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New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
(Message started by: Jim R on Aug 21st, 2002, 8:11am)

Title: Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
Post by Jim R on Aug 21st, 2002, 8:11am
enough.  Getting breakthroughs every night now.  The 900 mg. worked for 2 days providing me with a headache free respite, but the beast came back.  Had my lithium level this morning, so as soon as the doc sees the results, I am sure I'll be bumped up to 1200 mgs./day, like last year - my dread?  That the 1200 mgs. won't cut it either this year and then it'll be a search for a new drug with all the accompanying bullshit of side effects, etc.  Until this happens, Stadol is the only thing I've got to help and it's making me nauseus (although masks the pain pretty much...)

For those of you on lithium, what's your dosage per day?  Thanks in advance and PFDANs to you all. - Jim R

Title: Re: Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
Post by nancyc on Aug 21st, 2002, 10:16am
Keep us posted on what the Doc decides to do, bro...How is your blood pressure now? can you try the verap 480mg.?  :Dnancyc

Title: Re: Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
Post by Jim R on Aug 21st, 2002, 10:52am
Sis,

Actually, after doubling the dose of diovan (BP), it's gone up!  Was 154/94 this morning when I was feeling woozy.  If this isn't just labile, they're going to double this dose up from 180 mgs. to 360.  That with the expected increase in lithium, should put me just about horizontal I should think!  ::) LOL! - Jim R

Title: Re: Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
Post by Jim R on Aug 21st, 2002, 10:55am
Whoops - forgot the other part of your ? Nance,

Doc doesn't want to increase the verap because of the BP med - thinks it will slow my heart down too much and yes, he again mentioned the possibility to having a rebound from too high a verap dose  ???  (and that's what they told me last year too, if you remember...).  But, if I can get the BP better controlled, he gives his blessing to try the Amerge I've got.....  Jim R

Title: Re: Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
Post by nancyc on Aug 21st, 2002, 12:04pm
I have plenty of zomig if you need some, bro..just let me know if you want to try them..i also have some imitrex tabs...got some samples....just want to see you get pf again.. :Dnancyc

Title: Re: Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
Post by Jim R on Aug 21st, 2002, 12:15pm
Thanks sis - truly - but can't do any triptans until blood pressure under better control or risk a CVA.  Hopefully soon I will be able to take the Amerge I already have....  Got to the neuro within 2 weeks, so hopefully things will get better then.

Title: Re: Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
Post by Ueli on Aug 21st, 2002, 7:35pm
Jim,
Verapamil is not only the CH preventative with the best record, but also a medication (and that's its primary use) for certain heart conditions and high blood pressure.

Ask your doctor if you could trade your current med for high BP, the Diovan, for a calcium channel blocker. In this way could hit two flies in one swat. In case you cannot tolerate higher doses of Verapamil, maybe another Ca channel blocker could help, like Nifedipine (Naftin, Procardia) or Nimodipine (Nimotop), both have shown some benefits for CH too.

PFNADs
Ueli

Title: Re: Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
Post by sailpappy on Aug 22nd, 2002, 8:20am
;D ;D Right as Rain as usual Ueli, there is another channel blocker that is very closely structured to Verapamil, that is Diltiazem hydrochloride or the brand Name is Cardizem
Here's a link if you care to check it out,http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/car1068.htm
I tolerated Verapamil and this very well ,however the Procardia almost did me in it just 2 or 3  doses, My BP dropped out! A footnote on that venue is that I have always had very low BP to begin with, being 6'4" and around 185#'s when I tried these drugs my BP was 120/60.
     I recently tried the Clonidine(Catapress)http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/cat1072.htm touted by the Italian researchers so highly and had a very dire reaction to this also, but if you have a higher BP as a norm these may work quite well for you!

Title: Re: Well, the 900 mg. lithium wasn't...
Post by Jim R on Aug 22nd, 2002, 8:20am
Ueli,

Thanks.  I know he won't up my verap (and the neuro agrees) because upping it apparently poses too much of a risk for slowing my heart down too much resulting in either a CHF like condition or bradycardia.  But next time I see them I will explore other calcium channel blockers, because it doesn't even look like the diovan is working anyway - last night in the ER it was 185/118 (of course during a KIP 9-10 CH).  Thanks for your help Ueli and PFDANs right back at you.  - Jim R



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