About two weeks ago my pdoc suggested Lithium to supplement my Lamictal. He thought it would do a good job of handling the rest of my symptoms. He’s suggested Lithium several times in the past, and I’ve turned him down every time. After what I’ve been through the last several months I was ready for some additional relief, so I was receptive this time. I told him of my concerns with Lithium: weight gain, potential kidney and thyroid damage, trembling hands, and the need for regular blood tests to monitor levels. He called the cocktail “Lamithium”, explaining that there is a synergistic effect between Lithium and Lamictal, and that a full dosage is usually not necessary to achieve some benefit in this scenario. He promised we’d monitor the signs to avoid potential problems and side effects. I reluctantly agreed.
Let’s take a moment here to stress that it is critical that you take an active role in your treatment. Ask questions, express your concerns, don’t be afraid to say no to a particular treatment option. Do your research, and arrive for your appointments informed and assertive. The best way to avoid being a victim is to be proactive. But back to the story…
What I find fascinating about Lithium is, in my experience, how few people are critical of the drug. Mention any other drug and you’ve got maybe a 50-50 chance of a positive answer. Bring up Lithium, I've found that 90% of people have positive things to say about it. I find that amazing, and quite hopeful.
I’ve been on Lithium for two weeks now, but I’m not sure I’ll continue. I’ll give it a month and then see how it is. I am very “hyper” and agitated. I’m sleeping very little, and have significant hypomanic symptoms. Now, these symptoms existed prior to beginning Lithium, and perhaps I’d have them anyway. But it seems like I’m MUCH more agitated since beginning this med. I’ve been criticized by some who say “either take a larger dose or don’t take it at all”, and maybe that would reverse the agitation that started when I began the drug. But I’m hoping for that synergistic effect promised by the doc, and hoping to avoid the slight potential for long-term medical issues and get by with less than a typical therapeutic dosage.
Perhaps the agitation I’m feeling is not med related. In the past I had this same thing happen with Risperdal. In fact, it was the same time of year. Every fall I’m looking for a way to temper my moods, and maybe the symptoms are so significant that I’d experience this no matter what. The only way I’ll know is to ride this out a little longer, to a time when past year’s mood charts show my hypomania has typically disappeared. Then I can have an idea of how this is really affecting me. But it does seem like both medications caused an escalation of my symptoms.
I really hope this medication works out. There are so many drugs out there with a tranquilizing effect, and I just can’t bring myself to dull my senses any more. Seroquel, for all the amazing things it has done for me, is not a drug I want to take every day. I’ve done it in the past and work was difficult. If I wasn’t working I wouldn’t hesitate, but I’d rather not right now.
Let’s take a moment here to stress that it is critical that you take an active role in your treatment. Ask questions, express your concerns, don’t be afraid to say no to a particular treatment option. Do your research, and arrive for your appointments informed and assertive. The best way to avoid being a victim is to be proactive. But back to the story…
What I find fascinating about Lithium is, in my experience, how few people are critical of the drug. Mention any other drug and you’ve got maybe a 50-50 chance of a positive answer. Bring up Lithium, I've found that 90% of people have positive things to say about it. I find that amazing, and quite hopeful.
I’ve been on Lithium for two weeks now, but I’m not sure I’ll continue. I’ll give it a month and then see how it is. I am very “hyper” and agitated. I’m sleeping very little, and have significant hypomanic symptoms. Now, these symptoms existed prior to beginning Lithium, and perhaps I’d have them anyway. But it seems like I’m MUCH more agitated since beginning this med. I’ve been criticized by some who say “either take a larger dose or don’t take it at all”, and maybe that would reverse the agitation that started when I began the drug. But I’m hoping for that synergistic effect promised by the doc, and hoping to avoid the slight potential for long-term medical issues and get by with less than a typical therapeutic dosage.
