![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janice on April 23, 2000, at 22:40:09
About a month ago
•I doubled my lithium to 1200mg
•I quite caffeine (which could have been controlling my appetite)
•I started eating, ALOT more than what I used to.Now
•I have gained 10 lbs (at least), which I can accept
•What I can't accept is my stomach. I look pregnant. my stomach is bloated and swollen, and I am physically uncomfortable. I also have alot of gas. These symptoms are all new since about 2 weeks ago.Any ideas?
The lithium is working really, REALLY well on my moods, but the stomach, it's got to go!
Janice
Posted by KarenB on April 23, 2000, at 23:17:08
In reply to Bloated, large stomach on lithium…(+ weight gain), posted by Janice on April 23, 2000, at 22:40:09
Janice,
Sounds like water weight gain, a very common side effect of lithium, because, after all, it IS a salt. Your doc should be able to give you an effective diuretic that will take care of it quickly. Drinking lots of water is very important, too, when you are on that med.
BTW, how is your "AD free" plan going so far? Are you off them or still in process? I'm interested in your progress.
Karen
Posted by Janice on April 24, 2000, at 12:31:30
In reply to Re: Bloated, large stomach on lithium…(+ weight gain), posted by KarenB on April 23, 2000, at 23:17:08
Hi Karen,
I've come down with a cold/flu this morning, and my stomach is definately down. I am hoping that is what it was. Thanks for the salt/water theory because I have been drinking alot of water.
If the past 7 days are an indication of my future, my future should be depression-free, manic-free. (and hopefully weight-gain free)
After an initial period of instabllity after increasing the lithium, I've been doing great just on the lithium. I hope I am not speaking too soon.
I just put it together a few days ago Karen that you were the lady from the Phillipines, who kindly posted me about successfully self-medicating there. I wonder if the medications you used there would be ones for ADD also. If I remember correctly, you weren't on a mood stabilizer--I remember thinking that that was odd for a bipolar person.
How are the stimulants working for you?
How did you discover it was ADD and not bipolar? Are you planning to add an anti-depressant?These 2 disorders can look so much alike.
Janice
Posted by KarenB on April 24, 2000, at 18:57:05
In reply to Karen…, posted by Janice on April 24, 2000, at 12:31:30
> Hi Karen,
>
> > I just put it together a few days ago Karen that you were the lady from the Phillipines, who kindly posted me about successfully self-medicating there. I wonder if the medications you used there would be ones for ADD also. If I remember correctly, you weren't on a mood stabilizer--I remember thinking that that was odd for a bipolar person.
>
> How are the stimulants working for you?
> How did you discover it was ADD and not bipolar? Are you planning to add an anti-depressant?
>
> These 2 disorders can look so much alike.
>
> JaniceJanice,
Yes that was me. It was only through reading the ADD posts on this board that I felt there may be a misdiagnosis going on with me. They all just sounded way too familiar.
And, yes, the AD I was on in the Philippines (amineptine) is a psychostimulant. With ADD, it makes sense that it would help me. Every other AD I have tried has not worked, for a host of reasons too long to list. Mood stabilizers made me constantly nauseous and weird. When the Lithium finally made me throw up, I said, "That's it - " and threw the bottle away. I can't very well walk around feeling like I'm going to hurl all the time, can I?
Anyway, I took several tests for ADD on the web, took an account of my school record and am fairly well convinced - this is what has been wrong with me since day one. I don't have the hyperactivity (rather hypoactivity) and so was never diagnosed. I am 39 - are you believing this!? My doctor was receptive to the idea, especially with my history of success on amineptine and went ahead and put me on Ritalin. It IS helping but I would like to try Adderall and maybe a couple others before making a decision, because Ritalin kind of crashes me a little hard in the afternoon, even on the SR. I also think that the addition of a neuroleptic may help, as I was on sulpiride along with the amineptine before and for me it was the magic combo. No menstrual periods because of the sulpiride, either, which I do not consider a big problem:)
Thanks for your concern. I was just telling my husband today that this is the most decent, kind and gracious group I have ever encountered on the internet. I guess maybe suffering brings out the best in people.
Glad the lithium is working out for you. Hope that continues!
Karen
Posted by Sassy on April 24, 2000, at 19:56:46
In reply to Karen…, posted by Janice on April 24, 2000, at 12:31:30
> Hi Karen,
>
> I've come down with a cold/flu this morning, and my stomach is definately down. I am hoping that is what it was. Thanks for the salt/water theory because I have been drinking alot of water.
>
> If the past 7 days are an indication of my future, my future should be depression-free, manic-free. (and hopefully weight-gain free)
>
> After an initial period of instabllity after increasing the lithium, I've been doing great just on the lithium. I hope I am not speaking too soon.
>
> I just put it together a few days ago Karen that you were the lady from the Phillipines, who kindly posted me about successfully self-medicating there. I wonder if the medications you used there would be ones for ADD also. If I remember correctly, you weren't on a mood stabilizer--I remember thinking that that was odd for a bipolar person.
>
> How are the stimulants working for you?
> How did you discover it was ADD and not bipolar? Are you planning to add an anti-depressant?
>
> These 2 disorders can look so much alike.
>
> JaniceHi karen,
I have the same problem with another drug and had
been taking enzymes which helped a little.Please tell me about the salt/water theory.
Thanks!
Sassy
Posted by KarenB on April 24, 2000, at 20:23:03
In reply to Re: SALT /WATER THEORY i want to know too!!, posted by Sassy on April 24, 2000, at 19:56:46
> Hi karen,
>
> I have the same problem with another drug and had
> been taking enzymes which helped a little.
>
> Please tell me about the salt/water theory.
>
> Thanks!
> SassyLithium is well known to cause water weight gain as a side effect. And, water itself, strangely enough, is a most effective diuretic. Drinking enough water helps your body to shed excess water, flush out toxins and operate more efficiently in many ways.
Karen
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | 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.