Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by renecoston on July 11, 2006, at 15:21:59
I have weaned from 1200mgs a day to 300mgs a day, and have not taken one today at all. I feel fine, but am nervous that I am going to have some sort of withdrawal symptoms. I felt awful on the Lithium, and the side effects were not tolerable. I did not feel much different on the medication than I do off of it. I was never suicidal so I do not fear becoming so by stopping the medications. Has anyone here come off Lithium, and if so, can you tell me if you had any withdrawal symptoms and if there is anything to watch for? My doctor is on vacation (actually, he had surgery) and will be out for a few weeks, and I don't feel comfortable calling to ask a nurse or covering doctor for their "permission" to stop taking this junk.
I am also weaning off of Nortriptyline at the same time, down to 20 mgs a day. I felt better when I was taking nothing - all the meds just make me physically ill. I was experiencing major stomach issues daily.
Posted by linkadge on July 11, 2006, at 16:25:03
In reply to Lithium Withdrawal, posted by renecoston on July 11, 2006, at 15:21:59
I hear ya. Most meds made me more sick than well.
Coming off lithium may be best to do slow if you have taken it for a while. You may experience anxiety, and REM rebound sleep.
I never had too much difficulty coming off of it.
Linkadge
Posted by renecoston on July 11, 2006, at 16:56:45
In reply to Re: Lithium Withdrawal, posted by linkadge on July 11, 2006, at 16:25:03
What is REM rebound sleep?
Posted by renecoston on July 11, 2006, at 16:57:07
In reply to Re: Lithium Withdrawal, posted by linkadge on July 11, 2006, at 16:25:03
What is REM rebound sleep?
Posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2006, at 20:02:42
In reply to Re: Lithium Withdrawal, posted by renecoston on July 11, 2006, at 16:57:07
Now sure either dreaming more or being in REM for a longer time? Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on July 11, 2006, at 20:54:33
In reply to Re: Lithium Withdrawal » renecoston, posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2006, at 20:02:42
Lithium supresses certain stages of sleep known as REM. When you discontinue you may have a rebound in this sleep stage. It is only temporary, but you have increased nightmares.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on July 11, 2006, at 21:17:11
In reply to Re: Lithium Withdrawal, posted by linkadge on July 11, 2006, at 20:54:33
Thanks Link I didn't know. Love Phillipa
Posted by renecoston on July 12, 2006, at 8:02:45
In reply to Re: Lithium Withdrawal, posted by linkadge on July 11, 2006, at 20:54:33
Okay, I understand now. Last night I slept like a baby! :-)
Posted by Squiggles on July 12, 2006, at 9:35:16
In reply to Lithium Withdrawal, posted by renecoston on July 11, 2006, at 15:21:59
> I have weaned from 1200mgs a day to 300mgs a day, and have not taken one today at all. I feel fine, but am nervous that I am going to have some sort of withdrawal symptoms. I felt awful on the Lithium, and the side effects were not tolerable. I did not feel much different on the medication than I do off of it. I was never suicidal so I do not fear becoming so by stopping the medications. Has anyone here come off Lithium, and if so, can you tell me if you had any withdrawal symptoms and if there is anything to watch for? My doctor is on vacation (actually, he had surgery) and will be out for a few weeks, and I don't feel comfortable calling to ask a nurse or covering doctor for their "permission" to stop taking this junk.
>
> I am also weaning off of Nortriptyline at the same time, down to 20 mgs a day. I felt better when I was taking nothing - all the meds just make me physically ill. I was experiencing major stomach issues daily.
Keep in mind that manic-depression comes in cycles; so that a manic-depressive may actually go through erratic cycles of mania or depression scattered through years, months, or even weeks,
depending on the individual. Kraepelin describes this well.With that in mind, I would be cautious. You might be surprised unpleasantly. Maybe 1200 is too high for you.
I think you are taking risks doing this by yourself. However, it's possible that you were misdiagnosed in the beginning. But not knowing these things is like playing Russian Roulette.
Squiggles
Posted by renecoston on July 12, 2006, at 9:41:49
In reply to Re: Lithium Withdrawal » renecoston, posted by Squiggles on July 12, 2006, at 9:35:16
I have only been on these meds about 6-8 weeks - and I do believe I was misdiagnosed. I don't have any of the "classic" symptoms of bipolar, and really felt much better before starting all these meds. I am feeling fine today, slept like a baby last night, and didn't take any lithium yesterday or today.
Keeping my fingers and toes crossed! :-)
> > I have weaned from 1200mgs a day to 300mgs a day, and have not taken one today at all. I feel fine, but am nervous that I am going to have some sort of withdrawal symptoms. I felt awful on the Lithium, and the side effects were not tolerable. I did not feel much different on the medication than I do off of it. I was never suicidal so I do not fear becoming so by stopping the medications. Has anyone here come off Lithium, and if so, can you tell me if you had any withdrawal symptoms and if there is anything to watch for? My doctor is on vacation (actually, he had surgery) and will be out for a few weeks, and I don't feel comfortable calling to ask a nurse or covering doctor for their "permission" to stop taking this junk.
> >
> > I am also weaning off of Nortriptyline at the same time, down to 20 mgs a day. I felt better when I was taking nothing - all the meds just make me physically ill. I was experiencing major stomach issues daily.
>
>
> Keep in mind that manic-depression comes in cycles; so that a manic-depressive may actually go through erratic cycles of mania or depression scattered through years, months, or even weeks,
> depending on the individual. Kraepelin describes this well.
>
> With that in mind, I would be cautious. You might be surprised unpleasantly. Maybe 1200 is too high for you.
>
> I think you are taking risks doing this by yourself. However, it's possible that you were misdiagnosed in the beginning. But not knowing these things is like playing Russian Roulette.
>
> Squiggles
>
This is the end of the thread.
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