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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> lithium mess... maybe
        
(Message started by: CarrieBethRN on Jul 12th, 2004, 6:43pm)
Title: lithium mess... maybe
Post by CarrieBethRN on Jul 12th, 2004, 6:43pm
Well today I had an appointment with the psychiatrist at the headache center.  Based on some things I'm going through both physically and emotionally right now, he thinks the lithium may be causing me to become hypothyroid.  I go for bloodwork tomorrow afternoon.  Ugh

He also thought my regular lithium carbonate was too short acting to be maintaining a blood level of lithium for me, so I'm going to be switching over to Eskalith I think...which is long acting.  I have to get the blood work first, though.

Anyone have similar experiences with this drug?

Carrie :)
Title: Re: lithium mess... maybe
Post by forgetfulnot on Jul 12th, 2004, 7:28pm

on 07/12/04 at 18:43:11, CarrieBethRN wrote:
Well today I had an appointment with the psychiatrist at the headache center.  Based on some things I'm going through both physically and emotionally right now, he thinks the lithium may be causing me to become hypothyroid.  I go for bloodwork tomorrow afternoon.  Ugh

He also thought my regular lithium carbonate was too short acting to be maintaining a blood level of lithium for me, so I'm going to be switching over to Eskalith I think...which is long acting.  I have to get the blood work first, though.

Anyone have similar experiences with this drug?

Carrie :)


Well not exactly but the psychiatrists always look for a chemical/biological reason for our woe's. I have never been on the short acting lithium, always ER or SR. Lithobid works better for me than Eskalith or others. My thyroid test was normal.

Lee
Title: Re: lithium mess... maybe
Post by CarrieBethRN on Jul 12th, 2004, 7:58pm
Lee,

Glad to hear your thyroid test was normal.  I think it's for a few reasons he is suspecting hypothyroidism.  I've gained quite a bit of weight in a short time despite the fact that I'm eating less.  I'm really really swollen (especially at all the joints).  I do have the depression thing going on.  I also have persistent nausea and vomiting, which is rather strange.  A few female issues which he says can be related to lithium as well.  The blood tests for tomorrow are for thyroid, lipid profile (due to weight gain), and lithium levels.  I guess we'll see!!

Take care,
Carrie :)
Title: Re: lithium mess... maybe
Post by broomhilda on Jul 12th, 2004, 8:45pm
Carrie, keep us posted k? There is always an answer...

Hugs
Andrea
Title: Re: lithium mess... maybe
Post by Prense on Jul 12th, 2004, 8:50pm

on 07/12/04 at 18:43:11, CarrieBethRN wrote:
Anyone have similar experiences with this drug?


Sure haven't...

Hang in there!

Chris
Title: Re: lithium mess... maybe
Post by forgetfulnot on Jul 13th, 2004, 12:58am
Carrie said "I also have persistent nausea and vomiting, which is rather strange."

If you have little energy you might ask for a HCV test as well, persistent nausea and vomiting are caused by many things but all this coupled with depression could be a sign of HCV. I sure hope not, but you need to know what's up.

Good luck!

Lee

Edit, your too young for HCV to be a factor, forget that OK,

Lee
Title: Re: lithium mess... maybe
Post by CarrieBethRN on Jul 15th, 2004, 10:32pm
Well the blood work was normal.  So I guess that's not what is making me sick.  I go to a rheumatologist on August 6, so I'll have to see what pans out on that front.  Something is making me sick...just don't know what. :-/

Carrie
Title: Re: lithium mess... maybe
Post by pam s on Jul 18th, 2004, 12:11am
[quote author=CarrieBethRN link=board=meds;num=1089671831;start=0#6 date=07/15/04 at 22:32:56]Well the blood work was normal.  So I guess that's not what is making me sick.  I go to a rheumatologist on August 6, so I'll have to see what pans out on that front.  Something is making me sick...just don't know what. :-/

I'm assuming the bloodwork was also to determine your lithium level -- there is a very fine line between therapeutic and toxic levels, so it has to be carefully monitored.
Title: Re: lithium mess... maybe
Post by CarrieBethRN on Jul 20th, 2004, 11:55pm

on 07/18/04 at 00:11:37, pam s wrote:
I'm assuming the bloodwork was also to determine your lithium level -- there is a very fine line between therapeutic and toxic levels, so it has to be carefully monitored.


Yup!  My level was 0.3.  Normal is 0.5 to 1.5 I think.  But at any rate, my level was low, so I'm in the clear on that one...

Thanks though.

Carrie
Title: Re: lithium mess... maybe
Post by Lori on Jul 22nd, 2004, 12:50am
Well, I hope you feel better and they figure that out for you. So, you are still taking lithium I assume? I take 1200mgs daily and my lithium level is 0.9 The doc told me couldn't go over 10. I am actually on it for bipolar but praying it will keep the clusters away too! So far so good and I was due in Feb. But, I know it's possible still as the beast surprises us sometimes.
Good luck and I hope the lithium works for you.
Let us know how things go with the HA's.


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