![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bikinigrrl on November 12, 2008, at 6:53:53
I have been on Lithium 1200 mg since 1996 when I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 1 after a psychotic episode at age 38. The side effects I have experienced incl. hair loss, weight gain, NDI- Dephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus, dry skin, chronic constipation, excessive urination (2 gallons + 32 ounces 24 hour period) nxxt to no appetite, I'll stop there. How I have tolerated these symptoms I have no idea. But I have been with the same Dr. for the full period and she was told about the urination and ignored me so I thought it was no big deal. Until I read something in consumer reports about NDI and realized that Lithium-Induced NDI is a serious condition and can lead to renal failure and all sorts of other stuff.
MY QUESTION: How do I safely stop taking lithium. My doctor wants me to add depokote and keep a low dose of Lithium. I want to get off the drugs and get my body and health back. I have excellent health (exc. for LITH effects) and did until I started taking Lithium. I have no depression and I have a positive approach to life. I workout daily and have been a drug- free vegetarian since I was 16. I have never had depression before or after my lithium use. Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. I wish I had read up on the risks of lithium use before I took it but I trusted my doctors. FATAL MISTAKE. Thanks for reading my post.
Posted by hugsandkisses on January 26, 2009, at 8:27:40
In reply to Lithium discontinuence/tapering need guidance, posted by bikinigrrl on November 12, 2008, at 6:53:53
Hi, Iknow that I'm bhind on this but I warn you not to mess around with Lithium withdrawl. I did and I ended up 600 miles away from home. Maybe your Lithium is to strong and your Doctor is right about the new dose combination. Maybe you are eating or drinking something that is causing this reaction. I can't exercise because it makes me hyper,so what,I must live a calm life,I accept this and it helps.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Withdrawal | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.