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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tonyz on August 9, 2009, at 9:27:54
I am wondering if it is possible to get high cholesterol from short term lithium therapy. I had been taking Seroquel 125mg, Nortriptyline 150mg, Valium about 11-12 mg, on going in to psych hospital as an outpatient. Blood work was taken in the morning (7/10), I had eaten breakfast beforehand - my total cholesterol came back at 226. A few weeks prior to going into the hospital it was 208. I have been tapering all medications with the exception of Lithium which began while I was in the hospital. I am down to 2mg of valium, completely off seroquel for about 3 weeks, Notriptyline down to 25mg, and Lithium had been at 600mg since about July 10; however, I have psoriasis and it got a lot worse recently so I just lowered the lithium dosage to 300mg yesterday evening.
I have an instrument to measure my own cholesterol which is accurate based on comparisons with lab testing. To my astonishment, my total cholesterol level jumped to 315 on measuring this morning, The only explanation that I have is the Lithium, but this doesn't make sense to me given relatively low dosage and the time period that I had been taking it.
I was thinking the only problem with the Lithium at that dosage would be a possible exacerbation of my psoriasis. I was informed about taking Inositol from another poster to combat this, but it takes a while to build to the proper level so I dropped the lithium temporarily until I could reach a therapeutic level with the inositol. Now am I wondering, what course of action to take.
Recently, I've been getting a bit of rebound insomnia - I suspect from coming off the benzos although I have been going at a reasonable pace (reduction of 1mg every 3 days for valium). I was thinking of taking some Remeron (7.5mg) at bedtime until I stabilize, but since Remeron can cause cholesterol problems, I'm not sure if that is a good idea.
Does this make sense that the Lithium could have caused my cholesterol problems on taking it for such a short period of time?
Posted by 49er on August 29, 2009, at 10:56:21
In reply to High Cholesterol from Short Term Lithium Therapy?, posted by tonyz on August 9, 2009, at 9:27:54
Tony,
I don't see where high cholesterol is listed as a side effect of lithium. But that doesn't mean it isn't possible.
I have had side effects from a nasal decongestant that wasn't listed officially. But plenty of people had similar experiences.
Also, drugs can cause adverse reactions in very short times although I admit that isn't usually the case.
Regarding rebound insomnia, actually, you are tapering the valium way too fast. The Benzo boards advise a 10% taper of current dose every 2 weeks. Personally, I would go more slowly but supposedly, if you stay at a a benzo dose too long, you develop tolerance. Who knows?
I wouldn't add the Remeron but would try slowing down the valium taper to see if that helps.
49er
This is the end of the thread.
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