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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 TriedEveryDrug on January 6, 2010, at 20:48:59
I do not know why the hell I even asked to try this drug. My main complaint is ADHD.
Anyway, I am at 600mg now, doc wants me to try to take it up to 900mg then get a blood test.
But the lithium is making my ADHD much much much worse. It is interfering with my job so much it is making me very anxious.
The lack of concentration might be from the insomnia the lithium is causing, but I'm not so sure. The insomnia *is* bad - even ambien doesn't touch it. I pop an ambien and it's like I took a sugar pill.
I have never been manic before, but now on the lithium I have these mini episodes of hyperactivity/mania. My GF says she has never seen my like this before.
I'm switching from taking it at night to taking it during the day to see if that helps w/ the insomnia. But I dropped down to 300mg last night and I still stayed awake all night.
Other side effects I am having: sweating, pounding heart, blurred vision, frustration, restlessness...
I did try some adderall w/ the lithium - holy mood swings batman (I don't get mood swings on just adderall).
What do you think - suffer and stick it out like my doctor wants? I have a design document due Friday and I am already way way way way behind.
Sorry for the long rant...
Thanks :)
Posted by inanimate peanut on January 6, 2010, at 21:01:22
In reply to Stick w/ Lithium trial or not? Side effects SUCK., posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 6, 2010, at 20:48:59
What is the purpose of the lithium trial? What are you hoping it will achieve? It sounds like it's just making you worse.
Posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 6, 2010, at 21:11:31
In reply to Re: Stick w/ Lithium trial or not? Side effects SU, posted by inanimate peanut on January 6, 2010, at 21:01:22
> What is the purpose of the lithium trial? What are you hoping it will achieve? It sounds like it's just making you worse.
Well, since normal ADHD drugs have not really worked for me, my doctor though maybe I'm bipolar II. We tried Lamictal a couple years ago and it did squat for me other than make throw me into rages randomly.
Posted by Phillipa on January 6, 2010, at 21:43:50
In reply to Re: Stick w/ Lithium trial or not? Side effects SU » inanimate peanut, posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 6, 2010, at 21:11:31
I say get off the med. Sounds like your're not bipolar it's in vogue to be it seems from what I read. Phillipa of course this just one person's opinion
Posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 7, 2010, at 1:30:55
In reply to Stick w/ Lithium trial or not? Side effects SUCK., posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 6, 2010, at 20:48:59
Maybe I am being a hypochondriac...
I'm at 600mg (for a couple of weeks). All of the sudden tonight I got nausea. I am worrying my levels are elevated.
I have been having diarrhea and infrequent urination almost the entire time I have been on this stuff. Almost 3 weeks now.
Doc doesn't want me to get my blood level checked until I have been at 900mg for a week.
Posted by mtdewcmu on January 7, 2010, at 11:02:03
In reply to Is it possible to have toxicity at lowish dosages?, posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 7, 2010, at 1:30:55
> Maybe I am being a hypochondriac...
>
> I'm at 600mg (for a couple of weeks). All of the sudden tonight I got nausea. I am worrying my levels are elevated.
>
> I have been having diarrhea and infrequent urination almost the entire time I have been on this stuff. Almost 3 weeks now.Infrequent urination? It's supposed to cause frequent urination. Diarrhea isn't terribly worrisome unless it is severe; many drugs can cause a little bit of diarrhea.
Posted by inanimate peanut on January 7, 2010, at 11:33:32
In reply to Is it possible to have toxicity at lowish dosages?, posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 7, 2010, at 1:30:55
600 sounds pretty low for toxicity but I'm no expert (I took lithium for years and was on the low side of therapeutic at 1200mg). Hopefully someone else will come along who knows more about it.
Posted by Justherself54 on January 7, 2010, at 12:03:59
In reply to Stick w/ Lithium trial or not? Side effects SUCK., posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 6, 2010, at 20:48:59
I'm bipolar and I couldn't get even close to a theraputic dosage of Lithium. My hands didn't just tremor..they shook so badly that I couldn't type, let alone control the mouse. It would shoot right out of my hand.
Have you told your pdoc that it is making you feel so terrible and it's causing you insomnia and problems at work? As I don't know your history I can't comment on the BP diagnosis, however, I was misdiagnosed for close to 20 years until I had a prolonged mania followed by refractory depression.
I think Lithium is the gold standard to try first, but not all can tolerate it. There are other meds to try. I would most certainly explore the diagnosis of BP with your pdoc.
Best wishes..
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2010, at 20:03:08
In reply to Re: Stick w/ Lithium trial or not? Side effects SUCK., posted by Justherself54 on January 7, 2010, at 12:03:59
Not only what Justherself said but could the lithium be building up in your system if infrequent urination? I'd get the test now. Phillipa
Posted by fattoush on January 7, 2010, at 22:30:45
In reply to Re: Stick w/ Lithium trial or not? Side effects SUCK., posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2010, at 20:03:08
I agree with Phillipa and Justherself. I take Lithium and get tested for toxicity and Lithium level at just 600 mgs. I guess my doc is cautious. More important, as much as I love Lithium, clearly it is not for you. You have to re-consider your diagnosis, maybe seek a second opinion, especially that Lamictal did weird things to you too.
Posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 8, 2010, at 13:32:45
In reply to Re: Stick w/ Lithium trial or not? Side effects SUCK., posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2010, at 20:03:08
I left a rambling, stuttering message w/ my doc and he called me back and said stop the med immediately.
I went and got the test too just to see if I was above safe levels or I'm just being a whiny hypochondriac.
I feel a million times better even being off it for merely 24 hours. We'll see...
I have crohn's disease too so I know water absorption is an issue for me anyway.
Posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2010, at 19:57:21
In reply to Thank you everyone. :), posted by TriedEveryDrug on January 8, 2010, at 13:32:45
Definately could be. And you sure don't want a flair of that. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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