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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Any feedback on Lithium???
        
(Message started by: Night_Zombie on Feb 5^th, 2005, 8:52am)

Title: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Night_Zombie on Feb 5^th, 2005, 8:52am

started with it about week ago, dont like idea of it but will try anything at moment ,any info would be great :)

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by toolong on Feb 5^th, 2005, 10:35am

Well the only thing it did for me was turn me into your nickname...a ZOMBIE!Stoned me out of my friggin' gourd.Good luck,works for some.David

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 5^th, 2005, 12:01pm

The side effects vary greatly between people but it has a good track record for Cluster.

Get a clear list of the possible side effects and monitor yourself, contacting your doc at the first sign. Do the blood work which may be advised--and don't assume the worst will happen.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by nani on Feb 5^th, 2005, 12:09pm

I take it...at bedtime. I get a little spacy and shaky about 30 minutes after taking it, so I only take it at bedtime. I am chronic, and am still getting hit...but since I started the Verapamil/lithium combo...fewer hits that are less intense.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by taraann on Feb 5^th, 2005, 1:59pm

What dose are you taking. I was on Lithium(300mg take one twice daily) and
Verapamil (240mg take one twice daily).

I had no noticable side affects (other than constipation). I am supposed to be going up to 1200 mg of the Lithium a day, we'll see if I have more side affects then.

I was on this combo months and months ago and it did NOTHING for my CH. But when I started it again about a month ago and I had noticed a great decrease in the CH's, amt and length of each hit.

*****I have a question about Lithium myself******
I have not been able to pick up my refill. I have been off the Lith for almost a week. When I knew I was going to run out I tryed to wean off it, but was only able to do so for a few days. Any dangers in stopping Lithium practically "cold turkey"? I am not out of my Verapamil as of now, I know that stopping Verap suddenly can cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure, but I know nothing about stopping Lithium.

Personally I didn't plan on staying on the prescriptions for too much longer. I had planned on weaning off my meds when I could afford to try the alternative treatment. But apparently I am not finacially prepared to be on anything right now :-/

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 5^th, 2005, 2:48pm

My info says: no danger is stopping quickly. However, when it's used for mood disorders, cold turkey can induce a rebound of the original problem. Whether this is true for Cluster--don't know.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by kissmyglass on Feb 5^th, 2005, 8:35pm

It works wonders for this chronic head. I too was a bit leary of taking it but thank god I did. I take 900 mg a day with zero side effects Hope your doc told you you do need to get your blood checked every six months or so. thats important.
Don't know about stopping Lithium cold turkey.

Kev

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by taraann on Feb 5^th, 2005, 8:51pm

Thanks Bob....

NZ sorry didn't mean to hijack your thread. Just realized that was rude. The thought to ask just occured to me as I was replying to you.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Night_Zombie on Feb 6^th, 2005, 3:51am

Thanks for feedback. :)

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Margi on Feb 6^th, 2005, 1:58pm

well, my hubby is now Lithium's newest advocate. He started the pulsing method, which is taking it two hours before your biggest hit of the day - 300 mgs. That seems to kill off the rest of the attacks that follow. When he was at peak of cycle, there were some breakthrough attacks that he was able to blow away with imitrex spray and o2. He had to add a 2nd 300 mg dose of lithium at that point.
He's now back to just 300mg about 7 p.m. and....don't tell anyone, but he's now been 72 hours pain free. Fingers crossed here that this will have been his shortest cycle EVER, thanks to the lithium - he started 12/22/04... medicated with verap, etc. he would go six months, unmedicated 3. This is just 1.5 months, folks. Unbelievable. (Thanks, Chet!)
shhh...don't want to jinx him.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by BigRick on Feb 7^th, 2005, 1:28am

on 02/05/05 at 10:35:33, toolong wrote:

Well the only thing it did for me was turn me into your nickname...a ZOMBIE!Stoned me out of my friggin' gourd.Good luck,works for some.David

That was my experience also.It seemed to dull the pain a little but didnt prevent the HAs.I felt like I was floating when I was sitting down and had to get off the Lithium.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by ccbiggsoo7 on Feb 7^th, 2005, 2:56am

No harm in stopping it quickly and if you want to go back on it then it only takes a couple days to get full effects back, unlike verapamil.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by taraann on Feb 7^th, 2005, 11:33am

on 02/07/05 at 02:56:13, ccbiggsoo7 wrote:

No harm in stopping it quickly and if you want to go back on it then it only takes a couple days to get full effects back, unlike verapamil.

