Posted by JohnX2 on March 6, 2002, at 23:14:43
In reply to Re: SQUIGGLES - thanks and more:, posted by Squiggles on March 6, 2002, at 22:13:27
Squiggles,I'm glad you've done so fantastic on lithium.
It really was a breakthrough for bipolar.
Did you know it was once in 7-up?I personally take Lamictal, it just happened
to be what I started on. I like it because it
has no side effects and required no testing.I'm curious about Jannelles' Pdoc's belief in Lithium over
Lamictal because Lithium is more "homeopathic" and
is a naturally occuring "salt". My understanding is
Lithium is more toxic than Lamictal.(Not to scare
anyone it does have the longer track record).
Mercury is more naturally ocurring than Lamictal
but you certainly wouldn't want that metal in your
body. I guess its a strange debate that I don't
really get??-John
> > Squiggles:
> >
> > THANK YOU ever so much for sharing your experience with lithium. It is indeed a long one (20+ years, which means you started on it way before meds such as Depakote, Lamictal, Neurontin, etc. began to be used for BiPolar).
>
> Hi Janelle,
>
> You're very welcome. I had NO idea that all these
> drugs were post-lithium - thanks for englightening me.
>
>
> >
> > I have previously been diagnosed with HYPOthyroid and am on an excellent thyroid supplement which has both T3 and T4. The doc says that because I'm already on thyroid med I shouldn't have any problem with the Lithium lowering my thyroid.
>
> I suppose that may be true. It takes a few years
> to become hypothyroid on lithium IF you do; I think
> lower than 10% due develop hypothyroidism, which is
> interesting as the thyroid is implicated in depression
> and some research has been done on that at least at
> McMaster University, as far as I know.
> >
> > How wonderful it is to hear that you have not had ONE day of depression since taking lithium. Wow, what a testament.
>
> I know - it sounds like a hyperbole, but it's true -
> depression has not been the problem - bringing the
> thyroid to match the lithium has.
>
> >
> > You mentioned weight gain as a side effect, and I'm wondering how much weight gain?
>
> Some of the weight gain is due to benzos - esp.
> the RIVOTRIL, but mostly I think the lithium -
> partly the salt, the water, and maybe the thyroid,
> I would say, in 20 years, 40 lbs overweight, gradually.
>
>
> >
> > You also said your dosage is 900mg per day haivng started at 1200 mg. WOW - my doctor is *only* having me take 100 mg of Lithobid (sustained release Lithium) -- I'm starting to think this is hardly enough to make any kind of difference??
>
> It sounds bizarre - is the lithium being used
> as a supplement to some other AD perhaps? The
> li has to be in a therapeutic range to work
> and that is average 900 mg.
>
>
> >
> > Then again, I'm also on an anti-depressant (EffexorXR) and I've heard that Lithium can augment anti-depressants, so maybe a small dose of Lithium combined with the a-d will work for me. Hmmmm
>
> OK I did not see that - 100 li is tiny - wonder
> if it just takes the edge off a speedy AD? don't know
> much about Effexor ...
> >
> > Do you have your blood tested regularly for Lithium level?
>
> At first it was very regular and frequent; now
> it is regular (once a year);
>
> Is there a certain level above which it is TOXIC?
>
> Anything above 1.5 is toxic.
>
> I have a site if you would like to look at info.
> on lithium:
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lithium/
> >
> > What about liver and kidney tests?
>
> Yes, kidney and thyroid along with li.
> Liver? The stuff is not metabolized at all-
> the only drug of its type that is not metabolized
> but goes straight through the kidneys.
>
> Squiggles
poster:JohnX2
thread:96752
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/96824.html