![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cache-monkey on March 20, 2005, at 17:32:00
Hey all,
So, I've just started 1200 mg/day of Lithium, after ramping up over the course of a month or so. This should get me into the "therapeutic window".
I noticed the same phenomenon when starting 900 mg, but to a lesser extend. I'm basically thirsty all the time and have to go to the bathroom a lot. I realize that this is common for Lithium, but it's pretty bad right now. My bladder and my prostate (and even my kidneys, I feel) are a little tender. I don't know if this is from overuse, or whether Lithium acts as an irritant in some way. (It feels the same as during a period when I was drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee -- I currently abstain from both.)
When I went up to 900 it wasn't so severe. I also feel like maybe the thirst-bathroom cycle lessened after a little time. Like maybe my kidneys adjusted somehow. Consequently, I'm hoping the same happens at the current dose.
Has anyone else experienced a lessening of the thirst and urination after acclimatizing to a dose? Or does it usually remain pretty steady?
Thanks,
cache-monkey
Posted by lunesta on March 20, 2005, at 18:42:31
In reply to Lithium and the Urinary Tract: Does system adjust?, posted by cache-monkey on March 20, 2005, at 17:32:00
Lithium is a powerful anti-viral...
Posted by cache-monkey on March 20, 2005, at 19:09:32
In reply to Re: Lithium and the Urinary Tract: Does system adj » cache-monkey, posted by lunesta on March 20, 2005, at 18:42:31
> Lithium is a powerful anti-viral...
I wasn't aware of that. Just did a quick google, and found some references. That's pretty cool.
But, I'm actually not sure how that relates to my questions about urinary frequency (polyuria), thirst, etc. Can you clarify the link, please?
Thanks,
cache-monkey
Posted by Ritch on March 20, 2005, at 22:57:05
In reply to Lithium and the Urinary Tract: Does system adjust?, posted by cache-monkey on March 20, 2005, at 17:32:00
> Hey all,
>
> So, I've just started 1200 mg/day of Lithium, after ramping up over the course of a month or so. This should get me into the "therapeutic window".
>
> I noticed the same phenomenon when starting 900 mg, but to a lesser extend. I'm basically thirsty all the time and have to go to the bathroom a lot. I realize that this is common for Lithium, but it's pretty bad right now. My bladder and my prostate (and even my kidneys, I feel) are a little tender. I don't know if this is from overuse, or whether Lithium acts as an irritant in some way. (It feels the same as during a period when I was drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee -- I currently abstain from both.)
>
> When I went up to 900 it wasn't so severe. I also feel like maybe the thirst-bathroom cycle lessened after a little time. Like maybe my kidneys adjusted somehow. Consequently, I'm hoping the same happens at the current dose.
>
> Has anyone else experienced a lessening of the thirst and urination after acclimatizing to a dose? Or does it usually remain pretty steady?
>
> Thanks,
> cache-monkey
>
I always had trouble with that when I was on lithium.. It did settle down *somewhat* after a dose increase, or became more tolerable on the same dose after some time on it.. but it never just vanished. Maybe you can get by on a lower blood level? In my case, blood levels above .6mEQ didn't improve things very much, lithium wasn't a real potent antimanic for me, and its antidepressant effects were as good as they were ever going to get at levels between .3 -.5mEQ.
Posted by HappyGirl on March 21, 2005, at 0:45:10
In reply to Lithium and the Urinary Tract: Does system adjust?, posted by cache-monkey on March 20, 2005, at 17:32:00
Hi:
>>> Has anyone else experienced a lessening of the thirst and urination after acclimatizing to a dose? <<<<The thirst and numerous trips to the rest-room will diminish as your system get used to the Lithium. However, it takes quite awhile, ... probably when you feel 'some' stabilization, i.e. less 'hypomania' along with small depressive episodes in comparison to the time when you first started the Lithium.
In reading, to drink a lot of liquid is, in nature's way, not to build up 'toxic' in your system. Otherwise, you feel 'headache,' 'nausea,' and among other S.E.s you need to suffer.
H.G.
Posted by HappyGirl on March 21, 2005, at 19:26:02
In reply to Lithium and the Urinary Tract: Does system adjust?, posted by cache-monkey on March 20, 2005, at 17:32:00
Hi:
If you would like to know 'more' about the Lithium, the site below seems one of the best to read and learn:http://www.bipolarweb.net/lithium.htm
H.G.
Posted by cache-monkey on March 21, 2005, at 23:09:45
In reply to Re: Lithium and the Urinary Tract: Does system adjust? » cache-monkey, posted by Ritch on March 20, 2005, at 22:57:05
[thirst and urinary frequency]
<< I always had trouble with that when I was on lithium.. It did settle down *somewhat* after a dose increase, or became more tolerable on the same dose after some time on it.. but it never just vanished. Maybe you can get by on a lower blood level? In my case, blood levels above .6mEQ didn't improve things very much, lithium wasn't a real potent antimanic for me, and its antidepressant effects were as good as they were ever going to get at levels between .3 -.5mEQ. >>
I feel like I was doing alright at 900 mg/day, with a level of 0.41. It's only at 1200 mg/day that the whole thirst and urinary frequency thing has gotten excessive. The annoying thing, though is that at the higher dose I've been feeling much better mentally.
I explained my symptoms to my pdoc. He suggests discontinuing. I'm going to do so step-wise, lowering to 600 mg/day first. If the symptoms resolve, I'd like to take another crack at 900 mg/day and stay there. Hopefully it will get better!
Anyway, thanks for the info.
Best,
cache-monkey
Posted by cache-monkey on March 21, 2005, at 23:10:45
In reply to Re: Lithium Web-site: » cache-monkey, posted by HappyGirl on March 21, 2005, at 19:26:02
Thanks for the link! -CM
> Hi:
> If you would like to know 'more' about the Lithium, the site below seems one of the best to read and learn:
>
> http://www.bipolarweb.net/lithium.htm
>
> H.G.
Posted by HappyGirl on March 22, 2005, at 0:35:44
In reply to Re: Lithium and the Urinary Tract: Does system adjust? » Ritch, posted by cache-monkey on March 21, 2005, at 23:09:45
Hi:
If you're feeling better at 900 mg. with 'LESS' side effect, then I'd suggest you to keep taking the Lithium, at 900 mg. that is 'recommended dosage/average dosage.'In my recollection, back when I started the Lithium regimen, I moved up its dosage 'too' quick that caused a lot of 'havoc,' like you're describing here on this board. Unless your pdoc. recommended to take the 'highere/mass dosage,' you shouldn't take more than 900 mg./average dosage.
In my opinion through the experience, ... the Lithium is one of 'best' M.S.s as seeing the Depakote made me 'thirst' and 'frequent rest-room trips.' After all, the Depakote stopped working on me. On the otherhand, the Lithium has NEVER given me any 'hardship' except the S.E. about which we all going through.
In my knowledge along with personal trial and error, ... unfortunately 'most'(if not all) of psycho. meds. have some degree of annyoing side-effects to deal with. For this, we might need to choose whether it's better to be 'sane' or not. It's truly 'tough decision,' ... but this is all about M.I. we might need to cope with.
H.G.
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.