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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 SLS on May 11, 2002, at 7:17:56
I have a history of reacting badly to lithium. At 600mg and a blood level of 0.45 mEq/L, my depression becomes significantly worse. I was "forced" to continue at this dosage for 9 months, and this worsening effect never disappeared.
I recently tried starting lithium at 300mg. A single 300mg dose really screwed me up for two days, leaving me significantly more depressed. It was more than just a flattening of affect. I waited a few days and tried again at 100mg. I experienced the same thing, although to a lesser degree. I stuck with it a few days and then increased to 200mg. I felt pretty bad. Now that I have been off of it for two days, I am back to my crappy normal.
Has anyone else experienced this? At what dosage? If I stick with it, will this effect pass?
Thanks for any input.
- Scott
Posted by judy1 on May 11, 2002, at 12:52:35
In reply to Lithium makes me feel worse. Anyone else?, posted by SLS on May 11, 2002, at 7:17:56
Me too, I loathe that drug- even more than depakote. It also made me feel depressed (like depakote) and I hate any drug that involves blood monitoring and that you can die from if you are over the 'normal' range. It genuinely sucks. Have you tried trileptal? Take care, Judy
Posted by JohnX2 on May 11, 2002, at 19:44:53
In reply to Lithium makes me feel worse. Anyone else?, posted by SLS on May 11, 2002, at 7:17:56
Scott,Sorry you react badly to lithium.
I'm starting lithobid on Monday (don't remember the dose).
I hope it can either stop my cycling or allow me to
take higher doses of other mood stabilizers without triggering
myofacial pain.My lithium pre-screening showed an anomaly in my
urine "specific gravity". It was below normal. This has to do
with how much water you retain/excrete and the concentration
of electrolytes like sodium...I haven't had a chance to
discuss the impact of this data with my pdoc.PS what AD are you trying or thinking of trying?
Nardil?Take Care,
John
> I have a history of reacting badly to lithium. At 600mg and a blood level of 0.45 mEq/L, my depression becomes significantly worse. I was "forced" to continue at this dosage for 9 months, and this worsening effect never disappeared.
>
> I recently tried starting lithium at 300mg. A single 300mg dose really screwed me up for two days, leaving me significantly more depressed. It was more than just a flattening of affect. I waited a few days and tried again at 100mg. I experienced the same thing, although to a lesser degree. I stuck with it a few days and then increased to 200mg. I felt pretty bad. Now that I have been off of it for two days, I am back to my crappy normal.
>
> Has anyone else experienced this? At what dosage? If I stick with it, will this effect pass?
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by Cindylou on May 12, 2002, at 13:55:59
In reply to Lithium makes me feel worse. Anyone else?, posted by SLS on May 11, 2002, at 7:17:56
YES! Lithium made me feel so bad I only lasted one day. All I wanted to do was sleep -- I was drugged out and exhausted. I don't remember the dose, but I'm sure it was very low -- I always start out at about 1/2 the recommended starting dose.
cindy
> I have a history of reacting badly to lithium. At 600mg and a blood level of 0.45 mEq/L, my depression becomes significantly worse. I was "forced" to continue at this dosage for 9 months, and this worsening effect never disappeared.
>
> I recently tried starting lithium at 300mg. A single 300mg dose really screwed me up for two days, leaving me significantly more depressed. It was more than just a flattening of affect. I waited a few days and tried again at 100mg. I experienced the same thing, although to a lesser degree. I stuck with it a few days and then increased to 200mg. I felt pretty bad. Now that I have been off of it for two days, I am back to my crappy normal.
>
> Has anyone else experienced this? At what dosage? If I stick with it, will this effect pass?
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by Chloe on May 12, 2002, at 19:33:06
In reply to Re: Lithium makes me feel worse. Anyone else? » SLS, posted by JohnX2 on May 11, 2002, at 19:44:53
John,
FYI, Lithobid is a pink enteric coated pill that comes in 300 mgs size tablets.That is quite curious about your specific gravity results. Will this have any impact on your li trial?
Wishing you the best :)
Chloe
Posted by JohnX2 on May 12, 2002, at 23:38:51
In reply to Re: Lithium makes me feel worse. Anyone else? » JohnX2, posted by Chloe on May 12, 2002, at 19:33:06
> John,
> FYI, Lithobid is a pink enteric coated pill that comes in 300 mgs size tablets.
>
> That is quite curious about your specific gravity results. Will this have any impact on your li trial?
>I don't know the impact. I haven't fully discussed it with my
doctor (tomorrow). I didn't do anything special like fasting and
avoiding caffeine when I took the test. I drank a lot of caffinated
beverages in the hours before I went in to make sure that I would have
a specimen for them. I wonder if the medicines I'm on could affect the
specific gravity reading?> Wishing you the best :)
> ChloeThanks for your support Chloe.
John
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