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Posted 4/29/2007 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
been reducing lithium from 1200mg been lithium free for over a week now. slowly tapered of was doing well untill the last few days now very anxious climbling the walls cant settle basiclay in a mess. now realise just how much lithium was helping been doing quite well the last several weeks doc advised me not to come of lithium without some back up. he advised as i reduced lithium begin taking sodium valporate i said  dont need to ill be fine thinking i know best

why dont i just listen to the docs always think i know best,been feeling fine my own fault now high getting worse every day thrown all of lithium tablets away so i cant even take some lithium to help,dont understand why has this just happened been reducing lithium for a while and ive been fine,making an emergancy appointment to see doc next week so angry a myself am an idiot,familys very angry at me.  

Posted 4/29/2007 11:39 PM (GMT 0)

Gaz,

You are not alone.  I have not been on meds as long as you, but I have taken myself off meds at least 3 times (prob more) in the last 2+ years.  But then each time I realized, that I am better on them than nothing at all.  I went about 6 months before I couldn't take it anymore.

I guess I get upset about the fact that I would have to take meds the rest of my life.  The first few times is stubborness/denial then or rebellion against the mental health field.  Also, other times I convinced myself that I can do without anything.  But each time I failed, myself that is.  But I move on.

Well, now you know you can't do it alone, and don't beat yourself too much.  Hang in there and know we (HW) are here for you. :-)

Posted 4/30/2007 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
 

What is considered a high dose of lithium?  My husband is taking 1500 mg per day. I wonder how this compares to what other people take.

He is doing well on this dosage, and is stable.  I don't want it changed unless he becomes instable.  ALso, what are the facts concering lithium toxicity?  Can too much harm you and how much is considered too much?  APG

Posted 4/30/2007 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
hi am taking 800mg but have taken up to 1200mg thats max for me different people can take different amounts some can take no more than 800mg or 1500mg in your case

you will get your blood level takenn each month to make sure there is enought lithium in your blood theres a fine line between too little and too much in your blood if lithiums too high symtoms vomiting dizziness just type in lithium on your web broser wil tell you all you need to know

 

Posted 4/30/2007 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
APG,

I now take 900mg, for a short while I was on 1200mg and found it too much for me to handle. I have heard of people taking as much as 1800ng, and some only being able to handle 600mg.

Each person requires diff dose, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Posted 5/1/2007 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
I was just wondering am now weaning myself of Zoloft, i see my pysch doc today was wanting to ask him about lithium. Do people who take lithium just take lithium or do you have it combined with other meds. I guess i am wondering if Zoloft and lithium would be a good thing. Tried sereqoul made me to sleepy and could not function during the day so stopped taking it. I explained to the doc about certain things like mind racy, flashbacks etc he wants to and gave me a script for more seroquel from 150mgs to 200mgs, and 125mgs of Zoloft to 150mgs, unfortunatly at this time we do not have the money to cover all those meds. I started the decrease of the Zoloft on my own trying to hold steady from 125mgs to 100mgs, and klonopin as needed, going through some mild withdrawels. Thanks on advance to any who posts a reply. I am going to enter a group thing and see if that also helps but i think that i also need a mood stabalizer for sort term or long term not sure but anyway talk to ya later Twiggy2. Sorry so long of a post.

Posted 5/4/2007 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Twiggy2,

I heard that Zoloft and lithium shouldn't be taken together or at least your doses should be monitored very closely. I think that the Zoloft increases or decreases the amount of lithium in your body, I can't remember exactly.

I'm with you about Seroquel, I was barely functional when I took it in the past.

But if $$ is an issue, lithium is very cheap. But there is plenty of blood work that have to be done to make sure you have the right amount of lithium in your system, and that can get expensive fast. You can call your insurance company and ask them if they will cover the tests, and this might work for you.

Also, if you are going toward lithium, you have to drink 8-12 cups of water/fluid (non caffienated beverages), even in winter. I think I was a little negligent of this in the beginning and got really sick.

I would definetly talk to your pdoc about their suggestions. They would be you best source for what meds interact well together.

Best Wishes!  :-)
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