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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Question about lithium
        
(Message started by: Jim R on Aug 24^th, 2002, 6:15am)

Title: Question about lithium
Post by Jim R on Aug 24^th, 2002, 6:15am

Have any of you who are on lithium or have been on lithium ever found that if it worked one year, that it did NOT work in the subsequent year? It worked fine for me last year (albeit, with unpleasant side effects), but now this year, I have worked up to the same dosage and although I still have the unpleasant side effects, I still have CH's! It is very discouraging :'(

Last night O2 didn't help, the lith didn't help, and I ended up taking a Percocet and then still had another one after I went to bed, which O2 did help that time.

So, now I'm on lithium, verapamil, O2, and pain meds and nothing seems to be working and I've got almost 2 week to go for my neuro appt.... Any ideas?

Thanks guys and PFDAN's to you all.

Jim R

Title: Re: Question about lithium
Post by jonny on Aug 24^th, 2002, 1:56pm

Dont know what to say, Jim

I been on Verap and Lith everyday for over a decade and its never failed me, sometimes I have to go from 600 to 900 on the Lith for break throughs.

I would be totally screwed if this combo failed me.

....................jonny

Title: Re: Question about lithium
Post by Ree on Aug 24^th, 2002, 2:02pm

I was on lithium and I just remember having to have my liver levels checked all the time... Dave tried it and it did nothing for his CH... but who knows next cycle... ree

Title: Re: Question about lithium
Post by 2late on Aug 25^th, 2002, 2:54pm

the only thing lith did for me was make work difficult,good luck ................2late

Title: Re: Question about lithium
Post by Karla on Aug 25^th, 2002, 3:51pm

I was on lithium for 1 1/2 -2 years aprox. ( I am chronic)and it only reduced the number of ha per day from 8 to 4. But it was better than nothing so I stayed on it. It also reduced the severity of the pain level. However, I went off of it to try another potential preventative and that one failed. I went back on the lithium and it did nothing for me. I was very dissapointed. Your story sounds familiar to me. Sorry to hear you are in pain I hope you find relief soon.

Title: Re: Question about lithium
Post by Jim R on Aug 26^th, 2002, 6:25am

Thanks everyone. I have concluded that lithium is not working for me at all this year, except to make me physically and mentally ill. I'm stopping it today and calling the neuro for a new drug - I'll sing it if I have to - who was it? Huey Lewis and the News sho sand, "I need a new drug?" I'd roll on the floor laughing my ass off if I was too strung out from last nights narcotics :'( Jim R

Title: Re: Question about lithium
Post by forgetfulnot on Aug 26^th, 2002, 1:59pm

The Verap dose has a profound effect, What have you been taking 240, 480 etc?
Lee

Title: Re: Question about lithium
Post by Jim R on Aug 26^th, 2002, 5:27pm

Lee - have been on 240 mgs. verapamil but will bump up to 480 tomorrow... Jim R

Title: Re: Question about lithium
Post by Drk^Angel on Aug 26^th, 2002, 8:14pm

I didn't get any relief with verapamil until it was upped to 720mg/day... Good luck!

PFDAN........................ Drk^Angel

Title: Re: Question about lithium
Post by Jim R on Aug 27^th, 2002, 2:08pm

In retrospect, now that I am off lithium, I think that I was in some sort of lithium toxicity. I was so confused that I could not do my job. I was so nauseated and I kept vomiting - absolutely miserable. A completely different experience than I had with the same dosage last year. Hmmmm.... Anyway, I'm so glad I'm off it and not puking anymore! LOL ;D Now as long as Topamax doesn't make me feel the same, I may be getting somewhere! PFDANs to y'all. Jim R