Fear of lithium

Crazy Hitch · Nov 10, 2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzy1313

Saw pdoc today. She wanted to put me on something that will snap me out of this depression fast. She first wanted to use abilify, but I decided lithium instead and she agreed it would work similarily. Even though the side effects, lithium has been around so long and it worked for my mood 20 years ago.

I was supposed to work tonight waiting tables and could find no one to work for me but there was no way I can work right now. My sister in law works there and at first said no so I begged. I don't want her to know what is going on so I was vague- she just knows it's some kind of emergency.

Glad you saw your pdoc today.

Also happy that it sounds as if you've got a pdoc who is willing to listen to your concerns and suggestions.

Just get your blood works for lithium levels and thyroid functioning every so often, which I have no doubt your pdoc will do.

~Christina · Nov 10, 2014, 04:22 PM

Hope it kicks in quickly

Yes blood work done and increase you daily fluids , stay hydrated .

middlepath · Nov 10, 2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzy1313

Saw pdoc today. She wanted to put me on something that will snap me out of this depression fast. She first wanted to use abilify, but I decided lithium instead and she agreed it would work similarily. Even though the side effects, lithium has been around so long and it worked for my mood 20 years ago.

I was supposed to work tonight waiting tables and could find no one to work for me but there was no way I can work right now. My sister in law works there and at first said no so I begged. I don't want her to know what is going on so I was vague- she just knows it's some kind of emergency.

I was on a small dose, and gained a small amount. I was bothered by the weight gain, but felt good on the medication mostly. The thing about the weight gain is that it was low and slow...so it is something that (had I been good about watching my intake) I could have changed. It was in no way like some of the antipsychotics that slap weight on hard and fast. **if** you experience weight gain, you will notice it slowly and hopefully be able to adjust your lifestyle accordingly so that you can feel good about yourself, too.

ozzy1313 · Nov 11, 2014, 09:27 AM

My pdoc is keeping me at 300mg until I see her in 5 weeks. She is not having me do any blood work in that time. I asked her about it and she said this is such a low dose we don't need to worry about that right now, we just need to get me stable asap. Is that normal? Does 300 mg even do anything?

~Christina · Nov 11, 2014, 09:40 AM

My Pdoc did a baseline blood test for Thyroid prior to starting Lithium as it can wreck your thyroid function and you could need Thyroid medication for life.

I did a blood test 2 weeks after starting then was increased to 600mg 2 weeks later had blood work and I was in the low range and I stayed there. After that point I did blood work every 4-6 months.

Every Pdoc has there own way of managing people on Lithium.

I am no longer on Lithium.

HALLIEBETH87 · Nov 12, 2014, 12:46 AM

I took lithium years ago at the hands of an irresponsible go and I take thyroid med everyday! Luckily this time I haveba pdoc who knows what she's doing

smartbutcrazy · Nov 12, 2014, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

I took lithium years ago at the hands of an irresponsible go and I take thyroid med everyday! Luckily this time I haveba pdoc who knows what she's doing

That, the routine blood work and fear of toxicity were my initial reasons for avoiding lithium for so many years. Now I take medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes thanks to Zyprexa and seroquel. And here I am taking lithium. I wish I had just done that in the first place.

hellboy · Nov 12, 2014, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzy1313

My pdoc is keeping me at 300mg until I see her in 5 weeks. She is not having me do any blood work in that time. I asked her about it and she said this is such a low dose we don't need to worry about that right now, we just need to get me stable asap. Is that normal? Does 300 mg even do anything?

It can. Although there is a recommended range, I had a pdoc who said it is possible to have benefits below that. My levels are generally 0.4 to 0.6, which is low, but the pdoc says it is a good maintenance level. Plus it does help.

Hellboy

ozzy1313 · Nov 12, 2014, 08:03 AM

I'm actually not worried about the physical side effects except for weight gain. I do want blood work when I go back next month though. I just had a complete blood work up at my regular dr and everything was normal so I will have that to compare to.

In high school when I was on it I think maybe I had blood work every month or so? In college I overdosed on a bottle of lithium and I think that was the last time I took it-

Tiny Dancer · Nov 12, 2014, 11:26 AM

I'm on 1200 mg per day, and the only weight I've gained is because I, like licketysplit, never feel full. Now that I know that's a problem, I'm watching what I eat and doing much better.

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