Stopping Lithium (and crying at work).

I had a pleasant surprise as the covering doctor for my pdoc called me today to find out how I'm doing on the Lithium. I told him how (and sorry to be gross and graphic) I had diahrrea this morning four times in a half hour. I told him that I really couldn't tell him if that was related to the Lithium or not because it also follows the pattern of my IBS attacks-- so it's really difficult to single out what it would be from.

He told me that due to the frequency of these attacks (I had it Monday night and Tuesday) that he would urge me to stop taking Lithium. He said he believes that if I am taking it, it should be while my doctor is present, not on vacation, and while my levels are being checked. He said maybe this is not the right medication for me as it's hard to tell where the stomach problems are coming from and since we can't be sure we don't want the Lithium to mess around with my electrolytes and such.

I was so touched that he called to see how I was doing... I asked him if he was accepting new patients. He said he wasn't at this time, and that unfortunately his area of expertise is not in what my pdoc is treating me for.

Then I cried. At my desk.

Jerked around again with meds.

I'm frustrated. I'm tired. I'm done.

((Pinksoil))

Can you call T to center yourself?

Pink, Maybe its not such a bad thing to not take the meds? After all there's only so much they can do for one?

I found immodium Advanced helped when I had frequent diarrhea from Lithium. It also helps me when I avoid too much refined sugar for some reason. Not sure if that part is related to Lithium or just helps my body tolerate it or something.

I know how annoying and uncomfortable that side effect can be. Whatever you decide, I hope you find something that works well for you.

gg

Oh, rats that he doesn't take new patients I'd definately call your T and chat with him to feel better right now. Can you just stop the lithium cold turkey or should you wean off, did the covering guy say?

(( pink ))

Could you call that covering pdoc and ask if he could recommend a pdoc? I wonder if this covering doc doesn't have a lot of confidence in the pdoc who's on vacation.

I hope you feel better soon!

I don't think I am going to stop the Lithium. I understand that the covering doc is being extra cautious. But I know my body very well and a couple of hours ago, my monthly friend showed up. That accounts for all of my stomach problems this past week because whenever I am going to get it, I have a terrible IBS flare up. I really don't think my stomach problems are related to the Lithium. However it would be nice to know what my levels are. The doc is coming back on Monday. At least I stopped crying. I called my husband and he helped me feel better. I am looking forward to giving my poetry reading tonight. But I miss T becasue tonight would have been our session. At least I saw him Tuesday. And hey-- about 75 percent of the content of what I'm reading tonight pertains to him, lol.

Hey Pinksoil,

GOOD LUCK TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

Read them dead!

pink, I would love to be in the audience listening tonight!

I hope it is an awesome thrill for you!

Thanks everyone.. The reading went really well. I wasn't nervous at all and was really happy with the way I read. Someone who attended the reading who is a poet and apparently has also worked in the psychology field told me that she never heard anyone tie in psychology with poetry in the manner that I do and she thought it was really great to hear things from that perspective. Someone else said my writing "commands attention." I liked that.

Yay!!! That's great, pinksoil. I love going to poetry and book readings. Wish I could have been there... I went to a book reading with my youngest daughter on Thursday night. It was her idea. We both enjoyed it so much. Do you talk about your poems in between when you read them? Like give insights into your motivations or where the inspiration for this poem came from? Or do you just read the poems straight? Your posts here are often so filled with humor, I bet you would be a really engaging speaker to listen to.

I'm actually very quiet about my work. I say absolutely nothing before, between, or after reading my work. I just go from poem to poem-- stating the title, then reading it. A lot of my work comes directly from the unconscious-- it sort of has a life of its own-- so how do you even explain that, you know? I let my work speak for itself, but am willing to answer questions if anyone asks. I wish you were there, too! Poetry Reading Check out the article on the very top of the page. In the pictures, I am the only poet sitting down. In the photo with the three readers, I am the one on the far right-- the one wearing the beads.

I'm glad it went well for you and thank you for the link. I have never been to a poetry reading and I didn't realize that it's a small group.. so intimate!

You have such guts! I'm in awe.