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It works really well for some people (my brother, for example). It's probably worth a try. What does you doctor think?
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I met a renowned Harvard psychiatrist at a meeting last week (he was the speaker). I asked him about various drugs and we talked about side effects and the benefits to different drugs.
He said, were he bipolar, he would choose lithium as his first choice. He listed the good side effect profile and low chance of weight gain and positive benefits of the drug as his reasons.
He said Lithium is a very underused drug these days.
Posts: 1990 | Registered: Feb 2001
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My sister became very groggy on lithium to the point of being virtually non-functional, and she gained about a hundred pounds or so on it in the one year she took it. Her side effects were nasty.
On the other hand, she had no manic or depressive episodes while on it.
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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quid, sounds like your sister was on a very high dose, to get side effects like that. Weight gain is not a usual side effect of lithium. Tiredness may be experienced initially, but usually goes away when the person gets used to the drug.
Chemichally, I had three different chemistry teachers in three years, and my first year chem professor in college all do the same experiment, dropping a bit of pure Lithium in a vial of water.
Boom!
Each one put too much lithium in the water and shattered their beakers.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Mack, What does the DSM IV say? Are the side effects worth it? Is there something else to try first?
I worked with a woman who was bipolar, and she was supposed to take lithium. She didn't, and tried a high dose of niacin(?) It didn't work for her, but maybe something else would work for you. (I am assuming it is you)(sorry if I am off the mark here)
At any rate, my heart goes out to you, and i hope you had a better day today. I thought about you all day today.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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Lithium put me in a walking coma. I hated it. I hate all of the drugs but so far Zoloft is the least offensive. Why can't I just be normal? Posts: 601 | Registered: Sep 2002
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They've got my girlfriend on Depakote, and it is seriously kicking her ass.... she's like a zombie, most times... and it makes her feel sick... I don't think they've correctly diagnosed her at all.... not to mention her therapist is moving, and she has decided she doesn't want to go back into therapy after she leaves... sorry... just wanted to get a bit out, and this seemed the place...
Yeah, sucks the lithium didn't work out for you. (((((Mack)))))
Posts: 677 | Registered: Sep 2003
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Dawnmarie, please don't beat your head against the wall over not being normal. The world needs us not-normal people. Please love yourself, instead, for who you are, as God loves you.
Damien, are you talking about Index? I wondered how she was doing? Can we have an update from her? <<<<<Index Card>>>>>
Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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mac, if lithium made you ill before, then I can't see why they'd want to try you on it again. My father was diagnosed bi-polar late in life after taking thorazine unmonitored for 30 years.
I don't know if he really was bipolar or not because the thorazine had probably pretty well messed up his body esp. all the nerves. So his mental functioning was impaired also. He did exhibit manic behavior and they SAY there is no plain mania, but after being drugged for 30 years I wonder whether he wasn't just trying to live a little.
The lithium did not work well for him because it made him all dopey. He tried another similar drug, which seemed like it might have worked, but his damaged body didn't have enough time left for us to ever know.
I had no idea that Zoloft would help for bi-polar, but if it does (per dawnmaria - agrees with ak here VIOLENTLY) I would definitely tell you to try it.
Is it an option?
Posts: 874 | Registered: Oct 1999
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