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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 0:11:38
I'm still worried about my friend.
Something has happened in the past
couple of years-- maybe other drugs
tried, or the accumulation of the
present drug; she herself has noticed
a cognitive decline, and there is
a change in personality. I'm concerned.I made an appointment for her with
her doctor. Sometimes the efficacy
of medication may require some monitoring
in behaviour.Frankly, I am a bit worried over what
appears to be a decline and change in
personality. :-(Hope the good doc. can pick it up.
Looks like depression or changes in
the brain or something.Will let you know.
Squiggles
Posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 7:34:12
In reply to Long-term medication therapy, posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 0:11:38
Here's *one* idea of what's gone wrong:
at that time there was a switch to the
generic version of the drug, at a different
pharmacy -- that could make it weaker,
making it consistent with the symptoms
developed since then and corresponding to
the dr.'s analysis -- depression; after
so many yrs. why depression all of a sudden;
a drop in the dose somehow -- internal
or external, as i suggest - the brand
or generic version of the drug.Geez-- psychopharmacology should be a
department in Scotland Yard.Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2006, at 11:36:36
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy - generics » Squiggles, posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 7:34:12
Squiggles throughout the years I've gone from pure anxiety to debilitating depression why? Love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 11:46:28
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy - generics » Squiggles, posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2006, at 11:36:36
> Squiggles throughout the years I've gone from pure anxiety to debilitating depression why? Love Phillipa
Do you mean as a pattern of mood swings?
I don't mean to jump to a dx of bp;Squiggles
Posted by ronaldo on October 7, 2006, at 14:41:32
In reply to Long-term medication therapy, posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 0:11:38
I've been taking Lithium 800 mg and more lately 900 mg for the past 25 years. That must qualify as long-term medication. I can identify with the cognitive decline and personality change that you mention. My therapist says that I scored 86% for depression on an exhaustive multi-choice questionaire. I feel that I have chronic low grade debilitating depression. I lack drive, ambition, enthusiasm, and don't get any enjoyment out of anything. I go nowhere, see nobody and do nothing 70% of the time. I'm full of apathy and chronic despair. If the UK had guns like the USA I guess I would have shot myself by now. That would probably be the kindest thing I could do for me. Waaaahhhhh!!! :((
The personality change and the cognitive decline creep up on you so secretly and silently that it's only if you have good friends who are keeping an eye on you that this insipid change gets detected.
Posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 14:48:22
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » Squiggles, posted by ronaldo on October 7, 2006, at 14:41:32
Gee Ronaldo, i am really sorry --
you need to check that with the
doctor, pronto -- that's what they're
there for right? not gun dispensers;
btw, lithium has served me exceedingly
well for 25 yrs., possibly because i
drink like a horse unlike other takers
of lithium (water that is, hardly
touch alcohol); i was concerned for my
friend who is taking an anticholinergic
(yeach drug).I am sorry you feel so crumby -- got to
report that to your doc.Squiggles
Posted by ronaldo on October 7, 2006, at 16:02:37
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » ronaldo, posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 14:48:22
> Gee Ronaldo, i am really sorry --
> you need to check that with the
> doctor, pronto -- that's what they're
> there for right? not gun dispensers;
> btw, lithium has served me exceedingly
> well for 25 yrs., possibly because i
> drink like a horse unlike other takers
> of lithium (water that is, hardly
> touch alcohol); i was concerned for my
> friend who is taking an anticholinergic
> (yeach drug).
>
> I am sorry you feel so crumby -- got to
> report that to your doc.
>
> SquigglesThanks for your sympathy Squiggles. The trouble with pdocs in the UK is you only get to see them once every 3 months and then only for 10 to 15 minutes, maybe 20 if you are lucky. I've got a new pdoc that I have only seen twice. He's very nice, but I will have to wait and see how much he can help me.
I hope your friend gets help.
