Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1022162

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No coffee on lithium?

Posted by sheilac on July 26, 2012, at 14:47:12

I really look forward and enjoy my morning coffee, but lately I feel like I am bouncing off the walls. The only thing I have done differently is stop Trileptal because it makes me so depressed.

I take 450mg Lithium a day (I think this is making me feel speedy when I drink my morning coffee)

Klonopin and 5mg xr Adderall.

I'm wondering if there isn't a better, easier anti-manic drug to take instead of lithium.

I'm afraid I'm not getting the calming effect I need. But if I drop the Adderall then I'm a mess that can focus and concentrate.

I know the answer is going up on Lithium, but I can't tolerate the side effects.


 

Re: No coffee on lithium?

Posted by papillon2 on July 26, 2012, at 18:39:19

In reply to No coffee on lithium?, posted by sheilac on July 26, 2012, at 14:47:12

How long have you been at your current dose of Lithium? Your body might still be dealing with start-up side effects that will go away with time. From memory, it takes 5-7 days just to reach a steady state.

If you do have to stop from intolerable side effects, you're not alone. I was getting symptoms Lithium toxicity at 125mg. Odd!

 

Re: No coffee on lithium? » sheilac

Posted by SLS on July 26, 2012, at 21:50:25

In reply to No coffee on lithium?, posted by sheilac on July 26, 2012, at 14:47:12

Hi SheilaC.

I don't always listen to my own advice, but patience here might pay off. I like what Papillon2 had to say about the time necessary to establish a stable blood level of lithium. It might make sense to wait at least a week before increasing your dosage of lithium from 450 mg/day to 600 mg/day. The goal is to establish 600 mg/day by mitigating startup side effects.

Try not to change your dosages on a daily basis. This will help to allow your brain settle in on a state of stability (homeostasis).

I switched to decaf. It helped to reduce symptom fluctuations throughout the day.


- Scott

 

Re: No coffee on lithium? » sheilac

Posted by phidippus on July 26, 2012, at 22:49:48

In reply to No coffee on lithium?, posted by sheilac on July 26, 2012, at 14:47:12

There are no interactions between lithium and caffeine. I take 1200 mg of Lithium and indulge in Starbucks Doubleshot Energy drinks alll the time.

The side effects of the Lithium will pass. Push it up.

What happens if you go off the mood stabilizers?

Ericc

 

Re: No coffee on lithium?

Posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2012, at 23:28:50

In reply to Re: No coffee on lithium? » sheilac, posted by phidippus on July 26, 2012, at 22:49:48

Since no interractions between caffeine and lithium maybe you should have your levels checked. Was it you that said you were a slow metabolizer or another poster? Phillipa

 

Re: No coffee on lithium?

Posted by Sheilac on July 27, 2012, at 5:58:23

In reply to Re: No coffee on lithium?, posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2012, at 23:28:50

Right now I'm on 450mg a day and so far so good. It's been about 5 days. I will probably wait another week before I push it up.

I'm also getting used to the Adderall.

Im shaky first thing in the morning before I've had my Adderall.

When I don't take some sort of mood stabilizer I get very irritable which is hard on my family.

I'm still freaked out about taking lithium. I always worry that there may be something safer.

I hope I stick with it. I just hate the loose stools and shaking like a fool.

 

Re: S

Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on July 27, 2012, at 21:22:09

In reply to No coffee on lithium?, posted by sheilac on July 26, 2012, at 14:47:12

I don't know much on Lithium because I've never taken it but reguarding your comment with something that maybe easier than lithium is Lamictal....it has a wierd mechanism but it really improves depression at 200mg...i'm just checking it out. Like I said my body is vary resistant to alot of meds.

Things like Abilify and Zyprexa for mood stablization are difficult because they are nueroleptics and can cause thinking to change. Personally I think lithium is a good choice, even thought I've never taken it.

good luck to you shiela

rj


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