on April 20, 2000, at 13:52:03
Hi, Kate,
I actually stopped taking the lithium very recently. I started in mid December, and after a week or two, did begin to notice gradual improvement in my mood until mid February, when I started to feel worse, with lots of fatigue, total lack of strength and energy, and worsening depression. It turns out the lithum was making my hypothryoid worse. At first, we tried just increasing my thyroid meds, and even increased the lithium, because my level reading was low. But I just had a long month of struggling with the lack of energy and feeling totally demoralized. During that time, I accomplished very little at work. So, I decided I did not want to continue the lithium, because of the thryoid problems and because of the side effects I experienced. The main problem was having to urinate all the time, I mean ALL THE TIME. I also think that either the lithium or the effexor, or the combination of both, also caused me to have other urinary problems, the main one being incontinence. The urge to go came on really suddenly with no warning and no time to spare, because I would also have difficulty holding it in. Needless to say, this started to be quite upsetting. Since being off the lithium, after a few days I noticed having to go less frequently, and tho I occasionally still have the urgency and difficulty holding it in, this is happening much less frequently, both overall, and in relation to how often I currently need to go. Along with the frequency effect, I was also incredibly thirsty all the time. I would drink at least one gallon of water a day. Often more. And I craved juicy drinks. I just cleaned out my car and threw about 100 glass bottles from all kinds of juice drinks, into the recycling bin. Drinking water and juice and iced tea and cocacola became a passion while I was on lithium. I would have fantasies about what I would buy to drink, while being fairly detached about what I ate. I was obsessed with it. I drank things I never look twice at before--coke, gatorade, etc. I couldn't get enough. The drinking thing wouldn't have bothered me much by itself. The urinary thing did, obviously. And the thryoid thing made my mind up.
I hope you have better luck. A lot of people do.
Posted by Janice on April 20, 2000, at 15:42:16
In reply to Re: I'm back from exile, posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 14:21:10
There was a tread in the last session where Dr. Bob believed he was accidentally blocking people from posting ( I think). I'm not sure how thoroughly I read the thread. This may have had something to do with your exile.
Good to know you're okay, Janice
ps. I've gained 10 lbs. in about 1 month on this addition of 600mg of lithium--and that's with running 3 or more hours a week. Eeeeek! I am eating like crazy.
Posted by harry b. on April 20, 2000, at 16:43:08
In reply to I'm back from exile, posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:41:35
Noa, WB.
You asked about my meds. Celexa 40mg/day. Lithium
600mg/day. Klonopin 3mg/day.The Celexa seems to do nothing except leave a bad
taste in my mouth, gives me some nausea, and gives
me small muscle twitches.The Lithium seems to have no effect at all.
I've been using the Klonopin for 5yrs for sleep
and anxiety.Take Care
Posted by kellyR. on April 20, 2000, at 16:00:05
In reply to I'm back from exile, posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:41:35
> For a few days, I was using my brother's computer and for some reason, I was blocked from posting here. It was very disconcerting. I have posted from that computer before, so I don't know what was different this time. Today, I am back at the public library (hooray for public libraries!!!!), and am so glad to be able to jump in to babbleland again.
Thank god for the library,miss seeing you on the board.do you know when you'll get back on-line at home again? Who are things going now that your off the lithium? are you still feeling down? I wish you well hope to hear from you.
kellyR.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 20, 2000, at 17:37:27
In reply to I'm back from exile, posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:41:35
> For a few days, I was using my brother's computer and for some reason, I was blocked from posting here. It was very disconcerting. I have posted from that computer before, so I don't know what was different this time.
Sorry about that. Janice is right about what happened. I sent you an email, but I guess you didn't get it. Welcome back,
Bob
Posted by bob on April 20, 2000, at 20:36:09
In reply to Re: exile, posted by Dr. Bob on April 20, 2000, at 17:37:27
Good to see you back. Now that you're off the Lithium, how is your mood doing? Sure, the waterworks stuff is important, but inquiring minds want to know!
cheers,
bob[geez, and here I was, all excited coz I just switched to desipramine and I couldn't remember if you were still on nortrip and the little lawyer-written pamphlet I got with my desip says its used for incontinence and can have difficulty with urination as a side effect ... sounded like just the kind of side effect you needed!]
Posted by Cam W. on April 20, 2000, at 23:30:50
In reply to Hey pal!, posted by bob on April 20, 2000, at 20:36:09
Noa - I thought I hacked into the site and stopped you from posting. How did you get back in? ;^)
Just kidding. Good to hear from you again. - Cam W.
Posted by CarolAnn on April 21, 2000, at 8:32:24
In reply to Re: Welcome back Noa!, posted by Cam W. on April 20, 2000, at 23:30:50
Now that you're back, how are you? How's the apartment, mood, meds., ect.?
Also, totally off subject, but did you know there is now a perfume called NOA? It's being advertised all over the place down here. Wish you could post more often(though, I know you don't want to get your home computer back on line). Take Care! CarolAnn
Posted by vesper on April 21, 2000, at 4:32:08
In reply to I'm back from exile, posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:41:35
> For a few days, I was using my brother's computer and for some reason, I was blocked from posting here. It was very disconcerting. I have posted from that computer before, so I don't know what was different this time. Today, I am back at the public library (hooray for public libraries!!!!), and am so glad to be able to jump in to babbleland again.
Noa, you have helped me a great deal and I am grateful. I am glad you are back. I don't often get a chance to come to babbleland recently, so please email me privately once so I can tell you more
emilyraliers@aol.com
love
vesper
Posted by Noa on April 22, 2000, at 14:16:04
In reply to Hey pal!, posted by bob on April 20, 2000, at 20:36:09
Thanks, all for the hearty welcome back.
I am totally off the lithium, yes. And my bladder is happier, much happier. I actually sat through an entire movie last night without having to go to the restroom (while on Li, my average was 3 trips!!)
My mood has been ok, for the most part, but I am on vacation now, so there is very litte stress. I am so relieved not to be dealing with my job, where I have been doing a C-/D+ job at best lately. I have to take action to do something different with my meds, because when I go back on May 1st, I know it will be very hard. I just don't know what to do first, and have been passive about the whole thing.
My apartment is a wreck, worse then ever. But, on a hopeful note, I have done bits and pieces of throwing stuff away, doing laundry, etc. I even did my taxes on time, well not really, but did enough calculation to file an extension form. Now the goal is to pull together all the necessary papers, etc. and go to an accountant to do the more precise figuring. I have a couple of months for that.
One thing that has been good so far this vacation is that I did not set an agenda to catch up on everthing, which has always been my tendency, and then I always end up feeling like a failure because I end up doing little of it. Per my therapist's suggestion, my overall goal these two weeks was to keep myself from feeling worse. It has been good advice.
Posted by bob on April 22, 2000, at 23:01:59
In reply to Re: Hey pal!, posted by Noa on April 22, 2000, at 14:16:04
> One thing that has been good so far this vacation is that I did not set an agenda to catch up on everthing, which has always been my tendency...
[sigh] ... I'm just ending my spring break. I actually had the list of things to do, even though I knew I wouldn't do them -- so I usually wind up, after a few days of being a slug, getting a twisted sense of pleasure from not being one bit responsible during my vacation time.
For me, it's just another perk ;^)
bob
This is the end of the thread.
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