Perhaps the agitation I’m feeling is not med related. In the past I had this same thing happen with Risperdal. In fact, it was the same time of year. Every fall I’m looking for a way to temper my moods, and maybe the symptoms are so significant that I’d experience this no matter what. The only way I’ll know is to ride this out a little longer, to a time when past year’s mood charts show my hypomania has typically disappeared. Then I can have an idea of how this is really affecting me. But it does seem like both medications caused an escalation of my symptoms.
I really hope this medication works out. There are so many drugs out there with a tranquilizing effect, and I just can’t bring myself to dull my senses any more. Seroquel, for all the amazing things it has done for me, is not a drug I want to take every day. I’ve done it in the past and work was difficult. If I wasn’t working I wouldn’t hesitate, but I’d rather not right now.
Dear GJ,
I took lithium way back in 1979 and continued until a doctor suggested, in 2001, neurontin to cover pain as well as my bipolar 1. By that time my thyroid was destroyed (I take synthroid to replace it). The only thing that really bothered me was tremor. I found it a little embarrassing.
It wasn't until I read Dr. Kay Redford Jamison's autobiography that I realized that the prophylactic dose of lithium had muffled my awareness of the fine things in life, as it had for her. It was as if a lid was firmly holding me down. As a bipolar 1, I did not take it kindly.
I became unable to read a novel, I who, as an English major, had read two novels a week for my American and English novel courses. I could read a magazine article or a short story, but it seemed my reading days were essentially over, especially after my lithium toxicity experience.
After a couple of years on neurontin my reading capacity returned with a vengeance----I can't get enough. But the writing skills, which were good enough to get the nod from a department head at the Los Angeles Times in the '70's, have died. All I can do is write short letters or journal entries.
BUT! I never had another bipolar break. I raised my two boys alone and they are FINE!
Life is sometimes a trade-off and nobody can judge for us what is right and good in an individual situation. We can only "trust our gut" and assess our knowledge of ourselves, our psychiatrist and sprinkle in the spice of what we learn from the experience of others.. My favorite "spice" is Jamison, because she struggled so against lithium, until she made her "deal with the devil." She ought to be required reading right along with John McManamy.
Best of luck!
Mary - I love your quote:
"Life is sometimes a trade-off and nobody can judge for us what is right and good in an individual situation. We can only "trust our gut" and assess our knowledge of ourselves, our psychiatrist and sprinkle in the spice of what we learn from the experience of others."
I agree, there are definite trade-offs, and what's right for me isn't necessarily what's right for you or someone else. I'm terrified about long-term use of Lithium, or any medication. Then I realize that sacrificing the happiness of my family and my current stability overrides most of my future concerns. We'll see what tomorrow brings tomorrow.
Thanks for a great comment.
My dear GJ!
It broke this old lady's heart to hear you say you are "terrified about long term use of Lithium, or any medication." GJ, the terrifying thing has already happened to you (bipolar) and you are dealing with it big time!!
Peter's remark about the worst of our illness being the "black horror of living death" is pithy. That is precisely what turned me deep into my faith in
God, which, in turn, has taught my soul not to fear.
When I am afraid--- and we all are sometimes---I pray as the hymn says: "Be NOT afraid, I go before you..."
I think you are one courageous, giving human being...no matter what drug you're on!!
I am on lithium and it has been good for me. I am off of suger, high carbs, leave off the bread 95% of the time, off of rice and potatoes. I eat a high protein, low carb meal everyday. I have lost 60lbs since last June. It makes a big difference when you take drugs for bipolar. As far as salt, use a moderate amount otherwise there could be toxiciity. Always drink 8 glasses of water everyday.
The next thing that will help you, is regaining your clarity is listening to imusic. IT IS AWESOME. Go to www.getimusic.com and read all the testimonies. There are about 100 of them and everyone is amazed how it enhances your brain power & IQ, improves your short and long term memory, build neural connections, dendrites and more mental hardware, improve your mental stamia and intellectual endurance and much much more. Please go to the website. It is wonderful and it has helped me. I can process information much faster and articulate with ease when I speak to poeple now and when I write there is so much depth and clarity. Again, please go the website. You will not regret it one bit.