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New CH.com Forum › Cluster Headache Help and Support › Medications, Treatments, Therapies › Lithium question

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Lithium question (Read 1483 times)

Granny Arizona

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Lithium question
Jul 3^rd, 2011 at 11:43am

I'm wondering if those of you whom are using lithium can tell me which form you are using? I bought some lithium orotate at a health food store. It didn't have much affect on my CH ... The next paragraph is from "Wikipedia" - Still I wonder if the lithium carbonate RX from the doc would be better?

"There is no evidence for the use of lithium orotate in clinical treatment in preference to lithium carbonate. However, one study suggests that lithium orotate may be useful in the treatment of addictions.[2] Some patients prefer to use it in place of lithium carbonate, as they believe that it is more bioavailable and the side effects are "perceived to be significantly reduced.

Thanks for your input!
XXX
Linda

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Brew CH.com Sponsor CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 14163	Re: Lithium question Reply #1 - Jul 3^rd, 2011 at 11:45am I've only ever used lithium carbonate, so I can't comment intelligently on other forms.
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Bob Johnson

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Re: Lithium question
Reply #2 - Jul 3^rd, 2011 at 11:58am

All of the medical experience you will find discussed here is on the carbonate form. It's been around for several decades and it's use is well understood--dosing, need for testing while using, etc.

If your doc suggests using it, follows his directions with care re. routine blood testing. Dosing varies between individuals and keeping the blood levels at the right level is important.

Bob Johnson

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Granny Arizona CH.com Junior Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 29 Hawarden, Iowa 51023	Re: Lithium question Reply #3 - Jul 4^th, 2011 at 8:29am I was using the orotate... probably why no results. Thanks for your response!
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Guiseppi CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline San Diego to Florida 05-16-2011 Posts: 12063 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA USA Gender:	Re: Lithium question Reply #4 - Jul 4^th, 2011 at 9:23am Yeah I'm with Brew, Lithium Carbonate has been my prevent of choice for over 20 years. My current dosing is 1200 mg a day when I'm on cycle. It blocks 60-70% of my attacks after it's built up to therapeudic levels, generally takes about 10-14 days to build up. Joe
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Brew

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Re: Lithium question
Reply #5 - Jul 4^th, 2011 at 9:34am

Here's a little trick to keep in the back of your mind.

Many chronics have gotten little to no relief using either lithium carbonate or verapamil by themselves. But when combined, they are able to stop the attacks dead. It's called the "chronic cocktail."

The effective dosage for me was 480mg of verapamil and 900mg of lithium daily. Worked extremely well for me for years.

I was a walking zombie, but I was a pain free walking zombie.

"I have been asked if I have changed in these past 25 years. No, I am the same. Only more so." --Ayn Rand

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Granny Arizona

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Re: Lithium question
Reply #6 - Jul 6^th, 2011 at 9:14am

Hi Brew! I'm in the process of getting some information together about cluster headache, medications for them and the pain diary over the past 2 months. I hope you don't mind if I include your reply. My neurologist advertises that he is a "cluster headache specialist" - so he probably isn't teachable...but at least he will know I've been doing my homework!~

I don't want to quote you without permission

Thanks
Linda

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Brew CH.com Sponsor CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 14163	Re: Lithium question Reply #7 - Jul 6^th, 2011 at 6:48pm Go for it.
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drkern

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Re: Lithium question
Reply #8 - Jul 12^th, 2011 at 3:23am

I have been on lith carb for many, many years (I cannot actually remember). But it has worked for me only in combination with dilantin and neurontin (high doses of all of these twice daily). My doctor has given me a pretty wide latitude as far as raising the dose temporarily for particularly bad episodes.

And make sure you get your blood work done as requested by your doctor, as it is pretty important.

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