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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Question for lithium users.....
        
(Message started by: bnfreeman on Jul 24^th, 2005, 4:30pm)

Title: Question for lithium users.....
Post by bnfreeman on Jul 24^th, 2005, 4:30pm

What kind of pain relief do you get with lithium? Are you completely pain free? Or do still continue to have clusters, just less frequently and less intense. I started it a little over a week ago with a combination of other stuff and have been pain free for 4 days now. Yeah!!!

Brandi

Title: Re: Question for lithium users.....
Post by brewcrew on Jul 24^th, 2005, 5:27pm

The combo of lithium and verapamil is the only thing that works for me long-term. I'm on it more than I'm off it, but when I go back on, it usually takes 5-7 days to start working.

Title: Re: Question for lithium users.....
Post by burnt-toast on Jul 24^th, 2005, 6:32pm

When I was originally diagnosed/treated with Lithium it almost immediately broke a cycle that had been active for two years. That break lasted all of three months and I used Lithium alone to somewhat control but not stop attacks after that until I added Verapamil and got an almost immediate break of 1 mos. after another two years into an active cycle. In no instance has the use of Lithium and Verapamil stopped attacks but adjusting dosages higher every so ofter has broken long cycles. Unfortuantely I have reached my body's limits on each @ 1200mg Lithium and 720mg Verapamil daily - Increasing Lithium gives me hand tremors and increasing Verapamil causes foot and leg swelling.

My current cycle has just gone past three years, I don't know how to stop it and and I need some other solution(s) that can provide relief. So I'm looking for a change.

Tom

Title: Re: Question for lithium users.....
Post by unsolved1 on Jul 24^th, 2005, 7:49pm

This is my 3rd time on Lithium. I'm currently taking 1050mg / day. I don't think it helps me at all.

Glad to hear it's helping you.

Best wishes

Unsolved

Title: Re: Question for lithium users.....
Post by bnfreeman on Jul 25^th, 2005, 9:54am

Thanks for the input guys. I also take the verapamil with it. Along with Lamictal, Naproxen and Effexor. I started shadowing last night, through the night and this morning. Guess I spoke to soon!

Brandi

Title: Re: Question for lithium users.....
Post by Margi on Jul 25^th, 2005, 10:17am

My husband did the lithium pulsing method early on in this cycle and it really did help him. The first three or four months were virtually painless for him, because of the lithium pulsing. He would still get attacks but, as long as he could get to his oxygen, they lasted less than 10 minutes - it has to be because of the lithium.

However, we've just passed the 7 month mark of this cycle and he's still going strong. I am not sure if it's the same cycle, or if he's started a new one (because it's switched sides). He's currently at 600 mgs lith and we've added in verapamil now. He's tapering up right now, currently just at 240 mgs. The verapamil does seem to be starting to slow things down a bit for him again.

Interesting to note, however, he did try to taper off the lithium a few weeks ago (simply because he's sick and tired of taking meds and he didn't feel it was doing much for him). Real bad idea. By starting a taper off the lithium, it seems to have escalated things and it's been a real challenge to get things back under control again.

I hate clusters. :(