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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on December 4, 2000, at 10:38:06
I've read that they, or at least lithium, can have ssexual side effects. Is that true? How would it cause such a side effect?
Posted by Ted on December 4, 2000, at 13:06:31
In reply to What are lithium and depakote's side effects??, posted by PhoenixGirl on December 4, 2000, at 10:38:06
Hi PhoenixGirl,
I have been on depakote 500 mg BID for 18 months. I have not had any sexual side effects I can attribute to it. All it does is make me sleepy, but this goes away with time, and make me *really* calm. I used to be almost hyper -- no more (I guess that is the whole point, huh?).
Ted
> I've read that they, or at least lithium, can have ssexual side effects. Is that true? How would it cause such a side effect?
Posted by amuse on March 12, 2001, at 22:36:45
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects??, posted by Ted on December 4, 2000, at 13:06:31
> Has anyone had any experience with sexual side effects of lithum?
Posted by liz55 on March 13, 2001, at 10:16:05
In reply to sexual side effects of lithium? , posted by amuse on March 12, 2001, at 22:36:45
> > Has anyone had any experience with sexual side effects of lithum?
I am on 900 mgs of lithium and 1800 mgs of
neurontin a day. My side effects include
persistant diarrhea it's really annoying. I take
a bit of kaopectate daily to keep me uh,
regular :)The cool part abt lithium is it calms
me way down and the things that wound me
up don't anymore. Oh and I take .5 to 1 mg of
klono when i do start stressing and getting
hyper.But no I don't have any sexual side effects.
Posted by Matty J on August 7, 2003, at 1:40:59
In reply to Re: sexual side effects of lithium? , posted by liz55 on March 13, 2001, at 10:16:05
> > > Has anyone had any experience with sexual side effects of lithum?
>
> I am on 900 mgs of lithium and 1800 mgs of
> neurontin a day. My side effects include
> persistant diarrhea it's really annoying. I take
> a bit of kaopectate daily to keep me uh,
> regular :)
>
> The cool part abt lithium is it calms
> me way down and the things that wound me
> up don't anymore. Oh and I take .5 to 1 mg of
> klono when i do start stressing and getting
> hyper.
>
> But no I don't have any sexual side effects.
>
>
I took 600 mg's of lithium daily for 1 month and lexapro 20 mg's for 1 month prior to that. My only sexual side effects were delayed climax which maybe wasnt so bad for my partner :)My side effects did include insomnia, shorter patience, and almost out of control. I slammed my car into a ditch at 100 mph due to road rage which isnt me by any means.
Now I am on depakote (2nd day) and I feel like me but maybe sedated.
Posted by linkadge on August 7, 2003, at 6:21:45
In reply to Re: sexual side effects of lithium? , posted by Matty J on August 7, 2003, at 1:40:59
So you're taking depakote and Lexapro.
I am taking Celexa and Lithium and am noticing very short temper and rage that I got from neither alone.
How do the two combine.
Keep me updated.
Linkadge
Posted by sarita0001 on August 7, 2003, at 16:44:02
In reply to Re: sexual side effects of lithium? , posted by Matty J on August 7, 2003, at 1:40:59
hi,
I've been taking lithium for 7 years and have had no sexual side effects. If you have any more ?s about lithium I'd be happy to answer.
sarita
Posted by Matty J on August 7, 2003, at 20:46:39
In reply to Re: sexual side effects of lithium? , posted by linkadge on August 7, 2003, at 6:21:45
No I am only taking straight depakote now. moving from 500 to 1000 mg's. Today I noticed I had some blurry vision and a little dizzy. I dont think medicine's affect me very well.
how are yours working out for you?
Posted by Kile on November 3, 2003, at 17:38:54
In reply to What are lithium and depakote's side effects??, posted by PhoenixGirl on December 4, 2000, at 10:38:06
> I've read that they, or at least lithium, can have ssexual side effects. Is that true? How would it cause such a side effect?
I was taking alprazolam and drinking. I started lithium 3 weeks ago and as far as sexual side effects go, I feel like a teenager again. Much improved. But the side effects are awful. I think there has to be something better to take.
Posted by Kile on November 3, 2003, at 17:40:24
In reply to What are lithium and depakote's side effects??, posted by PhoenixGirl on December 4, 2000, at 10:38:06
> I've read that they, or at least lithium, can have ssexual side effects. Is that true? How would it cause such a side effect?
