Posted by Chloe on January 9, 2002, at 17:24:04
In reply to Re: Neurontin/MS's-Mitch » Chloe, posted by Mitch on January 8, 2002, at 23:24:38
Hi Mitch,
Yeah, I know lithium really works for me. But this scalp thing is no longer lithium related. After I d/c'd the lithium, the scalp burning came back, perhaps because I raised the Neurontin by 100 mg/day. SO, I have some neuropathy on my scalp. A dermatologist saw no rash or psoriasis, so he said that all these med trials have made my hair hypersensitive to pain...So, now I am on 20 mgs of amitriptyline for the pain. And I have to say there is a MILD reduction of the burning. I like the amitrip. Finally, I am sleeping at night! Wow, what a luxury that is! Low dose TCA's are underrated, IMHO.So I called my pdoc for her to call in some regular lithium. I really need to start something that will help with the suicidal thoughts. And I am sure Li will...If I can tolerate a high enough dose.
I will bring up the issue of watching my TSH my next appt.
I am just so discouraged and tired of feeling ok for about 36 hours, and then diving into a psychotic suicidal depression for a good 36 hours. I am finding that I am unsafe at times. And since I can't take the AAP's I am really in trouble.
Ho hum. I hope I hear from my pdoc so I can start the Li soon. But hey, what's the rush? I really don't want the bad side effects, esp the dried up and falling out hair. It is just starting to get a little shine back...Thanks for writing
Chloe
> Nope, I must say I haven't dealt with either verapamil or nimodipine. You do realize that Neurontin blocks voltage-dependent calcium-ion channels *selectively* whereas the others are generally a shotgun with more side-effects? It really sounds like from what you have posted that Lithium has done you more good than anything else (without having to take AP's and deal with dystonia, etc.). You did say that your TSH went up when you were on Lithium and there was a delay from the time you felt better on the Li to the time you started to experience the scalp stuff. Just my opinion...but I think that if you simply started to add back the lithium (say 150mg/bedtime) AND a *little* thyroxine (T4) to compensate AND work those up together maintaining your TSH within normal levels but in the hyperthyroid "half" of the bellcurve (instead of the hypothyroid half), your skin might be more forgiving and might find your way back to 600mg/day of lithium with your Neurontin *without* the scalp trips...might be worth considering. An important note: I remember you mentioning your *DAD* saying something about how the Li positively helped you. That is an important thing when someone else notices an improvement (whether or not you are aware of it).
>
> Mitch
poster:Chloe
thread:88843
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020103/msgs/89478.html