Question abuout Lithium Levels

Avatar for atober
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Question abuout Lithium Levels
4
Wed, 11-30-2005 - 10:43am

My pdoc has increased my lithium again, started at one pill, went to two, now to three. She said that my lithium level is low because I am metabolizing the medication quickly. I have always had to be increased to maximum dosages on medications, i.e. 6 mg xanax a day, same with valium. I do not have a quick metabolism as far as food goes. If I eat a lot I also gain weight. Is there a different metabolism that is processing the meds? I find this very strange. Anyone with any experience with lithium at all?

Alison

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 11-30-2005 - 10:51am

Hey Alison,

Your body metabolizes Lithium totally differently than the way it metabolizes food...when I was on Lithium, I too metabolized it quickly...my levels were low at first, when I started on 600 mgs...I went up to 1200 mgs and it was too much, I got toxic...I went to 900 mgs (3 a day) and that was a perfect level for me. Hopefully that will be the case for you as well.

Unfortunately after a while, the side affects versus the relief I was getting wasn't exactly even, so Lithium was discontinued...but it worked well for me for a while. I know others here have been on Lithium as their first line stabilizer for long periods of time and love it.

How are you feeling???? We've missed you!

Love and Hugs,

Keli

Avatar for atober
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Wed, 11-30-2005 - 1:24pm

I definitely feel the difference each time the dose is increased and then it sort of fizzles out. I am going to get my levels checked on Friday after being on 900 mg since yesterday. So I guess I'll see.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but what were some of the side effects?

Thanks for the info and I didn't think anyone noticed I hadn't been around (well, I have been lurking). Thanks, that made me smile.

Alison

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 12-01-2005 - 8:19am

Hey! The Lithium fizzled out for me too...

Side affects for me were weight gain...I gained 30 pounds on it...going to the bathroom CONSTANTLY, and just a general feeling of heaviness all around. I constantly wanted to eat...mostly salty stuff.

I've not been able to lose the weight, but honestly, I've not really tried other than starving myself for a month and losing 20 pounds...but I gained it plus some...so I'm trying to cut back on what I AM eating...I have an ED, and tend toward anorexic behaviors, so this weight gain is VERY stressful and depressing for me.

Anyway, how are things going for you otherwise???

Love and Hugs,

Keli

Avatar for atober
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Thu, 12-01-2005 - 2:43pm

Everything is going pretty good. Not great but not terrible. Working through the med changes and increases makes me a bit anxious but I hope to get at the right combo soon. I am gaining weight too, but I think it has something to do with the holidays. Ate too much at Thanksgiving and at the pot luck at work and there always seems to be sweets in my office these days. Anyway, I'm going to try not to put too much pressure on myself about the weight right now. Maybe after the holidays.

Thanks again for the thoughts.

Hugs

Alison