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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Atreyu on August 31, 2007, at 14:17:49
Lithium is perhaps the most delicious recipe I have ever tried. I’ve run through the slew of pharmaceutical nightmares that have essentially sodomized my mind, to finally—as a Custard’s last stand—pop this little wonder element from Glen Seaborg’s periodic table, into my mouth. Psychologically speaking, Lithium( 300mg of Lithobid x 2 ) has been a life saver for my mood instability. It has a rather euphoric, semi-hallucinatory punch of which a pool of happiness is the end result. My mind is sharper, my creative abilities have expanded way past that of Timothy Learys, my weight has actually dropped significantly (I’m 5 11 and way 160 largely due to the fact that I run 6 miles each morning and have become a gym junkie), and my sexual drive is as thirsty as it’s always been; more phenomenal is the fact that I can actually hold an erection after five years of playing Limp Bizkit?? It all reeks of an open tuna can of hypomania; doesn’t it? I would concur, apart from the astonishing fact that I’ve been bloody cement stable for a year now, organized, motivated, positive, and much, much happier than the average mortal. Nevertheless, I’m actually considering throwing my friend Lithobid in the dumpster for side-effecting me with—which may seem featherbrained to most—a severe case of facial edema (the kind you get after you engulf an entire peach barrel filled with salt; highly un-recommended my friends). Lithobid has also dubbed thee knight with the usual unsightly trio: bacne, facne and chestne. I feel like a hyrbird-cross between an adolescent with overzealous sebaceous glands and a meat-head on steroids. I won’t delve into why (other than the fact that my face is part of my job) these mere cosmetic issues are so disconcerting to me. I would like to know if anyone else has experienced the ‘puffiness factor’ (you can tell if you press your nail into your cheeks and it remains indented for longer than 5 seconds). And if anyone has discovered a way to combat the ‘factor’ (clearly diuretics would work but that would surely screw up my lithium levels). Please let me know as I would be very grateful. Also, has anyone found a good acne remedy that is safe to take with lithium?
SIDE NOTE: If you’re curious, I’m not your typical bipolar; the docs don’t know how to classify me other than to say that I’m in the bipolar spectrum. I’ve suffered from social anxiety my entire life as well as ADD. For whatever reason, the Lithobid alone has been remarkably effective in pacifying both. It seems to me that there are a lot of unfortunate people out there that are being diagnosed with anxiety and attention issues(being prescribed uppers and downers which only make things worse in my experience) when bipolar spectrum/ mood instability might be the real culprit. The negative stigma surrounding lithium is pulp fiction. The side effects are minimal; lithium has had the fewest side effects of any drug that I’ve ever swallowed (SSRIs were a bloody nightmare from the sewer pipes of Hell—trying to get a stiff one-eye was like trying finish an everlasting gobstopper; it wasn’t happening). Anyways facial edema?? Anyone?? Going once? Twice? Perhaps it will one day be sold!!
Posted by Squiggles on August 31, 2007, at 15:53:45
In reply to Lithium and Facial Edema/Puffiness, posted by Atreyu on August 31, 2007, at 13:07:18
Edema comes from water retention and salt.
Lithium makes you bloat but so does valproate and
many other drugs.
I don't have acne fortunately, but my entire
skin "pits"--- one advantage is that you get
non-plastic surgery on your face-- you look about
10-20 yrs younger.What to do -- i would ask the dr. if the dose
could be lowered. As for acne, try using baby
powder after your bath or shower.Squiggle
Posted by Maximus on September 1, 2007, at 10:51:44
In reply to Lithium and Facial Edema/Puffiness, posted by Atreyu on August 31, 2007, at 14:17:49
Hi,
So, in résumé, you feel great but you have acnea? If ain't broken, don't fix it, you know. A lot of people would kill (manner of speaking) to get that kind of stability.
For the puffiness, i would look to reduce the dose of Li and/or increase your salt intake. For the skin, yes lithium can exacerbate acnea. I don't have special advices for that, but you could see a dermatologist. Bye.
Posted by sam123 on September 2, 2007, at 14:58:02
In reply to Lithium and Facial Edema/Puffiness, posted by Atreyu on August 31, 2007, at 14:17:49
"Lithobid has also dubbed thee knight with the usual unsightly trio: bacne, facne and chestne. I feel like a hyrbird-cross between an adolescent with overzealous sebaceous glands and a meat-head on steroids."
See a dermatologist as acne is very treatable. I would not drop a med that works as well as you say it does if this side effect is treatable.
I had problems in the past with acne, mostly chest and back, due to medical steroid use, which caused the trio you mentioned.Chest and back acne does not resolve with topical treatments, generally. Tends to be deep and can scar. The right antibiotic is very effective. Tetracycline, which is very cheap,
is often used and it worked well for me. Once things were cleared up, as in zero blemishes,
I just used generic Cleocin T lotion and that kept me outbreak free.This was 10-15 years ago and I was working in a conservative corporate setting with constant face to face interaction with clients and staff. I was horrified when my face broke out. I just had a few blemishes but I was in my mid 30's !
This is the end of the thread.
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