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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hundredhugs on March 3, 2004, at 7:10:33
My pdoc has been wanting me to try a low dose of lithium and I have been reluctant to try it. I became toxic on it a number of years ago and I not to thrilled with the idea of trying lithium again. From what I have been reading on the boards here, lamictal and lithium seem to be a good combo. Is that a low dose of lithium or a regular dose (in the therapeutic window)? My pdoc is talking about levels of .3 or .4. I am also taking topamax. I am not too thrilled about adding another mood stabilizer to the mix either. I am tired of cycling, lamictal and topamax barely hold me. Should I think about going off the topamax and add lithium, or add lithium to the mix? Maybe stay where I am because I got toxic? My pdoc is pretty open and listens to me and we discuss things, so I research them out. Anyone have thoughts on this? I appreciate any comments.
hundredhugs
Posted by alathea on March 3, 2004, at 14:59:01
In reply to Add lithium to lamictal and topamax?, posted by hundredhugs on March 3, 2004, at 7:10:33
> My pdoc has been wanting me to try a low dose of lithium and I have been reluctant to try it. I became toxic on it a number of years ago and I not to thrilled with the idea of trying lithium again. From what I have been reading on the boards here, lamictal and lithium seem to be a good combo. Is that a low dose of lithium or a regular dose (in the therapeutic window)? My pdoc is talking about levels of .3 or .4. I am also taking topamax. I am not too thrilled about adding another mood stabilizer to the mix either. I am tired of cycling, lamictal and topamax barely hold me. Should I think about going off the topamax and add lithium, or add lithium to the mix? Maybe stay where I am because I got toxic? My pdoc is pretty open and listens to me and we discuss things, so I research them out. Anyone have thoughts on this? I appreciate any comments.
>
> hundredhugsLithium works great for lots and lots of people if you don't have (or can stand) the side effects. I'm not surprised the topomax and lamictal aren't holding you. I went up, up, up and psychotic on topomax--from what I'm hearing it doesn't work for very many people. I love tegretaol and it has less side effects than Lithium (for most people). I think I hate lamictal and will add Lithium back in (it worked great for me about eight years ago) but I can't tell for sure yet. Good luck!
Posted by DepNYer on March 3, 2004, at 15:11:38
In reply to Add lithium to lamictal and topamax?, posted by hundredhugs on March 3, 2004, at 7:10:33
If the Lamictal and Topomax are barely holding you steady, then the addition of Lithium makes sense. Whether you would need to continue the Topomax is a decision I'd only start to think about once you were stable. As to whether the Li should be in the theraputic range, my personal thought would be why use something at less than a theraputic dose?
You may do fine on the lower edge of theraputic, which will give you a buffer against toxicity (I take it you were once Li toxic from your post).
This is the end of the thread.
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