...Alan
Posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 16:46:16
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » Squiggles, posted by ronaldo on October 7, 2006, at 16:02:37
It's the same in Canada-- the medical
system is overwhelmed with too many
sick people; if you can't get as frequent
visits as you like, i would go to the ER,
or get a 'therapist' to supplement your
monitoring-- which being mostly medical,
might get you a referral to a specialist.We are actually quite fortunate i think--
i don't know what will happen to the younger
generations with all the meds they are
being prescribed at younger and younger
ages.Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2006, at 20:23:15
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » ronaldo, posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 16:46:16
Squiggles no I wish I did get highs or periods of normalacy. I seem to just get more anxious which spirrals into depression. Love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 20:42:04
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » Squiggles, posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2006, at 20:23:15
> Squiggles no I wish I did get highs or periods of normalacy. I seem to just get more anxious which spirrals into depression. Love Phillipa
Anxiety and depression-- not a good state
to be in, especially if it's every day;
that's how my depression started.Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2006, at 21:50:35
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » Phillipa, posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 20:42:04
How did you get out of it? I've tried all the ad's and side effects too much. I want to try EMSAM and just posted a thread asking lurkers to come out and post their responses. So are you saying you're bipolar? love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 21:56:43
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » Squiggles, posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2006, at 21:50:35
I was diagnosed as bipolar, but as
Dr. Healy says, drugs to be magic
bullets is an ideal; the pragmatic
doctor will go through a number of
drugs until one of them proves the
best in how you feel.Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2006, at 22:04:10
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » Phillipa, posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 21:56:43
Problem is I've seen lots of docs and not for long as we move or something like that so it doesn't make it easy. I'm hoping to build up the courage to call a psychologist this week so I can grieve a lot that needs to be grieved. Love Phillipa ps if you like you can babblemail me and I'll give you my e-mail as we seem to be talking a lot lately.
Posted by ronaldo on October 8, 2006, at 7:08:26
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » ronaldo, posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2006, at 14:48:22
> btw, lithium has served me exceedingly
> well for 25 yrs., possibly because i
> drink like a horse unlike other takers
> of lithium (water that is, hardly
> touch alcohol)
>
> SquigglesHi Squiggles,
Like you I have been on Lithium for 25 years. What is the benefit of drinking a lot of water? I remember being told to but can't remember the reason. I drink just under a litre of water in the morning before I get up but I don't drink much during the day or evening. Its mostly tea and coffee then. Does drinking a lot of water contribute to benefits in mood?
Like you I hardly touch alcohol. Is there any benefit in drinking hot water?...boiled water cooled down instead of say tea or coffee?
...Alan
Posted by Squiggles on October 8, 2006, at 7:19:06
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » Squiggles, posted by ronaldo on October 8, 2006, at 7:08:26
> Like you I hardly touch alcohol. Is there any benefit in drinking hot water?...boiled water cooled down instead of say tea or coffee?
>
> ...Alan
>
Lithium is one of the "narrow therapeutic index"
drugs. It is excreted mostly by the kidneys by
drinking liquids. If the water intake is reduced it may reach the toxic range, which can bring on all the symptoms, and make you feel sick. Dehydration in lithium can be a dangerous condition. But it's also important not to overdo this, as one dr. told me too much water can lead to hyponetremia. Coffee will accelerate the
excretion; so don't drink too much. It's a delicate balance, and it would be better maintained if the drug companies could make a lithium meter.Squiggles
Posted by ronaldo on October 8, 2006, at 11:07:03
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » ronaldo, posted by Squiggles on October 8, 2006, at 7:19:06
Hyponatremia...I don't think I've ever had that. But then I've only just learnt about it so I might have had it without knowing. Low sodium in the blood. Marathon runners sometimes get it - too much sodium lost through sweating. Too much water intake flushes out the sodium?
Posted by Squiggles on October 8, 2006, at 11:36:57
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » Squiggles, posted by ronaldo on October 8, 2006, at 11:07:03
> Hyponatremia...I don't think I've ever had that. But then I've only just learnt about it so I might have had it without knowing. Low sodium in the blood. Marathon runners sometimes get it - too much sodium lost through sweating. Too much water intake flushes out the sodium?
Yes, i think that is it. Hyponatremia(Na = sodium ) mean low sodium; sodium is the part in table salt that is relevant to lithium diet. When you drink a lot of water (too much) then your sodium level goes down, and the lithium goes up.
It's an acid/base balance that is important, i think. This stuff is complicated for me.
Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2006, at 17:36:04
In reply to Re: Long-term medication therapy » ronaldo, posted by Squiggles on October 8, 2006, at 11:36:57
You got it right. My sodium is always low. Never eat or salt food. But drink a lot of liquids. No lithium though. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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