lithium, last option, not sure about it

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
lithium, last option, not sure about it
5
Mon, 02-14-2005 - 4:47pm

Ok, I really am faced with lithium now. I lost a lot of my hair while on Depakote, and of course I got a rash while on the Lamictal. Now in case you havnt noticed, I seem to get the worst side effect, the ones that were a major concern before i went on that my doctor assured me were rare.

I am terrified about lithium. I like to go ot the gym a lot and work out for hours and hours. It is the only think that destresses me and keeps me functioning. I am also not the best about meeting my water needs. Now from what my doctor told me the last time he tried to sell the idea of lithium on me, I need to remain hydrated because the lithium makes my body think it always has enough water and it is easy to get dehydrated.

This is also my senior year of college, and the last year i can actually even afford these prescriprions, so i kind of just want to forget about starting anything new. I am not reacting well to anything, and so far the medications have only made my mind cloudy and racing. I can grasp onto a thought while of the medications. I feel worse while on them. Right now I am not on anything because I had to stop taking the lamictal becaause of the rash and i don't meet with my doctor until tommorrow. Can I actually tell him I don't want anything? I feel like I have wasted so much time. I just want to have a little bit of fun with my friends before i graduate, which means i want to drink a lot of drink break. I have given up alcohol for over a year and it seems like for nothing. I def want to postpone any new medications until after the trip. Actually I want to put it off until I am out of school since teh medication is causing my grades to suffer because I can focus and my memory is awful now. Sometimes I have trouble remembering my name. I just want this to all go away

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Mon, 02-14-2005 - 4:57pm

(((((HUGS)))))

I took lithium for a few weeks and the thin line of healing and killing really made me tell the pdoc to either take me off it or I will take myself off it. Just because I had a horrible experience with it does NOT mean you will. It has a tendency to make me thirsty and I was downing diet pepsi instead of water, my mistake, my fault. Another reason I went off it was I needed blood tests weekly and I don't have a car, so I had to get the heck off it. I would not be able to have my levels tested (that is highly important with lithium).

I personally say, do take it, it literally may be the med of your dreams. It very well may make you feel completely different. If pdoc wants you on it, then I say try it. If you see you aren't doing well, then verbalize it to your pdoc. This could be the med for you. I'd hate to think you passed on it.
(((((HUGS)))))
Carla

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Mon, 02-14-2005 - 5:18pm

I have been on lithium for over a year now (plus was on it for 3 years ages ago - before I stopped being med compliant). It is my miracle drug. After 2 weeks I had NO side effects.

Yes, you do need to make sure you are drinking plenty of water, and not as much of the caffinated drinks or alcohol. This is also partially because lithium is a salt-based mineral which needs the water content in your body to be absorbed/utilized. Caffinated beverages and alcohol will dehydrate you.

Lithium did NOT make me gain weight or anything else of the sort. I was VERY tired and lethargic for about a week, but then that went away.

Yes, to be at a theraputic level of Lithium you need to be at the toxic level. I actually have crossed into the toxic level (first time on it) and you get very sick. However, my pdoc is every experienced using lithium and we didn't have any problems. I had to get my levels checked 2 times in the first 2 months, and now I get them checked (along with liver function, thyroid, and kidney I believe it is) every 3-6 months.

Give the med a chance, for a month or so. It could be just what you are looking for. If not, your pdoc should be able to find another med for you to try - there are TONS of them out there.

Good luck and keep posting!
Tracey

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Mon, 02-14-2005 - 6:03pm

I was TERRIFIED at the thought of Lithium, when they put me on it pretty early on after my dx--I've been on it 3 years and love it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
Mon, 02-14-2005 - 6:16pm

Thanks to everyone who posted. I noticed a lot of talk about how it didn't cause weight gain. Is that because I put that I like to exercise? I do that for me, not weight issues. I have trouble keeping weight on even when i don't exercise, and have to eat constantly to keep from looking like i starve myself. I just feel a lot better when I exercise. It relaxes me when I am stressed. I tend to take my stress out on other people if I don't focus it into an activity.

Also, alcohol is not important to me. I do like to have a drink occasionally with a friend, but like I said, I do not drink anymore except very rarely, and even then, i just sip and never finish a drink. I don't plan on being crazy on my srping break, that would be dangerous, not just the fact that i would not be totally with it, but also because of the heat and sun. I just want to be able to have a drink without worrying how it will effect my medication levels, and how i will feel the next day. I don't ever drink to get drunk. I know i don't have to drink to have fun with my friends. usually i am the one walking with the coke or water. Even my boyfriend comments on how i never get alcohol at dinner even though i am old enough (he isn't so i gues sit is more important to him).

I just really want to not have to deal with adjusting to a medication right now. I have a super stressful quarter and I can barely remember to take my vitamins, so i don't think a new medication is good at this time. I just don't know how to convey this to my doctor without him thikning i am being difficult again. I can tell he is already preparing to battle with me again over the medication issue.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Wed, 02-16-2005 - 9:43am

crys, for what it's worth, i have never been on lithium and at one point had the same fears of it that you do. now, while i can't attest to side effects and/or how long they last i can say that it does not carry the same stigma that it did some 20 or 30 years ago. when properly prescribed and managed, i've seen many people thrive. i hear ya about having to eat to look like you aren't starving yourself. i have the same problem. my own personal opinion though, if the pdoc said that he thought it best for me to take it, i probably would at this point knowing what i know now about the med. but the points made in the other posts about weight and alcohol and stuff weren't meant in an accusatory way. many people here have cautioned me about possible side effects of the various meds and lord knows i've been on a slew of them since december trying to find the right combination. like i said, i can relate to your weight issue because i'm skinny as a rail. but i knew that the advice i received here was just information that i didn't have knowledge of. if that makes any sense.


ultimately, it is your decision as to whether you take the lithium or not. your pdoc cannot 'force' you to take it i don't believe. and if your reservations are that strong, then perhaps he can find something else. but the key to successful treatment is open communication both from you and your pdoc. i wish you the best of luck with your meds and feel free to post here anytime. we are a very supportive and caring group. a good number of us (if not all) have been at one point or another where you are at and we do understand.


hugs


traci