I was taking alprazolam and drinking. I started lithium 3 weeks ago and as far as sexual side effects go, I feel like a teenager again. Much improved sexually. But the other side effects are awful. I think there has to be something better to take.
Posted by sarita0001 on November 4, 2003, at 15:38:49
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects??, posted by Kile on November 3, 2003, at 17:40:24
Hi,
I didn't get sexual side effects from lithium and was on it for 7 years. It is not know for that, mostly just SSRI's. I had to pee all the time, was drowsy often, gained weight the last 2 years only, felt kind of dull at times but overall it was a good drug. It is important to stay in a good range to avoid side effects. From .6-.9 is good. When I was at 1.0-1.2, I was really tired and retained a lot of water. A lot of doctors suggest anti-epileptic drugs now because they are "better tolerated" but I say take whatever works for you. New is not necessarily always better.
GOod luck
Sara
Posted by amuse on November 4, 2003, at 18:16:10
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects??, posted by sarita0001 on November 4, 2003, at 15:38:49
I have been taking lithium for seven years in addition to antidepressants and have tolerated it well. I have been unable to lose weight and wonder if this is the med most responsible. Where I work the psychopharmacologists never prescribe lithium due to long term side effects. I sometimes think about trying one of the others but hear they also cause weight gain and other secondary symptoms. What do you think?
Posted by sarita0001 on November 5, 2003, at 20:21:46
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects?? » sarita0001, posted by amuse on November 4, 2003, at 18:16:10
Hi,
Which ones are you thinking of trying? I had a bad experience with Topamax(facial hair growth on cheeks), so I am definitely against anti-epileptics because of their strange side effects. I suggest lowering your lithium dosage and seeing if that helps first. The doctor will tell you that it is not a "therapeutic dose" but I've found that levels vary by personal response. I would say try and adjust or lower what you are on now instead of having to try something new unless you really have to.
Here if you have any more ?'s. Do you work at a dr's office? Looking at the Physicians Desk Reference is helpful. Depakote I heard often causes hair loss and worse weight gain.Sara
Posted by ramsea on November 6, 2003, at 18:21:42
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects?? » sarita0001, posted by amuse on November 4, 2003, at 18:16:10
Please tell me about this. I have a hard time understanding these psychopharmacologists that you work with. They never prescribe lithium? But it is still the gold standard, so-called. There's lithium, depakote, lamictal and zyprexa---these are the FDA approved drugs for bipolar. And of course topamax, tegretal, whatever else. But lithium has not been torn down yet from its portal. So upon what basis? Who are these guys? If lithium is good enough for you and me, then why isn't it good enough for your colleagues? I'm not specifically asking about long-term effects--I've got handouts, leaflets and the www... watch out for thyroid, kidney, and cardiac---etc. But as far as I know ALL the major drugs have major possible side effects. If you can enlighten me, I would be very relieved. (PS Actually, since you seem to know a lot about this, do you know at all how likely cardiac side effects are? I hear much less about that bogeyman.)
Posted by amuse on November 6, 2003, at 19:06:04
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects?? » amuse, posted by ramsea on November 6, 2003, at 18:21:42
I work with two RNs who are great, willing to try creative combinations but they never prescribe lithium. I have taken it for seven years and dont know the specifics of the bad side effects. I guess one day I will look into it. Maybe the other mood stabelizers dont have to be as closely monitored.My lithium is an augmentation for depression as antidepressants alone didn't completely treat my mood disorder.
Posted by sarita0001 on November 6, 2003, at 22:23:29
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects?? » amuse, posted by ramsea on November 6, 2003, at 18:21:42
Hi,
I know that lithium is known to be hard on the kidneys, I don't know how but was told that. One doctor told me to take the whole dose at night instead of 2x a day b/c it is better for kidney function. Not sure about long term side effects- I've been off a month and haven't noticed anything. My 1st psychiatrist of 5 years who had practiced for 30 years said that he's had people on lithium for many years(some 20+) and they were ok. But as with everything everyone tolerates things differently.
As far as the new bipolar drugs go, it seems like an anti-epileptic is usually combined with lithium sometimes or an anti-depressant. Lamictal is now what doctors are suggesting as the 1st line for BP. I am sure you have heard of Lamictal's life threatening but rare SJS rash. I personally find that scarier than lithium. At least lithium has been around long enough to know what long term side effects are. I found lithium to be very sedating in general but especially when the level was too high. I was pretty mellow all the time and after 5.5 years, underlying anxiety kicked in and now I am off lithium and on Prozac. That is a long story- they think I had a substance induced mood disorder(manic episode) when I was 17. Finding a good level can cut back side effects, weight gain, etc.
