New Lithium User

[houghchrst]

Hi, I have been diagnosed with BipolarAffective Disorder Type II and about 10 days ago my doc put me on 150 mg of Lithium Carbonate 2x a day then after 7 days increased my dosage to 300 mg 2x a day. I have a really hard taking meds for my condition because I tend to get the worst of the side effects. I noticed with the Lithium that I feel like I have the flu. Am seriously nauseated for most of the day and just feel crappy in general. I suffer from migraines and have been treating these with Imitrex but have found that I can't take the Imitrex for the side effect migraines I get because they intensify the flu like feelings that I have which causes me to become depressed and start crying. I have stopped taking any of the steroidal medications for my arthritis and asthma but do take an NSIAD Daypro for my arthritis. I guess I just want to know if these side effects usually go away. I just feel like I am not interested in doing anything because I feel so lousy and to top it off I am on crutches due to a torn meniscus and ACL. I have read that once I am stabilized that there is a possibility that my dosage may be lowered and wondered if that may help. This is my 5th medication and I am sick of the side effects and the rollercoaster. I almost feel as though I was better before the meds. I would greatly appreciate any feedback.

[Jennybean]

Hello there,

I too am a bipolar patient and I'm sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time. I was on Lithium for about two years and have just recently been switched to Lamictal because it turns out that the Lithium caused further complications with my Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. To be honest, I hated Lithium. For me it was like a bizzar roller coaster, I really can't think of any other way to describe it. My dosages were constantly being regulated and I still found no relief. With the side effects you are describing it sounds like you may be experiencing "first time user" side effects or it could very well be toxicity complications due to a possible drug interaction with other medications. This can be determined by a simple blood test that your primary health care professional can help you with. I don't mean to alarm you, but Lithium can also cause possible serious complications with kidney and liver functions. Doctors often fall back on Lithium because it was basically the first medication to be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. However, scientific advances have opened the door for several other medications that are now classified as treatment options for bipolar. Many of these medications are primarily prescribed for siezure disorders but also work well for bipolar. Be sure to discuss ALL of your symptoms with your doctor. Pay close attention to the side effects that you are most concerned with. It helps to keep a journal of what symptoms you are experiencing, what time and how often they occur, what helps to alieviate these side effects, and anything else you feel may be of further importance for your doctor to address. Ask about alternative options and other medications used to treat bipolar. Due to the nature of this disorder it is very important for you to have a strong relationship of trust and confidence with your doctor. Stabilizing the symptoms of bipolar can be a long and bumpy road. Personally I have dealt with this disorder for about seven years, bouncing around from diagnosis of anxiety, to depression, to depression with axiety, and finally to bipolar (my bipolar diagnosis is approximately two years old). I sincerely hope that I have been of some help. It's hard to deal with, but don't ever dismiss it as unimportant. The seemingly endless medication trials can feel overwhelming, but it often takes quite a while to determine if it is right for you. The response to treatment can be different for each individual, ranging from weeks to months or even years at a time. The important thing to remember is you are not crazy, you are not alone, and you CAN find the help that works for you. Hang in there! And please share any other concerns, experiences, questions and whatnot.

Best of luck,
Jennifer

[waves]

I noticed with the Lithium that I feel like I have the flu. Am seriously nauseated for most of the day and just feel crappy in general. I suffer from migraines and have been treating these with Imitrex but have found that I can't take the Imitrex for the side effect migraines I get because they intensify the flu like feelings that I have which causes me to become depressed and start crying. I have stopped taking any of the steroidal medications for my arthritis and asthma but do take an NSIAD Daypro for my arthritis. I guess I just want to know if these side effects usually go away. I just feel like I am not interested in doing anything because I feel so lousy and to top it off I am on crutches due to a torn meniscus and ACL. I have read that once I am stabilized that there is a possibility that my dosage may be lowered and wondered if that may help. This is my 5th medication and I am sick of the side effects and the rollercoaster. I almost feel as though I was better before the meds. I would greatly appreciate any feedback.Hi there, sorry to hear of all these troubles... Jennifer has already given you some good advice and testimonial. it may take time but good combinations can be found. physical issues and psych issues compound each other with me, really badly. I too have done the medication merry-go-round... I am better, but not well yet.