Ooooh really? Cause it's been getting worse for me without it these past few days. Good to know it only takes a couple days to get the full effects back! And now I know it IS the lithium making the difference in my ch (crappy way to find out but oh well)

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by ccbiggsoo7 on Feb 7^th, 2005, 2:24pm

I quit it for a week to try the shrooms, Unfortunately it didn't work. Doc, said go ahead and start back up on the lith if I wasn't going to try the shrooms again. Got desperate so I guess I will have to wait on the shroom method until I get a week off from work. Damn I was hoping them shrooms would work on just 2 doses. Oh well! Hopefully we will be back to p/f days in a couple.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Margi on Feb 7^th, 2005, 3:25pm

on 02/07/05 at 02:56:13, ccbiggsoo7 wrote:

No harm in stopping it quickly and if you want to go back on it then it only takes a couple days to get full effects back, unlike verapamil.

Please be careful issuing blanket statements like this. At low doses, lithium is probably ok to stop quickly, but we have no way of knowing what dosages people are taking and if they are only taking it to treat clusters. It they are treating other conditions, stopping cold turkey could cause some very real problems.
Further, there are two kinds of lithium - immediate release and controlled release. The immediate release gets into your system within two hours, the other within 12 hours.

ALWAYS check with your doctor before stopping ANY med suddenly!

here's a link to the bad sides of lithium - and there are some potentially lethal side effects with the misuse of this drug. It does say not to stop taking it suddenly.

http://www.healthyplace.com/medications/lithium.htm

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Jonny on Feb 7^th, 2005, 5:37pm

on 02/07/05 at 15:25:52, Margi wrote:

Please be careful issuing blanket statements like this.

Thank you Margi......I was about to jump real ugly all over that.

Ive been taking Lith everyday for 15 years (600 mgs) and never had any problems what so ever, if you take it everyday for more than six months get the damn blood work done every six months.

Unfucking real how someone can dish out med adivce when they dont know what the fuck they are talking about.

NZ....talk to your Doc!

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

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by cat14 on Feb 7^th, 2005, 5:48pm

Thank you Margi, great info!
I have been 600mg also for a while now and no real side effects other than a hour or so after I take it my hand shakes. But is okay after while.

Like Jonny said get your blood checked regularly though, alot of Dr.s don't tell you that and its a must!!!

I am getting intrested in the lithuim plusing thing?

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Night_Zombie on Feb 9^th, 2005, 4:50pm

Thanks,
at docs today and he's put me on 1000mg, to see if it works any better, if not he wants to try me on a drug called Largactil, dont know much about it, but I really dont want to go down that road, all I know the drug is a bit mad :(. Anyway I have one week to try and sort this out myself, I really dont know what I'm gonna do......help !!!!!!!

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Jonny on Feb 9^th, 2005, 5:54pm

on 02/09/05 at 16:50:04, Night_Zombie wrote:

Before you stop the Lithium try adding verapamil.

Talk to the Doc.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Night_Zombie on Feb 9^th, 2005, 6:08pm

Im gonna do that as I think the lithium is helping a bit, i dont get as many h/a as I did 2 weeks ago, cut down by half, I feel he should be giving me a bit longer, and with the verapamil, also I find the 02 helps.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Margi on Feb 11^th, 2005, 12:41pm

update: lithium pulsing still working well for Mike. We were a little early to start skipping that morning dose on Sunday as he got a short hit that afternoon, but has been pain free since then because of this treatment. 300 mgs 7 a.m., 300 mgs 8 pm. No imitrex. No oxygen. No attacks.
Chet is still pain free too, btw. He came completely off it a week ago and got hit three days later, so he's back to his single evening dose.
There really is something to this pulsing theory.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by TonyD on Jun 22^nd, 2005, 8:34pm

I have been a CH sufferer for 12 years, 10 years eposodic and the last 2 years chronic. Llithium was formulated personally by God and sent to me. Here's what I do.

