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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 BinaryWoman on April 20, 2000, at 13:24:15
How often are you supposed to get blood levels checked after starting lithium?
Posted by kate on April 20, 2000, at 13:35:51
In reply to Lithium Blood Testing, posted by BinaryWoman on April 20, 2000, at 13:24:15
when you first start them, you have to do them once a month. then after that the time span between each test gets longer until you are doing them once every six months.
kate
Posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:38:57
In reply to Lithium Blood Testing, posted by BinaryWoman on April 20, 2000, at 13:24:15
When I started lithium, my doc had me check my blood levels very frequently, about 1 week after each dose plateau. Then, about every three weeks until it was clear there was stability. Then, when I was depressed again, he had it checked again before raising the dose, and again, 1 week after the dose was raised. I also guess the frequency would depend on how close to toxic levels your therapeutic level is. My doc said he tends to keep people at 1.0 or under, and then add a different mood stabilizer, so as to avoid getting close to toxic levels.
Posted by BinaryWoman on April 20, 2000, at 18:21:34
In reply to Re: Lithium Blood Testing, posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:38:57
Thanks for your help. I do appreciate it.
BW
Posted by Janice on April 20, 2000, at 19:50:12
In reply to Re: Lithium Blood Testing, posted by kate on April 20, 2000, at 13:35:51
It's amazing what a little salt in your brain can do. Glad to hear the lithium is working for you.
I just had 3 of the most stable days of my life. Janice
Posted by kate on April 26, 2000, at 17:04:43
In reply to Kate lithium…, posted by Janice on April 20, 2000, at 19:50:12
yay janice! me too! being stable feels great doesn't it? hope it stays that way for both of us?
bye for now.
kate
Posted by kate on April 26, 2000, at 21:46:52
In reply to Re: Lithium Blood Testing Kate and Noa, posted by BinaryWoman on April 20, 2000, at 18:21:34
no problem
kate
Posted by bj on April 26, 2000, at 23:28:51
In reply to Re: Lithium Blood Testing, posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:38:57
I've never been on Lithium before. I've been trying to wean off Effexor (which is hell on earth for those of you who are considering trying it) and my dr. thinks lithium would help me with my mood swings.
Anyone who's taken it -- could you please e-mail me directly and tell me what you can (I can't seem to understand how these "threads" work) -- whether negative or positive. I'm esp. interested in any side effects, long-term consequences of use (if any) and withdrawal effects.
Thanks!
Posted by Noa on April 27, 2000, at 16:34:21
In reply to LITHIUM QUESTIONS, posted by bj on April 26, 2000, at 23:28:51
I have written a lot about my experience. Please do a search of previous posts, all within the past 4 months.
This is the end of the thread.
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