Family Vote Vetoes Lithium

By Purple Flamingo Sunday, March 28, 2010

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I'm briefly throwing a few words out here while the dog goes to the bathroom, so bear with me please.

It was kinda sweet, actually.

Yesterday, I picked up my lithium prescription and brought it home to show the folks. My family (the one I grew up with and the one I made for myself) got together and everyone discussed my lithium dilemma. Online research, medical inserts, whatever the pharmacy printed out; all of this was looked over, questioned, opinionated upon, and debated. Then they took a vote.

Lithium, it was decided, was not a good idea. Not just because I was scared to try it; they had legitimate reasons. My parents both have physical problems such as diabetes (I've been borderline, but not enough to care), hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure (as overweight as I am, it could happen), gluacoma, ademia, skin problems (I have psoriasis, but they don't), and some other stuff that I'm too tired to recall. I have to say I was relieved.... as if I was getting permission to avoid doing a chore. I know it wasn't fair not to try it, but... well, I have no other excuse on my end.

Except one; I was afraid of losing my happy and my energy and my sex. I have repeatedly told Doc "just treat the sadness and let's not worry about the happy." But Doc insists on wrangling my high. No, I just want the sad to stop... and maybe curb some of tha angry part away. Doc hasn't even examined the sad.

Behind closed doors, my husband and I discussed the matter further. He drew me a chart; this is what you were with no meds, here is your normal meds, each of these is one of the medicines you tried lately. Wow- I didn't know how problematic I was until I saw it for my own eyes. Wow. It's amazing how your point of view can contradict someone else's so entirely. When I thought I was ok, I wasn't. When I thought I was sad, I was spiraling downward. When I thought I was suicidal... well, obviously, the Easter Bunny didn't come around and cheer me up. And when I felt great, it was few and far between. Worse yet, when I knew I was a bit too high, I saw the damage I left behind. Wow.

Out of everything, Risperdal was the only medication where I seemed normal, happy, content. According to the chart (brillian idea, really) I had brief bouts of highs and lows. He said they were always short lived... maybe a few hours max. He said it has been a loooong time since he's seem me happy. In truth, it has been a long while since I felt happy. And it has been a loooong time since he's been happy with me.

Of course, I threw my concerns and what-if's out there. What if I'm just cycling and the risperdal is too low of a dose, letting the high happen? What if I get too out of control? What if I take your extra spending money and buy more shelves? What if I insist we eat out every night? What if I break every window in the house because I hate the way you joke with me? What if Euphoria packes her bags and leaved under cover of darkness- no warning, no note, and the silverware is missing?

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Purple Flamingo

3/28/10 11:41am

Sorry about the misspellings and very poor readability in this, guys. I was half asleep and nearly blind (no glasses) and I didn't even bother to double check myself before posting. Forgive?

hautbois

3/28/10 12:49pm

I like your name because purple is my favorite color.

I was newly diagnoised last year. I did the research that your family did, and I decided Lithium was the best option, as it is the only mood disorder drug that is naturally based (sodium). Thankfully I only gained 20lbs - and am now loosing some of it. I am a male and while I hate weighing 260lbs the weight I gained does not outweigh the good the drug does for me. I also have early stage 2 kidney disease caused by my anti-virals but Lithium has not made this worse.

When you take Lithium you will need to have blood test every month to check your Lithium, thryoid, kidney and liver levels.

Lithium gets a bad wrap from people, even educated people, due to the fact that it was the first mood disorder drug approved. Unfortunately it was not prescriped correctly in the beginning and people had major side effects. But this can be said of every drug on the market. Even over the counter medications. With the internet we get information overload. Quit reading about what could POSSIBLY happen.

Everything is a trade-off in life. YOU (not your family) must decide if gaining a few pounds on Lithium (which is the most common side effect) trumps having the drug help your brain so you can live a more peaceful life.

Please let me know what YOU decide becasue I do care.

Chris

3/28/10 4:58pm

I agree - you, not your family should decide. You're the one stuck with the fallout.

I would carefully revisit why you stopped taking Resperadrill.

Precautions on the drug labels don't apply to everybody (it's big pharma covering their asses). I've been on lithium for over a year with no side effects.

What you should do with family is take out the writeups on ALL the bipolar meds (drugs.com) and weigh them against each other, set up a ranking system.

If you react badly to a drug your doctor can always take you off of it.

I would recommend keeping a daily journal concering your mood and indicate which drugs you are taking. You can look back on this. This can be handy to look over before your pdoc & therapist appointments.

Shelly

3/29/10 12:08am

I just love your writings...laughter and tears all rolled up together.

I appreciate what your hubby did for you in mapping out what he experienced you as going thru with the different meds. Our closest people are the ones that can show us our true selves when we can't see the forest for the trees.

I also would be hesitant to try the lithium...but then again I'm scared to go to the pdoc for the first time in fear that he'll change up what I got goin'. It took so long just to get used to the tegretol. ugh. I don't wanna do the trials...

