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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 Greg on July 30, 2000, at 12:06:01
All,
My doc is probably going to start augmentation of my current meds (Tegretlo and Desipramine) with Lithium starting tomorrow. I've heard some real horror stories about Lithium. Real scary, nightmarish stuff. Can anyone out there with any prior or current experience share it with me? Everything I've read seems real clinical and I'm not very knowledgable about any other meds expect for the ones I'm taking. I guess I'm looking for that Talking a to child, Treat me like I'm as stupid as dirt, kind of info. Anyone, please?
Greg
Posted by Thomas W on July 30, 2000, at 12:53:12
In reply to Lithium Augmentation?, posted by Greg on July 30, 2000, at 12:06:01
> All,
>
> My doc is probably going to start augmentation of my current meds (Tegretlo and Desipramine) with Lithium starting tomorrow. I've heard some real horror stories about Lithium. Real scary, nightmarish stuff. Can anyone out there with any prior or current experience share it with me? Everything I've read seems real clinical and I'm not very knowledgable about any other meds expect for the ones I'm taking. I guess I'm looking for that Talking a to child, Treat me like I'm as stupid as dirt, kind of info. Anyone, please?
>
> GregGreg, I'm in the same boat. I'm probably going to start it soon. My MD loaned me a 1000 page book on bipolar illness, and it talks about lithium a lot. I'll forward you any good pieces of info. that I find if you would like; just let me know.
Posted by tina on July 30, 2000, at 18:48:47
In reply to Re: Lithium Augmentation?, posted by Thomas W on July 30, 2000, at 12:53:12
Me too Greg. Probably this week. I still have these cutting episodes so I think Lithium would be helpful. No info on it though but I guess we can all keep eachother informed of our side effects, responses to it and just general effectiveness. You aren't alone.
Love much
Tina> > All,
> >
> > My doc is probably going to start augmentation of my current meds (Tegretlo and Desipramine) with Lithium starting tomorrow. I've heard some real horror stories about Lithium. Real scary, nightmarish stuff. Can anyone out there with any prior or current experience share it with me? Everything I've read seems real clinical and I'm not very knowledgable about any other meds expect for the ones I'm taking. I guess I'm looking for that Talking a to child, Treat me like I'm as stupid as dirt, kind of info. Anyone, please?
> >
> > Greg
>
> Greg, I'm in the same boat. I'm probably going to start it soon. My MD loaned me a 1000 page book on bipolar illness, and it talks about lithium a lot. I'll forward you any good pieces of info. that I find if you would like; just let me know.
Posted by Janice on July 30, 2000, at 19:26:18
In reply to Re: Lithium Augmentation?, posted by Thomas W on July 30, 2000, at 12:53:12
hi Greg, (Thomas and Tina)
Greg, sounds like your pdoc suspects you may be bipolar. I am still surprised he is changing so many of your meds so quickly. I hope you are adjusting well.
Lithium is my wonderdrug! I felt it begin to work on day 2 (BipolarI rapid cycling) with pretty much immediate decrease in rapid cycling - both the highs and lows. It took a bit of topamax to finish the job though. My only side effects initially were nausea which I treated with gingerroot and taking the lithium in the middle of big meal. Now I no longer have problems with nausea - no gingerroot, no meal. I went to the washroom more often than usual, a bit more thirsty - nothing I couldn't handle. The only side effect that stuck around is an unusual but really annoying one of acne. Ughhh, I'm 34 with acne, never had it before the lithium. I take anti-biotics or else get shots for them.
The worst thing about lithium for me is having to get my blood tested every month (bit paranoid about needles), but even that isn't that bad. The therapeutic dosage of lithium is quite close to the toxicity level (maybe this is where the horror stories start from). I hope someone who knows more about this will come along to explain this for you.
I hope it is as good to you as it has been to me, Janice :~)
Good luck you guys. As well as stabilizing you, it can lessen lows too!
Posted by danf on July 31, 2000, at 14:15:38
In reply to Re: Lithium Augmentation?, posted by Thomas W on July 30, 2000, at 12:53:12
LI augmentation is not always used for a Dx of bipolar.
It is one of the most common augmenters used by Pdocs for ADs, where there has been a partial response. It mixes with most AD meds & is safe.
It has a good track record & works about 50% of the time (augmentation).
