Im back too....what a ride *trig

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Im back too....what a ride *trig
3
Tue, 04-12-2005 - 1:50pm

Started Lithium about 2 weeks ago and at first it was terrible after a few days.....BAM im flyin'! cleaned the whole house from top to bottom, shampooed the dog, did some gardening, even started contemplating picking up my paint brush again. then......BOOM, back in the trenches ready to die, not getting out of bed, crying, morbid thoughts of my mom in her coffin, shaking........ it was great while it lasted. I know Lithium takes a while to get in your system but i've never had a cycle like that before. it was like someone flicked a switch. Im wondering if this was caused by the lithium? last week was great, now im the lowest of the lows. i can barely type cause hands are shaking so bad. i thought this was my miracle drug. how many more pills do i have to go thru until SOMETHING works?

Just venting, i need some hugs....

valerie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Tue, 04-12-2005 - 2:12pm

Valerie:

Actually, lithium takes very little time to get into your system. I know my response to it is 24-48 hours...and most people I have talked to that have taken it are about the same. I believe it also has a very short half life - that is why you are suppose to have your bloodwork done before you take your AM dose.

It is VERY frustrating to struggle through med after med after med trying to find the right combo, but eventually you will get there. Perhaps the dose of lithium you are on isn't getting you to the theraputic level. If you haven't already, you should call your pdoc. I know that I use to be on a very low dose (600 mgs/day) but my pdoc likes to keep me at the low end of the theraputic range. Now I am up to 900 mgs/day. It seems like 600-1200 mgs/day is standard. However, when I first went onto lithium, I only took 300 mgs for a week to get my body use to it, then went to 600 - perhaps your pdoc is working you up to the right dosage.

Good luck!
Tracey

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Tue, 04-12-2005 - 3:24pm

thanks traci. i do have another question, when you say check your blood in the A.M., you do this yourself? i was under the impression you had to go to a lab for bloodwork. if not, is there a home monitor i could purchase? if so, how much do they cost? ( i know im a little chatter box today! ive been away from you guys for about a week! what symptoms should i look for if i become toxic? i am on a very low dose righ now but i got a feeling doc will be upping the ante when i go back to see her.

sorry so many questions a little manic depressive today

valerie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Tue, 04-12-2005 - 6:38pm
Sorry, no home test for your levels. You do need to go in to a clinic or lab to have the blood drawn. There are several tests that will need to be done, though not all of them are done every time. I know my pdoc will occasionally have my liver function tested, my kidney function tested, my thyroid tested, and of course my lithium levels. I THINK there is something else they test but can't remember right now.