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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Squiggles on July 28, 2002, at 14:50:09
Hi cybercafe,
Well, in case some people have not
gleaned the Yahoo site on lithium,
here are some sites on li dose and toxicity
which should provide caution as they are
possibly more alarming than other sites, but
no less accurate:Basically the higher you exceed the therapeutic
level, the more likely to get- ataxia
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- slurred speech
- headaches
- vision blurred
- seizures
- coma
- brain damage
------- all in a spectrum --; there is also
a difference between chronic and abrupt toxicity;
the chronic affecting the kidneys, and possibly
the thyroid ( i am not sharp on this );Exactly what happend if you go BELOW the therapeutic
level is not as clearly delineated in what i have
seen - presumably mania or depression; how long
i don't know, what dose, don't know... sigh - i
miss the Kraeplin days when every little detail
was written in their books;
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/lithium_ad.htm
http://www.amc.edu/amr/archives/200108/case03.htm
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p020156.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic301.htm
http://www.prn.usm.my/bulletin/1999/prn21.html#consult
Posted by Squiggles on July 28, 2002, at 15:10:13
In reply to Mathematic question - re: lithium dose, posted by Squiggles on July 28, 2002, at 14:50:09
This article is VERY good (forgot to add it):
http://www.ai.univie.ac.at/archives/Psycoloquy/1996.V7/0050.html
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 29, 2002, at 2:19:49
In reply to Re: Mathematic question - addendum, posted by Squiggles on July 28, 2002, at 15:10:13
I consider it a bit scary that we are giving this drug to a population with a higher than average risk of overdose. Hopefully this information will become widespread among medical professionals; there are certainly better options than lithium available.
Shawn
Posted by Squiggles on July 29, 2002, at 6:52:34
In reply to Re: Mathematic question - addendum, posted by Shawn. T. on July 29, 2002, at 2:19:49
It's not as if they don't know Shawn -
i don't believe i have superiour reading
abilities than an M.D. You just have to stay
within a safe range - personally i want the
MINIMAL EFFECTIVE DOSE, but i can't convince
my doctor that lower than 900 just might be
effective and less dangerous.So, i'm trying to find it mathematically myself --
any help would be appreciated.Squiggles
Posted by Squiggles on July 29, 2002, at 9:52:32
In reply to Re: Mathematic question - addendum, posted by Shawn. T. on July 29, 2002, at 2:19:49
Shawn T.,
I just want to clarify, that all drugs
are poisons depending on their dose, even
aspirin (i think it was Paracelsus who first
said that). Lithium too, is an excellent
drug if it is kept within therapeutic limits;The find tuning is required because people
vary in their comfort level. It rarely becomes
toxic above 1.2 unless you are ill with fever
or kidney disease.So, i did not wish to alarm you by these, but
simply to outline the possible side effects
within the safe range, and the dangerous range.Squiggles
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 29, 2002, at 21:23:44
In reply to Re: Mathematical question: li dose -alarmed reader, posted by Squiggles on July 29, 2002, at 9:52:32
I'm aware of the drug=poison idea. Some actually have beneficial aspects to them, hopefully that is a trend for the future. Aspirin is definitely not a wonderful drug; it can cause serious stomach problems. Ibuprofen seems to be a better over the counter NSAID choice. Have you thought about sodium valproate? It is said to be as effective as lithium, but with fewer side effects. If you absolutely refuse to give up the lithium, you could combine a low dose with sodium valproate.
http://biopsychiatry.com/valproate.htm
Shawn
Posted by Squiggles on July 30, 2002, at 8:32:44
In reply to Re: Mathematical question: li dose -alarmed reader » Squiggles, posted by Shawn. T. on July 29, 2002, at 21:23:44
Thank you kindly for the suggestion Shawn.
No way am i taking Valproate - i have
read about its side effect profile -
much worse than lithium;I love my lithium; i am just asking if i
could have a lower dose (as my Synthroid
was reduced by something like 40% - the
two are interrelated as you may know) or
if i could have a slow-release form so
i don't have diarrhea all the time.The problem in Canada now is that the doctors
are overwhelmed with emergencies, and cases
such as mine are really insignificant.Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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