Posted by TomG on June 1, 2002, at 0:00:22
In reply to Re: What Kind of Lithium? » TomG, posted by Chloe on May 31, 2002, at 18:51:50
Sorry Chloe. I guess I was a little vague on my last post. I was just diagnosed bpII in March. The only mood stabilizer I have tried is lithium. I am now on 600mg lithium, 7.5mg zyprexa, and 60mg Nardil. This combination doesn't seem to be doing much. I can notice my anxiety and agitation are not as bad as when I was taking lithium alone, but I wouldn't consider my overall mood better. I attribute this to the zyprexa. I feel drowsy everday and just generally dopey. When I first took the lithium I was able to get up to 900mg by day 14. It worked unbelievably well for only five days and quit. It was definately not hypomania. My doctor says he can't call it a response whereas I think it was. I said in my earlier post that my level was .57mmol/lt at this point with 900mg. My doctor raised dose to 1200mg. When the lithium stopped working I felt bad, but when the dose went to 1200mg it was intolerable. I had this sick internal pressure in my head (not really like a headache) but pressure. Also, my agitation and irritability went went way up. I lowered to 600mg and still felt a little twinge of bad side effects, but it was tolerable. Somehow the lithium worked on me and then stopped working. Something unknown happened. This is where I wonder if another solution of lithium might work for me. What do you think? If one brand fails to work or partially work could another solution work? I can't feel anything on 600mg. I would love to just take lithium, but I think this is a little rare with bipolarII. When I said "wash out" my current medications I of course meant tapering. I've been on the lithium since March 14th, the Nardil since April 26th, and Zyprexa since May 17th. I think I've given all this adequate time. My doctor wants to try Lamictal next. What do you think about trying another solution? Would trying another solution not be practical based on the horrible side effects I got when the lithium stopped working on day 19. Would trying a new solution be more justifed with having more typical side effects of lithium? Tom
poster:TomG
thread:107138
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020525/msgs/108280.html