[joyl]

hi

was diagnosised yesterday as bipolar. i always thought the highs were just 'normal' part of sever depression that's been w/ me for 20 + years and also have agoraphobia w/panic disorder. sorry, i'm rambling. the info sheet w/ the lithium said to avoid caffiene, but i am a serious tea drinker. a cup of hot tea in am, then ice tea rest of day and then cup of hot tea before sleep (or i can't relax enough to sleep) and i hated the taste water even the 'flavored' kind unless there is no tea avaiable. anyone know why caffiene is a no-no w/ lithium. was going to call doctor about it but had panic attack and took xanax and slept very nicely for 6hours today.

[DaveyJones]

Sorry to hear about your illness...but you've come to a great place for support.

Caffeine is bad for bipolar in general...it keeps your nervous system stimulated and can aggravate mania in particular, and cause problems with sleep. I haven't given up caffeine completely, but have cut way back.

I do not know why caffeine and lithium wouldn't mix...the only thing that comes to mind is that it tends to dehydrate you, which makes your lithium level go up. VERY IMPORTANT...drink lots of water when you're on lithium. I have found that it tends to help many of the problems associated with lithium therapy such as tremors and diarrhea.

Hope this helps!

DJ

[babs92]

Hi Joyl

A warm welcome to you here. Listen to Davey he has some good advise. I think caffeine is bad full stop anyway, but I am just like you and LOVE my cups of tea throughout the day. I am not on Lithium so I can't answer your question.

I am on valium as and when I need it to get to sleep at night but I find that if I have a cup of tea after 6pm I can't go off to sleep so easily and am too wired - then have to take a valium! How about trying caffeine free tea with a little sugar - or maybe half and half.

Do take care and let us know how you are doing.

I had problems with my kidney function on lithium. The doc said to drink plenty of water, but didn't menion that caffeine is bad, but it is a diuretic so maybe it is not good to use with lithium. I am a serious coffee drinker & had to get off the lithium due to abnormal kidney function, though I was drinking a lot of water. It worked great for my moods so I'm sure it is helpful to most people. I just had a bad reaction to it--Szuy

[joyl]

Thanks everyone for the help with the caffiene and lithium. Have cut back on tea.for every glass or cup of tea, I make myself drink the same amount of water.
joyl

[darkeyes]

I think most of this is physically independent, my brother, and most in my family, have adored caffeine (coffee drinkers) and haven't seen anything that lives up to this problem of the mix, but we are all physically and mentally, individual(s) but I feel whatever seems to not agree, caution should be taken, and being in touch with the prescribing pdoc about this is important.
Some people get stimulated from caffeine, and then there are people just the opposite occurs.
Lithium is an excellent med. for many, then there are some it may not be good for, just a matter of giving things a try and following all the directions and also reporting to your pdoc if there are negative side effects, some effects are only temporary, but it's best to take this up with your pdoc.
I wish everyone here, at this forum, lots of luck with their meds and on the road to stabilization.
It is possible.
DE

[Taipans]

I will be moved up to the more "therapeutic" dosage of lithium on Oct 24th. And in preparation have stopped drinking anything with caffeine in it. It’s been three weeks, and man has it been tough. I use to be a heavy soda and drinker in the mornings and on the drive home each day and it’s been really tough. My advice, you should switch over to decaffeinated teas, I'm sure they taste the same and it will help break away from the caffeine. I stopped drinking soda all together (its poison =P), but if I drank tea or coffee I would of tried the decaf route. Although you will notice the hit in energy until its out of your system.

Good Look either way,

Mark

[darkeyes]

I'm surprised, to hear this, are you saying you can't have any caffeine?
Wow, I've heard too much is not good, but never has our pdocs said none at all.
I know some of their reasoning may be due to increase in urination,which may effect your Lithium level,but total withdrawal from caffeinated coffee,that is really rough,see if he/she will allow at least a morning mug.
Take care now,
DE