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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sarita0001 on September 11, 2003, at 21:26:27
Can anyone please share some experiences regarding lithium withdrawal? I might try and get off of it soon.
Thanks.
Posted by Bob on September 12, 2003, at 0:22:50
In reply to Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by sarita0001 on September 11, 2003, at 21:26:27
> Can anyone please share some experiences regarding lithium withdrawal? I might try and get off of it soon.
>
> Thanks.
Same goes for me. I might be going off of 675mg of Eskalith soon, and would like to hear about tapering experiences from others. What rates of taper, effects, etc.Bob
Posted by linkadge on September 12, 2003, at 9:05:54
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by Bob on September 12, 2003, at 0:22:50
Taper **very** slowly. The risk of suicide jumps 20x in people getting off lithium. This of course depends on if you were at all suicidal before taking lithium.
I recomend coming off of it very slowly ie. 150 mg per 3-4 weeks. I came off 750 mg a few months ago (within a few weeks). I am normal now, but some effects included irritability, sensitivity to noise, anger, akathesia, anxiety etc. These were mostly moderate side effects, but some were severe. If you want to avoid that then do it slowly.
You want to make sure you exercise plenty and regularly. If you have always had an underlying disorder than you might want to replace it with something else.
Linkadge
Posted by fluffy on September 12, 2003, at 11:52:19
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by linkadge on September 12, 2003, at 9:05:54
Hello everyone--
May I ask why you are going off Lithium? I feel like I really want some answers right now.
I just started 600mg of Li Carbonate 2 weeks ago. (I am BPII) The first week and a half, I was feeling mentally confused--unable to understand when people were talking to me! I couldn't complete sentences or remember ANYTHING. My jaw was clenched for days, and I was having irritability and couldn't sleep a wink.
I started the Li to augment Lamictal 200mg b/c I was experiencing some softer, rapid cycling still and having major sleep trouble. The more severe cognitive effects of the Li have subsided. But as of now, I feel completely blunted emotionally, and I wonder if there is something else that wouldn't make me feel this way. Does the loss of emotional range mean that Li is "working"?
What's your story?
Thanks in advance for any insight/ experience in this matter,katy
Posted by Bob on September 12, 2003, at 13:39:54
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by linkadge on September 12, 2003, at 9:05:54
> Taper **very** slowly. The risk of suicide jumps 20x in people getting off lithium. This of course depends on if you were at all suicidal before taking lithium.
>
> I recomend coming off of it very slowly ie. 150 mg per 3-4 weeks. I came off 750 mg a few months ago (within a few weeks). I am normal now, but some effects included irritability, sensitivity to noise, anger, akathesia, anxiety etc. These were mostly moderate side effects, but some were severe. If you want to avoid that then do it slowly.
>
> You want to make sure you exercise plenty and regularly. If you have always had an underlying disorder than you might want to replace it with something else.
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>Not very heartening information, but it doesn't surprise me one bit.
Posted by sarita0001 on September 12, 2003, at 15:51:26
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences? » linkadge, posted by Bob on September 12, 2003, at 13:39:54
I tried once to taper off slowly and only got to 225mg. At 225, I was depressed, crying and avoidant of people. But I have heard that when medications are stopped they cause the exact symptoms they were designed to treat. Also I think it is a good idea to have a support system when you go off meds.
My psychiatrist told me to taper off this way from 900 mg Eskalith. As an adult I have never been medication free and there is also debate whether I need meds of not.
Take 1.5 tablets(675mg) for 2 weeks, then 1 tablet for 2 weeks and then 1/2 tablet for 2 weeks then stop. Then he told me to follow up in 8 weeks.
Posted by a girl on November 18, 2007, at 17:13:56
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by sarita0001 on September 12, 2003, at 15:51:26
I've been on anywhere from 1200 mg to 1800 mg every day for two and a half years (Bipolar I, exacerbated and/or caused by ACTH-producing pituitary tumor). I'm notorious for going off the drug (and having relapse episodes) and have never had any withdrawal effects for the most part. I also take 600 mg of Tegretol, and I've been off both drugs for a good week now (with little symptoms other than some breaking out for which I cannot account). I'm certainly not advocating coming off any drugs without the advice or supervision of a licensed professional, but sometimes it's worth a try. I might be a special case because of the tumor, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that coming off lithium is in no relation to coming off an SSRI like Lexapro or Paxil. I may be young at age 20, but I can certainly say that taking so many pills a day gets old quickly.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 21, 2007, at 8:18:16
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by a girl on November 18, 2007, at 17:13:56
> I'm notorious for going off the drug (and having relapse episodes) and have never had any withdrawal effects for the most part.