At 1500mg per day the lithium completely prevents the headaches for about 25 days of the month. When they start up again I stop taking the lithium for 3 full days. During this time I use Imitrex nasal spray to abort about 1 headache per day. At the end of the 3 days I start the lithium again--then it takes a couple of days until I'm headache-free again.

So, I'm getting 25 days of normalcy in return for 5 days of exposure to the headache. This is by far the best treatment I have tried. For me this works month after month for the last 18 months

Everyone that takes lithium knows that the effectiveness wears off. For me it works to lay off of it and the effectiveness comes back. Incidentally, my Doc tells me that he has no idea why this works.

I truly hope that someone can use this information to help fight these lousy things.

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by burnt-toast on Jun 22^nd, 2005, 11:01pm

Please listen to Margi and Jonny - It is important to be careful when giving advice on medications. The following address can be useful for better understanding specific information about the meds being prescribed.

I've taken lithium for 10 years and from day one was informed that to stop taking it a taper down period was required.

Good luck on your search for relief.

Tom

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster

Quote:

[/quote]Why is this medication prescribed?
Lithium is used to treat people with bipolar disorder (extreme mood changes from depression or anger to elation).

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?
Lithium comes as a tablet, capsule, extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken one to four times a day. The amount of lithium you take may need to be adjusted. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lithium exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

The extended-release tablet must be swallowed whole; do not crush or chew it.

Continue to take lithium even if you feel well. Do not stop taking lithium without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.

Other uses for this medicine
Lithium is also used to treat certain blood disorders, cluster headaches, premenstrual tension, bulimia, alcoholism, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of ADH, tardive dyskinesia, hyperthyroidism, postpartum affective psychosis, and corticosteroid-induced psychosis. Talk with your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking lithium,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lithium, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetazolamide (Diamox), caffeine-containing products, captopril (Capoten), carbamazepine (Tegretol), diuretics ('water pills'), enalapril (Vasotec), fluoxetine (Prozac), haloperidol (Haldol), heart medication, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin), iodide salts, lisinopril (Zestril), medication for depression, methyldopa (Aldomet), phenytoin (Dilantin), sodium bicarbonate and other antacids, theophylline (TheoDur), verapamil (Calan), and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or kidney disease, shock therapy, thyroid disease, dehydration, or low sodium levels.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lithium, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking lithium.
you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Lithium may cause an upset stomach. Take lithium with food or milk. Drink at least 8-12 glasses of water or another beverage each day (unless your doctor tells you otherwise) and use a moderate amount of salt on your food. However, if your doctor puts you on a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow it. Avoid drinking beverages with caffeine, such as tea, coffee, cola, or chocolate milk.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
Do not take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Skip it; then take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?
Side effects from lithium are common. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

drowsiness
upset stomach
loss of appetite
stomach bloating
stomach pain
headache
weight gain
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

weakness
tiredness
fever
tremor
confusion
diarrhea
unsteady walking
frequent urination
vomiting
flu or cold with fever
slow, jerky movements
seizures or convulsions
fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat [quote]

Title: Re: Any feedback on Lithium???
Post by Karla on Jun 24^th, 2005, 8:16am

I took 900mg of lithium for 2 years. It cut the number of ha I was having in half. from 8 to 4 ha a day. Also the intensity was not as bad. Before always a kip 10 with the lithium about half would be like a kip 4-7 for the most part. After a couple of years the lithium lost all effectiveness for me. I had no side effects. And to think I was scared also to try this drug.