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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anna P. on August 17, 2000, at 16:01:12
Hello everybody,
Please let me know what's like to be on Lithium as it may be
my next step. I was on Topamax, and now I take Neurontin.
I had the fear of the above unnesesarily. Topamax wasn't that
bad, and Neurontin was almost my miracle. I say "almost" because it provided
energy, and no side effects. Too bad I started to slide back into depression after a while.
I will appreciate any opinions. Thanks,Anna P.
Posted by tina on August 17, 2000, at 21:23:46
In reply to How does it feel to be on Lithium? SCARED OF IT!, posted by Anna P. on August 17, 2000, at 16:01:12
Hi Anna:
I have to assume that your doc wants you on lithium as an augmentation to the neurontin? I'm on it as an augmentation to moclobemide and it's working fine. It has stabilized my mood swings which were pretty severe at times and stopped me from cutting myself and beating the hell out of brick walls.
It does, however, make me nauseous and gives me headaches. Not to mention being extra thirsty and peeing a lot. I also have to have blood tests often but I like them and am not afraid of needles.
The side effects I mentioned above are very rare and I wouldn't be worried if I were you. Lithium has been used for 60 years without any problem so give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Hope this helps. Keep in touch.
Best wishes
Tina
Posted by stjames on August 18, 2000, at 1:24:10
In reply to Re: How does it feel to be on Lithium? SCARED OF IT!, posted by tina on August 17, 2000, at 21:23:46
Lithium has been used for 60 years without any problem so give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised.
> Hope this helps. Keep in touch.
> Best wishes
> TinaJames here....
Lithium is a mineral and an element, one that your body needs in small amounts to function.
It is considered a "natural" product. Like Tina said, people have been on it for decades. The nice
thing about Lithium is that it quickly moves thru your body, so if you get too much and have side effects, reducing the dose will quickly control
them.james
Posted by Lin on August 18, 2000, at 9:16:59
In reply to Re: How does it feel to be on Lithium? SCARED OF IT!, posted by stjames on August 18, 2000, at 1:24:10
Anna,
I am on 900 mg lithium, which I take in 3 doses every day. I am also on Klonopin and Zyprexa. I am bipolar, type 1. As for the lithium, when I started it I had some nausea. Also, my sense of smell became very acute; my psychiatrist likened it to the way a woman's sense of smell becomes during pregnancy. I was also very thirsty and drank a lot of water, whcih of course made me have to go to the bathroom more. Other than that, it was very easy to tolerate. In addition, these side effects: nausea, thirst, etc. went away shortly. I actually prefer it to the other mood stabilizers both in terms of side effects and in terms of efficacy. I have found it the most effective mood stabilizer (for me), and it has really taken the edge off and stopped the massive, volatile mood swings I used to get. One thing to look out for: I exercise pretty hard and my psychiatrist warned me that when I sweat a lot and lose a lot of salt, my lithium levels will go up dramatically. This happened to me once after a workout -- I noticed that I was shaking really hard and was dizzy and felt like I was going to bump into a wall. My shrink told me how to time my workouts so that my lithium level is lower when I work out, and she also said that during all workouts I should drink gatorade to replenish the fluids that I am losing. I loathed gatorade at the beginning, but drank it anyway...and now it is starting to grow on me! Anyway, keep us posted and good luck with the lithium. -Lin
Posted by Anna P. on August 18, 2000, at 17:50:32
In reply to Re: How does it feel to be on Lithium? SCARED OF IT!, posted by Lin on August 18, 2000, at 9:16:59
> Thank you for your encouragement. Maybe it's not that bad as I've thought.
Does Li really cause the enormous weight gain, loss of libido and cognitive difficulties?
I guess all of the above does not matter in a case of severe depression.
Anna
Posted by tina on August 18, 2000, at 18:05:26
In reply to Re: Thank you all, posted by Anna P. on August 18, 2000, at 17:50:32
Anna-- I haven't gained any weight or had loss of libido beyond what the maoi that I'm on already causes. The cognitive thing now, I can't seem to spell stuff correctly but it's pretty minor. Just make sure I re-read everything. I think you'll be just fine.
Good luck hunny and keep us informed
Hugs
Tina> Thank you for your encouragement. Maybe it's not that bad as I've thought.
> Does Li really cause the enormous weight gain, loss of libido and cognitive difficulties?
> I guess all of the above does not matter in a case of severe depression.
>
> Anna
Posted by allisonm on August 19, 2000, at 18:51:17
In reply to How does it feel to be on Lithium? SCARED OF IT!, posted by Anna P. on August 17, 2000, at 16:01:12
I took lithium for 7 months to augment my Remeron during the winter, which always seems to lay me low. I gained weight and could not get it off. I tried more than one type of lithium, but all gave me diarrhea to one extent or another. I hated the weight gain and the runs. I couldn't wait to get off Li, and my psychiatrist knew it. He and I think it helped level my mood, but the side effects were too much for me to stand. But I know it has helped a lot of people.
I found that if I mentioned to friends that I was on Li, they'd get this look of concern, as if it was finally hitting them that my depression was really serious. Obviously, lithium was probably the only drug they'd ever heard about, and some equated its use with manic depression. And I always felt I got strange looks from the phlebotomist during my periodic Li blood level checks. Or it could have been my imagination, I suppose. FWIW.
allison
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