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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 9:18:35
I had no idea that lithium caused kidney failure. A friend's wife died of kidney failure due to lithium. She was bipolar. It did help her mental illness but they she died of kidney failure caused from the lithium. Why I thought it was a safe med? Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 11:37:33
In reply to Lithium + Kidney Failure, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 9:18:35
Posted by linkadge on July 29, 2016, at 13:27:23
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 11:37:33
Lithium can affect the kidneys. It usually compromises kidney function to some extent, but the incidence of kidney failure is fairly low.
I think there are other risks (such as being overweight) which can be a side effect of lithium other medications for bipolar.
As mentioned, there are ways to minimize and detect kidney risks associated with lithium use.
Linkadge
Posted by Tabitha on July 29, 2016, at 13:42:18
In reply to Lithium + Kidney Failure, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 9:18:35
> I had no idea that lithium caused kidney failure. A friend's wife died of kidney failure due to lithium. She was bipolar. It did help her mental illness but they she died of kidney failure caused from the lithium. Why I thought it was a safe med? Phillipa
I am very sorry to hear about your friend's wife. Lithium is relatively dangerous because the effective dose is very near the toxic dose. Thus the requirement for blood level monitoring. Kidney function is also supposed to be monitored. This reference says every 3-6 months. If you get symptoms of kidney problems you're supposed to stop the lithium. I'd be really angry if it turned out her doctor did not do proper monitoring while she was on lithium.
http://www.canmat.org/di-bipolar-treating-bipolar-disorder.php
Posted by linkadge on July 29, 2016, at 17:30:09
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure, posted by Tabitha on July 29, 2016, at 13:42:18
There are some recent studies that suggest that lithium induced kidney impairment is not generally progressive, and that many patients can maintain lithium therapy for a lifetime without issue.
That's not to say it can't affect the kidneys.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on July 29, 2016, at 18:00:05
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure, posted by linkadge on July 29, 2016, at 17:30:09
> There are some recent studies that suggest that lithium induced kidney impairment is not generally progressive, and that many patients can maintain lithium therapy for a lifetime without issue.
I read that, too.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 18:15:38
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure, posted by SLS on July 29, 2016, at 18:00:05
This is a facebook friend's wife. He said that they did change from lithium to another mood stabalizer didn't ask what med. But the damage was done. She also had COPD and was in late 60's. I wonder the same if proper monitoring was done. My ex-father in law took it for years and years and lived well into his 80's. When I worked in psych this was this pdoc who insisted everyone was bipolar and each got a script for lithium. He even told me to take a low dose of it when premenstral. Many years ago. I didn't though. Interesting. I wonder what the stats are with kidneys and lithium? Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on July 29, 2016, at 19:22:06
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 18:15:38
Can I ask if this individual was overweight?
My mother is on lithium and has some early signs if kidney issues. However, she has been overweight for a while. Also, she is diabetic on Seroquel and a few other meds.
Her weight seemed to increase significantly after adding the antipsychotics. In her case, I would blame the antipsychotic more.
There have been instances with my mother where levels were in the toxic range.
I take lithium, but refuse to take more than 300mg. Mind you, even on this dose, I have been noticing increasing lethargy (which is unusual for me). However, I haven't gained any weight.
Weight gain seems to be a big issue in bipolar, and it tents to lead to a number of metabolic issues. Some docs are content to just let it go.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 19:47:53
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure, posted by linkadge on July 29, 2016, at 19:22:06
I met on facebook the husband. The wife had died already. The pictures I see in his photos she was very thin like you. She had had cancer and beat that. At the end was on a ventilator. That was the COPD I guess. Pretty sketchy when the person isn't there any more. I didn't know your Mother was also bipolar Link. I can hint around if she also took any other meds. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on July 30, 2016, at 15:15:55
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 19:47:53
>I can hint around if she also took any other meds.
I wouldn't worry about it. It's hard to know whether lithium was the only factor or not.
Linkadge
Posted by baseball55 on July 30, 2016, at 18:19:05
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 19:47:53
> I met on facebook the husband. The wife had died already. The pictures I see in his photos she was very thin like you. She had had cancer and beat that. At the end was on a ventilator. That was the COPD I guess. Pretty sketchy when the person isn't there any more. I didn't know your Mother was also bipolar Link. I can hint around if she also took any other meds. Phillipa
May not have been kidney failure then, or not due to lithium. When someone is that sick, the organs have a way of shutting down, as I'm sure you know Phillipa.
Posted by linkadge on July 30, 2016, at 19:19:17
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2016, at 19:47:53
Chemotherapy could also wreak havoc on the kidneys (?)
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2016, at 19:59:08
In reply to Re: Lithium + Kidney Failure » Phillipa, posted by linkadge on July 30, 2016, at 19:19:17
Just about any medication can. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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