Pdocs have a lot of experience with Li. it is often easier & quicker on the patient to add Li than taper the old drug & start a new one which may take 8 to 10 weeks for a response.
Posted by Janice on July 31, 2000, at 16:30:08
In reply to Re: Lithium Augmentation?, posted by danf on July 31, 2000, at 14:15:38
hi guys,
danf, I was just guessing his pdoc was considering he could be bipolar because he will be on 2 mood stabilizers. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you Greg.
Greg, I'm just cleaning out my books to give away (bored silly) and in doing so I came across this paragraph about lithium in Beyond Prozac by Michael Jordan.
Lithium, the standard treatment for bipolar patients, clearly boosts serotonin. Lithium is a naturally occuring salt. Years ago, after learning that lithium was toxic at certain levels, manufacturers were forced to remove it from most commercial products. This may have added to our modern serotonin drain. Several states, Texas among them, have communities with high, naturally occuring dietary sources of lithium--chiefly from the water supply; thus, the residents effectively avoided the lithium ban. Remarkably, preliminary findings indicate that certain areas with higher lithium levels actually have lower than expected rates of psychiatric admissions, suicide, homicide, and arrests relating to drug addiction. These are all likely associations of improved serotinin levels.'
let us know how you do, Janice
Posted by tina on August 4, 2000, at 19:44:52
In reply to Re: Lithium Augmentation?, posted by Janice on July 31, 2000, at 16:30:08
Hey Guys, I am now on lithium. have been for about 36 hours. Have taken 4 pills and feel like I'm on a permanent drinking binge. High as a kite and wasted to the hilt. I get remarkably silly and manic while on it. It's soooo cool. I like the way it feels so i'm going to stay on it.
Greg: don't be afraid of it buddy. Being bipolar ain't so bad if the meds make ya feel like this! I hope you get the right ones soon.
Love ya
Tina
> hi guys,
>
> danf, I was just guessing his pdoc was considering he could be bipolar because he will be on 2 mood stabilizers. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you Greg.
>
> Greg, I'm just cleaning out my books to give away (bored silly) and in doing so I came across this paragraph about lithium in Beyond Prozac by Michael Jordan.
>
> Lithium, the standard treatment for bipolar patients, clearly boosts serotonin. Lithium is a naturally occuring salt. Years ago, after learning that lithium was toxic at certain levels, manufacturers were forced to remove it from most commercial products. This may have added to our modern serotonin drain. Several states, Texas among them, have communities with high, naturally occuring dietary sources of lithium--chiefly from the water supply; thus, the residents effectively avoided the lithium ban. Remarkably, preliminary findings indicate that certain areas with higher lithium levels actually have lower than expected rates of psychiatric admissions, suicide, homicide, and arrests relating to drug addiction. These are all likely associations of improved serotinin levels.'
>
> let us know how you do, Janice
Posted by Noa on August 9, 2000, at 11:35:41
In reply to Re: Lithium Augmentation?Update, posted by tina on August 4, 2000, at 19:44:52
I was on Li for a couple of months, as an augmentation strategy.
It seemed to help my mood but there were a couple of drawbacks for me.
One was the thirst. I could not stop drinking and drinking and drinking. I drank a lot of water, but also developed these strange cravings for Coke and Juice, etc. I became addicted to Coke. Couldn't get enough of it.
Then there was the peeing, which is apparently partly independent of the drinking.
What made me stop the Li was its effect on my thyroid, making me more seriously hypo. BUT, my endo says I could have stuck with it and just adjusted my thyroid hormone doses accordingly.
I think at augmentation doses, Li is pretty safe. It seems to help a lot of people.
Just don't develop the sweet drink habit. Stick to water.
And, keep a good monitor on your thyroid functions, and have them treated if you become even slightly hypo.
BTW, not everyone gets the thirst thing or the peeing thing as bad as I did.
Posted by Kim on August 9, 2000, at 23:45:44
In reply to Re: My Li experience, posted by Noa on August 9, 2000, at 11:35:41
I have had Lithium prescribed twice. Once to augment Serzone, and once to augment Parnate. I had bad reactions to the lithium both times. It caused me to be very easily & frequently hysterical. I'm not bipolar or AD. "Just" refractory atypical depression.
I know Lithium has worked miracles for thousands, I'm just not one of them. Hope it works for you!
Kim
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