It's true all drugs have side effects, but if you do research on anti-epileptic drug side effects you'll get more info. It really depends what side effects bother you the most, but you can't predict which ones you'll get. I do think it makes sense that if the drug isn't making you feel good the first few weeks, you should switch.
The alternatives to lithium I have been offered in the last year are Lamictal, Depakote and Neurontin. But like I said the whole diagnosis of BPD is questionable and at this moment of time the anxiety is what needs to be addressed for me.
I feel better taking Prozac because it is working and because it has been around for a while. Lamictal was only recently approved for BPD. I'd just suggest doing as much research as possible. Like a lot of people say here, treatment is not an exact science and people are trying new things all the time.Sara
Posted by amuse on November 13, 2003, at 18:42:52
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects??, posted by sarita0001 on November 6, 2003, at 22:23:29
Thanks Sara for you thoughts. Lately I have seen several patients with lamictle rashes, the benign ones, but they have to go off anyway. Too bad in one case it was the only med that stabilized the client's severe mood disorder. I have stayed long term on lithium because whenever I cut back I get depressed again. You are lucky to realize the mistake in your diagnosis so soon. I recently became aware of drug induced psychosis with amphetamines. Mary
Posted by sarita0001 on November 15, 2003, at 8:40:53
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects?? » sarita0001, posted by amuse on November 13, 2003, at 18:42:52
Hi,
Do you have more of a depressed type BP or manic type? This is a real radical way of finding out but you could try and go off and see what happens. It might be that you might just need an anti-depressant. How many manic episodes did you have?
Sara
Posted by ds on November 16, 2003, at 13:17:26
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects?? » amuse, posted by sarita0001 on November 15, 2003, at 8:40:53
Hi.
First, let me apologize for the long post...I do not have BP, but I do have a neurotransmitter disorder and, as such, I've taken all these medications and am now on Lithium. I just recently started Lithium, and besides constantly having to use the bathroom, the side effects have been minimal, and I'm already up to 900mg a day. Nausea has been my main issue. For this I have found homemade ginger tea to be a very big help.
I cannot say the same for many of the other drugs they throw at us in terms of side effects. I did get the beginnings of the Lamictal rash, and it was not fun. I was on Neurontin for quite a while, but I could not make it to a fully therapeutic dose due to side effects - exhaustion and increased pain (my main problem is debilitating headaches - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 5 years now). Depakote and Topamax made living a normal life impossible. With Depakote I was very tired and had a hard time concentrating and reading. With Topamax, I'd sit down to read and three hours later realized I had just be zoning and hadn't turned a page. I was non-functional. Also, all three of these caused severe weight gain.
I am hopeful with Lithium, but I go for my first battery of tests tomorrow to assure there are no kidney, liver, or thyroid issues starting.
For people who are having issues with energy, concentration, and weight gain, my doctor and I have found what we considered an unusual course of action - the Zone diet. I know that sounds odd, but I lost 50 pounds (all of which I gained from medications), and I have increased energy and concentration. I do the diet along with 400mg of Riboflavin and 300mg of Co-enzyme Q10 and 3,000mg of omega fish oils a day. I can't tell you how much it has helped. Plus, it only has positive side effects, and that's never a bad thing.
Well, thanks for all the information you have provided - I'm just trying to be smart about learning the potential side effects of Lithium. I did hope I could help a little. I look forward to learning more. And, I have been on just about every drug in this class, so if people have questions about side effects, I’d be happy to let you know my experience. I seem to always get the worse side effects the drugs offer!
-ds
Posted by sarita0001 on November 16, 2003, at 18:34:40
In reply to Re: What are lithium and depakote's side effects??, posted by ds on November 16, 2003, at 13:17:26
Hi,
Thanks for the weight loss advice, that is always helpful. I am pretty sensitive to meds and even vitamins sometimes. B-Vitamins are hard on my stomach. Do the vitamins you mentioned have any "side effects" similar to that? I don't feel as weird now because I got very weird side effects from Topamax. It is not fun at all but in the end you learn something I guess. I hope lithium works out for you. The good thing about it is it has been around for quite a while so there are several studies on it- I'm reluctant to try newer drugs.
Sara
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