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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ben on March 20, 2005, at 2:25:16
I was trying lithium carbonate and acetate but both made me allways nauseous. Then my pdoc gave me lithium aspartate and it worked without any big problems. After more than two years taking abou 20 mmol at night I have severe constipation bloating (gaz) and sometimes abdominal cramps. Can that be the lithium ? I am taking 300 mg of Efexor and 1200 mg of Neurontin too (per day). Lowering the dose of Effexor and Neurontin didnt work. Tried bulking agents, magnesium, zelnorm, bisacodyl etc. What about an other lithium form - like sulfate and slow release ? My TSH and other important factors in the blood are okay.
Posted by SLS on March 20, 2005, at 7:49:56
In reply to Lithium and gastrointestinal problems !, posted by ben on March 20, 2005, at 2:25:16
Hi.
> I was trying lithium carbonate and acetate but both made me allways nauseous. Then my pdoc gave me lithium aspartate and it worked without any big problems. After more than two years taking abou 20 mmol at night I have severe constipation bloating (gaz) and sometimes abdominal cramps. Can that be the lithium ? I am taking 300 mg of Efexor and 1200 mg of Neurontin too (per day). Lowering the dose of Effexor and Neurontin didnt work. Tried bulking agents, magnesium, zelnorm, bisacodyl etc. What about an other lithium form - like sulfate and slow release ? My TSH and other important factors in the blood are okay.
Sounds pretty weird that this side effect should occur so latently. I guess anything is possible, considering the latency involved with thyroid toxicity. I guess one of the common sense questions would be how long after you began taking Effexor did this problem start?
Eskalith is an extended-release form of lithium, but it is the carbonate form. It is very expensive. If money isn't an issue, you could at least give it a try. It should prevent the nausea. Maybe the rest of the GI stuff would resolve as well.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by ben on March 20, 2005, at 14:01:31
In reply to Re: Lithium and gastrointestinal problems !, posted by SLS on March 20, 2005, at 7:49:56
I am taking Effexor since I began with the lithium or a little bit before. But why could it be the thyroid when my TSH is good (told me a doc who is endocrinologist). How can I switch to a slow release form?
ben
> Hi.
>
> > I was trying lithium carbonate and acetate but both made me allways nauseous. Then my pdoc gave me lithium aspartate and it worked without any big problems. After more than two years taking abou 20 mmol at night I have severe constipation bloating (gaz) and sometimes abdominal cramps. Can that be the lithium ? I am taking 300 mg of Efexor and 1200 mg of Neurontin too (per day). Lowering the dose of Effexor and Neurontin didnt work. Tried bulking agents, magnesium, zelnorm, bisacodyl etc. What about an other lithium form - like sulfate and slow release ? My TSH and other important factors in the blood are okay.
>
> Sounds pretty weird that this side effect should occur so latently. I guess anything is possible, considering the latency involved with thyroid toxicity. I guess one of the common sense questions would be how long after you began taking Effexor did this problem start?
>
> Eskalith is an extended-release form of lithium, but it is the carbonate form. It is very expensive. If money isn't an issue, you could at least give it a try. It should prevent the nausea. Maybe the rest of the GI stuff would resolve as well.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on March 20, 2005, at 15:24:09
In reply to how to switch the lithium preparation ?, posted by ben on March 20, 2005, at 14:01:31
Sorry to be confusing.
I didn't mean to say that there is anything wrong with your thyroid. There isn't. However, it is kind of strange how late in the game the GI stuff developed.
Work with your doctor in making the switch to Eskalith. I'm guessing that you simply replace one with the other on the same day.
I hope things "work out" for you.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by ben on March 21, 2005, at 11:13:25
In reply to Re: how to switch the lithium preparation ? » ben, posted by SLS on March 20, 2005, at 15:24:09
The literature is very confusing about this fact. It seems most people are doing better on slow release forms, but a minority seems to do better on immediate release forms. An if you are having problems during an established lithium therapy you should probably change the form of preparation (M. Schou). An whats going on with rest ? Aspartate in my example is an amino acid. Sulfate for example is used in sodium sulfate against constipation. Carbonat in several salts against too much acid in the stomach. What the hell (sorry) the docs are saying it doesnt matter - thats rubish. I am a pharmacist myself and I am sure there are longterm effects on the metabolism if you are taking such huge doses of the salt during months and years.
This is the end of the thread.
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