Welcome! And sorry if it's confusing here, but I'd like now to redirect this thread to Psycho-Babble Withdrawal. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20070929/msgs/796306.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Mufasa on February 26, 2008, at 5:07:21
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by linkadge on September 12, 2003, at 9:05:54
I'm Bipolar 1 and on currently 1200mg's of Lithium. I was originally on 900mg's. I got a blood test about a month and a half ago and it read 0.6. I was very sick with the flu/sinus infection and slept frequently. I didn't take my medication because I had forgotten, was too ill, and delirious with my fever. So not really comprehending this I had the blood test.
My doctor then moved me to 1200mg's. I got the most bizarre affects. Typically the tremors, the nausea.....then I got very irritating ear ringing, my heart would pound and just sitting there I would feel like I'd been running, twitching, biting my tongue, stupor..just wandering my kitchen looking for a pair of slippers, repeating words over and over such as "no thank you"..I'd say it again and again like my mind was lapsing and I couldn't stop it - dizziness, upper ribs hurting and under arms as if they were sore or bruised, even broken? - no hunger, great fatigue, anxiety, anger and aggression, suicidal thoughts and thoughts of hurting others in a very violent way, clawing at my flesh, raging and damaging things in my home in a blind frenzy....now all along this past month and a half I told my doctor of these things. I think there was a lack of proper communication from my end because he didn't seem to be too concerned.
He really delayed in sending me the paperwork for another blood test. About 4 nights ago I went into panic, paranoia, hearing things somewhat and seeing flickering lights and shadows that weren't there. I went down the steps and my ears buzzed very loud and I was practically suffocating, my lungs wouldn't give me enough air. I assumed this was panic, but the problem as I wasn't having the typical anxiety. It was great inner agitation from actual physical effects. I passed out. When I came to I drank a lot of water and called my doctor immediately. I left a rather distressed voicemail, nearly in tears. He didn't call for another 12 hours. When he did my LBL was at a 1.7. So he yanked the chain and took me off Lithium for the time being until I was stable, and then put me on 900mg's.
I'm on Lamictal too at 200mg's, never gave me a problem. That's all I'm on right now.
I was really happy, thank God you know? He took me off the sadist pill! Well every time I get comfortable with the situation of these pills it gets worse.
I suffer major vertigo when -on- Lithium, to the point of bed rest, vomiting, and it yanks me out of my sleep and I'll stumble like I'm having a seizure until it passes. I'm off it now and I have mild vertigo, but great confusion. My mind can think a thought very well, but talking, coordination, comprehending is so difficult. I feel mentally damaged. Much anxiety, shaking, paranoia and severe sorrow...I will cry any time for no reason. Hyper sensitivity, irritability, can't deal at all with distraction or noise, violent hunger that cannot be satisfied, I blurt out words, still busting up the stuff in the house, seeing those weird shadows and even images.
As it were, cold turkey and Lithium? Not good bed fellows.
Posted by APat on August 4, 2008, at 0:38:14
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by Mufasa on February 26, 2008, at 5:07:21
That is a dangerous disasterous reaction and it could have been fatal in more ways than one.
You need to get another doctor if you had all those side effects and he/she was not concerned. Also, if you ever have side effects like that STOP taking the medication regardless of what the doctor says or what anyone says.
Posted by Kimmeth on September 10, 2008, at 8:10:09
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by APat on August 4, 2008, at 0:38:14
> That is a dangerous disasterous reaction and it could have been fatal in more ways than one.
>
> You need to get another doctor if you had all those side effects and he/she was not concerned. Also, if you ever have side effects like that STOP taking the medication regardless of what the doctor says or what anyone says.---------
I agree. Get another Doctor.I sometimes get symptoms like dizzyness, nausea,... these are symptoms of lithium toxicity. My psychiatrist told me to drink plenty of water when this happens. I find this always helps. I've never had anything progress to what you describe.
I'm in Australia and there was information with the medication about symptoms of toxicity.
I can't believe your Doctor was so negligent. It's alarming.
Posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2008, at 19:42:47
In reply to Re: Lithium withdrawal experiences?, posted by Kimmeth on September 10, 2008, at 8:10:09
I know it's a bit late but welcome to babble. Lots of great knowledge here and your's as well. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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