Now, as for your Lithium, I would like for you to call your doctor asap and report all side effects, plus every single other medication, and dosage, that you take. In case of fever go immediately to urgent care or ER.

NSAIDS in particular are contraindicated with Lithium - they slow it's elimination thereby raising blood levels... even to toxic levels. In any event, this med in particular needs discussion with your doc - he may want to test and/or adjust your Li level.

best of luck... please pop back to let us know how you are!

~ waves ~ from the Bipolar Forum (http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=102) ~ do come by ! :)

[waves]

Jen... to you too: ~ waves ~ from the Bipolar Forum (http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=102) ~ do come by ! :)

Sounds like you too have a lot on your plate, besides bipolar. I hope you are doing well right now.

Anyway, do drop in if you want to share, vent, or to share info or experiences.

~ waves ~

[houghchrst]

Well it has been a while since I have been here. Things went from bad to worse with the meds. I have other medical problems and the meds I was taking it seems was always affecting my BP disorder and the meds I needed for it but I need the other meds because of the pain and my asthma. i finally got fed up and we decided to take a break from the meds but I kept the Xanax and the Clonopin for *emergencies* I have really bad bouts of PMS. Anger, crying jags, depression. the Works so I held on the these. Lately I have been feeling like I need something but I am afraid. I finally got my brain cleared out from all of those meds that we changed back to back. Not sure what to do because it is affecting my relationship with my other half. He loves me and has stuck by me at my worst moments and swears that if I were to ever leave him he would camp outside my front door but a person should only have to put up with so much. We are in therapy but I feel like a fraud when we leave there because all we talk about is my pain and the superficial. Thanks for the previous info.
Christina

[waves]

well hi there i was just poking around and found this.

not only, i found a post by me which i can scarcely relate as an answer to yours, and it is all all red-bolded and whatnot! and adorned with admonishments to call your pdoc! ;)

I am (cough cough) more lucid and calmer tonight. all i wanted to say, upon stumbling here (i didn't stub any toes, no worries), is that...

i think wonders of how much you and your partner both are compassionate as to what the other must bear, and are not only cognizant of the fact that there is an impact BIG impact on the relationship, but practical, insofar as going to therapy together. If the pain is the main issue... let it be so. It cannot be denied, after all. How useful would that be? It sounds like there's a lot of love there. I wish the best for you both.

I'm glad to have met you. you are a wonderful gift to our forums.

~ waves ~ from across the oceans

[2young2feelthisold]

i'm bi-polar (manic depressive when i was first diagnosed). bi-polar sounds much nicer. i have been, at least it seems, on every med out there. none has done much for me for any length of time. seems as though the side effects always hit me hard. when one would work, i was never myself, i was sort of zombie like, just going thru the motions not living life. one thing that did help me was ect. can't recall how many sessions i had, this was back in 99, but it did seem to snap me out of the depth of depression i was experiencing then. would not do ect again though, unless i was suicidal again, due to the fact that i lost nearly a year of memories. some good, the birth of my youngest daughter, some bad, my suicide attempts and outrageous bahavior while in my manic phases. ect did though, i firmly believe save my life. have been thru several docs since and more meds than i can remember, same routine i went thru back in the 90s and just can't find anything that works. to compound my issue, i have severe back problems which require me to be on pain meds for the past 4 yrs. kind of a catch 22. i have been phych med free for almost six months, trying exercise, diets anything holistic that i can find. i have good days but they are surely outnumbered by the bad. i am on disability retirement due to bi-polar since sept 06. the point of my rambling is that i really believe that some folks just don't respond to phychiatric meds. my mother, my aunt and one of my sisters also suffer from bi-polar, must run in the family. unfortunately my mom and her sister both overdosed on their meds and have moved on to a better place. meds don't work for me, but if i ever feel suicidal, i would get back on them in a heartbeat.