It took so long just to get an appt with the pdoc after the family doc and therapist decided that was best. another ugh.

I'm relatively new at this whole biz.

Back to you, Ms. Flamingo...I don't know when you began this journey. I know that at times it takes lots of trial and error. YOU KNOW your body the best. You have to decide what you can and cannot live with or put up with. It's all fine and dandy that others have opinions on what goes in your mouth. But in the end, it's up to you dear.

Keep sharing...

Blessings and Love,

Shelly

tabby

3/29/10 12:04pm

All the meds come with possibilities of adverse long term affects and effects. Risperdal, Seroquel, Abilify and the other a-typical anti-psychotics have a potential for tardive dyskinesia (think parkinson's like), along with potential for major weight gain, joint issues, cardiovascular, etc...

Then there are meds who have the possibility of high blood pressure, diabetes, seizures, NMS, EPS, thyroid frying, kidney drying, eyes blurring, and so on and so on.

Then there are the meds that have the possibility of provoking mania symptoms, increased hostility, anger, suicidal impulsivity, and complete change in mood and behavior, and so on and so on and so on.. not to mention, memory and speech de-railment.

ALL THE MEDS have something or a possibility of something. THERE IS NOT one single pharmaceutical med or even herbal/supplemental thing out there that does not have a possibility of some adverse thing a happening. If not initially, then long term down the road.

It is nice that your family feels need to gather around and go over YOUR meds with you and discuss and decide what meds ARE BEST FOR YOU. It's good that you encourage this. Kinda bring the family into the decision making process and it encourages family support.

YET, what you actually take for YOUR disorder is really up to you and your doctor. You and your doctor are the 2 main people taking care of you. If you feel that Risperdal, with all the problems it's caused you thus far, is better than any potential problems with Lithium and it's your decision... then fine.

Asking for input from family is great and even better that the family is supportive in this but, in the end... what you actually do to manage your illness and how, is completely up to you and your prescribing physician and therapist if you have one.

HeyJude

3/29/10 4:59pm

There are a lot of bipolars that take lithium with good results, and others that cannot tolerate it. Lithium has been in use for about 40 years here in the states. The fact that it's still on the market is encouraging regarding its safety.

You are very fortunate to have a strong supportive family. I know how that feels - it has made my own life with bipolar a lot easier and I stay healthier. You are blessed.

If you are concerned about starting on lithium, the person you should discuss it with is your pdoc. You can work things out as a team. I wouldn't want my family making decisions about the meds I take.

Judy

Pushok4me

4/13/10 7:51pm

Hi!

Well, in my experience, having a good pdoc is vital. Sometimes you have to shop around. If you are not happy with your pdoc or it doesn't seem to click, find one with whom it will. Of course, this doesn't mean endless doctor-hopping either...

But you need to be able to trust your doc, that he has your best interest at heart and is there to help you.

As far as lithium is concerned: I can't tell you much, since I am on Depakote. A friend of mine has been on lithium for years and it worked wonders for her. Unfortunately she had to stop using it, cuz of her kidneys. Depakote is tough on your liver. So I get the depakote level checked every three months, as well as my liver functions. That is so we can keep an eye on what my body is doing with the depakote and adjust it accordingly. I have been close to three and a half years on depakote, and things are humming along nicely.

That said: I am still swinging here, there and everywhere. But I have a fantastic talk-therapist which means the world to me. It keeps me grounded no matter what mood I am in. I can highly advise to look for one. And again: you've probably got to shop around...

But it is not lithium or depakote. There are a host of other meds around to help stabilize your moods. You really need to find the right doc to help you. I have been blessed with good pdocs. I am on my fourth now (yeah I know, less than a year with each. Twice I moved, once the pdoc moved on) and have met him just once. But I picked him on recommendation AND the fact he specializes in mood disorders. That is why he was recommended to me, too.

Keeping a chart is good. I make a couple of notes about the highs/lows of the day, just for my memory. It gives some oversight on how meds affect your moods, how your sleeping is, you might even find what triggers you and what happens before an episode (I sleep either significantly more or less, for instance).

But do something. Don't try to doctor yourself. Pdocs have studied years to help us. Find the right one for you, as well as a talk-therapist (this could also be your pdoc, by the way).

I agree with the others: Your treatment should really be decided by you, your pdoc and husband.

Many blessings for your journey!

Pushok4me

Britt365

4/13/10 10:50pm

Hi there my name is Britt365,

I've been taking lithium in a lower dose since 2003. It has done wonders for me... the early side effects were hard for me at first, like i lost my appetite for a while, i had switches in my hands. Although, luckily i was able to slow down enough to be tired so I slept.

I guess it's not for everyone but it is one of the top rated treatments for bipolar patients. And it's been around for like ever.

hope i helped. i wish you the best of luck in your treatment rejamin.

Family Vote Vetoes Lithium

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