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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jaby on July 25, 2002, at 10:03:51
For all of those that use lithium, I am wondering what kind you use, what dose, what symptoms you are using it to alleviate (mania, depression, anxiety, etc.), and what side efeects you might have.
I personally use 300 lithobid & 450 eskalith to control depression and anxiety that are likely the result of BP II.
Thanks
Posted by Squiggles on July 25, 2002, at 14:18:49
In reply to LITHIUM USERS-what dose, formula, etc?, posted by jaby on July 25, 2002, at 10:03:51
hi Jaby,
I take 900mg per day (in 3 dosages spaced
equally). I don't seem to feel the drug at
all which is one of the reasons i like it.
However 7 yrs into taking it I had to take
Synthroid - that dose has remained more or
less the same 15 yrs or so later. I pee once
a night, and i tend to gain weight.I drink a lot of water so as not to
dehydrate.Squiggles
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 25, 2002, at 20:45:26
In reply to LITHIUM USERS-what dose, formula, etc?, posted by jaby on July 25, 2002, at 10:03:51
http://biopsychiatry.com/omega3.htm
http://biopsychiatry.com/dhaomega.htm
http://biopsychiatry.com/omega3.html
http://biopsychiatry.com/unsatfatdop.html
It is believed that an alteration of the inositol monophosphate type 2 gene on chromosome 18 may be responsible for bipolar II disorder. Lithium works for bipolar II because it inhibits the activity of inositol monophosphate, which catalyses the hydrolysis of myo-inositol monophosphates to myo-inositol. Someone experiencing mania probably has high levels of myo-inositol.
Fish oils suppress signal transduction at the level of phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C in humans. This means that it effectively does the same thing as lithium, only in a different manner. Taking lithium often creates side effects, taking fish oils often doesn't. Both should be equally effective.
Shawn
Posted by cybercafe on July 26, 2002, at 1:40:09
In reply to LITHIUM USERS-what dose, formula, etc?, posted by jaby on July 25, 2002, at 10:03:51
> I personally use 300 lithobid & 450 eskalith to control depression and anxiety that are likely the result of BP II.hmmm.. i am curious what are your blood levels and what side effects do you get?
Posted by cybercafe on July 26, 2002, at 1:46:10
In reply to Fish oils are just as effective as lithium , posted by Shawn. T. on July 25, 2002, at 20:45:26
> Fish oils suppress signal transduction at the level of phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C in humans. This means that it
how much does it cost for 1 month worth of fish oil?
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 26, 2002, at 9:29:59
In reply to Fish oils are just as effective as lithium , posted by Shawn. T. on July 25, 2002, at 20:45:26
I have been interested in omega-3 for 3 years now but so far the evidence that they can replace lithium is very limited.Stoll in Harvard had a few patients who did well on omega-3 only.In general BP is such a serious condition that I would simply add omega-3 (around 5-10g daily total of EPA and DHA) to the diet and stay on the lithium.Research is ongoing so we may be able to offer other advice in a year or two.
Posted by cybercafe on July 26, 2002, at 21:03:47
In reply to Re: Fish oils are just as effective as lithium , posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 26, 2002, at 9:29:59
anyone have an idea how long it takes omega-3 fish oil thingies to show some benefit and what dose of flax seed oil is considered optimal?
cheers
Posted by Squiggles on July 27, 2002, at 21:25:09
In reply to Re: Fish oils are just as effective as lithium , posted by cybercafe on July 26, 2002, at 21:03:47
I'm rather sceptical that my dr.
would switch me to fish oils after
20 yrs plus on lithium - i couldn't
even get him to lower my dose a bit --
i have diarrhea every day and thought
maybe it is the lithium; but i am in
the 0.8-1.2 normal range consistently.I have had some incidents that i think
were due to toxicity - it's tricky to
get the timing right for measuring cause
and effect;
Squiggles
Posted by shar on July 30, 2002, at 0:36:39
In reply to Re: Fish oils are just as effective as lithium , posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 26, 2002, at 9:29:59
Recently, I did some searches on omega3 essential fatty acids, and did not start in the psych arena... that was just a happenstance that brought that up. But, there were numerous studies (really a large number, compared to what we're used to with AD's) that did indicate omega 3 efficacy in psych settings (not all subjects were bi polar if I recall correctly). I did notice that in one bi polar study the participants received incredibly HIGH doses of efa's. Like, 9 grams or something. That would be 9 capsules per day of what I have on hand.
So, I'm trying it as an adjunct to my meds. I did see several times that the fish oil is preferable to flax seed oil. And, I heard the opposite about twice. However, the fish oil requires some degree of caution due to heavy metal contamination (an issue that was addressed in a few of the articles). So, there were 3 companies that kept cropping up as having high quality products.
Then I stopped using it because I got really sick with a hideous sinus infection, and Effexor withdrawal, and couldn't keep anything down, so i want to get back to the efa's now.
One thing the studies talked about was that the absence of certain components of efa's in our diets, creates a problem with the cells being able to make their proper internal structure, so the cells grab something else to use as a substitute, and the result isn't so hot. Presumably, by supplying dha, epa, etc. in the proper amount, the action at the cellular level goes back to 'normal' and that's the feel good part.
I found it rather reassuring that actual biological and physiological processes were identified...as opposed to the usual 'well we don't really know how it works' that comes with ADs.
Sorry this is so superficial/lackadaisical--didn't plan to report on any of it. But, what the hay...I'm always happy to share my ignernce.
Shar
Posted by Ron Jones on October 15, 2003, at 14:26:12
In reply to Fish oils are just as effective as lithium , posted by Shawn. T. on July 25, 2002, at 20:45:26
Protien Kinase C what is it?
This is the end of the thread.
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