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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Lithium, from God or Satan?
        
(Message started by: BigRedLizard on Aug 19^th, 2005, 1:03am)

Title: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by BigRedLizard on Aug 19^th, 2005, 1:03am

My Dr. (Dr. Neil Raskin, at UCSF) just wrote me a prescription for Litium Carbonate today, 300 mg for one week and then up to 600 mg. My wife is very concerened that Lithium has a side effect of personality changes and increased aggesivness. Does anyone have any information (anecdotal or factual) on how true or common this is?

I have seen several threads here on lithium, but have not seen any info on personality changes. I am not nor, nor have I ever been, diagnosed with any form of Bi-polar disorder. And as I understand it, normal doseage for that ailment is in the 1800mg range anyway.

Thanks for your time folks.

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 19^th, 2005, 7:06am

This med has a long and successful track record. If you do not monitor blood levels and the dose is too high, there can be toxic side effects but, should problems develop, they will not overwhelm you suddently--you have time to recognize changes and work with your doc to adjust the dosing.

The bottom line: avoiding an effective med because of scare stories is not wise. Know the side effects; monitor yourself; follow your doc's advice on blood work, and you will have a good chance of obtaining relief.

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by floridian on Aug 19^th, 2005, 9:44am

People pigeon-hole lithium as a drug for bi-polar. It has its uses for that, but the {lithium=bipolar med} is a human ideology, not a real statement about other effects and uses of lithium.

It's like thinking that a napkin can only be used to wipe your hands and mouth at a meal. But really, you could also use it to jot notes, pad a fragile item in an envelope, filter tea, and act as shim around a hose clamp. Maybe not the best choice when there are other alternatives specially designed to filter the tea, but may work in a pinch. And clusters are relatively 'rare' so we don't often get our 'own' meds - we have to make do with whatever works.

I haven't taken lithium, but my take is that the mineral itself is from God, but some people's dosage might be from Satan, or at least a low level demonic minion. ;) And regardless of where its from, individual reaction varies.

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by Karla on Aug 20^th, 2005, 4:40pm

It was a godsend to me when I took it at 900mg for 2 years it worked great on my clusters. Then one day it lost its effectiveness. I wouldn't worry about it. It is an old medicine and has been around a long time. Drs know how to have there patients use it and what to watch for. I was told it was also a mood stabilizer by a shrink I was seeing at the time who wanted to know what meds I was on currently. Good luck for you!

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by BigRedLizard on Aug 20^th, 2005, 8:12pm

I myself am not worried at all. I trust my doc completely. My wife is concerned that it will change my personality too much. She read somewhere that Lithium can cause some aggresiveness, and that concerned her as well. And when she mentioned these things to Dr. Raskin, he was quite brusk in his reply, which did nothing to alleviate her concerns.

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by Jonny on Aug 20^th, 2005, 8:20pm

600 mgs everyday for the last 13-14 years, im still the ass-hole I was before I started taking it ;;D

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by burnt-toast on Aug 21^st, 2005, 8:57am

Lithium Carbonate/Verapamil are two of the few meds. that help control my clusters.

I'm currently @ 1200mg Lithium daily. From the reference I have found and my own experience Lithium is not known for altering personality in normal people. Blood work for liver function is important to keep up to date on because Lithium can decrease liver function.

Finding a dosage that your body tolerates and maintaining good salt levels is also important when taking Lithium. Too high a dosage and excessive sweating without replenishing salt/electrolites can lead to Lithium intoxication. My vision getting fuzzy is the first sign the I've got to take a break replenish salt/electrolites when I've been sweating too much.

Watch taking over the counter drugs such as Excedrin and Advil and tell your dentist or doctor you are taking Lithium before they give you novocain.

The following are couple of helpful links for prescription drug reference information. Research all meds. before taking them and ask for prescription drug information from your pharmacist.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/drug_Ka.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=D4B6B86D-0709-44CE-BF703703268FEAA1

Tom

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by alienspacebabe on Aug 21^st, 2005, 4:57pm

I'm on 300mg twice daily. Jumped up to 450mg twice a day but it was too much for my system - excessive sleeping - and didn't help my CH more than the 300mg dose.

Not noticing any aggressiveness, at least nothing outside of semi-normal for me. Am a bit more cranky - that could just be life though.

It's worth trying. Good luck!

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by bnfreeman on Aug 21^st, 2005, 8:47pm

I have only been on it about a month now. What I know from that is that it has made my anxiety act up and that makes me cranky. But overall am doing well. And have been PF a lot more this month then last month. I am pleased with it. I don't think your wife has too much to worry about. Good luck!

Brandi

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by kcopelin on Sep 18^th, 2005, 10:45am

Just started 300mg twice a day on Monday-has done nothing for my headaches (i assume it has to build up) and I am feeling a bit surly.
But I take incredible comfort in the fact that Jonny takes verap and lithium-just like me-and he's still the nice young man he was before---oh wait! that wasn't Jonny...OMG is this going to turn me into a Jonny - like person?!!! I need to see my neuro....AHHHHHH!!!! ;;D
kathy
p.s.btw jonny thanks for stickin around when you're pain free and supporting the rest of us, and for the good advice you gave me on welding tanks.

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by kcopelin on Sep 18^th, 2005, 11:09am

Now I actually have a lithium question or two. How long for it to take effect? I've been on it 6 days, am dizzy, kinda sick at my stomach and grouchy. Does this get better? or should I stop now?
kathy

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by Jonny on Sep 18^th, 2005, 11:18am

on 09/18/05 at 10:45:10, kcopelin wrote:

p.s.btw jonny thanks for stickin around when you're pain free and supporting the rest of us, and for the good advice you gave me on welding tanks.

No thanks needed, its what I swore I would do when I found this site and this family that I never knew was out there.

Oct 5th....Six years here everyday, I learned more about my CH here than any Neuro could ever tell me...This is home!!

Title: Re: Lithium, from God or Satan?
Post by kcopelin on Sep 21^st, 2005, 1:02pm

I totally stopped the lithium-couldn't stand the dizziness and nausea and was getting hit more!
So, sorry to say, I won't grow up to be like Jonny. :-/
C'est la vie

PFDAN y'all
kathy